viewpoints » S end letters to: letters@thejewishnews.com

commentary

President-Elect Trump — A Tsunami And Its Consequences

N

ot all of us were wrong. Some
They have chosen a president strong on
of us did not discount Donald
punchy soundbites but short on detailed
J. Trump’s prospects of winning
policies. Again, though, he will be able to
the U.S. presidency. Some of us thought
reach out in any and every direction for
he performed well enough in the
the wisest input as he oversees
debates to legitimize his candi-
America’s path ahead domestically
dacy among wavering voters, and
and internationally.
recognized the appeal to bitter
They have also chosen a person
and frustrated Americans of his
strikingly lacking in grace. A rab-
proffered no-nonsense solutions
ble-rouser. A candidate who vowed
to their ostensible ills. Some of us
to jail his opponent. A nominee
internalized the spectacular ani-
who incited against nations and
mus to Hillary Clinton — as the
faiths. A leader some of whose
David Horovitz
figurehead of a loathed establish-
supporters’ behavior lapsed into
ment and as a woman.
anti-Semitism, and some of whose
Not all of us placed great confidence in
own oratory and campaign material went
the opinion polls that relentlessly forecast a
dangerously close. A man with an awful
Clinton victory. Watching from these shores history of rhetoric, and allegedly of behav-
— where the reputation of public opinion
ior, regarding women. A figure beyond the
surveys was battered by the wrong call in
pale for some in the leadership of his own
1996 that had Shimon Peres elected prime
party. It’s fanciful to expect that he will now
minister, was further eroded by inaccuracies undergo a personal metamorphosis.
over the following two decades and was bur-
The people have spoken, proving yet
ied with risible exit polls in 2015 that saw
again that democracy is truly the worst form
Isaac Herzog’s Zionist Union handsomely
of government, as Churchill noted … except
beating Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud — it
for all of those other forms that have been
did not seem particularly implausible that
tried from time to time.
the experts had it all wrong, that their sam-
If the pollsters are to be believed —
plings were inaccurate, that too much faith
though why would they be? — Israelis
was being placed in their algorithms.
would have preferred a president Hillary
But as America voted decisively last
Clinton. In part, I imagine, that was because
Tuesday to be led by Trump, none of that
of distaste for him; after all, they told the
makes the result any less dramatic.
same pollsters, they thought his policies
The American people have spoken, loud
might be better for Israel than hers. In
and clear. They have chosen, eyes wide
part, too, they presumably figured they’d
open, a man with no political experience.
know where they’d be with her. For us, as
But OK, he could surround himself with
for America and the rest of the world, it’s a
expertise and could prove to have the kind
blank slate now. The president-elect has no
of gut instinct for the right calls that made
governing record, no voting record, as an
Ronald Reagan (who, of course, was not just indication of future behavior.
a movie actor, but had governed California)
We in Israel have always prized three
such a successful president.
qualities in American presidents. First, as a

country dependent on our alliance with the
U.S., we look for a president who has gut
empathy for the Jewish state — an apprecia-
tion of our legitimacy and a personal com-
mitment to ensuring our survival. Second,
we hope for a president who is deeply aware
of the challenges we face in the ruthless
Middle East, a region where not everybody
wants to live and let live, and where many
are being brainwashed to kill and be killed.
And third, we seek a president who will reli-
ably have our back — at all times, but espe-
cially in our hours of need. We don’t ask the
citizens of any country but our own to risk
their lives in our defense, but we do rely on
American support — militarily, diplomati-
cally, economically, morally — to ensure
that we are capable of defending ourselves.
Has Donald Trump evinced an emotional
affinity for Israel? Does he recognize the evil
that men can do in this and other parts of
the world? Will he be reliably in our corner?
On the first two questions, even many
of his critics would acknowledge that the
reasonable answer is yes. On the third, we
will gradually find out — as we, America
and the rest of the world become familiar
with a reality that many self-styled experts
refused to so much as contemplate:
President Trump.
Rather desperately, Israel’s opposition
leader Isaac Herzog rushed on Wednesday
to depict the victory as evidence of a
global shift that will ultimately benefit him,
describing the election result as part of an
“economic, social and leadership tsunami,
affecting many countries, that will also lead
to change in Israel.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it
can be safely stated, sees Trump’s win rather
differently — as the crowning of an ally who
shares his belief in projecting strength, and

who broadly shares his thinking on the Iran
nuclear deal and the Palestinian conflict, the
two issues at the heart of his frictions with
President Barack Obama.
Within hours of victory being confirmed,
indeed, various coalition members were
hailing President-Elect Trump as one of
their own. Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked
tweeted her happy anticipation of the
Trump-promised relocation of the U.S.
Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. And
Education Minister Naftali Bennett declared
that “the era of a Palestinian state is over,”
given Trump’s position to this effect “as writ-
ten in his platform.”
Well, maybe. Or maybe not. Because
Herzog is right about one thing. Trump’s
election to the most powerful office in the
free world is a tsunami, all right. And there’s
simply no knowing its consequences.

*

David Horovitz is founding editor of the Times of Israel.

Correction

“Surviving Slavery” (Nov. 10, page 10)
should have reported that the International
Labor Organization says human traffick-
ing is a $150 billion enterprise, that fewer
than 30 beds exist in Michigan long- or
short-term for adult women survivors, that
no long-term recovery programs operate in
Southeast Michigan for women, and that
Sanctum House’s goal is to provide resourc-
es for woman, children, men and LGBTQ
survivors of human trafficking .

letters

TAUBMAN CAMPUS
IS SAFE, ACTIVE
I would like to offer a response to Janet
Birnkrant Levine’s Jewish News opinion
piece from Nov 3: “The Death By Neglect
Of A Community.” While I appreciate Mrs.
Levine’s commitment to the A. Alfred
Taubman Jewish Community Campus and
its residents, the description of the current
state of the campus is not accurate.
While it is true that the JPM building is
still vacant pending finalization of rede-
velopment plans, as someone who spends
a large part of every working day on the
Taubman campus, I can assure you that
the well-being and safety of the residents,
employees and visitors to the campus
remain paramount; there is mobile secu-
rity every day of the week from 8 a.m. to
midnight, appropriate landscaping, mainte-
nance and lighting.
Further, our residents are not “locked

The remodeled dining room at Teitel
Apartments

away in fear of venturing out” and are not
in any way inhibited from visiting nearby
congregations or other sites. Come visit the
Oak Park campus and you will see our resi-
dents out and about enjoying the campus

and nearby venues, even in cold weather.
It should also be noted that many pro-
grams formerly held at the JPM building
have relocated to the Prentis Apartment
building and the David and Miriam
Mondry Administrative building, to which
all community members are welcome.
Had Mrs. Levine or the Jewish News
called us to ask about the Dumpster and
storage crates pictured in the article, they
would have learned that they are not
evidence of neglect. To the contrary, they
are there due to the multi-million-dollar
renovation of the Teitel Apartments that
is almost complete. This renovation that
added magnificent new interior common
areas and a senior-friendly raised garden
for the use and enjoyment of the resi-
dents and community, as well as upgrad-
ed units, follows closely on the heels
of a similar renovation of the Prentis I
Apartment building located just across

the way from the Teitel building.
If you visit the campus today, you will
see Dumpsters behind the Prentis building
as well, as the common areas of the Coville
assisted living apartments are also being
renovated through the generous support
of the Coville family and other committed
community members.
Again, I ask you to come visit the
Taubman campus and experience its vital-
ity. Far from suffering a “death by neglect,”
this campus is alive and well. We are
investing every day in the well-being of our
residents and the Oak Park community. We
look forward to the next incarnation of the
JPM building, which we expect will add
back some of the broader community ele-
ments to this wonderful Oak Park jewel.

Nancy S. Heinrich
chief executive officer
Jewish Senior Life
Oak Park

8 November 17 • 2016

Reg

