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Some of my friends on the right do not like Jews all that much because they really like white people. They say, “Do not call us anti-Semites: We like Israel.” They tell us that the folks who chant slogans of the KKK or the Hungarian Fidesz or even the Nazis are “nice people.” They say Europeans need protection against the real threats, Mexicans, Muslims and blacks and immigrants, and sometimes our allies against those threatening peo- ple also hate Jews, but OK. They say, we are not anti-Semites because we hire Jews as lawyers and accountants because, you know, Jews have talent with money. Some of my friends on the left say, “Don’ t worry about our anti-Semites; just look at those anti-Semites on the right.” Some of my friends on the right say, “Don’ t worry about our anti-Semites; just look at those anti-Semites on the left.” But really, anti-Semites present dan- gers to us, whatever explanations their allies give to excuse the beliefs. ■ Louis Finkelman is a JN contributing writer, a professor at Lawrence Technological University and a rabbi at Congregation Or Chadash. W hy do American Jews feel such an attachment to Israel (though sadly, not as much as before)? Contrary to analogies I’ ve been reading, it is not comparable to Irish Americans longing for Ireland or Italian Americans caring about Italy. For us, the commitment is not merely ethnic or ancestral; it is also spiritual and existential. It is not a matter of dual loyalty, in fact, but dual love. It’ s a relationship that should not cause inner con- flict or embarrassment, but great pride. Israel is, without doubt, the Jewish people’ s most impactful con- tribution to civilization since the Talmud was completed 15 centuries ago. It seems to me that when people are looking back at the Jewish con- tribution to this historical epoch a thousand years from now, they will speak of Einstein, Freud and Marx — and their impact on the world at large. But our descendants will point toward Israel as our genera- tion’ s most original, revolutionary creation. Israel is our Book of Psalms and our Job, our magnum opus. That is why Israel matters to Jews, no matter where we live. That is why things like elections matter, and religious freedom and planting trees and ensuring equal rights for women, LGBTQ and minorities in Israel. That’ s why free speech mat- ters, and that people who disagree with a government policy shouldn’ t be detained at the airport. These things matter to Diaspora Jews. And if they don’ t, they should. And it should matter to Israelis that it matters to Diaspora Jews. For American Jews, America is our home. But Israel is our can- vas. The former is where we live our lives. The latter is where our lives will have mattered a millen- nium from now. Whether or not American Jews actually vote in Israel’ s elections (and I believe we should have that right), American Jews should participate in shaping Israel’ s destiny. That is why Israel’ s security also matters to us and why it needs to maintain a qualitative military edge over its neighbors. Yes, America is a grand experi- ment, too, one that American Jews cherish and also view as a great work of art. The past few years have reminded us that we can never be complacent in sustaining American democracy. As an American Jew, I love all that America stands for, even when she struggles to find her way, in the same way that my love for Israel remains unconditional, even when she disappoints and struggles. It’ s possible to love both grand experiments, America and Israel — and chew gum — at the same time. It’ s not a matter of dual loyalty, then, but dual love. ■ Joshua Hammerman is a rabbi at Temple Beth El in Stamford, Conn. This essay was first printed in Times of Israel, reprinted with permission. commentary Dual Loyalty — Or Dual Love? Joshua Hammerman