Rabbi Says It's Time to Stop Shunning Jews Who Oppose Zionism

Rabbi Amy Bardack of Pittsburgh, a prominent voice associated with J Street, the liberal Zionist lobbying group, says that is time for the Jewish establishment to stop shunning Jews who are opposed to Zionism.

She writes at eJewishPhilanthropy that the “donor base” of traditional Jewish organizations is “shrinking” and more and more young Jews believe that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians represents a violation of Jewish ethical values. She notes that, “Our institutions have to wrestle with the reality that increasing numbers of passionate Jews do not support the state of Israel. Is it in our best long-term interest to be welcoming to everyone but them? I propose that we spend less time labeling anti-Zionist Jews as anti-Semites and more time figuring how to be truly inclusive.”

Bardack is a long-time Jewish educator and is in the “rabbinical cabinet” of J Street. She pointed out that, “Many of our communal organizations welcome with open arms a full spectrum of people with various racial or gender identities, sexual orientations, religious practices or beliefs. Many of these organizations purport but one acceptable form of ostracism and that is toward those who express anti-Zionist viewpoints.”

Moved by the case of Jesse Sander, who was fired by a Westchester, New York Reform temple after it was discovered that she had written an article critical of Israel after its assault on Gaza, Bardack argues that Sander represents the future: “The number of Jews who think like Sander is not insignificant. A June 2021 poll by the Jewish Electoral Institute found that 34% of American Jews agreed that ‘Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is similar to racism in the U.S.’ 25% agreed that ‘Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians.’ The percentages are even higher when you isolate adults under age 40.”

In Bardack’s view, “The above data should give us pause…Synagogue membership is dwindling. Is it wise to shun Jews like Sander at a time when Jewish affiliation and literacy are at an all-time low? According to Jewish tradition, the community can still learn from them.” **.