Fleur Hassan-Nahoum describes the enduring Jewish connection to Jerusalem and Israel through shared identity, prayer, language, and history. 🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/msn_K4jYamY #Jerusalem #JewishHistory #Israel #JewishIdentity

The article discusses the controversial Executive Order 13899 signed by Donald Trump on December 11, 2019, which declared Judaism a separate 'race' and 'ethnicity,' and all Jews of common 'national origin.' This move, according to the author, was an attempt to twist Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act into a tool for speech suppression, particularly targeting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The article argues that this executive order patronizes Jews while persecuting Palestinians and undermines the prospects for a two-state solution. It also highlights that Jews have historically resisted being categorized as a specific race, emphasizing that Judaism is a religion and culture of shared ancestry, not a race or nationality outside of Israel. The piece further examines a recent AP/NORC poll showing that while many U.S. Jews support Israel as a bedrock of their religious identity, a significant portion disapprove of the Netanyahu government's policies, with some even labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as genocidal. The article criticizes California Senate Bill 1387, authored by Jewish State Senator Henry Stern, which aims to recognize Jewish identity as an ethnicity in statute, arguing that this legislation plays into the MAGA agenda to suppress free speech and academic freedom. The author contends that such measures promote Jewish exceptionalism, which can fuel anti-Semitism, and that the legislation is counterintuitive to Stern's progressive record. The article concludes by noting that Israel's political direction under the far-right Likud Party has driven millions of Jews away from Israel, making the Jewish community less monolithic than ever. It also references historical context, including the Holocaust and centuries of pogroms, to underscore the importance of not categorizing Jews as a race. The piece warns against the dangerous conflation of Judaism with Zionism, arguing that this mischaracterization has led to unfair demonization of Jews for the policies of the Israeli government, particularly regarding the Gaza conflict.

The article argues that anti-Zionism among Jews is inherently antisemitic, citing survey data showing overwhelming support for a Jewish state in Israel. A 2026 survey of Canadian Jews found 92% back the existence of Israel as a state, with most critical of its treatment of Palestinians but not its right to self-determination. The author challenges the Jewish Organization for Non-Legally Binding Illustrative Examples (JONLIE) stance against the IHRA antisemitism definition, which includes denying Jewish self-determination. Historical context is provided about Jewish movements and the author's position as a former sociology professor. While acknowledging valid criticisms of Israel's actions, the piece asserts that Jewish anti-Zionists are misguided, framing the debate around identity politics and historical narratives. The article highlights tensions between Zionist ideology and Palestinian rights while defending the IHRA definition's relevance to combating antisemitism.

Sovereignty is not a law of nature, it is a choice we must make in every generation. A reflection on the "miracle" of being a modern Jew. (Available in English and Hebrew)

The Israeli response to the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 has been massive and all-encompassing.

Rabbi's Message Rabbi Charlie's Mahashavoth - May 2026Shalom All,Over the past couple of weeks, we have held discussions that are uncomfortable, difficult and painful. During our recent “Ripped ...

Rabbi's Message Rabbi Charlie's Mahashavoth - April 2026Removing Wine from our Cups to Count the Plagues: It isn’t – and it is – what we think Many of us have grown up with the custom of “removi...

Rabbi's Message Rabbi Charlie's Mahashavoth - March 2026Shalom All,I am sharing with you this important notification from the Masorti Movement in Israel, and the entire Conservative Movement thr...

Rabbi's Message Rabbi Charlie's Mahashavoth - September 2025A piece of High Holy Day Liturgy: SelihothOver the summer, we have been looking at different elements of prayer, the prayers themselve...

Rabbi's Message Rabbi Charlie's Mahashavoth - August 2025This month I am sharing, for your consideration, a post from the Rabbinical Assembly that was written by my colleague and friend, Rabbi A...

Rabbi's Message Rabbi Charlie's Mahashavoth - July 2025“Judaism is not a spectator sport” is a line frequently used by Jewish educators. A meaningful Jewish life is one that is lived, one in whi...

By Leigh Silverton