1.A Rallying Cry

David Suissa, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Jewish Journal and a personal friend of mine, has some thoughts he'd like to share with you. He makes some good points.

"The White House report (the first-ever US National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism) is a welcome show of support for Jews, but it’s not a substitute for the hard work that must be done in our communities to strengthen Jewish pride. Complaining projects weakness; pride projects confidence. If the Jewish brand in America comes to be defined by obsessive complaining against anyone who hates us, we’ll end up looking weak, insecure and humorless. Who’d want to join that tribe?

"It’s ironic that the one empowering line in the White House report has received little attention: 'We must tell the positive story of Jewish contributions to the United States and the world.' When I read that, I thought: Bingo. That kind of positive education is precisely the kind that would reinforce Jewish and Zionist pride, reminding Jews and others that this tiny tribe, against all odds, has indeed done great things for America and the world.

"Instead of trying to get haters to hate Jews less, we must get Jews to love themselves more." 

I’m less concerned with us loving ourselves or being humorless (we have Mel brooks and Gal Gadot) but yes to the work in our communities. And the fact the White House has recognized the need for a national strategy and placed Deborah Lipstadt at the helm is a most welcome start. 

2.Judicial Overhaul

In my opinion there are many things consider, but if we all spend a minute on the four in this piece we will have done our share to remain focused on the battle for Israel’s soul.

"The massive protests that filled Israeli streets in March and April ebbed somewhat after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to protesters’ demands for a 'pause' in his push for major changes in the country’s judicial system. But the conflict is far from over, and indeed, is scheduled to heat up again around the end of May, when, with national and religious holidays past and other pressing business (including a budget) largely disposed of, the Knesset will be free to turn again to the much-disputed 'reforms' being proposed for the legal system.

"And what are those reforms, exactly? Though Israel’s government superficially resembles that of the United States in many ways—it has a Supreme Court and justices, like us, and, as we’re frequently reminded, is a fellow democracy—things with the same names can significantly differ in more than just details. Who’s protesting what, who has the upper hand, and what, exactly, is on the table? Moment opinion editor Amy E. Schwartz sat down with seasoned Israel observer Michael Koplow of the Israel Policy Forum for a tour of the landscape.

Be sure to read "Explainer: The Key Judicial Reforms Tearing Israel Apart: An Interview with Michael Koplow."

3.God/Goddess Divine

A gender-sensitive translation of the Hebrew Bible has hit digital shelves. Not everyone is happy. "The Revised Jewish Publication Society edition of the Bible, which the 135-year-old Jewish publishing house has released in partnership with Sefaria, is the first major update to the JPS translation of the Tanakh in nearly 40 years. So far, only the books comprising the Prophets, the Hebrew Bible’s second section, are available on Sefaria.

"The new English translation refers to individuals with pronouns that are consistent with traditional gender norms. But unlike nearly all translations of the Bible throughout history, the new edition, known as RJPS, does not refer to God with masculine pronouns. It doesn’t use feminine pronouns either: Instead, God is referred to simply as 'God' throughout the text."

What do you think?

4.They Had Me at Hummus Trail

Before I served in the military I spent two months in Europe. Hamburg because of the Beatles, Amsterdam, because . . . well, I was almost 18. Paris, Florence, London and Copenhagen filled out the tour. After the service I spent two months in Brazil. Many Israelis did the same. For a while India became the destination and now it looks like Israelis flock to a tiny town in Peru for vacation - and psychedelic spirituality

"In Pisac, Hebrew is often heard more consistently on the streets than English or Quechua, the most widely spoken of Peru’s indigenous languages. The local Chabad rabbi said that 50-100 people pack his Shabbat services every week. Multiple restaurants have translated their menus to Hebrew. Dozens of yellow stickers are scattered around the town of around 10,000 featuring the face of the Chabad movement’s former leader, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, commonly known as the Lubavitcher Rebbe. 

"The town is increasingly becoming a part of the 'Hummus Trail,' an informal route that many young Israelis follow after completing their mandatory army service. Functioning through word of mouth, the Hummus Trail has been used to refer to places in Southeast Asia, but in recent years it has been applied to regions of Latin America, too. Various stops across South America have become so popular with Israelis that locals have started to cater specifically to them.

"But Pisac is not only a layover for young Israeli tourists looking for a few days of peace and quiet. Many slightly older Israelis, attracted to the spirituality infused in everyday life in Pisac — often involving locally-grown psychedelic substances — have chosen to call Pisac their permanent home."

5.Kosher? Totally

"Chanie Apfelbaum’s newest cookbook, Totally Kosher, is filled with many inventive, flavor-packed recipes, like Miso Matzo Ball Soup, Berbere Brisket and Pad Chai, a shrimp-free version of the Thai staple.

"But while the book is designed for kosher-keeping observant Jews like herself, Apfelbaum — who boasts 101,000 followers on Instagram and runs the popular Jewish lifestyle blog Busy in Brooklyn — had a larger audience in mind. Her first book, Millennial Kosher, published in 2018, is now in its sixth printing and is available in just about every Judaica store across the country. With her second effort, however, 'I wanted to reach a larger demographic,' Apfelbaum, 42, told the New York Jewish Week. 'I wanted to reach people that don’t necessarily know what kosher is.' ”

6.With Gratitude

Four weeks from now our annual 2023 campaign will close. The majority of our members, (that’s you, our generous year after year donors) have already pledged, donated online or mailed in a check and to you I say thank you on behalf of our entire community. To those who have not yet participated, please reply ASAP when we mail or call you in the coming weeks. And let me be the first to thank you ahead of time.

TBA