‘Who-Is-a-Jew’ Issue in Israel

Like many of my friends, I am more than disturbed by the “Who-is-a-Jew” issue that is wracking Israel and the politicizing of a religious point of few--to the extent of imposing the will of a few on the Jewish community at large.

In the past two years, the position of Israel in the world and with its strongest ally has eroded. This issue is only contributing to that erosion, but in a more critical way by alienating American Jewish support, which Israel can ill afford.

Israel should not take American political support for granted. Nor should it regard American Jewry as “rubber stamps with money.”

Although not a major financial contributor, I am concerned and do feel a strong commitment to the Jewish religion. Yet, I respect those fervent Jewish believers for their devotion, if not their narrow perspective--because over the centuries it is they who preserved the spark and the faith. But it is us (or our parents) who took that spark and carried it to the far-flung corners of the world to new heights in the sciences, in the business economy, in the arts and in the humanities.

It is personally offensive to me to see the political bargaining going on in Israel for power purposes, especially when the chips can affect one’s right to being a Jew.

I intend to withhold, for the time being, my future contributions, not to Jewish causes, but to that part of the United Jewish Fund that is targeted for Israel. It is an abdication of our responsibility to give and not to express; it is poor politics for Israel to take and not to listen.

There are sufficient worthy alternative Jewish charities or causes that clamor and deserve support. Israel must recognize that there is a point where we want to be heard, want to be regarded as a supportive Jew, and yet want to continue to be responsible--responsible for our fellow Jews, whether in Israel or here.

Time is not on Israel’s side; and it may not be on the side of us Jews. Thus, we all can ill afford the division and alienation such an issue as this causes. If it continues to be such an issue, we all shall be the losers.

LLOYD E. COTSEN

Los Angeles