A Challenge to J Street
In its April 4 issue, the Forward reported that some Philadelphia Jewish officials objected to the March 27 screening of our film, “The J Street Challenge,” in the City of Brotherly Love (“Tough Road for J Street as It Bids for an Official Place Within the Communal Tent”). We are perplexed. We made the film to air and debate J Street’s views on Zionist policy and its unprecedented approach to our community’s relationship with Israel. Heretofore, all mainstream Jewish groups, along with the vast majority of American Jews, have agreed that no matter what our differences with the democratically elected government of Israel, it would be wrong to impose our views. J Street breaks radically with this tradition. That our federations now contain donors who are J Street supporters, as well as critics, should not alter this arrangement, nor should it buy J Street protection from reasoned criticism.
American Jewish leaders encourage open and free-ranging criticism of Israeli leaders as proof of our democratic values. Why would they condemn thoughtful criticism of the policies of Jewish leaders here as “intolerant”?
Charles Jacobs, President
Americans for Peace and Tolerance
Watertown, Mass.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news. All donations are still being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000 until April 24.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
