Looking at Israel-Diaspora link
'No one can imagine what our lives would be like without Israel today. The centrality of Israel is very clear...'
THE relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry has matured, not faded, according to a major voice for American Jewry.
Malcolm Hoenlein, vice-chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations, the coordinating body for 53 US Jewish organisations, was speaking to The AJN from New York this week in the lead-up to his visit to Australia.
Hoenlein will address the annual Mizrachi Beit Midrash dinner in Melbourne on August 18 and will hold meetings with Australian Jewish community leaders during his private visit.
The American Jewish leader spoke of “the emergence of Israel, no longer as a poor cousin, but as a strong, economically viable, independent state”, adding that Israel and the Diaspora “need to readjust” their relationship, “whether in business or in travel, or Birthright [youth visiting programs]”.
“It’s not a question of whether we disagree over a policy of the government of Israel, that’s legitimate … to challenge. But as you saw in the past week [during the rocket attacks from Gaza], the deep interest, devotion and concern [in the Diaspora] … that’s not distancing.
“No one can imagine what our lives would be like without Israel today. The centrality of Israel is very clear and soon the majority of the world’s Jews will be living in Israel,” said Hoenlein.
However, he said, “There is a transformation taking place in the relationship – I think it’s something we have to study and understand, and see how we can make sure that the younger generation feels the connection.”
Asked about the growth of antisemitism, Hoenlein said US Jewish community centres can look to security measures taken by the Australian Jewish community as a model, both in how they have taken the initiative internally and how they collaborate with police in protecting Jewish lives.
Education is a vital resource in combating anti-Jewish hatred, particularly in the online age, he said.
“It took Hitler months to spread the big lie, on the internet it’s nanoseconds.”
Hoenlein lauded the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism “as a very valuable tool, because we have a standard. Once you can define it, you can fight it.”
However, some of the greatest threats to Diaspora Jewry come from within, he said, as assimilation beckons to young people. “We have to be able to compete with our values, our ideas, our ideals, and to show the beauty of Judaism, not just the tzores [woes].”
Malcolm Hoenlein will address the annual Mizrachi Beit Midrash dinner on Thursday, August 18, at the Lamm Family Hall, Leibler Yavneh College. Bookings for sponsors are now open. Contact Rae at office@mizrachi.com.au or (03) 8317 2555.
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