http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/confronting-the-identity-challenge/ Connect. Educate. Innovate. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:13:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/confronting-the-identity-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-40596 rejewvenator Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:48:41 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=2817#comment-40596 This hits the nail on the head. I'd like to add just one point. Israelis have felt that they have a monopoly on Jewish identity, but ironically, mainstream Israelis suffer the most existential angst around their identities. In America, you choose to be Jewish, so you have some indication as to why it's important to you. All the sacrifices you make for your Judaism are voluntary. In Israel, it's the opposite. You're born into your Judaism, and your sacrifices, like army service, are mandatory. Israelis have typically viewed this situation as a reason to be proud, and sometimes, to look down on the American Jewish community. But Israel has a lot to learn about Jewish identity and its survival in a true free marketplace of ideas and identity. This hits the nail on the head. I’d like to add just one point. Israelis have felt that they have a monopoly on Jewish identity, but ironically, mainstream Israelis suffer the most existential angst around their identities. In America, you choose to be Jewish, so you have some indication as to why it’s important to you. All the sacrifices you make for your Judaism are voluntary. In Israel, it’s the opposite. You’re born into your Judaism, and your sacrifices, like army service, are mandatory. Israelis have typically viewed this situation as a reason to be proud, and sometimes, to look down on the American Jewish community. But Israel has a lot to learn about Jewish identity and its survival in a true free marketplace of ideas and identity.

]]> http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/confronting-the-identity-challenge/comment-page-1/#comment-40469 Confronting the Identity Challenge | JewPI Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:38:33 +0000 http://ejewishphilanthropy.com/?p=2817#comment-40469 [...] as chair of the Executive. Here are his thoughts. by Natan Sharansky Several years ago, when I Read More » Share and [...] [...] as chair of the Executive. Here are his thoughts. by Natan Sharansky Several years ago, when I Read More » Share and [...]

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