After giving talks on my new book in Park City and then Salt Lake City, Utah, this week, I was surprised that the first question I was asked in both places was about what I thought of the comments made by New York Times columnist Bret Stephens in a talk he gave at the 92nd Street Y in New York.
What I found profound was the link between personal growth and its effect on community evolvement with, and this is a significant factor - creativity as a driving force toward the greater outcome. Jews are particularly innovative, such a gift! - BK
I agree, yet always feel that a personal relationship with one’s Maker makes the magic happen. I love that Mussar provides a tool for balancing ourselves during the process.
Thank you for your commentary and for bringing this article to my attention. I feel that if we paid less energy to the identity of ourselves as victims and more attention to living with values taught in Torah (agreed Shabbat observance is key) while also heeding the lessons taught by the Mussar masters we could bring greater gifts and understanding to this insane world. To continually battle with anti-semitism we cannot hope to bring clarity to those who hate us but we could make the world around us better. Funding Jewish learning instead of putting our names on buildings and hoping for gratitude could be a start.
There are people whose passion is law and politics and I support those people using their talents and resources to show bigots and racists that the world does not passively accept their evil. That’s an important message. At the same time, to identify as victims and to live a defensive life weakens the core of who we are. There is a histrionics in the messaging of the Jewish anti-antisemitism organizations that makes me suspect that it has something to do with fundraising. A rebalancing so we invest more in Torah, Shabbat, holiness, service, humility, charity, and the like, will help us fulfill our mission of being a goy kadosh and a light to the nations.
That Bret S did not suggest an alternative does not lessen the importance of his message regarding vast sums of money wasted. I'd like to think Bret S will note ideas and reactions produced in the media in reaction to his speech, including yours Alan.
I agree. Sometimes it is enough — maybe even revolutionary — to point out that something is wrong even though you can’t suggest the cure. So there is value there. But to me, it begs the question I hope others will contribute to answering. What engagements, focuses and investments will bring about Jewish thriving? If we reduce expenditure on fighting antisemitism, what are we going to invest it in?
What I found profound was the link between personal growth and its effect on community evolvement with, and this is a significant factor - creativity as a driving force toward the greater outcome. Jews are particularly innovative, such a gift! - BK
To paraphrase Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, if you want to change the world, start by changing yourself.
I agree, yet always feel that a personal relationship with one’s Maker makes the magic happen. I love that Mussar provides a tool for balancing ourselves during the process.
Thank you for your commentary and for bringing this article to my attention. I feel that if we paid less energy to the identity of ourselves as victims and more attention to living with values taught in Torah (agreed Shabbat observance is key) while also heeding the lessons taught by the Mussar masters we could bring greater gifts and understanding to this insane world. To continually battle with anti-semitism we cannot hope to bring clarity to those who hate us but we could make the world around us better. Funding Jewish learning instead of putting our names on buildings and hoping for gratitude could be a start.
There are people whose passion is law and politics and I support those people using their talents and resources to show bigots and racists that the world does not passively accept their evil. That’s an important message. At the same time, to identify as victims and to live a defensive life weakens the core of who we are. There is a histrionics in the messaging of the Jewish anti-antisemitism organizations that makes me suspect that it has something to do with fundraising. A rebalancing so we invest more in Torah, Shabbat, holiness, service, humility, charity, and the like, will help us fulfill our mission of being a goy kadosh and a light to the nations.
That Bret S did not suggest an alternative does not lessen the importance of his message regarding vast sums of money wasted. I'd like to think Bret S will note ideas and reactions produced in the media in reaction to his speech, including yours Alan.
I agree. Sometimes it is enough — maybe even revolutionary — to point out that something is wrong even though you can’t suggest the cure. So there is value there. But to me, it begs the question I hope others will contribute to answering. What engagements, focuses and investments will bring about Jewish thriving? If we reduce expenditure on fighting antisemitism, what are we going to invest it in?