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| Rabbi Yosef Blau |
The ethical cost of Jewish communal support for Donald Trump
As my wife and I sat down for Shabbat lunch, we heard the sounds of a celebration. We sensed that the networks had announced that Biden had won. After Shabbat ended, we learned that similar spontaneous celebrations had taken place around the country.
For millions of people, a dark cloud had been lifted. A majority of American voters had rejected a cynical manipulation that sowed division and fear.
* * *
After the election, we do well to consider why a choice was made, as the process itself can have ongoing implications.
President Donald Trump is a polarizing figure. The Jewish voters split their votes as a result of wildly differing attitudes toward his candidacy. In Israel, polls showed overwhelming support, reflecting the feeling that he was a consistent proponent of the policies of the Israeli government. Many Orthodox Jews in America agreed with this evaluation. Some Orthodox Jews supported Trump because of his approach to religion and state and his appointment of conservative judges. They considered these valid reasons to vote for him.
But many Jewish voters were disturbed by his personality. Trump openly defied accepted norms of behavior. He was crude and rude, disparaging those who opposed him and using name-calling instead of arguments. Cynically assuming that all are corrupt, he had no compunction about using his position for personal gain. Trump has been accused of serious sexual misbehavior, as well as financial illegalities.
Politics, for Trump, is a form of war where winning is all that matters. He sees life in transactional terms. He will support the policies desired by religious denominations, while not conducting himself in accord with their expectations of upright behavior. Trump prides himself as a businessman who beat the system. He went bankrupt many times, yet never personally paid the price.
Many of his Jewish supporters acknowledge these character faults, but argue that the policy gains outweigh them. Yet it is embarrassing to justify supporting a candidate because one benefits from his positions on issues that are particularly important to the voter, while knowing that the candidate’s flaws hurt others. Rather than appear uncaring, one easily resorts to explaining that these perceived flaws are not really as serious as they seem, and are even virtues when viewed from a different perspective. In Israel, no one wants to be a freier, which is loosely defined as a sucker, incapable of playing the system, who instead abides by the system’s rules. Someone who has successfully avoided paying taxes, has refrained from paying bills, and emerges stronger from falling business is seen as a winner.
A significant Haredi rabbi explained Trump’s crudity as normal for the rich. Perhaps an alternate rationale for excusing Trump’s behavior is that a non-Jew can do what he wishes, and not worry about criticism. Moreover, if dishonesty is a given, being open about dividing the world between supporters and enemies — who don’t deserve proper treatment — is an expression of authenticity. Since the other politicians are equally corrupt, Trump gets credit for not being a hypocrite.
In broader circles, knowing that Trump is vengeful, his followers have learned to accept his reality. We are witnessing, post-election, Trump essentially refusing to accept defeat. He asserts fraud without providing proof because it is inconceivable that the majority of voters chose his opponent, whom he had derided, and not him.
Pragmatic political alliances should not replace moral and ethical standards. When a religious community becomes committed to a problematic personality for practical gains, it risks losing its fundamental character. Mentalities develop over time and can become entrenched. Yet a single event will not by itself lead to national change. It may be an inflection point. Religious leaders may begin to reconsider a transactional relationship with government and show concern for decency and ethical and moral standards. In Israel, there may be a realization that the anti-freier doesn’t always win.
We hope that this support of Trump has been a unique situation and the religious leadership will communicate that it is limited; otherwise the future damage will outweigh the benefits.
11 comments:
Young women call for end to Jewish youth group culture rife with hypersexualization, toxic masculinity, misogyny & sexual pressure
“It’s an open secret normalized, even lauded, in Jewish youth groups despite MeToo” they write in eJewish Philanthropy Bulletin
The 6 go public after commiserating at Rising Voices @ Jewish Women’s Archive, tired of behavior dismissed as teens being teens
“We want honest leaders. Hypersexual retreats is old news. Everyone knows & leaders must be accountable” said Lila Goldstein, freshman @ Brandeis University who attended NFTY
Another 5 authors spoke of experiences in Reform, Progressive, Conservative & Pluralistic groups with The Times of Israel
They want a comprehensive, anonymous survey of former members to see why they dropped out
Gary Levin, non-denominational BBYO’s SVP of community, is proud they took a stand
Levin met the 6 after publication. Arielle Handel, BBYO director of inclusion, joined him
While Levin never witnessed anything described, he “definitely heard of instances”
Some behaviors: “grinding, slut-shaming” a game that “allots value to hookups based on leadership rank” & a “TikTok montage of identifiable teens kissing without girls’ knowledge / consent”
Madeline Canfield, freshman @ Brown University, recoiled at hearing boys’ chants at BBYO
“The most pressuring, toxic masculine chants. Girls defined themselves in sex & satisfying boys”
Girls chant: “On a boat, never sink, always float. We're the best, there aint no otha. Look at our breasts, better than yo motha! Beautiful girls & proud. On yo knees, get loud!”
Canfield who was 15, never told anyone how she felt until Rising Voices retreat years later that she realized she wasn’t alone being disillusioned
“Try to avoid sex culture pushed on you. You're expected to conform; the chants, who's wearing what. Like something's wrong not wanting to join”
NFTY president Fletcher Block read it & reached out to the young women
“This isn't ok”
While Fletcher said he never saw toxicity & sex pressure, he identified with aspects of what they describe
Not all feedback was positive
A commenter on the article: “big accusation, undocumented by fact & off-putting, boys presumed guilty predators before they enter a room”
Co-author Lilah Peck says change is long overdue
“What happens at retreats isn't isolated. It’s not in just 1 group,” said Peck, senior @ Charlotte Country School in North Carolina
It reflects a wider national problem, says a 2017 Harvard report. Most teens don’t recognize degradation-subordination as societal problems, as per the study
87+% of women experience at least 1 of these in their life: 55% catcalled; 41% touched forcibly by a stranger; 47% sexual insults by men, eg slut, bitch or hoe
“It takes courage to call out the problem in the community. We work so people feel safe to share experiences,” said Ariella Neckritz, manager of prevention for Jewish Women Int
JWI works with Jewish orgs including fraternities & Hillel. They train students to support survivors, shut down victim-blaming, identify abuse & build respect
BBYO-JWI introduced workshops to 531 chapters
“We want all teens healthy & safe” said Levin
Co-author Dahlia Soussan, senior at Kehillah High Houston, hopes the article encourages conversation of consent & peer pressure
“We want to shine a light on problems & change the culture”
Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump pulled their children out of a Jewish day school in DC, 2 weeks before Election Day & 3 weeks after an outbreak of COVID around the White House.
The children attended Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School since moving to Washington in 2017 after Donald Trump, Ivanka’s father, became President. Their 3 kids started a different school, Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy in suburban Maryland, on Oct 19.
“They withdrew from the school,” a spokesman for Milton, as the school calls itself, said in a statement.
A source close to the family said they withdrew because Berman offers more in-person classes during the pandemic. Jared Kushner said amid national debate if schools should reopen, he'd send his kids to school in person if he could. Berman switched to mostly in-person in Sept.
But parents of children attending Milton, which is switching to fully indoor, in-person next week, say the withdrawal came after parents raised concerns Kushner & Ivanka Trump, top Presidential aides, were seen at events not complying with virus protocols Milton demands of parents.
The protocols, which JTA obtained, are based on CDC guidelines.
A breaking point was the Sept 26 ceremony at the White House nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court. Kushner & Ivanka Trump were not at the event, but at least 11 guests later tested positive for the virus, including the president & others whom the couple encountered in the following days.
That included Sept 29, when Ivanka Trump traveled to Cleveland for the debate between her father & Joe Biden. Trump’s family disregarded orders set by the Cleveland Clinic to wear masks throughout the debate. Photos showed Ivanka Trump watching the debate sans mask.
“There's concern for the safety of children because it's very clear the Kushners violate public health rules,” said the mother, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because her employer bans interactions with media.
Another inflection point, the mother said, came Oct 2 when Donald Trump announced he contracted the virus. She said the school wouldn't tell parents if the Kushners informed them of the last day of contact between the president & his grandchildren. (Trump also declined to make public the date of his last negative COVID test)
“At the same time of rising cases & children going back to school, we saw the Kushners violating quarantine,” this mother said.
Milton is split now between remote & in-school learning. Of special concern was the Kushners’ youngest child was in pre-K, indoors. (Classes for older children were outdoors)
“Masked, but indoors. And the Secret Service with the children. That's also a concern.”
The 1st parent said as of next week, most Milton classes will be indoors 3-4 days a week. The Nov 16 return to almost total in-person has been known since before the Kushner withdrawal.
That parent and a 3rd — who don't have any relationship to each other — said the school tried to work out a compromise with the Kushners with the understanding the couple need allowances in their capacity as senior govt aides. There was no agreement in the end.
Berman Academy also asks parents be COVID compliant, limit inessential travel, wear masks & avoid hot spots.
Avi Berkowitz, aide to Jared Kushner who's also the Administration top Middle East peace negotiator, said the idea that COVID rules led to the family’s departure is inaccurate.
“The Kushners protect the privacy of their children & won’t engage in idle gossip,” he said.
The family’s withdrawal came weeks before the election. It's unknown whether they plan to remain in Washington or return to NYC if Joe Biden wins. The President claims election fraud & hasn't conceded.
I'm so "sure" those Bnai Brith honchos never saw anything
What a misnomer! Bnai bris are the ones Avrohom Avinu saves at the shaar if they didn't defile it
Anon, snap out of it!
Upstate NY has unusual barometric pressure & atmospheric anomalies. So why is it so shver that either nothing happened to begin with? Or ken zein it was right in front of them but they fort couldn't see or hear?
Lehoraaya, Simcha Kaufman also vouched for years that he knew nothing of Belsky's supposed screams to silence supposed victims of Kolko.
Also, I asked around about Kolko supposedly being beaten up at a bris by regency. Margo swears there wasn't even a bris that morning!
If you want more information, Neuhoff wrote a thesis on Upstate, on which I was his consultant on meteorological matters
https://matzav.com/closed-camp-mogen-av-announces-that-it-will-not-open-for-summer-2021/
Apikorsim!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/11/boom-trump-tweets-report-dominion-deleted-2-7-million-trump-votes-nationwide-data-analysis-finds-221000-pennsylvania-votes-switched-president-trump-biden/
But Shmuckie Schumer said that Biden won the election fair & square!
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/11/michigan-witness-many-faked-ballots-detroit-zero-trump-ballots-even-among-military/
Biden Akbar
https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2020/11/oglobo-640x400.jpg
A Brazilian Jewish businessman accused of bilking investors of $10,000,000s, earning comparisons to Bernie Madoff, was arrested in Rio de Janeiro after more than a year in hiding.
Jonas Jaimovick, who turned himself in to Rio Police on Monday, made headlines for disappearing with $32 million in the country’s largest ever pyramid scheme.
Jaimovick, 39, who owns investment firm JJ Invest, launched the illegal enterprise in the Jewish community after ingratiating himself there sponsoring & promoting several projects in synagogues, schools & elsewhere. His 3000 clients include celebrities & well-known athletes who believed his promises of high earnings.
Globo TV reported the arrest showing Jaimovick holding a Torah scroll, spurring a letter of criticism from a Rio Jewish City Council member, Teresa Bergher. O Globo newspaper used the same photo last year in an article about Jaimovick titled “Dangerous Connections”
“As a member of the Jewish community of Rio de Janeiro & chair of the city human rights commission & city council, I ask to avoid use of Jewish symbols connected to the owner of JJ Invest,” she wrote.
Bergher said showing Jaimovick holding a Torah, “the greatest symbol of the Jewish religion,” could “generate confusion & a wave of anti-Semitism.”
Starting his scheme in mid-2016 – he shared pictures of officials, rabbis & friends on social media — Jaimovick quickly expanded beyond those circles. Passionate about soccer, the man typically referred to by his initials, JJ, sponsored teams + brought on current & former players as clients. His photos with soccer stars & media celebrities went viral & helped multiply his business.
Numerous lawsuits seek reimbursement from Jaimovick & JJ Invest, according to Rio Police, UOL news reports.
Madoff’s $19 billion scheme also included defrauding many prominent Jews, who suffered major losses. Madoff is serving a 150-year sentence in a federal prison.
Jaimovick is charged with fraud, among other crimes & faces as much as 22 years in prison.
Jaimovick grew up in Rio’s strong Jewish community, attending school & a youth movement. His wealthy family’s assets disappeared with the death of his father in 2012 & problems in the family transport company, O Globo reported.
In early 2019, media reported Jaimovick being investigated, leading to widespread unsuccessful attempts by JJ Invest customers to get their money back. But Jaimovick’s whereabouts remained unknown. Reports said he hid in the Barra neighborhood of Rio.
His passports were seized & his wife prevented from traveling to Israel with their child minutes before boarding a plane.
“Jonas broke trust, destroyed lives, hurt a community of 100,000+ & stained images,” said a victim to O Globo anonymously, claiming he developed depression, anxiety & heart disease.
On Thursday, his final day on the job as virus czar, Major-General Ronni Gamzu criticized Israel’s political leaders throughout the pandemic & warned his successor faces an uphill battle in dealing with the govt.
“Saving lives is weakened by politicking. We need leadership that doesn’t tell the public how they're acting badly — but speaks to them as equals,” Gamzu said at the handover to successor Nachman Ash, according to Walla. “The virus czar has not received powers & probably won’t receive them either.”
“When you're called upon to deal with a once-in-a-century event, don't ask questions,” Gamzu said. “These were 100 difficult days that demanded all the mental strength I had. I received reinforcements from Israeli society, including Arabs & some Haredim.
“We have medically, the best professional infrastructure in the Western world. We have the best testing & contact tracing that could cut the chains of infection. Despite violations here & there, we have a great nation,” Gamzu said. "it's critical the govt communicate well with the public. That's the most important thing”
He said prior to his arrival in July the crisis “wasn't fully managed” & the formation of a single managerial body separate from the Health Ministry or cabinet was very significant.
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is criticized for enacting regulations & changing govt plans to cave to Haredi pressure due to his need to maintain a coalition. Additionally, parts of the Haredi community face criticism, along with some of the Arab community, for violations.
Gamzu returns to his job at Ichilov Hospital. His replacement Ash is former IDF chief medical officer.
The role of virus czar sees increasing coordination between the ministry & military, as the IDF took over contact tracing.
In addition to his medical qualifications, Ash has a doctorate in Medical Informatics from a joint program of Harvard & MIT, as well as a master’s degree in political science.
Prior to Gamzu’s appointment it took weeks to fill the post of virus czar as potential candidates dropped out, fearing they wouldn't have authority to set policy.
There were frequent reports Gamzu would resign before his term was up due to clashes with various - sometimes petty - govt officials including Bibi. Promising to do away with lockdown & return public trust to the battle vs the virus, he aired frustration with politicians publicly. It was under his tenure that Israel became the 1st country in the world to re-enter lockdown, a move he lobbied against, preferring local restrictions.
Gamzu said in Sept his replacement should view the pandemic as a long-term battle with no quick solution.
Knesset Ministers ended a meeting Thurs without decisions on further easing lockdown.
Blue & White, led by Defense Minster Benny Gantz, decided it'll oppose curfews, making it unlikely the measure will pass a vote.
Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, speaking at the virus cabinet, said a further meeting will be held on Sunday, after Gantz returns from Cyprus.
“We want to act slowly, there may be a 3rd lockdown” Netanyahu told ministers.
Another matter on which a decision hasn't been made is shortening mandatory quarantine, currently 14 days. The govt announced several times the period would change to 12 or 10 days, but no decision was made. Bibi reportedly backs a push by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri to shorten it even further, to 7 days.
Bibi told ministers he'd set up & lead a new committee tasked with bringing vaccines from abroad & overseeing distribution.
He also said while Israel's doing better than other countries, it has a poor image due to gloomy leaks from cabinet meetings.
Ministers should stop commenting what steps they will or won’t vote for ahead of time, as well as leaking (sometimes embarrassing) disagreements from the meetings, the PM asserted.
“It’s pointless,” he said, according to Ynet. “We’re a country doing better than Europe, but because of these leaks our image is different.”
The number of people diagnosed with the virus Wed reached its highest daily value in over a week with 734 new cases.
A Thurs update showed the death toll climbed to 2,700.
Since the start of the outbreak, 321,684 Israelis have tested positive for the virus.
Israeli police on Tues arrested a French-Israeli man for defrauding 200+ mostly elderly French citizens thru impersonation of French police officers & tax inspectors on the phone. He conned his victims out of 1.5 million Euros.
Ilan Abraham Marco, 42, was arrested playing volleyball on a Tel Aviv beach, Posta reports. He was brought before a Tel Aviv magistrate Mon, his remand extended to Nov 17. Searching his apt, police found $635,000, $87,900 & $186,000, all cash, according to court filings.
Marco denies all allegations against him. He claims the money came from an inheritance he brought with him from France when he immigrated to Israel in 2011 & that he reported the money to the Israel Tax Authority.
Israeli Police, who began investigating the fraud in Feb at the behest of French police, seized 7 cellphones, computers, documents, credit cards & checkbooks at his rented apt near Tel Aviv’s Masaryk Square, police said.
Marco defrauded French citizens who'd previously been victims of binary options fraud. He told those victims French authorities recovered their stolen money & they could receive it if they pay a fee to a bank account whose details he provided. Israeli police want to ascertain how he got the names & contact info of the victims & whether he's connected to the previous scam as well. Police are also investigating if Marco had accomplices.
1000s of recent French immigrants to Israel have made a living thru Internet fraud, often working in offices or small groups, with Israeli police investigating only a small fraction of them.
Marco, who also goes by Ilan Abraham, Illan Abraham & Ilan Marko, plays on the Inter Aliyah team, 5th-division, made up of immigrants from all over the world.
Marco's “affectionately known as ‘doggy’ due to his ferocious defenses. Beware a 50-50 tackle with this canine as you may end up getting bit!”
Marc's originally from Paris suburb Sarcelles & before moving to Israel he worked for a PR firm & played semi-pro soccer.
“After many years in my home country, it was time to come here. I'm living in Israel for 10 years.”
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