Comments on: Erev Yom Ha-Atzma’ut – A Brief Reminder About Purpose

By: Avi Grant

Avi Grant — Sun, 10 May 2009 12:44:27 +0000

As ax ex-machalnik of 1948 vintage I fully support everything you said in your article. In 1949 I thought that if we fill our enemies stomachs with good food, give them good houses to live in and all the good necessities of life, they would learn to live next to us, in peace.
Now I know that over the years they have been offered these things but they don’t want them!. They just want to kill us.
When they change their minds and really want to live in peace and properity, only then will it be possible to do so. Until that time Israel has to be prepared to FIGHT for the right to live. And this we must do, regardless of whatb the rest of the world might say

Avi Grant

By: Glenn Flowers

Glenn Flowers — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:07:23 +0000

To All,
I am an American ashamed of the president of my country. I am an American who is proud that Israel has been our best friend for so long. To not be supporting you is wrong. But, you have never really had our FULL support, and it is sad.

Israel has always been willing to be the one to cease fire, withdraw, even having the upper hand, Israel is the one who shows they want peace. But it never comes.

I have, for ever, watched Israel and been so proud everytime. So strong a will, so willing a heart. But, you can not afford that anymore. You must know that to withdraw anymore is to surrender the advantage you will need to survive. Mr. Netanyahu is a good man and strong willed. I hope he lives up to his reputation. He always has.

Man, I wish we had F-22s escorting your pilots. We need to be there with you.

Ashamed in California,
Glenn Flowers

By: A Reflection on Yom Ha’atzmaut « Ido’s Blog

A Reflection on Yom Ha’atzmaut « Ido’s Blog — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:48:33 +0000

[...] Jews, Nazis, Palestine Mandate, Six Day War I recently stumbled upon Daniel Gordis‘ article on the purpose of the state of [...]

By: michael kopf

michael kopf — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:38:16 +0000

Dr. Gordis,

I always feel enlightened after reading any of your work. I am looking forward to speaking with you at temple Emanu-EL in Closter, New Jersey this Shabbat.

By: Reuven Goldfarb

Reuven Goldfarb — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:12:00 +0000

If I’m not mistaken, the child in that first photograph actually survived and came to Israel after the war. Does anyone have more information about his fate?

By: Barry

Barry — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:06:42 +0000

It would, help if Israel would dismantle the settlements. Israel bears some responsibility for the inability to find a peaceful solution, even in the face of Palestinian intransigence.

By: Leon Ash

Leon Ash — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:32:18 +0000

I only worry about Obama’s seeming “moral equivalence” stand.

By: Mitch

Mitch — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:24:11 +0000

Well-written. Thank you.

In the 20th century during the first half of Israel’s existence the teenagers in the army expressed this sentiment with slogans such as “My grandfather died an unarmed victim in the camps. I shall fight for the Jewish people.” In the 21st century a certain amount of decadence has crept into the zeitgeist of the kids entering the military. They do not identify with Yoni in their required reading of _The Letters of Yonatan Ben Natanyahu_ as easily. They often have a “sophistication,” and are eager to listen to all points of view. They buy into the morale relativism of other Western politicos, Western media, and the ruling class of Europe or the USA. Olmert’s speeches exemplify this attitude. They often yearn for the passive-aggressive victimhood of Judaism before the Jewish state. They buy into the victimhood of the great lie so successfully propogated by Arab petrodollars.

The glory of freedom and self-determination are poorly communicated and preserved among Israelis. Your piece here is a fantastic jewel that can help inspire another generation of free Israelis.

Thank you!

By: Aaron D. Rubinger

Aaron D. Rubinger — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:59:03 +0000

Excellent. You have artfully articulated the real meaning of Zionism. This means that the Jewish state should not be expected to bow to America’s perceived interests in the region, when Israel own security is in grave danger. Yes, Jewish lives must take precedence even over trying to be supportive of our most important ally. Given that understanding, American Jews now need to search their souls to determine are they genuine Zionists or simply Jews who take pride in Israel’s achievements but become very uneasy and step away when Israel will not fall in line?
Rabbi Aaron Rubinger

By: Bob Appleto

Bob Appleto — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:41:21 +0000

Dan: Your Dad would have been so proud had he read what you wrote. I listened to many of his sermons and his messages to all to fight for the right of Israel to exist and prosper. During a recent visit to Yad Vashem, and sitting at a large table i9n the cafeteria with a busload of Ladies and men from Alabama who were on a tour, I was amazed. For some reason they assumed I was not Jewish and they carried on for 30 minutes about how the Holocaust was REAL !! In addition they told while drying their eyes after the visit upstairs, of their visit to Egypt and how everyone should go to Egypt first before coming to Israel. “Look at what these people did” was one of a hundred phrases she and all the others were saying. She was angry at her Babtist Ministers for not promoting more trips to Israel since he was not in faavor of the one this group came on. She told me and others that she will admonish all the ministers back home and organize more trips to Israel. Then she said to me, “Does your Minister encourage your members to visit Israel?” To which I replied,” Our minister and ministers just like him in America encourage with gusto the visits to Israel and even arrange the tours.”.. She replied, ” Now you sall got the right kind of Ministers”. I let her relish that conversation as is; since I am sure I will be forgiven for not destroying thst illusion.

It is a tremendous job remaining to be done to educate the non Jews who are ignorant about Israel; and for Judiasm for that matter. BestWishes, Bob Appleton, P.E.