Comments for The State of the Jews http://blog.havivgur.com Haviv Rettig Gur on Jews, Israel and the Middle East Sat, 08 May 2010 17:05:32 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 Comment on Forward March by Shloime Perel http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/01/forward-march/comment-page-1/#comment-332 Shloime Perel Sat, 08 May 2010 17:05:32 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/01/19/forward-march/#comment-332 Greetings, Haviv. I just discovered your blog and will look it over in the near future. I'd like to ask you whether your category "American Jewry" includes Latin America and Canada. All the best, Shloime Greetings, Haviv.

I just discovered your blog and will look it over in the near future.
I’d like to ask you whether your category “American Jewry” includes
Latin America and Canada.

All the best,

Shloime

]]> Comment on Top ten Nazis still alive by Tweets that mention Top ten Nazis still alive - The State of the Jews -- Topsy.com http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/04/top-ten-nazis-still-alive/comment-page-1/#comment-301 Tweets that mention Top ten Nazis still alive - The State of the Jews -- Topsy.com Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:07:39 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=709#comment-301 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Haviv Rettig Gur. Haviv Rettig Gur said: Blog: Top ten Nazis still alive http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/04/top-ten-nazis-still-alive/ [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Haviv Rettig Gur. Haviv Rettig Gur said: Blog: Top ten Nazis still alive http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/04/top-ten-nazis-still-alive/ [...]

]]> Comment on Are Obama's settlement demands good for Israel? by NorskeDiv http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/11/are-obamas-settlement-demands-good-for-israel/comment-page-1/#comment-289 NorskeDiv Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:02:12 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=497#comment-289 You have a point. Of course, we should never have been at this impasse. Obama's settlement demand was stupid and did nothing to bring peace closer. But dwelling on that doesn't fix anything. Now it has been made... given this unfortunate reality, what is the best way to respond? You might be right, a total settlement freeze could be the realpolitik solution there. Problem is, you say such a freeze is not domestically possible given internal Israeli politics. The only other option is holding out and letting domestic American politics play out. It would help to point out the various insulting and provocative things the Palestinians have done, like honoring terrorists. To that end, pro Israel members of the Senate and Congress could work the press. Most Americans intuitively understand that Israel is not the obstacle to peace here. Obama (I think intentionally) is trying to frame Israel as the problem, most people aren't buying it. But holding out on settlements allows the Obama/Left Wing narrative the chance to gain traction... so it is a risky proposition. I'm still amazed Obama won the majority of the vote even amongst Jews who rated Israel as a top concern. You have a point. Of course, we should never have been at this impasse. Obama’s settlement demand was stupid and did nothing to bring peace closer. But dwelling on that doesn’t fix anything.

Now it has been made… given this unfortunate reality, what is the best way to respond? You might be right, a total settlement freeze could be the realpolitik solution there. Problem is, you say such a freeze is not domestically possible given internal Israeli politics. The only other option is holding out and letting domestic American politics play out. It would help to point out the various insulting and provocative things the Palestinians have done, like honoring terrorists. To that end, pro Israel members of the Senate and Congress could work the press.

Most Americans intuitively understand that Israel is not the obstacle to peace here. Obama (I think intentionally) is trying to frame Israel as the problem, most people aren’t buying it. But holding out on settlements allows the Obama/Left Wing narrative the chance to gain traction… so it is a risky proposition.

I’m still amazed Obama won the majority of the vote even amongst Jews who rated Israel as a top concern.

]]> Comment on Is there nothing to Israel besides politics? by Amy http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/is-there-nothing-to-israel-besides-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-284 Amy Fri, 23 Apr 2010 03:59:23 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=577#comment-284 QUOTE: "This would then beg the question: Can we express pride about anything? Is any Israeli collective achievement – so long as it isn’t peace with the Palestinians – to be frowned upon?" "Frowned upon" being the important words.. the blog eventually does admit that Israelis should be proud of their achievements, n'est pas? And then " Is it no longer politically correct simply to be happy about Israel when it offers something to be happy about?" which was omitted from the quote. So? So I would say that the blog entry, eventually QUOTE: “This would then beg the question: Can we express pride about anything? Is any Israeli collective achievement – so long as it isn’t peace with the Palestinians – to be frowned upon?”

“Frowned upon” being the important words.. the blog eventually does admit that Israelis should be proud of their achievements, n’est pas?

And then ” Is it no longer politically correct simply to be happy about Israel when it offers something to be happy about?” which was omitted from the quote.

So?

So I would say that the blog entry, eventually

]]> Comment on iTunes: Hebrew Bible rated 17+ by Donald Johnson http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/03/itunes-hebrew-bible-rated-17/comment-page-1/#comment-258 Donald Johnson Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:44:15 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/03/itunes-hebrew-bible-rated-17/#comment-258 In version 4.0 is is now rated 9+. In version 4.0 is is now rated 9+.

]]> Comment on iTunes: Hebrew Bible rated 17+ by EstherK http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/03/itunes-hebrew-bible-rated-17/comment-page-1/#comment-236 EstherK Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:41:44 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/03/itunes-hebrew-bible-rated-17/#comment-236 Even more shocking: the Bible as a "game." Discuss... Even more shocking: the Bible as a “game.” Discuss…

]]> Comment on Why, in Palestine, is Baruch Goldstein a hero? by Ahmed Kemal http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/03/why-in-palestine-is-baruch-goldstein-a-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-209 Ahmed Kemal Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:52:04 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=669#comment-209 Haviv, you have museums to Lehi. They killed Arab civilians. So the Palestinians have heroes also who killed Jews. Haviv, you have museums to Lehi. They killed Arab civilians. So the Palestinians have heroes also who killed Jews.

]]> Comment on Is the Palestinian Diaspora part of the solution? by Nimrod B http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/03/is-the-palestinian-diaspora-part-of-the-solution/comment-page-1/#comment-208 Nimrod B Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:37:39 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=672#comment-208 Palestinians never really got into building institutions. They were focused on bringing down israel. Now that israel accepts them, what is taking them so long to start working on themselves? Palestinians never really got into building institutions. They were focused on bringing down israel. Now that israel accepts them, what is taking them so long to start working on themselves?

]]> Comment on Why, in Palestine, is Baruch Goldstein a hero? by Nimrod http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/03/why-in-palestine-is-baruch-goldstein-a-hero/comment-page-1/#comment-207 Nimrod Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:34:34 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=669#comment-207 What do you expect? Same old Palestine. What do you expect? Same old Palestine.

]]> Comment on 'Even if American olim come, Israel is doomed' by The Other Side of the Tel Aviv Cluster « Menachem Mendel http://blog.havivgur.com/2010/01/even-if-american-olim-come-israel-is-doomed/comment-page-1/#comment-167 The Other Side of the Tel Aviv Cluster « Menachem Mendel Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:14:12 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=638#comment-167 [...] indicators that don’t bold well for Israel’s future. As Dan Ben-David has written, (hat tip) During the decade since 1999, Israel passed a milestone when its future formally parted ways with [...] [...] indicators that don’t bold well for Israel’s future. As Dan Ben-David has written, (hat tip) During the decade since 1999, Israel passed a milestone when its future formally parted ways with [...]

]]> Comment on Commenting by Howard Wohl http://blog.havivgur.com/read-before-commenting/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Howard Wohl Sun, 10 Jan 2010 01:07:38 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?page_id=398#comment-69 Hello my friend. This is your old buddy from BBYO etc. We haven't touched base since I offered you my comments at the GA in Jerusalem. Re: birthright israel, I do not believe that the recent research report offers ANY compelling evidence of positive impact from this free trip. It is simply too soon to tell. Our problems (Western Jewry as well as Israelis) are too deep to be treated by taking a pill once a decade. Frankly, Israelis could use a reverse birthright more than our kids. The absence of any gray in Israel (black = black hat and white = blank slate for the secular) means they need to see Jewish life in color as it is in North America. At the same time, Western Jewry needs to take a deep breath and re-imagine a more compelling Jewish message. Simply stated, today's young adults want neither Orthodoxy nor a synagogue-centered life. We can all dismiss them as fools or worse, or we can actually address their needs. Or we can simply call them Israelis and we won't have to worry about religiosity any more. Hello my friend. This is your old buddy from BBYO etc. We haven’t touched base since I offered you my comments at the GA in Jerusalem. Re: birthright israel, I do not believe that the recent research report offers ANY compelling evidence of positive impact from this free trip. It is simply too soon to tell. Our problems (Western Jewry as well as Israelis) are too deep to be treated by taking a pill once a decade. Frankly, Israelis could use a reverse birthright more than our kids. The absence of any gray in Israel (black = black hat and white = blank slate for the secular) means they need to see Jewish life in color as it is in North America. At the same time, Western Jewry needs to take a deep breath and re-imagine a more compelling Jewish message. Simply stated, today’s young adults want neither Orthodoxy nor a synagogue-centered life. We can all dismiss them as fools or worse, or we can actually address their needs. Or we can simply call them Israelis and we won’t have to worry about religiosity any more.

]]> Comment on Ahmadinejad…not a Jew by Andrea http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/10/ahmadinejad-not-a-jew/comment-page-1/#comment-32 Andrea Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:23:02 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=257#comment-32 Ahmadinejad ad from Heeb Magazine http://www.heebmagazine.com/blog/view/1548 Ahmadinejad ad from Heeb Magazine
http://www.heebmagazine.com/blog/view/1548

]]> Comment on Is there nothing to Israel besides politics? by Disappointed Zionist http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/is-there-nothing-to-israel-besides-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-128 Disappointed Zionist Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:21:08 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=577#comment-128 The worst part about it is that MAKOM is an integral part of the Jewish Agency. These are the guys who are supposed to be strengthening Israel identity abroad. The worst part about it is that MAKOM is an integral part of the Jewish Agency. These are the guys who are supposed to be strengthening Israel identity abroad.

]]> Comment on Haredi rabbis force closure of haredi websites by Joel Katz http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/haredi-rabbis-force-closure-of-haredi-websites/comment-page-1/#comment-166 Joel Katz Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:27:18 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=630#comment-166 Here's the "Statement about Dei'ah Vedibur" from their website. Note the last line. "The focus of the campaign of the Gedolim against chareidi Internet sites is directed at the forums and blogs that are conducted on an anonymous basis for fun and profit. Dei'ah Vedibur is the opposite of these. I am fully identified. The site is run on with a low-key style with the aim of informing about the issues that affect the chareidi community. The site has no advertising and no one benefits in any material way if there are more or fewer viewers. We do not wish, by our presence, to be seen as in any way endorsing or encouraging use of the Internet." Here’s the “Statement about Dei’ah Vedibur” from their website. Note the last line.

“The focus of the campaign of the Gedolim against chareidi Internet sites is directed at the forums and blogs that are conducted on an anonymous basis for fun and profit.

Dei’ah Vedibur is the opposite of these. I am fully identified. The site is run on with a low-key style with the aim of informing about the issues that affect the chareidi community. The site has no advertising and no one benefits in any material way if there are more or fewer viewers.

We do not wish, by our presence, to be seen as in any way endorsing or encouraging use of the Internet.”

]]> Comment on Haredi rabbis force closure of haredi websites by Twitted by havivrettiggur http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/haredi-rabbis-force-closure-of-haredi-websites/comment-page-1/#comment-165 Twitted by havivrettiggur Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:05:03 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=630#comment-165 [...] This post was Twitted by havivrettiggur [...] [...] This post was Twitted by havivrettiggur [...]

]]> Comment on Video: The fractured Jewish people by Tom http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/video-the-fractured-jewish-people/comment-page-1/#comment-164 Tom Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:15:51 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=598#comment-164 Pearls of wisdom from Haviv! Pearls of wisdom from Haviv!

]]> Comment on Video: The fractured Jewish people by Joel Katz http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/video-the-fractured-jewish-people/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Joel Katz Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:18:04 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=598#comment-163 Really enjoyed the interview Haviv. Nice to hear the voice behind the 'pen'! Joel <a href="http://religionandstateinisrael.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Religion and State in Israel</a> Really enjoyed the interview Haviv. Nice to hear the voice behind the ‘pen’!

Joel
Religion and State in Israel

]]> Comment on Jimmy Carter: Sorry if I 'stigmatized' Israel by Stefan http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/jimmy-carter-sorry-if-i-stigmatized-israel/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Stefan Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:39:33 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=583#comment-135 Your observations are spot on. Would it be cynical of me to suspect that Carter's letter is merely an attempt to have something on record which he can use to show how even-handed he is? Your observations are spot on. Would it be cynical of me to suspect that Carter’s letter is merely an attempt to have something on record which he can use to show how even-handed he is?

]]> Comment on Is there nothing to Israel besides politics? by Twitted by havivrettiggur http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/is-there-nothing-to-israel-besides-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-121 Twitted by havivrettiggur Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:16:02 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=577#comment-121 [...] This post was Twitted by havivrettiggur [...] [...] This post was Twitted by havivrettiggur [...]

]]> Comment on Is there nothing to Israel besides politics? by Jack Tonhaben http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/is-there-nothing-to-israel-besides-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Jack Tonhaben Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:00:39 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=577#comment-124 QUOTE: "This would then beg the question: Can we express pride about anything? Is any Israeli collective achievement – so long as it isn’t peace with the Palestinians – to be frowned upon?" "Frowned upon" being the important words.. the blog eventually does admit that Israelis should be proud of their achievements, n'est pas? And then " Is it no longer politically correct simply to be happy about Israel when it offers something to be happy about?" which was omitted from the quote. So? So I would say that the blog entry, eventually QUOTE: “This would then beg the question: Can we express pride about anything? Is any Israeli collective achievement – so long as it isn’t peace with the Palestinians – to be frowned upon?”

“Frowned upon” being the important words.. the blog eventually does admit that Israelis should be proud of their achievements, n’est pas?

And then ” Is it no longer politically correct simply to be happy about Israel when it offers something to be happy about?” which was omitted from the quote.

So?

So I would say that the blog entry, eventually

]]> Comment on Is there nothing to Israel besides politics? by Haviv http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/is-there-nothing-to-israel-besides-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-122 Haviv Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:48:16 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=577#comment-122 I don't know, to be honest. I know of some of the folks involved broadly with MAKOM, but I hesitate to attach their names to this one silly blog entry. Still, this piece is important as an expression of the loss of perspective that takes place when you forget to check your rhetoric against reality. I don’t know, to be honest. I know of some of the folks involved broadly with MAKOM, but I hesitate to attach their names to this one silly blog entry. Still, this piece is important as an expression of the loss of perspective that takes place when you forget to check your rhetoric against reality.

]]> Comment on Is there nothing to Israel besides politics? by Joel Katz http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/12/is-there-nothing-to-israel-besides-politics/comment-page-1/#comment-123 Joel Katz Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:22:53 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=577#comment-123 Haviv, is there a name that goes along with this post? or "editorial board" of MAKOM? Haviv, is there a name that goes along with this post? or “editorial board” of MAKOM?

]]> Comment on Is Sari Nusseibeh in hiding for suggesting Jews belong in Jerusalem? by Eric Zimmerman http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/11/is-sari-nusseibeh-in-hiding-for-suggesting-jews-belong-in-jerusalem/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Eric Zimmerman Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:52:41 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=536#comment-114 Of Bir Zeit or Al Quds? Of Bir Zeit or Al Quds?

]]> Comment on Anti-Israel, with a dash of intellectual pretense by NYT politely calls Shlomo Sand a liar - The State of the Jews http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/10/anti-israel-with-a-dash-of-intellectual-pretense/comment-page-1/#comment-51 NYT politely calls Shlomo Sand a liar - The State of the Jews Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:01:27 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=356#comment-51 [...] Weiss over Sand’s quixotic effort to destroy the basic narrative of Israeli identity: “Anti-Israel, with a dash of intellectual pretense.” AKPC_IDS += "530,"; Share this [...] [...] Weiss over Sand’s quixotic effort to destroy the basic narrative of Israeli identity: “Anti-Israel, with a dash of intellectual pretense.” AKPC_IDS += "530,"; Share this [...]

]]> Comment on On marriage and racism by competitive intelligence http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/10/on-marriage-and-racism/comment-page-1/#comment-78 competitive intelligence Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:33:05 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=405#comment-78 hello, i registered because i think this is the right place for me. bye :) <a href="http://competitive-intelligence.charles-victor-boutet.fr" rel="nofollow">competitive intelligence</a> hello,

i registered because i think this is the right place for me.

bye :)

competitive intelligence

]]> Comment on Shlomo Sand: Much ado about…what? by eliyho matz matzozky http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/10/shlomo-sand-much-ado-about-what/comment-page-1/#comment-35 eliyho matz matzozky Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:47:52 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=287#comment-35 thank you for your points i mean thank you for not understanding the book it is commom among smoozers to smooze nonesense the israli nation born in 1948 ended the story of zionism and moved us meaning israelis towards a different era historically and practically sand a child of israeliness and he has to deal with its consequences what he misses is the fact that israel never wrote a constitution and never created an israeli republic and thefore created a frustrating situation for jews around the world are they israelis or part of the jewish people that doesnot exist as a political entity read my book who is an israeli? i did try to lead sand into an explantion it didnt work well mazel tov to all eliyho thank you for your points i mean thank you for not understanding the book it is commom among smoozers to smooze nonesense the israli nation born in 1948 ended the story of zionism and moved us meaning israelis towards a different era historically and practically sand a child of israeliness and he has to deal with its consequences what he misses is the fact that israel never wrote a constitution and never created an israeli republic and thefore created a frustrating situation for jews around the world are they israelis or part of the jewish people that doesnot exist as a political entity read my book who is an israeli? i did try to lead sand into an explantion it didnt work well mazel tov to all eliyho

]]> Comment on Are Obama's settlement demands good for Israel? by Chris Adams http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/11/are-obamas-settlement-demands-good-for-israel/comment-page-1/#comment-109 Chris Adams Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:45:26 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=497#comment-109 Yes of course it's worth freezing settlements to get the palestiians to talk!!! The settlements on Palestine land are immoral. do a freeze for its own sake. then when the Palestinians are talking, you can have peace. Yes of course it’s worth freezing settlements to get the palestiians to talk!!! The settlements on Palestine land are immoral. do a freeze for its own sake. then when the Palestinians are talking, you can have peace.

]]> Comment on Haredi protesters: Young, bored and violent by Stefan http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/11/haredi-protesters-young-bored-and-violent/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Stefan Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:11:20 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=509#comment-110 There is, sadly, much truth in this. What is also sad is the contempt with which the writer appears to hold attempts to live according to Torah values ("coupled with their archaic and unrealistic way of life"). The fact is that there is so much of value in the Haredi community - and that is why those parts which are failing or becoming corrupted need to be addressed. Criticism of the negative aspects must come out of love for one's fellow Jews who are, albeit imperfectly, trying their utmost to serve our G-d. Such criticism would likely be not only more constructive but also, eventually, have a greater chance of being heard by those who need to hear it. There is, sadly, much truth in this. What is also sad is the contempt with which the writer appears to hold attempts to live according to Torah values (”coupled with their archaic and unrealistic way of life”). The fact is that there is so much of value in the Haredi community – and that is why those parts which are failing or becoming corrupted need to be addressed. Criticism of the negative aspects must come out of love for one’s fellow Jews who are, albeit imperfectly, trying their utmost to serve our G-d. Such criticism would likely be not only more constructive but also, eventually, have a greater chance of being heard by those who need to hear it.

]]> Comment on Are Obama's settlement demands good for Israel? by Ben from NJ http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/11/are-obamas-settlement-demands-good-for-israel/comment-page-1/#comment-108 Ben from NJ Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:26:14 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=497#comment-108 Haviv, Yakobson is a supporter of Meretz and Peace Now, as per your interview. Obviously he's looking for excuses to pull out settlements. As you say though: at what price? Israel's friends know that it wants peace. It doesn't need to go to war with itself over settlements before the Palestinians even agree to negotiate. We'll still be here regardless. Haviv, Yakobson is a supporter of Meretz and Peace Now, as per your interview. Obviously he’s looking for excuses to pull out settlements. As you say though: at what price?

Israel’s friends know that it wants peace. It doesn’t need to go to war with itself over settlements before the Palestinians even agree to negotiate. We’ll still be here regardless.

]]> Comment on Bostrom 'rethinks' organ trafficking story by Stan http://blog.havivgur.com/2009/11/bostrom-rethinks-organ-trafficking-story/comment-page-1/#comment-105 Stan Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:19:36 +0000 http://blog.havivgur.com/?p=491#comment-105 Trying to get away with it.... how stupid does he think we are? Trying to get away with it…. how stupid does he think we are?

]]>