Public Comment

Sometimes the writings of the far end of the political spectrums, both on the right and on the left, are so bizarre, one is left shaking one’s head in near disbelief. Joanna Graham’s strange conflation of unprovoked personal attacks; justification for and rationalization of what she characterizes as “the rise in anger against Jews” (what I would call anti-Semitism); and cryptic allegations of conspiracies between a local developer, the “Israel lobby machine,” and the rabbis of Congre-gation Beth El is one such example. 

The most substantial issue Graham raises is that there is a “rise in anger against Jews” associated with events in the Middle East. I agree. Recent local examples of this anti-Semitism are the chant “the Jews are our dogs” at a local anti-war rally and a letter in this very paper accusing Jews of responsibility for their own oppression. That’s why I helped organize (Graham is not correct that I alone organized the conference—it was the fruit of many wonderful people’s labor) a conference for progressive people who are looking for ways to constructively address this “anger against Jews” when it appears in progressive circles. 

The conference was a big success, sold out, and if any readers wish more info or help in this matter, I hope they will call me or the local ADL.  

Graham’s portrayal of the conference is not accurate. The topic of the conference wasn’t Israel or its policies, but rather how American Jews, as Graham says, “liberal and anti-war by inclination” can effectively address anti-Semitism in progressive venues without becoming overly fearful or confrontational. It was planned over twelve months in advance and not, as Graham asserts, on schedule the day after UFPJ’s anti-war mobilization. This was a co-incidence, not a conspiracy. The conference was filled with progressives, such as Americans for Peace Now, Jewish Mosaic (an lgbt org.), B’chol Lashon (a Jewish multi-cultural org.), and New Israel Fund. Mark Leno and Kriss Worthington were presenters. Its keynote speaker, Anthony Julius, said in his speech that he did not support the occupation. Graham is wrong that Brit Tzedek was not invited to co-sponsor, and indeed though Brit Tzedek did not co-sponsor, they graciously sent out information about the conference to their membership. I am aware that Jewish Voice for Peace was unhappy with some aspects of their inclusion; however one of their board members was a presenter and their literature was on the main table at the conference, so it can hardly be said they were excluded or censored. The goal of the conference was to include a very wide spectrum of progressive people who are dealing with anti-Semitism so that they can connect with each other and lower feelings of isolation, and communicate strategies of how to successfully deal with anti-Semitism. Interested readers will be pleased to hear that there will be more local programs on this topic. 

Lastly, in response to Graham’s personal attack on me: I have no connection with the ADL except that I think the local ADL is doing very good work in its mission to educate for tolerance and to help people of good will deal with hatefulness; I do not conflate specific criticism of Israeli government policies with anti-Semitism; I am well known for direct communication and not known as a deceptive person. I am not aware of ever having met Ms. Graham, and she is not speaking from reasonable experience in this regard. I have a lifelong history of progressive activism, particularly in feminist, reproductive choice and gay rights circles, and currently serve as the chair of the local Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice (a faith/labor coalition) and as co-chair of the local Progressive Jewish Alliance Rabbinic Advisory Board. I am well used to personal attacks against me from right-wing anti-gay or anti-choice fanatics, and I am deeply saddened to see the same kind of political smearing appear in these pages. 

Rabbi Jane Rachel Litman directs the Beth El Religious School.