tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post7379380882549550811..comments2024-03-27T01:43:07.992+02:00Comments on Random Thoughts: A Stomach PunchAlan Edelsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06291102902419614285noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-51458233604614053852021-05-05T14:19:05.394+03:002021-05-05T14:19:05.394+03:00As you know, with new leadership come new problems...As you know, with new leadership come new problems..as well as fodder for a variety of aspirations, opinions, actions…and STOMACH PUNCHES!<br /><br />Those who ‘remember’ fear that the next generation will not own the essentials----brains, drive, heart, dedication…brains…of those before them.<br /><br /><br />I feel strongly that we must ‘keep the faith’. This is likely a turning point, when wheels are bound to squeak…<br /><br />There are lots of Jewish Reformers running around today!<br /><br /><br />I still believe that Israel will base itself on the best U.S. ideas of living peacefully together, just as that country also began. We cannot deny that such pilgrimage is essentially more confident with a buddy.<br /><br />My thoughts: In this fast-paced world, many of our people are in too much of a hurry. Israel is still so young—it needs to be careful and safe in its development. Like any true democracy, it will strengthen with healthy aspirations--- hopefully with confidence ---sometimes with reminders….<br /><br />If “Mike” is as bright as you say, I don’t believe he will ever ‘desert’ Israel.<br /><br />Our people thrive with challenge: Jewish dilemma solves!.... <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-70580831827955044962021-04-26T15:56:07.993+03:002021-04-26T15:56:07.993+03:00This was a very thoughtful article and expressed t...This was a very thoughtful article and expressed the complexities of problems that involve lots of people with different perspectives. It reminds me of the time a couple of our close friends came over to tell us about a difficult decision that they had made about how to handle where one of their children was going to live for the following year. All their other friends (who did not have children) were vehemently against their decision to not force their child to live with them for her last year in high school. The husband said to us, “If we had made perfect decisions every time during her life, of course this would not be the perfect decision for us to make but the situation is such that we have to make what we think is the best decision among a lot of imperfect paths.” Their daughter has gone through her share of difficult situations and missteps over the years but the entire family has continued to support each other even when they disagreed with each other. This is a family with a wide variety of political points of view and lifestyles who can still all get together and enjoy themselves for the weekend of the 50th anniversary of their parents and who always show up for any need in the family. As a sidelight, their rebel daughter just married an Israeli this year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-91729212291853492832021-04-25T18:55:58.115+03:002021-04-25T18:55:58.115+03:00"Like" :)"Like" :)Benny Levy - בני לויhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01139014966598629361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-28090500244793922242021-04-25T15:16:24.042+03:002021-04-25T15:16:24.042+03:00Thank you very much for this thoughtful, well-stat...Thank you very much for this thoughtful, well-stated, and timely piece. I am responding with these personal thoughts which, I believe, complement your views. <br /><br />First, like many others of my generation I am a moderate/left of center Democrat who always has and continues to support Israel--in deed, money, and expression. <br /><br />Second, I am a citizen of the U.S.--not a citizen of Israel. Which means I may have views that at times differ from the views of Israelis. I cannot tell Israelis what to do politically, nor should they tell me who to do--who to support, etc.--politically. There were times when I have disagreed with Israeli actions and positions, but regardless of the specific disputes, I have not wavered in my Zionist and pro-Israel disposition. <br /><br />This became crystal-clear during the Trump administration. Yes, he did good for Israel--embassy relocation, public statements, etc. But these good deeds could not outweigh my dislike for his ineptitude, stupidity, and criminal inaction as the worst occupant of the White House in American history.<br /><br />To my Israeli friends: We can agree to disagree.<br /><br />Finally, let me note that I am turned off/bored/unhappy about the course of Israeli elections in the past few years--the inability to form a majority and stable government. Even among parliamentary systems, Israel's takes the prize for instability and leadership incompetence. Why there should be so many political parties--and the continual reformation of many of these parties--in a country that otherwise is generally well-run is a puzzle to me. So these days I ignore the latest developments in this ongoing soap opera.<br /><br />Thanks for stimulating me to offer these personal thoughts. And keep it up!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-2748047072604037982021-04-25T15:09:41.665+03:002021-04-25T15:09:41.665+03:00Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!!Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-4413450255928404282021-04-25T15:05:21.180+03:002021-04-25T15:05:21.180+03:00Wonderful article, I’m sure your friend will recog...Wonderful article, I’m sure your friend will recognize himself but it’s a sobering message for all.<br />Kol Hakavod, it’s an important lesson that should be taken to heart.<br />Keep those articles coming, great perspective!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-183698224603399842021-04-25T15:03:22.079+03:002021-04-25T15:03:22.079+03:00As always, excellent and important, especially ag...As always, excellent and important, especially again, as needed, your explaining the difference between Right and Left here. Not the same as in the US.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-63446967569868584542021-04-25T14:03:18.585+03:002021-04-25T14:03:18.585+03:00In truth, I don’t always read your articles; howev...In truth, I don’t always read your articles; however, today I did, and I was so glad because I too “am Mike”. It really captured me and made me write back to you. In your ending, you spoke about our own country and would we get back? As disgusted as I was with our country during the Trump years, even to the point of not singing the Star-Spangled Banner because I have been so ashamed, I then did everything I could during the election to change the course. The differences with Israel is what can we really do except look from here and watch them self-destruct? Sadly they don’t have term limits for Prime Minister, and that to me is a huge problem. Fear of the unknown is a factor I’m sure is a significant part of why people keep voting for Netanyahu. <br />Thank you for an insightful article. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-71244955389658286032021-04-23T23:37:12.252+03:002021-04-23T23:37:12.252+03:00In truth, I don’t always read your articles; howev...In truth, I don’t always read your articles; however, today I did, and I was so glad because I too “am Mike”. It really captured me and made me write back to you. In your ending, you spoke about our own country and would we get back? As disgusted as I was with our country during the Trump years, even to the point of not singing the Star-Spangled Banner because I have been so ashamed, I then did everything I could during the election to change the course. The differences with Israel is what can we really do except look from here and watch them self-destruct? Sadly they don’t have term limits for Prime Minister, and that to me is a huge problem. Fear of the unknown is a factor I’m sure is a significant part of why people keep voting for Netanyahu. <br />Thank you for an insightful article. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-14410785548279651642021-04-23T23:26:01.015+03:002021-04-23T23:26:01.015+03:00Outstanding column and definitely in line with Dan...Outstanding column and definitely in line with Daniel Gordis's work.<br /><br />My sense is your friend was more comfortable with the dependent versioni of Israel, that which needed American Jews to supply basics, like socks and bandages. The newer, wealthier Israel, which no longer supplicates to American Jews for support and is home to a substantially larger percentage of world Jewry, is too dissonant from the embryonic being that required more assistance. Tragically, Bibi has not helped this relationship which is a real failing on both his part and that of the successive governments over which he has presided.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-46937227561622169302021-04-23T23:24:04.705+03:002021-04-23T23:24:04.705+03:00Exactly!Exactly!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-71895558596111396972021-04-23T23:23:22.719+03:002021-04-23T23:23:22.719+03:00Thank you very much for this thoughtful, well-stat...Thank you very much for this thoughtful, well-stated, and timely piece. I am responding with these personal thoughts which, I believe, complement your views. <br /><br />First, like many others of my generation I am a moderate/left of center Democrat who always has and continues to support Israel--in deed, money, and expression. <br /><br />Second, I am a citizen of the U.S.--not a citizen of Israel. Which means I may have views that at times differ from the views of Israelis. I cannot tell Israelis what to do politically, nor should they tell me who to do--who to support, etc.--politically. There were times when I have disagreed with Israeli actions and positions, but regardless of the specific disputes, I have not wavered in my Zionist and pro-Israel disposition. <br /><br />This became crystal-clear during the Trump administration. Yes, he did good for Israel--embassy relocation, public statements, etc. But these good deeds could not outweigh my dislike for his ineptitude, stupidity, and criminal inaction as the worst occupant of the White House in American history.<br /><br />To my Israeli friends: We can agree to disagree.<br /><br />Finally, let me note that I am turned off/bored/unhappy about the course of Israeli elections in the past few years--the inability to form a majority and stable government. Even among parliamentary systems, Israel's takes the prize for instability and leadership incompetence. Why there should be so many political parties--and the continual reformation of many of these parties--in a country that otherwise is generally well-run is a puzzle to me. So these days I ignore the latest developments in this ongoing soap opera.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7411958894593823280.post-30339466609486076492021-04-23T17:50:25.773+03:002021-04-23T17:50:25.773+03:00I appreciate your “random thoughts,” which are nev...I appreciate your “random thoughts,” which are never random and always thoughtful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com