Can We Tawk?

To see Jew screaming at Jew is as embarrassing as any family feud.

by Bruce Schimmel

Under the stony gaze of Billy Penn, two angry crowds recently confronted each other in Love Park. Separated by a line of police, each called the other "killers" and "terrorists." It was nasty scene, and for me, personal.

I was attending a recent "Pro-Israel" rally, and to see Jew screaming at Jew was as embarrassing as any family feud. I felt like Rodney King channeling Joan Rivers, wondering how it is that Jews have forgotten how to tawk to each other.

Similar events took place in other cities. In Miami, fighting resulted in arrests.

Sure, thoughtful talk in time of war is tough — especially for those facing the uncertainty of a new administration. So, to give the impression that Jews speak with a single voice in support of Israel's incursion, the Israeli Consulate partnered with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to sponsor this rally.

The takeaway, according to the Federation's Ira Schwartz, was that 95 percent of local Jews fully support Israel's actions in Gaza.

About 2,500 supporters came to Love Plaza, waving placards that read, "Stop the rockets" and "I stand wherever Israel stands." Many were serious young men dressed in dark overcoats; others, nicely accoutered women from the 'burbs.

Many were children — hundreds brought by their schools, who gave them signs and Israeli flags: little flags to wave in the wind, and big ones in which some children literally wrapped themselves.

But there were also other Jews at Love Park. About 250, who, in varying degrees, were less supportive of Israel's actions; some, far less supportive. These protesters, pushed to the perimeter by a cordon of police, held handmade signs that read, "Stop the attacks on Gaza," "Philly Jews: Not in my name" and "We didn't survive genocide to commit another."

The protesters chanted, "Stop the killing, stop the war" and "Killing children is not a Jewish value," while from the other side of the police barricade, some girls and boys yelled back, "You're the terrorists, you're the killers."

Local politicos finally arrived, among them Sen. Arlen Specter, state Sen. Mike Stack and state Reps. Babette Josephs and Josh Shapiro. Each mounted the platform and pledged support.

In cities across America, there have been similar declarations: Shortly after attending Los Angeles' Pro-Israel rally, Mayor Anthony Villaraigosa reportedly wrapped himself in an Israeli flag.

Mayor Michael Nutter didn't appear at the Philly rally. And for that I'm glad. Because for Jews to subject political leaders to a strict litmus test is ultimately hurtful to both Israel and to Jews.

For just beneath this flag-waving, many Jews living in America are deeply conflicted about the Israeli-Palestine issue, just as many Jews living in Israel are.

And, sadly, by fabricating a public fiction of Jewish unanimity, the people of the Bible have been reduced to hurling epithets.

This is particularly painful, because I'm good friends with and respect leaders from both the left and the right. But under pressure, in the glare of politics, Jews of all stripes find it hard to talk about the Palestine-Israeli conflict.

To close this gap — or at least start a civil conversation — I've been working with a local initiative called the Jewish Dialogue Group. (For more information, visit jewishdialogue.org.)

So far, it's been a challenge to get a sizeable number of diverse Jews to sit down together. But in my experience, when Jews, even those of opposing views, gather to palaver, good things do happen.

From these conversations have come understanding, and from understanding comes at least the hope of a solution to a moral quagmire that's fueled on hate.

Jews need to tawk, fully, about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For if we Jews can't talk civilly among ourselves, what chance is there to make peace with our enemies?

(bruce@schimmel.com)