J Street exclusion proper move
I agree with the majority decision to keep J Street out of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations.
I totally disagree with those who feel that this is a form of censorship. J Street is free to voice their anti-Israel opinions, but there is a difference between censorship and not inviting J Street to have a place at the leadership table.
J Street has accused Israel of war crimes when it defends itself from missile attacks from Gaza; gives a platform to advocates of the BDS movement to boycott Israeli products; and has called on the United States not to veto U.N. resolutions that criticize Israel. Thus, in my opinion, denial of membership in “the Conference” was the correct decision.
With reference to Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of the Union for Reform Jews, I also agree with the many Reform and Conservative rabbis and Conference leaders who feel that Rabbi Jacobs is divisive and off base when he threatens to withdraw the URJ from “the Conference” because he is unhappy with the vote to exclude J Street. Rabbi Jacobs, who I understand formerly served on the board of J Street, should speak only for himself when it comes to J Street. I would wager a guess that when it comes to J Street, he does not speak for a majority of Reform Jews. He certainly does not speak for me.
Paul Wacknov
Leawood, Kan.