Malcolm Hoenlein (center) meeting with HaRav Shteinman
"An extreme Leftist Jew is no novelty. We are familiar with several such Leftist precedents, as in Russia, Germany and other places. Jews were an inseparable part of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and Communism, and elsewhere. This doesn't mean that the extreme leaning of the Left today, including blatant expressions of anti-Semitism, is less serious because of it."
Malcolm Hoenlein, director of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations in America, is well versed in the pathways of the American political scene, in all of its shades, the vicissitudes within it and its changing nuances, as well as in the world politics and policies in general. As one of the most outstanding Jewish leaders in the world today, he fills the sensitive role of negotiator and diplomat, and is involved in dealings both complex and secret, in order to promote various Jewish topical issues — in the U.S., the West in general and with Arab nations.
In a quiet corner of a Jerusalem hotel, early evening, in the course of a visit to Israel, Hoenlein takes time off from a very full schedule, before and after. At nine he is scheduled to daven Ma'ariv in the hotel's shul, but until then, he clears off some time from his activities to grant Yated Ne'eman a fascinating interview in which he relates to a long list of pressing issues awarded top priority regarding Israel and Jewry.
Before we relate to the director of the Congress of Presidents and his view of the extreme leftist swing of American Jewry, we sought to glean from him something about the public opinion amongst American Jewry in general. We sought to examine the gut feeling of a growing schism between American Jews and Israel and verify if they no longer consider Israel the "Promised Land."
Hoenlein, typically, replies cautiously and calmly. "There is no such single concept as an American Jew. Jews in America are divided into many categories and shades, each sector individually. For the most part, the Jews in America remain strong supporters of the State of Israel, which can also be said for the majority of Americans in general. According to surveys, some 60% of Americans support Israel and support of the Palestinians has remained very low. A study showing this was published just last week.
Hoenlein at the interview
"However, among Jewish youth, we find less support, of which we are well aware. But such a trend applies to every issue. What intensifies it is the fact that amongst secular Jews aged 18-39 there is hardly any second generation. In this group, only 13% have Jewish children; 12% have children of mixed marriages who receive some form of a Jewish education, while 10% have children with no religious affiliation whatsoever."
In view of these figures, the gap will only continue to widen, becoming very significant and cause for concern. "At the same time, however, the religious public is growing and increasing its pro-Israel involvement. There are some who simply ignore what is going on in the world in general and included in that is that they are not concerned with Israel at all, which is painful. People have to be aware. Anti- Semitism concerns them too and they must protect themselves. The stronger a Jew maintains an outward Jewish exterior, the more he is prone to attack. They must be made to understand this and take the necessary protective steps."
According to Hoenlein, Capitol Hill still maintains a strong Israeli support. There is a strong awareness of anti- Semitism and anti-Semitic and anti-Israel trends. "I met with senators and Congress representatives from both parties. We are witness to recent sharp anti-Israel expression from several of members of Congress but the large majority supports Israel, supports legislation against anti- Semitism, and promotion of pro-Jewish and pro-Israel interests in all key issues. Israel and Jewry have a broad and strong base of support in Congress."
Hoenlein maintains that Jews who shy away from Israel and from Jewish identity are influenced by the extremists: "We are concerned by the fact that young Jews fall prey to political extremism, both from the Right and the Left. Some seek to express their support of Israel and Jews but are afraid to do so, either for safety reasons or out of ignorance."
It is no secret that in American Jewry there Leftists who have made some anti-Israel expressions. How can this be dealt with? Can anything be done about it?
"As I said, this is not a new phenomenon and history is full of such precedents. We must fight them and we do so. We send people to campuses and high schools to reach the youth as early as possible, before they enter college and become poisoned by anti-Israel incitement. We have become more assertive to extreme Jewish groups, which may not even really be Jewish to begin with. We must strengthen our defense, engage in Outreach, and project positive messages of Jewish life and the beauty of Jewish life."
The radical Right is leaning to the greater extreme. Has America become more dangerous for Jews? Can we expect protection from them?
"Anti-Semitism comes from the Right and the Left. Actually, most of the attacks against Jews in Brooklyn and other Jewish neighborhoods in New York are not connected to the white Right. The fight against anti-Semitism must involve us all, to the extreme factors at both of the poles. We encounter anti-Semitism on the campuses which originate mainly from the Left; the BDS movement is one of the products of the Left."
Hoenlein explains that one can not always take data about anti-Semitic incidents at face value. "In Germany, for example, 80%-90% of attacks are relegated to Rightist factions but they also count Moslems as Right, so that one cannot rely on statistics. There is anti-Semitism from all sides and we must fight it. We need more protection, not that police should be stationed everywhere but that security organizations like Shomrim should upgrade their awareness and continue to provide protection."
The director of the Conference of Presidents notes that his organization is promoting legislation against anti-Semitism and lawsuits against such bodies which support it: Project Lawfare is one such body which seeks to fight for Jewish and pro-Israel rights throughout the world and has recently scored some success. It sued the San Francisco State University for refusing to allow a forum for pro-Israel speakers, among them Sharansky and Michael Oren.
"Instead of fighting against the anti-Semitic activists, the university police fought Jewish students who attempted to organize a pro-Israel rally. The case resulted in an absolute change in this policy and the university now relates very fairly to such initiatives, allowing speakers a voice and platform. We want this to be a message to all and we will continue to operate along these lines."
Only recently has there been reported a sharp 80% rise in hate attacks in New York alone: "This is a very steep rise registered in 2018, and most of the violence is directed against Jews. There is no doubt that the situation in America has become more dangerous for Jews. Jews have been attacked for no apparent reason besides of their appearance. Lately, more and more Jews are afraid to wear a kipah in New York! This tension is apparent throughout the U.S. Congress members are fighting it but the number of incidents is growing. This is a warning alarm in America!"
Hoenlein says that the question is how to react to this rise. "We might fight it on all fronts. We must punish those who fight against Jews. I don't want more Memorial Days for fallen Jews. It is very easy to bring tears over dead Jews... I want to see Jews being protected before something terrible happens. No excuses. This must become a policy. Professors, teachers, businessmen — everyone must pay a heavy price for any manifestation of anti-Semitism. This is the only way."
Learning Unites Jews
Malcolm Hoenlein says that along with the new situation in America including lower identification with Israel, we have to increase positive Jewish messages, and these certainly include the upcoming Siyum Shas of the Daf Yomi.
"Iy"H there will be a tremendous happening in New York on the occasion of the completion of the Daf Yomi. There will be events in many other places in America and the world. I believe that this learning unites Jews all over. I am very moved to see how all the learning comes together to a tremendous weave of learning."
