Temple Isaiah Member Since: 2005
What Israel Means to Me:
While I only visited Israel once, it was enough for that special place work its magic on me. And the many Israelis I’ve met and worked with over the years simply confirmed the diverse and remarkable nature of those lucky enough to live in a Jewish state.
But it was during the three-year battle to expel the forces of BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) and their associated propaganda campaigns from Somerville, MA (where I lived before moving to Lexington) that I discovered what Israel means to me.
Many have described the Jewish people as the “canary in the coal mine,” meaning the terrible things tyrants want to inflict onto everyone are often visited first upon the Jews. And in the case of BDS, efforts to de-legitimize Israel and its people involve spreading hatred and division to schools, churches, food coops, unions, municipalities – the very fabric of our civic life.
So, as I learned when I learned what Israel means to me: fighting for the Jewish people means fighting for us all.
What I Do to Support the Jewish State:
Most of my anti-BDS work is centered on my Divest This web site (www.divestthis.com), although I’ve also been able to support numerous Jewish organizations and civic groups fending off the BDS virus through writing, speaking, training, and strategic advice.
What You Can Do to Support Israel:
Obviously, I hope everyone joins Temple Isaiah’s Israel Action Committee. But beyond the temple, there are dozens of organizations supporting Israel in so many ways that those looking for how to help are spoiled for choice.
If you hate the way Israel is treated by the media, I recommend you contact CAMERA (www.camera.org), the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America, which does tremendous work in fighting media bias. Whether you want to write letters, editorials, articles (or just a check), CAMERA offers a way to have your voice added to thousands of others in ways that make a real difference.