Senior New York Rabbi Warns Golden Age for American Jews Has Ended
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Senior Reform Rabbi Amiel Hirsch announced the end of a "golden age" for American Jews, citing the normalization of antisemitism in U.S. politics. He criticized elected officials for being ideologically opposed to Israel's existence, stating their anti-Israel obsession fuels antisemitism. Hirsch described anti-Zionism as a destructive ideology, warning that this new era is illiberal and immoral.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Senior Reform Rabbi Amiel Hirsch declared the "golden age" for American Jews has ended.
- Hirsch warned that antisemitism has become normalized in U.S. politics across the spectrum.
- He criticized elected officials for being ideologically opposed to Israel's existence.
- The rabbi stated that anti-Israel obsession fuels and amplifies antisemitism.
- Hirsch described anti-Zionism as a hate-filled ideology of destruction.
Senior Reform Rabbi Amiel Hirsch has declared that the "golden age" for American Jews has concluded, warning of a new era marked by normalized antisemitism in U.S. politics. Speaking from his synagogue, Hirsch stated that sentiments previously relegated to the fringes of political discourse are now mainstream, affecting both the right and the left.
Hirsch specifically criticized some newly elected officials in the House of Representatives and the Senate, characterizing their stance as not merely critical of Israeli policy but ideologically opposed to the very existence of Israel. He described their view as seeing "nothing good" about the "Jewish state," calling it "the embodiment of evil."
The rabbi also addressed the issue of apologies, noting that while some public figures may apologize under pressure, their underlying beliefs often remain unchanged. He asserted that figures like Abdul Al-Sayed, despite apologizing, truly believe their stated positions.
Hirsch argued that these officials' obsession with destroying Israel fuels and amplifies antisemitism, a claim he labeled as a "hate-filled ideology of destruction" that is both "illiberal and immoral."