In it, he compares today s Jewish leaders to the high priests of Temple times, but observes that American Jewish leaders don t speak for all Jews. In this observation, Rabbi Bronstein is right, but missing the point.
Leaders never speak for all of their communities.
A few years ago, I was president of the Young Leadership Division of the Jewish United Fund. I frequently wondered if I even represented the diverse opinions of the 40 men and women on the YLD board who had elected me. The only thing I was sure of is that I spoke for my own conscience, and tried to represent the values and goals that most of us share in common for our community. Rabbi Bronstein sees something insidious, or at least undemocratic, about the work of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Organizations. I see the same leaders, and feel profoundly grateful for their efforts on our behalf.