Judaism Does Not Equal Israel: The Rebirth of the Jewish Prophetic
Ellis, a prominent Jewish intellectual, writes a provocative book that is likely to outrage many Jews as well as Gentile supporters of Israel, but it must be seriously considered. Most “Jewish” criticism of Israel comes either from nominal Jews with little attachment to the Jewish community, or from ultra-Orthodox Jews who feel only the Messiah can restore the Jewish state. But Ellis fits neither description, and many of his assertions are likely to strike nerves. He convincingly asserts that post-Holocaust Jews are united less by language or religious tradition than by their attachment to the survival of the state of Israel. In the process, he maintains, Jews have abandoned their prophetic mission and replaced it with support for a military state that oppresses Palestinians. He urges Jews to consider separating their Jewish identity from Israel. Ellis paints with too broad a brush, since many staunch supporters of Israel’s existence criticize particular policies of the Israeli government. Many of his criticisms of the Israeli government are simplistic and one-sided. Still, this is a strongly argued work that should and probably will be heatedly debated. --Jay Freeman