American Judaism — Declaration of Independence — From Israel

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What’s wrong with liberal religion?

American Liberal Judaism does not:

–spit at 7 year old girls

–enforce itself in the public sphere against the will of others

–suck dry state coffers

–beat up Arab passerby on the street

–steal land from other people

–expel other people from their homes

–interfere with the rights of others to pray

–discriminate against women

–discriminate against fellow citizens

–seek to dominate the public sphere

We wish that Judaism in Israel was more like American Judaism:

–more liberal

–more private

–more “civic”

–more cosmopolitan

Let’s not be feckless.

I can’t think of anything Judaism in Israel has to teach us here about “religion.”

I would like to see American Judaism support “Israel” with more critical distance, in ways that are more thoughtful and independent.

(Robert Rauschenberg, Pressure Cooker, 1982)

About zjb

Zachary Braiterman is Professor of Religion in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. His specialization is modern Jewish thought and philosophical aesthetics. http://religion.syr.edu
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1 Response to American Judaism — Declaration of Independence — From Israel

  1. efmooney says:

    I fell off my chair when I saw this was Rauschenberg in ’86 ! I thought it was you, Zak, March, 2013. Does nothing change ? A declaration of independence indeed ! Mazal Tov !

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