Israel in the Gardens needed kosher food
Last year at Israel in the Gardens, we ate delicious kosher hot dogs and other kosher yummies. This year we expected nothing less and were more than upset to see not one kosher food vendor. Why? Of all Bay Area Jewish events, one would think there would be something! Very disappointed.
Liz Creditor | Berkeley
J Street shows its stripes
I am glad that you published the op-ed by Simone Zimmerman (“Hillel needs to be welcoming to various views on Israel,” May 31). Now everyone can see what most of us already knew: J Street is outside the mainstream when it comes to supporting Israel. Former Rep. Gary Ackerman was right when he said J Street is “so open-minded … that its brains have fallen out.”
Dialogue with someone who wants to destroy you is not appropriate, unless the goal is only to hear yourself talk. Make no mistake; the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement wants to destroy Israel.
Zimmerman and J Street may not have a problem with people like this, but the pro-Israel community does. One of the principles of BDS is a boycott of Israeli universities and faculty. Zimmerman is fighting for free speech for people who want to deny Israelis the right to speak and teach, and ultimately to live.
The issue is not free speech or academic freedom. It is the right of a Jewish organization to determine what is acceptable or not. Of course Zimmerman is entitled to her opinion, but the fact is that BDS is an enemy of Israel and the Jewish people, and Hillel has every right to exclude them.
Gil Stein | Aptos
BDS has no place in Hillel
In her op-ed, Simone Zimmerman brings up important points about Hillel’s guidelines and its role in Israel advocacy. The charter states that “Hillel is steadfastly committed to the support of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure and recognized borders.”
Because BDS applies a double standard to Israel that is not applied to any other country in the world when it comes to defending its own security, right to self-determination and interest in peace through negotiation, it has no place at Hillel. As U.C. Berkeley Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said, “Targeting a single nation or state in this highly complex world is not appropriate.”
The Hillel charter also states that it’s open to a pluralistic discussion on Israel, but one that is civil and focused on learning. Those that support and finance BDS are not interested in a substitutive, open and educational conversation, as demonstrated through their divisive tactics, student bullying and secretive financiers. So why should Hillel be required to co-sponsor, host and engage in discussions that directly contradict its mission?
BDS is a sideshow that has no place on college campuses. Student groups like Hillel should focus on building strong Jewish identities and positive connections to Israel.
Danielle Foreman | San Francisco
Program Officer, Koret Foundation