The SF Jewish Federation leaders have failed to address the crucial issue:  how to ensure that our donations will never again be used to help fund events that are organized in collaboration with anti-Israel extremist groups?

Presently the Federation is using our contribution to fund events, which are co-presented by organizations that advocate boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel, such as the misleadingly named Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP).

The Federation statement does nothing to prevent Federation funds from being used in the future by the Film Festival, or any other organization, for defamatory anti-Israel events, such as the Corrie event.
The Federation statement does nothing to prevent Federation funds from being used again to fund events which are done in collaboration with extreme anti-Israel groups (such as the JVP) which call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

The whole issue would be behind us once the Federation adopt a policy stating that it will not support organizations or events that demonize/defame Israel. Nor will it support organizations that collaborate in their events with groups that call for boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel. 

The issue is kept alive because of the Federation’s failure to adopt such a simple and obvious policy, one that is completely in line with its mission statement.

In sum, adopting such a common sense policy will assure people donating to the Federation that their contributions will no longer be squandered to fund events done in conjunction with anti-Israel organizations and will thereby prevent similar issues from causing discord in the community.

Being a not so recent transplant from Soviet Union, I have always known that my children will grow up being proud to be jews and zionists.
We have gone to Tawonga, my son attends a local Jewish Day school, participates in the religious school at the temple.
We light Shabbat candles, and celebrate Jewish holidays.  We’ve been to Israel, and stand together whenever there is an anti-Israeli activities. 
My son is aware of the current events in Israel and the United States.  He is a smart articulate kid.  He is 12 years old.

I don’t know how much more I can do for his Jewish identity. 

Now, dear Federation, please help me explain to my preteen why you are choosing to act like a teenager instead of the leader. 

Please help me explain to my son why the Jewish Federation will not commit to a firm explicit stand that makes it very clear for all that neither funds, nor Federation name will be used to legitimize anti-semitic and anti-Israel events.

Admitting feebly that perhaps a mistake was made is not enough.  We need reassurance and a guarantee that the kind of event like “Rachel” will never get a single penny from the Federation funds. Adopt the resolution that Mr Alon has proposed.  Then we can put it all behind us and move on.  And then we’ll be known for our strong pro-Israel views and actions. Make us proud.  Lead the way.  And make it easy for parents like me to raise the next generation of proud Zionists.

The so-called Federation “leadership” refuses to take a clear stand banning Federation funding of anti-Israel events.  If they can’t summon the courage or the sense to do that, they should quit and make way for leaders worthy of the name.  This Federation is fast becoming a laughing stock, and as any good actor knows, one should leave the stage while the audience is still chuckling.

One of the favorite tricks of those who are criticized is to label the critics as marginal and extreme.  Thus, we had Doug Kahn referring to critics of Federation-funded Israel-bashing as “rabble”.  Given the stature of the authors of this op-ed, it’s time for Federation officials to stop playing games and calling names and do the right thing: forever end Federation collaboration with and support of anti-Israel groups and individuals.

To the Federation: Isn’t it time that you recognize there are solid members of our community who are asking you to step up to the plae and confront the Film Festival Issure in a Noble Way. We are not a bunch of Rabble Rousers as you have intimated.  I like many others have been a loyal supporter of the Federation for years. However, my loyalty has been shaken and my future support of the Fedration depends greatly on what you the Federation do in the coming months. The eloquent Op Ed piece does tell it all, better than I could ever hope to do. The bell is tolling dear Federation.
Fred

Cindy Corrie is English speaking and American.

The residents of Sderot are Hebrew speaking and Middle Eastern. This, rather than politics, explains why they were not invited to a discussion about Gaza.

This is an example of how being English speaking and white can trump being Jewish.

In reading the threatening letter to the Federation from three well heeled machers, non of whom are either from or live in San Francisco,  and then the comments of those approving of their threat, I can only say that there is a serious and ugly sickness that is permeating the organized Jewish community that is difficult to put a name to but be assured, some one will.

The name of the sickness Jeff Blankfort refers to is “self-hatred”. The most prominent sign of this disease is the refusal to reject those who demonize Jews and Israel and the most common symptom is feeling ashamed of being Jewish. Thank God we have people like Abraham Sofaer, Zvi Alon, and Sanford N. Diller.