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- Jewish Idealism
A key difference between living in Israel and the United States.
Published: Sunday, August 23, 2009
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Visitor Comments: 11
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(6) Dave Mittman , August 25, 2009
Look a bit harder
Please don't compare apples and oranges. I agree that Jews tend to be idealistic. No doubt. But you need to look at the founding fathers who signed the Constitution and their children to see the classic ideals and idealism that America stands for. It's hard to compare a country under siege to a 230 year old democracy that is not under attack.OR BETTER YET if you really want to see idealism, spend a day on an Army or Air Force base with the men and women serving our country. I am sorry your eyes to not see that but do see it in the soldiers of Israel. I see it in both. Dave
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(5) Dena , August 25, 2009
Powerful
Lori, you are one of the best "things" to hit the internet. You pack a powerful punch in your own warm, intelligent and engaging way. I love your videos and each one has a powerful message. Very moving and inspiring. Can you tell I'm a fan?
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(4) Keren Hannah , August 25, 2009
Lori for President!
Amen.
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(3) Oppenheim , August 25, 2009
Compassionate Ideals, Firm in Vision
The introspective universalism ("I tried to change the world . . . and found I could only change myself") that has contributed to Jewish insight and alignment with our better angels has also encouraged creation of a path of apology and relativism that has led to harm for ourselves and others. I think there is an intuitive-logical needle involved in the development of a compassionate conscience and an altogether decent moral compass, and perceiving a good course for ourselves and others, as we so often do, acquiring the backbone to stay assertive about keeping to it would seem helpful.
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(2) Paul Katz , August 24, 2009
What kund of idealism?
Idealism that is not informed by traditional Jewish values can go very bad very fast. There are no shortage of secular Jews that have become useful (though educated) idiots in service to anti Israel and anti American causes such as Marxism, racical feminism, and moral relativism. Six Jewish US Senators just refused to sign a letter to President Obama requesting less pressure on Israel though most of the other senators (71) did vote for the pro Israel letter. These Jewish senators certainly see themselves as idealistic. Am I supposed to feel good about that?
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(1) Rosen , August 24, 2009
self-idealism
While many people around me, including Jewish peers who choose to inter-date and intermarry, I don't give in to the pressures of assimilation like that because I feel if I don't marry Jewish, then Judaism would be nullified to me. Therefore, the only certain corner of the universe that can be well-controlled and that G-d created for us is one's self. Therefore, as Gandhi famously said, "we must be the change in this world we want to see." It all begins with ourselves and the choices within our free will that we make. I just hope that all of us Jews can be responsive to one another so that there can be a united Jewish front someday soon. After all, aren't all Jews responsible for one another? That's why all Jews ought to unite from the friendliest to the loneliest.
About the Author
Lori Palatnik

Lori Palatnik is an author and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio and has lectured on five continents, illuminating traditional practices and life-styles for our contemporary world. She and her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik, live in Washington, DC, where she is the Executive Director of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project of Aish DC.
Lori is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond—The Shabbat Experience Step-by-Step"; "Remember My Soul", which explains the Jewish concepts of soul and the afterlife and a guide to anyone who has ever lost a loved one; and "Gossip—Ten Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul", featured on "Dr. Laura" and FoxNews.com.












(11) chaim ltrama , August 29, 2009
idealism
idealism without sound judgement can cause great harm. when a person has a solid grasp of who they are and what they believe in, plus the study of Torah, then they can make choices about ideas that they may wish to embrace. but without a solid faith and understanding of the world idealism can be a very destructive tool.
(10) Anonymous , August 26, 2009
not really materialism but necessity
I am not a particularly materialistic person, although I enjoy a car that works, etc. But the reality of living as an Orhodox Jews in America drives many of us to have to focus on earning significantly more money than we would otherwise have to. It's a necessity rather than a choice, and drives many of us into overdrive and overstress! I wish we had the luxury to be idealsitic!! We could create much nicer communities to live in.
(9) ruth housman , August 25, 2009
on Target
I think it's true, that as a nation, here, there are less protests and less massive marches to protest injustice of all kinds. All the same I know a lot of people, Jews and Non Jews whose conversation is about injustice and about making positive change, in all areas of life. If there is a Jewish gene for injustice, it might have something to do with what has been passed down also through history, namely a history of being sensitized to what it's like to feel marginalized. This is deep and we do teach it to our children, or hopefully, we do. I do believe that all people who suffer, can take the high road, meaning sensitization brings them to a deeper awareness of what needs to be righted in life, and that there is a low road that makes people then very self-righteous and often entitled, and those people grab and behave in ways that are the opposite of sensitive because they have learned another lesson, namely take what you can while you can. I see all people in a different light, meaning I spend a lot of time on environmental and other causes on line, and it's not just Jews and the Jewish gene that prompts these wonderful people who truly, do care. So maybe this gene runs through many "lines".
(8) Linda J. McArtney , August 25, 2009
To Lori Palatnik
Thank you Lori for all your wonderful and informative articles. Yourself, and what I have learned from them have also played a part in my decision to convert to Judiaism. Keep up the good work! Linda
(7) Berry , August 25, 2009
Gee Lori, I live in Israel. What idealism did you see here?
Just curious as to what you're referring to.