Dual loyalties? I think not. I cannot imagine a scenario which could put the United States of America and Israel on opposing sides. Ofcourse in the run-up to WW II there was a local nazi party but, their ideology was in flagrant contravention of the United States constitution. Let us understand, that the United States constitution was framed by Deists, whose ethical base was and continues to be, indistinguishable from my own, as a Jew. I may claim no right which I do not by extension concede to each and every other human being nor impose a duty on an individual which I do not by extension impose on myself. To me this is the basis of the United States constitution and, in my opinion, of the Torah. There can therefore never subsist a contradiction between what the United States government might legally demand of me and what I demand of myself as a Jew.

Lori, I thought your story was interesting and informative; it takes a lot of courage to share personal details. What I thought was even more interesting was the negative responses you got in the comments section. To me, your choice of location is exactly that: your choice. I don't think that living in America, Canada, or even Israel has anything to do with your quality as a human being and a Jew; I think that regardless of where you choose to call home you can do great things. As for my fellow Jews that feel qualified to question you choice or belittle you without the benefit of knowing your circumstances, I would invite them to stay their tongues. I'm sure you didn't write this post in an effort to attract criticism, yet some seem to have taken it that way. Thus, for what it's worth, allow me to offer apologies for their unkind words. I enjoy reading your posts; I look forward to future endeavors.

I have so much respect for you. Your knowledge, insight, vitality, humour and yet in this article you found it necessary to let us all know that you know someone who can call the President directly? Really??? I also understand how proud you are of your son but to let us and everyone know that he's a trained sniper??? Not cool for someone who is usually so Frum, so approachable, such a mench. You really have become very American. Your Canadian manners aren't there any more. I know how proud you are and how much you do and how much you've accomplished. I also know that Hashem has blessed you. Please remember where you came from. It's clear where you're going. What kind of person you are when you get there is still up to you.

It'a easy to be so humble when you are "anonymous". I am happy to have a real discussion with you if you want to email me directly: LPalatnik@aish.com. Thank you.

Lori stated that the highest loyalty is to the Jewish people. I really don't understand why you wrote such a nasty reply. Lori doesn't remember where she came from? It's clear to me that she's going to even greater heights all the time, that she is completely dedicated to helping Jews. As far as living in Israel is concerned, though we, thank Gd, do live here, it is quite obvious that there are many Jews who accomplish more for the Jewish people by staying there, and it seems that Gd has chosen them for that purpose. So many of these wonerful people would love to come here but don't because of their obligations there. I thlink it's a big sacrifice on their parts. Then, there are families with young teenagers, and most educators would suggest that that is really the wrong time to come, 'cause these kids don't always succeed here. I've seen so many families that were doing great in the States and when they move here just don't make it, because of the complexities of life for children of different ages. Then there are families with obligations to old, sick parents. And all kinds of private matters that have to be carefully weighed out. This is not being hypocritical at all. It's being mature and realistic, instead of reckless and impulsive.

I understand and agree with everything you say, except one thing confuses me. If you are so adamant that THIS is NOT your home, that Israel IS your HOME, why don't you live there? Isn't that a bit hypocritical of you? If I felt that strongly, I would suit my actions to my words.

Our personal family situation is such that this is not the right time for us to be there, but we hope and pray it will be a reality in the future. I think about it every day of my life.

There is a beautiful and strong point here indeed, though as a proud Canadian, I was a little let down by you denouncing your Canadian identity so willingly.

Lori, You may have American citizenship but you were born in Canada so you will always be Canadian,

I always thought that if you joined a foreign army, you forfeited your American citizenship. The fact that immigrants to Israel are drafted allows them to retain their citizenship, but since your son was not drafted but only volunteered, wasn't that a problem?

Though not one to judge at all, I think it would help a lot of us reading this if Lori, who represents a person with the highest standards of integrity, would spell out how she feels about keeping her Canadian citizenship while affirming that, "I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen..." There's probably a clear reasoning somewhere in there, but it certainly is far from obvious and begs for clarification & clarity.

It is only right that my allegiance is to the country where I live, where I benefit from their hospitality, resources and services.

My late husband used to say, every generation of Jews gets a kick up the backside to remind them who they are - so, whereever, outside of Israel, a Jew may reside, there will always be that nagging doubt of "will I ever be accepted?" No, is the answer! Never be too complacent, the German Jews were a prime example, they thought they were Germans first and Jews second.

There's no complacency indicated in Dr. Palatnik's piece. Rather, it's reflective of a lot of very active soul searching. Yes, all of our previous host societies have turned on us, and it can happen here too. But while we do have the freedom to be as Jewishly committed as we want to be we need to be grateful for it to Hashem.

This is one of the most touching pieces I've read in a long time. I'd just like to add something as to my personal relationship with the United States as a Torah-observant Jew. Like most American Jews, I'd never been exposed to serious study of such classics as Mishnah and Talmud. The single initiative that allowed me to learn these, that provided the energy I needed to become "frum," was Artscroll's Talmud Bavli, which I've now used to complete two cycles of Daf Yomi. Does anybody realize that the United States is the first country ever where an elucidation of Talmud in the vernacular of that country has ever been done? How many countries in our 2000-year exile have staged massive burning of Talmud!? But here we are, able to learn Talmud in clear, contemporary English! All it took was raising the money and finding that there was actually a ready audience. I was part of that audience. I could not be more grateful than I am to the United States of America for providing the environment that made it possible for me to successfully study Talmud and to become the Torah Jew that I am today!

I congratulate you Rebbetzin Palatnik on your "conversion." I made the choice to become part of the eternally covenanted People Israel, made "the cut," and "swore the oath" back in March of 1974. I have never regretted it even the day my maternal German grandmother called me a "kike." I met you in the lobby of the King Solomon Hotel in Jerusalem in October 2010. I am a devoted "Aish-nik." Kol Tuv!

You were fingerprinted to get your US citizenship?? I wasn't.

May we all never ever have any other god before He who is highest, the Almighty; He who sees and knows all! Anything else before the LORD our G-D is an idol. May our hearts be true and pure before Him! Shalom!

Thank Hashem that there will never come a time when the United States and Israel will be so at odds with Israel that we will have to make a decision as to which to support. That said, however, I am an American, and I am a Jew. There is no decisions to be made. I am, however, NOT an American-Jew nor am I a Jewish-American. I AM AN AMERICAN WHO IS JEWISH! Although not under obligation to wear the uniform of the United States Air Force, I served my country for six years out of sheer gratitude that I was NOT born in either Russia or Poland from where my grandparents had escaped. Born in 1940, the Shoah took place during my life time! Forty-seven aunts, uncles and cousins were enslaved and murdered in cold blood WHILE iI WAS ALIVE! They simply waited too long and did not believe that what happened was going to happen. Chances are excellent that had I not been born in the U.S.A. I would have perished at the hands of the Jew-haters. Worse, perhaps, I might have survived by being brought up as a gentile. Not that there is anything wrong with being a gentile, but I AM a Jew and would rather die than deny that fact. My former husband is a Canadian from Ontario and has been too much of a coward to become an American citizen; he has such a poor self image of himself that he thinks that he would not pass the citizenship exam. He has been here over 55 years and still will not become a citizen. On Tuesday, I will proudly stand up for President Obama. In my opinion, he has done an outstanding job and will go down in history as one of the best presidents we've had. Look at how President Clinton is now perceived. The U.S. is a Secular Representative REPUBLIC, not an oligarchy. The late Justice Brandeis said" We can either have a democracy or we can have great wealth in the hands of a few people, BUT WE CANNOT HAVE BOTH." The excesses of the Far Right and their loathing of education is more than enough to have me vote for the middle left. Baruch Hashem for America!

Dear Lori, As a fellow Canadian, naturalized American, Jew and immigration lawyer, I'd like to share with you another way to approach this. Yes, to become American, one has to renounce allegiance to any other country of which one is a national. (Historically this arose out of fear of conflicting loyalties in times of war between the U.S. and the other country.) But as a question of international law, even by renouncing allegiance to, say, Canada, since Canada says "we don't care; you remain Canadian", you remain a dual citizen. It's unclear from your article if you actually became an Israeli citizen 25 years ago, such that you concretely had to renounce (in your head and heart) allegiance to Israel by becoming American. In any event, as former-NYC-mayor Ed Koch once said when questioned about his loyalties because he's a Jew- "Rest assured that if Israel and America ever go to war, I will fight for America" (i.e. "we know this will never happen, so relax"). The same can be said for the chances of Canada and the U.S. going to war too. So mazel tov on being a dual citizen (Canada and the U.S.), and quite possibly a triple citizen (if you're Israeli too). I hope you have registered in time to vote!

Lori, I met you at AISH in Rockville Md, congratulations on becoming a Citizen of the United States of America. You make the USA stronger by studying and affirming your desire to be a citizen with all of the rights and responsibilities.

First, Mazel Tov on your new citizenship, and welcome! You are a wonderful addition to the US. I'm just sorry your first national election has been so filled with negativity. And that brings me to this election. I have been in a quandry since there is no one candidate that meets all of my requirements. Today's column helped me focus on what's really important, and I thank you. A couple of years ago I met you in Houston, and told you that if you became a citizen, no one would have to know how you vote. After all, when you go into the booth, you are alone! This year, I am taking my own advice! Shavua tov.

As an American of Mexican descent...not a Mexican American...certainly a deferential distinction - as an American of Mexican descent, my tenacious support of America comes before my heritage and allegiance thereto; this country puts the clothes on my back, the food in my mouth, and roof over my head. While I might respect my heritage, it does not come before my loyalty to America. I was pleased to see the term "American Jew," far too many in this country forget to whom they owe their loyalty. Mexican-Americans, African or Black-Americans, Chinese-Americans, French-Americans, etc., etc.; these appellations, provide for a divisive character to which America has changed, i.e., from that of a former "America, the melting pot of the world," to the racist and prejudicial-party nature to which to we are becoming. An element which allows 'no compromise' for the good of the our nation. The American Jew, respects American, understands what their homeland represents, but, while they are American Jews, they also understand that one day, they may return to their homeland to become Jewish citizens, but while American Jews, they have always served and honored this country in war and peace. It would be hoped that all of those '(race)-Americans' would do the same - with the same respect and loyalty to America. Perhaps 'hatred,' a word all Jews and American Jews understand, and the results thereof, can provide the basis for other race-based, so-called-Americans to eliminate so that we might once again become the "Melting pot of the world," a place of peace and unity, an example for the world...as we once were.... From an American of Mexican descent to an American of Jewish descent, Welcome to your new American status.

Mr. Ramirez, I lovingly take exception to the thought that someday I will become a citizen of Israel. I'm an American, not an Israeli. Although I love the State of Israel and do all that I can to counter the outright lies that people say about her, I've no desire to leave this country. I'd love to visit, but since financially that is totally out of the question, I'll die here in the U.S.A. I've visited Mexico and loved it! While working for a few years in East Los Angeles, I learned to speak Spanish fluently. I've a deep respect and love for Hispanics and I cannot fathom why Hispanics seem to have just as many problems with some people as we Jews do. It is absolute nonsense! There really, in scientific terms only ONE race: The Human race. We've evolved from ONE place on this planet as far as I know. My genetic background goes back to Ethiopia, but I'm considered an "Anglo" as far as "race" goes. Your wish that we could go back to being a true melting pot of the world is my prayer. America is unique among the nations of the world in that we do not have ONE group or ONE religion or ONE anything else, but we do have ONE thing in common, we are all Americans and to me, that is the ONE thing that is important. The fact that I am Jewish in no way makes me better or worse than anyone else. The fact that you come from a Mexican background means nothing to me...you are my fellow American and I salute you for not hyphenating your background.

What a blessing you are to the USA!