The last word
The Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin & Sonoma Counties has clarified its stance on pluralism in the Jewish community. We, apparently don’t need it. I mean that the JCF has “to manage such situations without diminishing the rich exchange and expression that defines our community.” The policy implications of this “clear statement” are that “the JCF will not fund” organizations that:
advocate for, or endorse, undermining the legitimacy of Israel as a secure independent, democratic Jewish state, including through participation in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, in whole or in part.
I would imagine that this means first, that, in the above statement “advocate for” has as its object “undermining” and not “the legitimacy of Israel…”. Second, apparently, participation in the BDS movement could not have as its object strengthening Israel as an independent and democratic state.
As the perfect coda to this policy announcement, the acting CEO of the JCF clarifies: “It is our intention that this policy establishes helpful guideposts that will not squelch creativity, diversity of expression, or critical debate in our community.”
Well, wasn’t that obvious?
The full statement is here.
Seriously? How does this not surprise you?
It’s funny when the fringe doesn’t realize it’s the fringe…
The JCF is pretty well damned if they do and damned if they don’t in this particular regard.
I actually find their statement today surprisingly gentler than expected. It doesn’t stop them from investing in the Film Festival again, which was what started this whole balegan.
Since pretty much all the major donors in the Bay Area have publicly – in open letters and ads and such – threatened to turn off their cashflow to Federation if there wasn’t a statement made against BDS, I don’t know what else you’d have them do, apart from cease to exist in a glorious, futile protest.
Is not Federation run by its donors? Donors in SF may well include thousands of J Street supporting lefties like myself, but we don’t amount for more than a sliver of pie in the greater scheme of JCF funds, methinks.
Maybe it’s time for an alt.JCF or something, but really, I think that Federation probably desparately wants to get past this mess and back into the business of funding nice non-controversial programs like kosher lunch for the indigent elderly, camp scholarships for Russian emigrees and the BJE.
There’s indeed nothing stopping anyone from creating an alternative to any Jewish Community Federation.
Ah, but there’s always that membership problem. And since they’re no longer making telephone booths…
Sign of weakness.
At least someone still has some guts. Let the Saudis pay for BDS.
Who’s “we”, kemo sabe?
I totally oppose BDS against Israel. It would do nothing but further push the Israeli populace into the arms of the far-right (remember what the siege of Gaza did for Hamas?).
Also, most of the folks I’ve seen advocating BDS couldn’t give a damn if it’s a doctor, a military commander, a film student’s term project, or a roll of cheese, from Tel Aviv or Tekoa Dalet – if it’s Israeli, they despise it. As much as I dislike the Occupation, I don’t hate it more than I hate hysterical sensationalism that verges on Judeophobia.
The SFJCF is rad. Among their many beneficiary agencies is the Contemporary Jewish Museum. I must admit I had my doubts about the museum when it opened but between the As It is Written and Sendak exhibits I was very impressed with the offerings last time I visited.
Other beneficiary agencies of note are the Bureau of Jewish Education’s Jewish Community Library and JCC (both of which offer amazing lectures and programs year round)…
And of course the Israel Center, which was/is a true pioneer in Israel-related cultural programs (past Israel Center artists/thinkers-in-residence have included everyone from former MK Naomi Chazan and cartoonist Michel Kichka to Ethiopian-Israeli actor Yossi Vassa, Iraqi-Israeli poet Ronny Someck and journalist Ehud Ya’ari. They’ve also brought to the Bay Area over the years an impressive array of Israeli musicians, including Ehud Banai, Shalom Hanoch, Dana Berger, Dahag Nahash, Eran Tzur, Shotei Hanevuah and Idan Raichel to name just a few…) http://www.sfjcf.org/israelcenter/
Looks like the Jewish Community Federation of NoCal (JCF) took a considerate approach and crafted a good grant policy under their circumstances. Would I have done the same? Would I have done better? I don’t know.
A grant is not an entitlement; providing grants that enable many people to express diverse viewpoints generally is a good thing. What viewpoints should not be funded? Always a pretty tough call.
So where did they come out? What’s eligible for funding under the JCF policy?
The following kinds of programs generally accord with the policy:
* Dialogue groups (i.e. non-public exchanges)
* Private meetings
* Presentations on topics other than the Middle East and Israel, that are not used to promote a BDS [Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions] agenda or provide a forum for leaders of groups that espouse views inconsistent with JCF’s core values
* Presentations by organizations or individuals that are critical of particular Israeli government policies but are supportive of Israel’s right to exist as a secure independent Jewish democratic state
* Panel discussions, speaker series intended for the same audience, cultural presentations, or educational programs portraying a range of diverse perspectives that, on balance, are consistent with JCF’s core values
* Programs that are open to the community and welcome attendees regardless of their individual views
* Participation in broad-based community coalitions on non-Israel-related issues provided that the coalitions do not become vehicles for undermining the legitimacy of Israel
* Artistic presentations (displays, exhibits, films, performances) that may include critical perspectives of Jewish life or Israel)
Many mentions of “core values.” What are they?
JCF’s core values include an abiding commitment to a secure Jewish community here and abroad, to the strong democratic Jewish State of Israel, and to mutual respect and diversity within Jewish life. ( from http://sfjcf.wordpress.com/ )
To me, the policy looks like a thoughful attempt to further the JCF’s core values. A person does not hold the same core values likely would not be fond of the policy. It would be reasonable (although not necessarily correct) to conclude that a person who dislikes the policy does not embrace the JCF’s core values.