Rabbi Alexander Schindler, newly elected chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, has told an Israeli newspaper the Conference under him will “tell Israel the truth as it (the Conference) sees it, not Just as it thinks Israel would like to hear it.” Schindler made the statement, within hours of being elected last week, to the Washington correspondent of “Haaretz.” Dan Margalit.
“It would be bad for the interests of all of us,” said Schindler, if the Presidents Conference were to be thought of only as an extension of the Israeli government. Schindler’s predecessor, Rabbi Israel Miller, who held the chairmanship for two years, has been criticized by some Conference members as having been too subservient to Israel. Schindler, 50, who is also the president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (Reform), is noted for his often-outspoken liberal views.
He told the Haaretz correspondent:”American Jewish leaders tell Israel pleasant things–but speak differently among themselves, in their own internal consultations. I do not think this serves Israel best because it leads to self-delusion, Israel,” he continued, “had every right to tell American Jews its opinions on every issue But the Israeli viewpoint did not necessarily oblige American Jews to ignore other considerations. Thus, for instance, American Jewry could decide, if it wished, that despite the Israeli viewpoint it opposes American activities in Angola.”
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