"We feel we are at war over two houses. We are fighting not only for the house in Israel but already for the house here," said Nicola, director of the Israel-American Community Organization (IAC), which will hold its annual conference next month. Rising anti-Semitic sentiments in the United States, disguised as hatred of Israel, including the inclusion of BDS content in school and university curricula, and attacks on Jews because of the situation in Israel.
After two years of the epidemic, the conference is a milestone for American Jews: for the first time a big conference of American Jewish organization returns non-virtual format, and will be a show of strength to reflect the location of the IAC into a force in the American Jewish experience.
According to Nicolas, he Even one of the founders of the IAC, the Israelis living in the United States are no longer just ex-Israelis watching from the sidelines. They are an integral part of the public life of North American Jewry,An example of this is the organization's leadership during Operation Wall Guard.
"When the operation started in Gaza, there were very few Jewish organizations that were willing to take to the streets. At one point, we held an executive meeting at the IAC to discuss what to do. There was a sense of insecurity at the time because there were attacks on Jews We were in the middle of a discussion about how fast you could get organized. At one point all the cell phones rang, because at that moment missiles started falling in the Herzliya and Tel Aviv area. We went out for a break to check that the families were fine, "To the streets, we will do it, because these are our families. When we announced it, quite a few organizations that said before that they were not interested suddenly said they would join us."
According to Nikola, the role that Israelis play within the Jewish community is expressed not only in emergencies, but also in routine, in maintaining the connection to Israel on a regular basis from a place of basic connection, which is not political or has any agenda.
The American Jewish community is not a community, it is a community of many, and each one is preoccupied with its own cause, he believes.
"It is no secret that there is a continuing retreat within American Jewish communities from affiliation with Israel, and the IAC is filling that gap in some places."
He emphasizes that the IAC has in fact undergone a kind of image change, thanks to its recognition as a "living bridge" to Israel and not just an umbrella organization for Israelis in the United States.
"I think this voice of the IAC is a voice that has become strategic.
We see at the conference how many American Jews and how many Jewish leaders are coming.
There is a change in the way we look at our community and the IAC.
They see us as partners. "
Spotlight of opportunity
You say there is a gap - people do not like or identify with Israel as they used to. Does this mean that Israel has become a political issue?
"There are differences between Jewish communities in America, and that is not one factor. There are areas where we feel the willingness to actively support Israel has diminished. There are deep processes taking place in the community and in the US that are not necessarily related to what is happening in Israel."
That is, one should not look at Israel only from a political point of view.
"It must not be reduced to politics. Not only the dynamics in Israel are influential. There is a second side here (American Jewry; God), and there are also changes in it. The role of leadership at this time is to strengthen the connection, and put the spotlight on opportunities and less on problems. In my opinion, there has been too much focus and discourse over the years on the problems and gaps - and it is clear that there are cultural gaps, and sometimes gaps in the perception of what the State of Israel is - and these gaps will continue to be for years to come.
"Therefore, I believe that leadership focuses on the fact that the connection itself is important and necessary for the future of Israel and the Jewish people. They are intertwined, beyond any dispute. This is what our conference does: on the one hand encourages discussions and debates about what should be done today. But it is clear that this is a common future ... The common denominator is that everyone loves Israel. We are trying to emerge from a definition of belonging to categories. It is not part of the essence to talk now to who you are voting for, whether you are liberal or conservative, You are doing to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people. "
To speak "Israeli"
At least 3,000 people are expected to attend the conference, including many speakers from Israel who will participate in hot panels on burning issues.
The guest of honor from Israel will be Defense Minister Bnei Gantz.
The conference, as mentioned, is the largest of the Jewish community in the last two years and is expected to be a sign of unity with Israel.
"The slogan is: 'Israel. Together.'
"
To create a future for Israel.
Nicola // Photo: Elliot La-Mer,
Is the organization still defined as a kind of living bridge?
"Now this is the legacy, and just to raise the children who speak 'Israeli'. We are fighting the war - all BDS movements are very decentralized and we also use decentralized perception (to thwart the success of the movement; EL)."
Nicola is also concerned that the issue of Israel has been sucked Into the discussion around the study of critical theory of race - a hot topic that divides schools and parents in the US. "The other side is actually trying to include in these programs comparisons between the 'Considered Black Life' movement and the situation of the Palestinians. A comparison between Israel and colonialism," says Nikola. In the end, Nicola and his organization managed to prevent Israel from being blamed for the issue in the official glossary distributed to California schools as part of the curriculum. "We told them that if it passed, it meant we as taxpayers would not be able to send our kids to schools in California. That's the meaning. And it worked, and it fell through."
Is it possible that Ben & Jerry's ice cream will not be served at the conference?
"It will not be presented. This conference is for lovers of Israel. In our view, support for BDS is part of modern anti-Semitism. Once you ask a child to write why Israel is apartheid, you turn the school or the city into a place that discriminates against Israeli immigrants. Israel is part of its identity. It's called 'country of origin discrimination.'
"Time and time again in the last year, we have proven that in the moment of truth, we are there at the forefront and for the community."
What do you want to achieve at the conference?
"I want a sense of togetherness. We are busy with how to create a future for Israel and the Jewish world - not to describe it but also to write it."
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