| |  | | | | | | | Only about 50,000 or so Jews still live in South Africa – compared to nearly three times that number when the community was enjoying its heyday in the 1980s. Many of those who remained have done so because they truly believe in the "rainbow nation" created after the fall of apartheid and want to be part of it.
For President Donald Trump, however, "diversity" is a dirty word, which might explain why this "rainbow nation" suddenly finds itself in his crosshairs.
But rather than defend his country from Trump's ongoing assault, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein has chosen to side with the opposing team. Tali Feinberg explains why many South African Jews are alarmed by his recent statements and actions.
Another prominent rabbi drawing attention for altogether different reasons, and on the other side of the world, is Rabbi Yosef Blau, who for many years was viewed as a pillar of the Modern Orthodox community of American Jewry. His decision to participate in a launching event this past Sunday for a group of religious leftists opposed to the West Bank occupation and war in Gaza has raised many eyebrows. In an interview with Etan Nechin, Blau explains what prompted him to attend.
Contrary to Blau, who refuses to keep silent, most American Jews are checking out when it comes to Israel. In this column, Alon Pinkas wonders how they are not horrified witnessing the imminent collapse of the state they once claimed to love. | | |
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