Jewgle Perth

Previously I have defended The Maccabean when they refused to advertise certain events, being held by the New Israel Fund. The Maccabean’s decision to shy away from advertising revenue, from dubious sources should be commended, even if the entire debacle could have been handled in a better manner. The Maccabean management showed courage in making a decision, and defending it, within other media outlets, even in the face of considerable, and often extreme adversity.

Every section of the community was outraged, and many people I have been in touch with wrote to The Maccabean, for and against their decision, yet not a single letter to the editor was published. While everyone carried on complaining about the NIF and The Maccabean, the real underlying crisis was missed. The Maccabean is no longer the voice of the community. Community organisations, stakeholders and individuals need a forum, where all views can be expressed openly, and debated in a rational forum, free of bias. It is not a scary concept to let people express an opinion, even if it is contrary to the mainstream, because it can be challenged openly.

The Maccabean exists nowadays in an era where we rapidly watch the decline of print media. Print media globally is shrinking and will cease to exist within the next decade. The writing is on the wall, I mean the tablet or phone, so to speak. The modus operandi of The Maccabean is almost over. As the curtain comes down on an era, we as a community need to work out the next phase, because without a voice, without a melting pot of ideas, where are we going ?

The recent storm in a teacup between the New Israel Fund claims of censorship by The Maccabean led to, typical left wing conspiracy hysteria. Nothing new here, the left constantly play the victim to draw attention to a spurious cause, founded on lies, deception and propaganda.  

Another movie is now being promoted and this time The Maccabean approved the advert !!

If the NIF need some assistance understanding why there abhorrent views should not be welcome in any community look no further than these two examples.

Is it s no Dream – The Life of Theodor Herzl, exploring the life and times of Theodor Herzl, father of the modern state of Israel. Narrated by Academy Award winner, Sir Ben Kingsley and starring AcademyAward winner Christoph Waltz as the voice of Theodor Herzl, the film examines how Herzl, a well known journalist and playwright, an assimilated, Budapest born Jew, horrified by the Dreyfus trial in Paris and the anti-Semitism he saw spreading across Europe, took upon himself the task of attempting to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine against all odds. Over the span of 8 years, Herzl organized and led a worldwide political movement that within 50 years led to the establishment of the state of Israel. The film follows Herzl as he meets with Kings, Prime Ministers, Ambassadors, a Sultan, a Pope and government ministers from Constantinople to St. Petersburg, from Paris to Berlin, from Vienna to Vilna in his quest to build a Jewish nation.

Without question Theodor Herzl was a hero, his hard work and dedication paved the way for the Modern state of Israel as we know it.

 The Silver Platter – The powerful wake-up call to fight those who are plundering the country: How do 20 tycoons control Israel’s economy? How did Israel go from being a highly egalitarian society to an unequal one in 30 years? Why are young Israelis struggling to afford their rent? Why is food so expensive? Why is there such concentrated economic power? How is cronyism destroying the social fabric of Israel? Watched by more than 1.5 million Israelis, “Magash Hakesef” (The Silver Platter) is one of the most exciting TV mini-series to come out of Israel in recent years.

Economic injustice exists in every country on the face of this planet, it is not unique to Israel. Australia is controlled by an elite group of business people and networks, however there are also plenty of opportunities for everyone. These opportunities are there for the taking. Complaining about not having a chance to succeed, is irrelevant, when you are unable to help yourself, because your lack of vision causes you to focus on being a victim. BOOM !!

Just for kicks Google “NIF Theodore Herzl” and the first record that shows up “The Perversion of Theodor Herzl – New Israel Fund”

which ultimately takes you to an article that is as much an Israel bashing exercise as we have come to expect from The NIF.
Some things never change but exposing them at least balances the equation.

The disaffected youth post generated a serious amount of discussion, criticism and support from some unexpected quarters. Gen X has been most vocal with an outpouring of support because only they know how tough the journey has been and how difficult the path ahead will be for the current and future generation.

A recent article from Bernard Salt of The Australian – Boom to Bust sums it up for Gen X. It is well worth a read especially by some of the disaffected youth who claim to have exclusive rights to life not being fair and not being heard.

Generation X. We’re the MTV generation who followed the baby boomers, the crowd who came of age in the ’80s and early ’90s – the era of Madonna, shoulder pads, designer sneakers, and Daryl Somers hamming it up on Hey Hey It’s Saturday. We were shaped by global political events such as The Vietnam War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War, and the Thatcher-era government in the UK. We grew up protesting at rallies to free Soviet Jewry, watched in awe at Operation Entebbe, witnessed The rise of the PLO in Lebanon and stunning victory of  The 6 Day War. Gen X grew up under a constant threat of total nuclear war, that’s right nuclear war, total annihilation.

The disaffected youth complain they do not have a voice, their opinions are not heard but plenty of evidence exists showing many youth participating in many community organisations. Some of these organisations are not actively aligned, to every left wing trendy social justice cause, never the less they are vital parts of our community that deserve to be supported. Without them we as a community suffer and the next generation suffer’s more.

What are Gen X going to do in our community ?
Can we rely on “The disaffected youth”, to busy complaining about their exclusion to join us in the challenges we face ?

Is Gen X up to the challenge ?

What are the real issues confronting the community ? I am not referring to petty nonsense about the price of Challah at The Kosher Providore and the challenges faced in the school car park.

The real issues….

Why does The Maccabean not provide a real place for the community to debate vital issues ?
Why does the Jewish Centre sit in a state of disarray without a real plan to turn it into a thriving community hub ?
Is there a better way to connect our children to our Jewish religion, culture and heritage without private dayschool fees ?
How many Shules do we really need ?
Can we continue to rely on philanthropy ?
Do Jewish community organisations have leadership succession plans ?
Is Jewish migration a trend of the past ?