It seems like the harder universities crack down on the pro-Palestinian protests the more they spread around the country and the more determined the students are to continue in their actions even at the cost of arrest or dismissal.

When we try to figure out what motivates these students and even some faculty members to all but ignore the murder, kidnap and rape of hundreds of Israeli citizens and side with the Palestinians and on occasions with Hamas and Hezbollah, we can render them all as antisemites or self-hating Jews. Some undoubtedly are, but that won’t get us anywhere.

The Mishnah, some 2,000 ago, instructed us to “know how to answer the epikores (normally translated as heretic)”, which behoove us to listen to their arguments, to learn where their rebellious opinions come from so we will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge to properly argue back. 

Join Rabbi Alon for a lively discussion of this issue. 

No cost. Pizza served. Please RSVP to temple office. 

Can't make it in person? Join virtually here.