Israel Matzav

J Street now a member of Boston's Jewish Community Relations Council

J Street has quietly become a member of Boston's Jewish Community Relations Council. I received the following in an email.

Unbeknown, until last week, to many in the Boston Jewish community, including federation leaders who provide the funding, J Street has been a member of the Boston Jewish Community Relations Council for much of this year.

J Street never applied for membership, never had to submit to an examination of its funding, support and mission, never faced a vote. It simply "merged" with Brit Tzedak v' Shalom, a minor leftwing peace group - but not one funded by George Soros and Arab groups or involved with introducing Richard Goldstone to members of Congress or consistently critical of Israel's self defense - that happened to already have a seat, and presto! - J Street instantly became a member of the mainstream Boston organization charged with promoting Israel and Jewish interests.

People like to say that the Boston Jewish community is a "big tent." But when the tent is on fire, like it is now in the face of increased anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activity, you don't invite in someone carrying jugs of gasoline.

One wonders how ADL, American Jewish Congress, Hadassah, ZOA, AIPAC, the OU, Amit, Jewish War Veterans, B'nai Brith and other pro-Israel organizations - all members of the Boston JCRC - will explain to their members that they sit at the same table as the vehemently anti-Israel J Street.

I wonder in how many other cities across the United States, J Street is gaining access to Federation funding in a similar manner.

Labels: Boston, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, J Street, Jewish communal organizations

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:17 AM