The issue of how to prepare our students to defend Israel against those who are delegitimizing it, needs to be viewed from a broader perspective. We should not demand that our students defend every position even those that they are uncomfortable with. In order to be effective American Jews need to identify with Israel as part of their Jewishness. This requires that the relationship between Israel and world Jewry be clarified. There is a level of responsibility on the Israeli political leadership and particularly the Israeli rabbinate to take into consideration the implications of their public statements on American Jews.
Yosef Blau
