Jews vs. Jews on Israel

It was once thought that the bulk of American Jewry was of one frame of mind when it came to Israel -- that is, that it is important to support the Jewish state and respect the right of Israel's democratically-elected decision-makers to do what they think is best for their own country.

This is changing as new generations of Jews have come of age, some of whose members don't have the same understanding and emotional attachment to Israel, and as technology has offered a much broader spectrum of viewpoints and forum for debating issues.

CNN took a look at this growing phenomenon in a piece that includes comments from spokesmen from the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish Council for Public Affairs.

On the local level, here in San Diego, there is a diversity of opinion on Israel's actions and policies within our own Jewish community. However, even people who are critical with things Israel might do, tend to support Israel in general -- understanding its history, admiring its achievements and recognizing the need for Jews to have a strong, independent homeland given the persecution, deportation, violence and genocide that Jews have faced over the centuries.

Click for more from CNN.

Be Heard! Participate in our Upcoming 2012 Election Teleconference!

JCRC Followers are invited to participate in the Jewish Federations of North America Teleconference Series on the 2012 Presidential Election.

The first call, on Wednesday., Feb. 1 at 3 pm CST, will feature Lynn Sweet, Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago-Sun Times and Ron Kampeas, Washington Bureau Chief for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).

Sweet is a regular guest on MSNBC programs and has appeared on CNN, FOX, NBC and CBS. Sweet is universally acknowledged as one of the leading media experts on Barack Obama, having covered him since the start of his political career.

Kampeas, as JTA's Washington Bureau Chief, is responsible for coordinating coverage in the US capital and analyzing political developments that affect the Jewish world. Before coming to JTA, Kampeas worked for over a decade with the Associated Press in its bureaus in Jerusalem, New York, London, and Washington, D.C. Kampeas is a leading expert on the intersection of the Jewish community with public policy and politics.

This call is the first in a series of calls regarding the 2012 Presidential election. If you would like to participate please email us at JCRC by 5 pm, Tuesday, Jan. 31 for the call-in information.

These calls, which are being sponsored by Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), are one more way that our national Jewish Federation movement serves the American Jewish community. (Neither JFNA nor The Jewish Federation of San Diego County endorses candidates or is affiliated with a political party.)

Click for more on Jewish Federations of North America.