
Rabbi Emeritus Reuven Taff
Shalom chevrei (friends),
One of our cherished American freedoms is the ability to support elected officials who do good and criticize, or even vote out, those who do not. As Jews, we have an additional imperative to fulfill the mitzvah of Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba'Zeh, in which we each take responsibility for one another.
In my latest piece for the Times of Israel, I exercised that right as both an American and a Jew in calling out Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a politician I've long admired, for choosing political expediency over moral clarity in his response to the President's preemptive strike against Iran's apocalyptic nuclear ambitions.
Shalom chevrei (friends),
I invite you to read my latest op-ed for the Sacramento Bee, which was republished by Yahoo News, on May 24. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome, rabbitaff@mosaiclaw.org.
The heinous murders of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, both a blessed memory, expose an awful truth to the general public that American Jews have had to accept over the course of several decades: that Antisemitism is real, and the failure of society to meaningfully confront it will invariably lead to further escalation and more tragedies of this type. It is time for lawmakers at all levels of government, along with civic, business, and religious leaders, to speak out and demand action against this growing scourge.
I commend the Sacramento Bee for publishing my op-ed and for sharing it on the Bee’s Facebook page. Sadly, many of the 90+ comments are filled with anger and hostility, which only reinforces my point: Antisemitism has become increasingly normalized and alarmingly acceptable in our public discourse.
While I rarely respond to comments on Facebook—it would take countless hours—I felt it necessary to reply to those who continue to attack Israel while insisting they are not Antisemitic.
Here is the response I posted on the Sacramento Bee’s Facebook page:
I don’t usually respond to comments about my published essays, especially not on social media. But someone pointed me to the Sacramento Bee’s Facebook page and mentioned there were quite a few critical comments—specifically regarding denial of Antisemitism while expressing criticism of Israel.
So allow me to respond—for those who are open to seriously considering my perspective, rather than reacting out of assumption or anger. Bear with me.
First, Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people—it’s the movement for self-determination of an exiled and persecuted people returning to their ancestral homeland, similar to other anti-colonial struggles like those in India and Algeria.
It’s certainly fine to be critical of nationalism as an ideology. If you oppose all forms of nationalism—American, Canadian, British, Palestinian, or others—that’s fine.
But let’s be honest: if the only nationalism that offends you is Jewish nationalism, then yes—that’s Antisemitism.
If, in your view, Jews are the only people who have no right to self-determination or to a homeland in the land indigenous to them—a land they were exiled from and that has been conquered and occupied repeatedly throughout history by the Babylonians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arab caliphates, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, British, and others—then, whether you admit it or not, you are being Antisemitic.
This isn’t about shielding Israel from criticism—far from it. But denying an entire people the right to exist as a nation, while granting that right to others, crosses a very different line.
That’s the distinction I hope those of you who have questioned me for equating anti-Israel criticism with Antisemitism will pause to consider. Thanks for allowing me to respond.
Reuven
Rabbi Reuven Taff
Shalom chevrei (friends),
At a time when graduation ceremonies have become platforms for protest and polarization—especially around Israel—an 18-year-old member of our own Mosaic Law Congregation chose a different path: one of inspiration and moral courage.
Please take a few minutes to read this inspiring story, which I discussed in my latest blog for The Times of Israel, and feel free share the link with family members and friends. In a world filled with such hatred, confusion and distress, this story stands out for its hope in the next generation and its potential to build a brighter and more compassionate tomorrow.
Shalom chevrei (friends),
On December 22, 2024, I had the honor of hosting United States Ambassador (Ret.) Gene Cretz on a one-hour Zoom program, The Jewish State of Mind: The Fall of the Al-Assad Regime and its Implications for Israel and the Middle East. The conversation was both enlightening and thought-provoking. Ambassador Cretz has graciously given me his permission to post this recording, which appears below this text. I encourage you to share the link to the recording with family, friends, and colleagues. I believe you will agree that the Ambassador’s wide-ranging presentation, replete with a diversity of photos, reflects his long experience in the region.
As always, feel free to contact me at rabbitaff@mosaiclaw.org.