Mirror, Mirror on the wall…
The issues of how to assess the intentions and impact of other religious groups and whether and how to engage with them are critical issues and I am glad that R. Adlerstein is laying out his very instructive experiences and thoughtful observations on the matter. I note a tendency, however, for such discussions (even when they are informed - which is rare) to focus solely on the “other.” What are their intentions? What are their purposes? What are their beliefs? Can we trust them? Interestingly, of course, these conversations flow mostly around groups which are trying to befriend and help Jews - it is a non-starter around those who snub us or are overtly hostile. (Even when it comes to liberal Jewish apologist types who constantly try to hook up with liberal Christian denominations, these questions aren’t asked - in fact they stubbornly avoid the libs’ obvious and unrepentant hostility toward us.)
I think there always needs to be a parallel - indeed, an interwoven - track in such conversations and I’d like to start that in the instant case - What are our intentions? What has our track record been in dealing with these groups or the issues that matter most to them? What criteria have we been using to determine the appropriate nature of engagement?
Awareness of Jewish history and clarity about the remarkable durability and danger of real anti-Semitism is vital. But self-indulgent wallowing in a sense of contextless eternal victimhood weakens us spiritually, morally and politically.


