Can We Talk?

WATCH: My conversation with Peter Beinart

Dear Friends,

Peter Beinart is an observant Jew. He is also a fierce critic of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, and of the American Jewish establishment’s complicity in enabling that mistreatment. This makes him a very controversial and polarizing figure in the Jewish world. His most recent book is Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning.

Recently the opportunity arose to host Peter Beinart on his book tour at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation (WJC) in my hometown of Woodstock, New York. I served the WJC as rabbi for many years and am now rabbi emeritus. Rabbi Karen Levine, my able and wise successor (you can read her excellent Substack blog here), and I discussed how to frame such an event. Our congregation, like so many other Jewish communities, has found itself deeply divided since the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent devastating war. And the rippling effects of this conflict have led to bitter divisions in our wider community as well.

Rabbi Karen and I determined that we would bring Peter Beinart to our synagogue for a public conversation with me. Our primary goal was to demonstrate that it is possible to have a civil, informed, honest and heartfelt exchange without contempt and without writing off those with whom we might passionately disagree. We want to remind our community that those with whom we disagree do not have to be our enemies. We want to remind people that it is possible to care about Israel, and to also care about the wellbeing of Palestinians. We want to remind people that our synagogue was a place to practice these attributes.

There is a classic Jewish term for this kind of worthy debate: machloket l’shem shamayim, “a controversy for the sake of heaven.” The Sages teach that there are two kinds of argument, an argument for the sake of self-aggrandizement, and an argument for the sake of a greater good, that is, “for the sake of heaven.” The self-aggrandizing kind of argument, say the Sages, has no lasting value. The thrill of defeating your opponent quickly fades, and the goal of greater insight has not been advanced. But “a controversy for the sake of heaven will have lasting value” (Teachings of the Sages 5:17).

I read Peter’s book carefully. I agree with many of his arguments, even as I feel strongly that he skews the historical narrative and soft-pedals harsh geopolitical realities in order to bolster his position. I disagree in large measure with his policy prescriptions. Nonetheless, I can in no way dismiss his analysis. I fully supported Israel’s decision to invade Gaza after October 7, but now I have come to the wrenching conclusion that the Israeli government can no longer be trusted to have Israel’s best interests at heart, nor can the ongoing destruction of Gaza and its inhabitants be justified in any way. We must be able to speak about this disastrous conflict with complexity and nuance.

We had a huge crowd, reflecting our shared anguish and our shared yearning for a path forward. Rabbi Karen set the tone, reminding everyone that together in our sanctuary, we practice respect and kindness. I invited people to take note of their emotional state, to breathe, and to remember that even if we heard something that made us angry or defensive, we were in fact not in danger in this room, and did not have to lash out.

The exchange between Peter and myself that followed felt like it was indeed for the sake of heaven. We demonstrated that we can talk to one another without closing our hearts. We illuminated and also complicated a thorny and painful history for an audience hungry for real discourse. We discussed how Jewish moral imperatives should inform our choices, and Israel’s choices. It was a good start, and from the feedback I have received, deeply meaningful, moving, and even hopeful for many in attendance. I invite you to watch the recording of our conversation. You can find it here, or by clicking on the graphic at the top of this post.

Moving forward, Rabbi Karen and I have scheduled a series of programs in June and July – some on zoom, others in person - with inspiring Israelis and Palestinians who continue to work for a shared society, despite the increasingly bleak outlook. You can find the schedule here. In December I will be leading a trip to Israel and the West Bank to meet, learn from, and support some of these brave individuals and organizations who refuse to give up on each other or on the vision of a just society. Full information about that journey will be available soon.

Wishing you well, and keep breathing,

Rabbi Jonathan Kligler

I want to especially thank Alice Radosh and Jewish Currents Magazine for making this presentation possible.