A Scion of Zionist Aristocracy Wants to Quit the Jewish People. Will Israel Let Him?

One of my Labour Party *crimes* was sharing an article from Haaretz. Still, they cannot suspend me again, as I left in solidarity with my proud Black African partner, who was accused of AS, racism and belittling *The* Holocaust for a line-and-a-half comment on a Jackie Walker fb post referencing the Maafa or African Holocaust[s]; which even has its own wikipedia entry [I suppose the LP would suspend wikipedia, if it was a member!], and my partner, a family member survivor of the Biafran civil war/genocide.

I’d like to see a civil rights movement that demands equal freedom of movement, equality under the law, removal of walls and barriers etc. This just might just speak to Americans who revere their own movement that fought jim-crow but accept the same hideous discrimination and racism in Israel.

A truly remarkable and courageous stance being taken here by Avraham Burg.

Avraham Burg is so wise and foretells the future for Israel as a single democratic State for Arabs, Jews and others. There is no need for him to renounce his Jewishness, it is not a nationality but a religion which has it’s place alongside all other religions. It would be better however if he renounced Zionism, which is racism.

I am really inspired by this story. You are a terrific human being, Avraham Burg.

Reply to Hilary – Judaism is hugely about ritual and tradition, and while much of it is a total bind, other aspects are enormously enjoyable. And much of he practice can seep into your bones, even if you don’t subscribe to the religious meaning.

I grew up in a secular home, but my father came from a very orthodox background, while my mother’s was, in her words, high days and holy days. My mother was taught to cook by her mother, so her cooking was traditionally East European Jewish. Though much sneered at as a ‘cuisine’, it’s still my ‘soul food’.

Both my parents adored their mothers, so I was brought up to try not to upset them by rubbing our family atheism in their faces. In particular, my father was very protective of his Orthodox mother. So I learned to read Hebrew, learned about the major no-nos (just about everything on Shabbat), knew the traditions about the Jewish holidays.

We went to my Bubbe (grandmother) for the Seder Night (Passover service), which my father conducted with total aplomb, putting most rabbis to shame with the speed and fluency of his Hebrew reading. Seder Night is great fun, and is a key part of Jewish left tradition, because it is about liberation and can be repurposed to serve modern political causes. Last Passover, JVL, BSST, JSG and JJP jointly sponsored a big Liberation Seder, conducted by a rabbi, which was a mix of religious and modern writing.

I also light Chanukah candles, ever since one of my aunts gave me a Chanukah Menorah to try (unsuccessfully) to keep me for the religion – but I like the candles, and its a way of asserting an identity.

I am guessing Burg probably lights Shabbat candles, treats Shabbat as a day to do not a lot, hosts or attends a Seder night, perhaps built a sukkah for his kids, lights Chanukah candles etc, maybe even keeps kosher, as old habits die hard as Sue Wood has said. For me, none of this is difficult to understand, yet I have no religious belief at all.