My Judaism/ Israel
I am Jewish. I was raised as a reform Jew and identify as one. Being Jewish is very important to me. It is a very, significant part of my identity, but not the most significant part of my identity. Currently, I do not belong to any congregation. Frankly, I have found it hard to find a congregation that aligns with my values, beliefs, and practices.
I am not a progressive Jew. I have visited synagogues that emphasize egalitarianism and I do not feel comfortable in these houses of worship. For myself, orthodox and conservative synagogues where men and women are not treated equally does not feel right. While I respect Orthodox and Conservative Jews and those of every faith, very traditional religious beliefs particularly where men and women are treated differently or separated simply does not equate with my sense of modernity.
Reform Judaism aligns with my political values. It is slightly left-leaning, but not revolutionary or radical. In my view, Reform Judaism leans to the left and sometimes more than just leans, pushing back against the more traditional elements of Judaism that are too conservative and Orthodox for many like myself. Reform Judaism encourages social justice, but it is not its singularly dominant mandate. Reform Judaism, in my view, teaches Jews that they are here to help improve the world sometimes with kindness and compassion, at times with rigor and strength, and when necessary with force.
I believe in God and think that Judaism is a faith that teaches respect for others, encourages kindness and compassion towards all, demands a dogged pursuit of justice, shows empathy towards the needy, and offers a welcome hand and heart to all strangers. To me, Judaism is a religion not merely of belief but of action. It also encourages questions. In some Jewish homes the young ones, even the elder ones who ask the best questions are sometimes considered the most intellectually and or morally gifted of them all.
I believe that Israel has an unqualified right to defend itself as all nation-states do. Those nations who adhere to the rules of international law and follow generally accepted principles of decency even during wartime are to be held in high esteem. I believe that Israel is one of those nations.
I believe that Israel should be a secular democratic state with institutions that balance power and protect the interests of minorities.
If at some point in the future, Palestine can be led by democratically elected representatives who I believe would be more moderate than the current Hamas regime, a two-state solution could be possible which could lead to a lasting just, and prosperous peace. However, while Israel’s neighbors like Hamas are bent on the destruction of Israel, I understand and empathize with Israel’s current military operations and support them as I always hope they will be careful.
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INTRODUCE YOUR BRAND
Education: the issue of our time
I believe that education can be one of the great transformative agents in society. Educated societies and individuals almost always enjoy a higher quality of life and are better able to adjust to inevitable change.
Yet., we should never simply equate education with formal schooling. Much of what we learn comes from our families our environments and our experiences. School, or formal education is a supplement for some but much more than that for others.
I think it is a mistake to think that education’s primary role in society should be to close the gap between the more and less fortunate. Education should be used to improve the lot of all - not some over others. All have talents and abilities and educaion institutions that promote the growth and development of all students, all people, not just some, should be promoted.
However, those with fewer chances should receive additional assistance. The assistance must come from either private or public sources of revenue. Geography does matter. Zip codes do matter and it is disingenuous to believe otherwise. For this reason, resources should be directed to those who need them most and be adjusted to those who need them differently. This is one of the great issues of our time. I believe that my particular experience in this area qualifies me for serious and distinct consideration.
Second and third chance opportunities for success are a hallmark of the United States and should be valued. Yet even in a country such as ours, resources are limited. Standards and deadlines must exist and the entire system must be held to account. We just can not go on in the same way as before. Its not good for our children, our teachers or our economy.
Public, private and charter schools all have a role to play, but institutions that use spurious data to justify unsuccessful methods and practices must be challenged. There is much to do and we must get to work fast.
Higher education can be a great , but it should not be seen as a panacea for all and everyone. We should never judge people merely by their academic degrees or qualifications but by their effort, knowledge ability and most importantly their character.
Standards are important for if we do not have standards we won't have much. Yet education is one of the most complex of endeavors because people define education differently. What is a good education to person A is a meaningless one to person B and it will always be this way forever. So measuring success in education is extraordinarily complex. This doesn’t mean we mustn’t try, but we must try with our brains hearts minds and souls fully in gear. It is not rocket science because its harder.
An emphasis on early childhood education can help, but the quality and kind of education matter and these issues should never be considered secondarily. It is easy us to do because then the issues become simpler and everyone wants that even though it doesn’t help and can make things worse. We must fight hard for our precious children especially the youngest and the most needy. This is how society should measure itself.
China
China is a remarkable and important nation with a long and storied history. China was important and magnificent long before anyone ever heard of communism. China challenges the US and the west in many ways. Some of these challenges can push the United States to become a better version of itself. Democracy, the rule of law, the protection of individual and minority rights, due process, the separation of powers, constitutionalism, limited government - Our political system is one in which we should feel immense, even extraordinary pride. While others constantly and continuously try to discredit our constitutional democracy, many and most in our world today, cherish its existence. It and we are the leaders of the free world and this will not change any time soon, at least we hope, if we do what we need to in 2024.
China was trending in a more open direction until recent years, and as someone who spent a significant amount of time in China teaching eating laughing and working with many incredibly kind, hardworking optimistic Chinese people, China’s turn toward authoriantianism saddens me as it frightens me. I worry for the future of many of my Chinese friends few who will ever have the opportunity to read this. I suggested they consider getting out before it was too late. Few heeded my advice and now they are stuck behind a curtain as tough as strong as impenetrable as the one Reagan told Gorbachev to tear down. we are in a fight for the world’s future, freedom and democracy vs the alternative. China’s leaders may very well care about their people and frankly I truly believe they do, but the tradition view of life - that the elder or the elite of the most educated or the most powerful - should decide the future, the way of life, even dare say the meaning of life for others is something diametrically opposed to what we believe and should believe. We are in for the fight of our lives and we must prepare ourselves. and yet
Frankly, some of the issues that often gain the most attention when we read and hear about China: the Uighurs, Taiwan even Hong Kong are less fundamental. This doesn’t mean they are unimportant but they steal our people’s attention and allow the media to miseducate us about China. we can and should understand China much much more, China matters a lot. How many of us can name 3 provinces in China/ How many have ever watched even a three minute video of real life in china? China is one of the most incredible places on earth, a vast nation of millions, yes 1.5 billion, eating, drinking, laughing, playing, singing working and we know so very little about them. Go to China have a look.
Imagine if China’s top policy makers made their decisions about Chinese foreign policy toward America based on Puerto Rico, or Guam or are struggle to reconcile our part with the Native Americans who lived here before many of us. I genuinely believe that if more attention was paid by Americans, and especially the American media to help Americans, and the west in general, truly appreciate and understand China, the likelihood of a major world conflict between China and the west would decrease significantly. it is up to us as it is up to them to get to work and do so quickly. The future of the world is at stake.
China is not a Christian nation, we should begin there. It is a Confucian nation, Much much much more than a Buddhist nation. China is a nation, a culture where people study more than they pray, work more than they rest and value hierarchies in ways that are largely foreign to modern western values. These values - as opposed to those of control do not make China bad or evil, just different.
