Iran: The Need for Consensus

The mostly hotly debated issue in the American-Israeli relationship is one that affects both countries like never before: the threat of a nuclear armed Iran. Yes, the threat to Israel is more direct, but we all understand that Iran is a threat to America as well. If you need to be told this you must be living in a cave- we are all too aware of this issue to ignore it. The real issue is that we all (Israelis, Americans, and politicians from both countries) still have yet to reach a consensus on action. I write this now as a simple call- we need to decide what to do and we need to do it now! In the Jewish community there are, of course, hawks and doves. The fire of public debate was recently turned up in a TV interview that Alan Dershowitz gave. Dershowitz was asked to comment on the situation and used his remarks to criticize the position of “doves” like J Street. (J Street is a liberal advocacy group that favors negotiation on all land for peace and defense issues over military options. For a better understanding of the J Street position read A New Voice For Israel by Jeremy Ben-Ami.) Dershowitz said that J Street has been trying to get the White House to take military action off the list of possible American policies toward Iran. Dershowitz said “J Street will have blood on its hands if it continues this policy of undercutting the Obama administration when the Obama administration has said in no uncertain terms: it is willing to use military action against Iran if Iran is about to develop nuclear weapons… J Street is neither pro-Israel or pro peace.” Dershowitz said that it is vital that Iran believes that America will take action. This is very strong language and shows that American Jewry is divided on the proper course of action. I only wish the situation in Israel was not just as bad. Both Michael Oren and PM Netanyahu have recently stated that a unilateral attack on Iran by Israel would be “worth it” even if it only brought a delay to nuclear development in Iran. That contrasts vividly with a recent statement by Peres that claimed that such an attack would be a mistake. I have no doubt that public opinion in Israel is just as divided as the opinion of her leaders. As I said, we need to reach a consensus- it may soon be too late to do anything- nobody really knows. What we do know is that Iranian leaders continue to make the daily call for the destruction of Israel and they continue to say that America shall be the target of their weapons as well. Debate is great and everyone is welcome to express their opinion but the time comes for agreement and action. We are running out of time with each passing day. We, Israelis and Americans, need to set a course for our safety. Diplomacy is always better than war but diplomacy needs a partner. Saving lives is always better than taking lives but the most important life to save is your own.

More Precious Than Gold

It is the Olympic season- TV, Newspapers, blog sites, and advertising have all been reminding us lately that the games are on! Even if you are not interested in any or all of the competitions, the results are everywhere. The most celebrated headlines are, as always, who won the gold medal, the back-story, the celebration. Yes, silver and bronze do get the occasional mention but in the context of “runners-up.” The Olympics are a wonderful, peaceful way for nations to compete and to celebrate the human quest for excellence. The “games” really can be an inspiration- an example of focus, sacrifice, and dedication to being the best. However, that inspiration comes at a price. We live in a time in which the message is often given that being “the best” is the only acceptable position. Worse than that, our culture has reached a point at which we tell everyone that they are winners. In so many circles real competition is frowned upon- don’t make the “losers” feel bad. Children are told that they are the best and that everyone is a winner. I see it so often- young people who can’t handle “defeat” on any level. I often think that America has raised a generation of real “losers” because we have not taught our children how to handle life’s most common circumstances- coming in second or third or (God forbid) last. Real life teaches us that we will not succeed in everything that we try. It’s true in the workplace, in personal life, and even in our hobbies. I have always wanted to draw or paint but the truth is, as much as I would like to, I have no talent for either! The truth is that all too many of us have never learned to deal with disappointment or “second place.” Joshua Berkowitz has written a new book, Third Base For Life: A Memoir of Fathers, Sons, and Baseball. In the book he tells the story of a school team he coached, The Rashi Rams. Yes, the baseball team from a Jewish Day School. Hmmm… Jewish baseball players, you know how this will end already! The team was not the greatest but the kids loved baseball. Berkowitz managed to get the team invited to a Cooperstown Invitational Series. The book relates the outcome. The Rashi Rams lost every game they played. They came in 96th place out of 69 teams. Were they losers? No, they came away from the experience happier with the game than ever. They had the opportunity to compete, they met new people, and they grew closer as a team. Winning had nothing to do with the outcome. They were there to play for the love of the game. I wish we could teach that message to our children. Winning is not about the gold medal, it is about the chance to do something you love. Winning is about trying and, if you fail, trying again. The most precious lesson any of us can ever learn is not about winning- it is about learning what to do when you don’t when. That is a lesson more precious than gold.