Comments on: A No Man’s Land of the Heart

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:09:04 +0000

She is critiquing American Jews for feelings she claims to know we have. I am not interested in her critique right now. If she wants to express her loneliness and share why it is that she feels most connected to Israel when it is at war the she should express those thoughts. Her critique of me and my friends and communities makes no sense. She chooses to live here as do we.

By: Karyn Turecki Schiller

Karyn Turecki Schiller — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 23:05:57 +0000

Rachel – you are totally ridiculous

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:58:21 +0000

I forgot that my mom is also going next month to visit my sister and her husband and 5 children who live in Jerusalem.

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:21:15 +0000

She says explicitly that the sense of community and unity in Israel sets them apart and that she doesn't see that here and no one is thinking about the war. She is being judgmental of us, not bemoaning her distance – rather, she is criticizing us. If she said that reading about the war is not the same as living it and she feels guilty for being here – I would understand that. And she would be including herself amongst all of us Jews who choose to live in America. But instead she distances herself from the American Jewish community. How does she know that her American jewish experience is different than mine? If she is looking for a ride to Israel, perhaps she can join my children's father and my son on their planned trip to Israel next month. Or maybe she shld take their tickets because she is thinking about solidarity and we aren't?!

By: Karyn Turecki Schiller

Karyn Turecki Schiller — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:07:53 +0000

I didn't get that from the article

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:04:47 +0000

I am sympathetic to her suffering but her article is judgmental of those of us who choose to live in America and our sense of community and love for and connection to Israel. She should share her feelings and experiences re her choice to live in America rather than Israel. She shouldn't judge the rest of us living here in America.

By: Karyn Turecki Schiller

Karyn Turecki Schiller — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:58:36 +0000

it came up on my page because I commented on it first and posted it. I don't want to speak for Rina, who is a good friend and whom I know from our days together at Hebrew U. But I am guessing that the article was a heartfelt expression of her sense of isolation here in the US at times like this when Israel is at war. It really spoke to me.

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:53:18 +0000

ah, I see – it says "post to facebook" and is automatically checked off. That si why it must have appeared as a newsfeed.

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:51:55 +0000

Karyn Turecki Schiller, I hope it didn't come up on your page!

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:51:18 +0000

The author. Did this come up on your page? I am now typing on the times of israel page – i think?

By: Karyn Turecki Schiller

Karyn Turecki Schiller — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:46:19 +0000

Rachel – who is that comment directed to?

By: Rachel Aranoff

Rachel Aranoff — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:03:29 +0000

I don't know where you are shopping and who your friends are but for me and my American friends and everywhere I go during the day – overall, Israel is the top thing on our minds and hearts. When we wake up, when we go to sleep, when we look at the computer, our phones, our tv, when we speak to our family in israel, when we read about the places we visited so recently that are now bombed, when we worry for the young men and women going to war. If you are so different that we are then perhaps you should return to Israel. I am sorry to sound harsh but I don't think you have a right to judge what we are feeling and thinking. You know what is in your own mind and heart and why you choose to live here rather than Israel. That's all you know.

By: Ginny Schaeffner

Ginny Schaeffner — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 16:28:15 +0000

Although it may not seem like it, and although you have not heard from our illustrious leaders, please know that there are many who hear the plight if your homeland and are praying for it's well being. Israel is one of the US's greatest allies and there is a vast majority who would come to her aid in a minutes notice. God bless you all!

By: Stephanie Fried Granot

Stephanie Fried Granot — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 06:22:57 +0000

That was beautifully articulated and dead on. I emailed it to many family and friends and know it touched a lot of people who feel the same.

By: Surie Ackerman

Surie Ackerman — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 19:31:53 +0000

A nice piece. I'm not sure about the Sandy part though. From what I hear Jews across the spectrum are trying hard to help Sandy victims, especially since government agencies seem to be having a hard time coping.