Lee Diamond -Jewish Ethnicity is Dead
“Ethnicity is dead” I am told.
American Jews are linked only by faith
Or by attempts at “tikun Olam”
There are no other commonalities amongst
These Jews.
In fact it’s not politically correct
To call me a “Jew” anymore
We are now Jew “ish” — not Jews
Jews means separate, different, unique.
Jew”ish” is like everyone else with a slight twist
Of faith.
Nothing binds me anymore
The foods, the language, the history
The common memories
The songs , the names, the literature, the symbols
The hopes
Are no more.
No longer a people
No longer a common future
Nor a common past
No longer a embracing vision
Nor a Zionist vision
Israel is foreign to me
Embarrassing
It’s policies upset my “apple cart”
It’s not my land
They’re oppressors
Of “innocent Palestinians”
Jewish means repairing the injustice
Caused by a Jewish state
Zionism is racism and not my Judaism
Zionism is Jewish nationalism
Which is not part of my religion
Palestine is where the injustice has been perpetrated.
Israel conquered and occupies.
Jewish believers pray to a God
Jewish people don’t need a land
We are part of humanity
“We are Jewish Americans”
And when Israel is attacked
It’s Because they are occupiers
Oppressors, the settlers
In the land of others!
Ethnicity is dead
I’m a religionist, a believer
Not part of a people
Not a Jew
But Jewish
Let it be known:
Jews were never ignorant
UNTIl NOW
American Jewry
Has lost its dignity
It’s wisdom
Rootless
Without knowledge
Has forgotten Exodus and Sinai
Has become slaves to a foreign God
Lost in a wasteland of identity
Worshipping a Golden Calf !
–Their right hand may wither–
–Their tongues may cleave to their palates–
If they continue to worship this idol.
