There probably won?t be a lot of time to mull this over. In spite of the sufficient warning given to the Hebrews in Egypt and to the Jews in Spain and Germany to reflect and make their move, our people always seem to be caught a bit off guard. Today, once again, unfathomable world events are unfolding at a furious pace. There may not be that much time, as G-d may feel that we should have learned our lessons by now.



Our Sages say that the Hebrews became enslaved in Egypt under the guise of patriotism. They were asked, and wanted to show their loyalty and gratitude to Egypt by building Egyptian cities. It should be noted that Pharaoh himself molded the first brick. How many devoted Jewish community leaders of Spain actively supported and even participated in the Spanish government prior to the Inquisition? How many German Jewish heroes of World War I were mocked and spat at when they showed their medals to the Germans just prior to World War II? Egypt, Spain and Germany were, at one time, centers of culture and civilization that were good to the Jews, and the Jews reciprocated by contributing exceptional talent, skill and dedication to those countries. But, if there is anything that the Jewish People should have absorbed from their troubled past, it is that all Golden Ages in the Diaspora are destined to come to an end. And this includes our sojourn in America, a nation that has been exceptionally hospitable and supportive of the Jewish People.



Good morning, American Jewry, and welcome to another epic page in Jewish history. No, I don?t foresee a Holocaust (G-d forbid) complete with concentration camps and violent genocidal designs emanating from the United States. But I do see a different sort of hell in store for the American Jew - one where families, friends and Jewish communities will be split by dual loyalties. A situation where everyone from George Bush and Condoleeza Rice to most Reform and Conservative (possibly even Orthodox) Rabbis in America will be asking Israel to make concessions and compromises for the good of the last sacred cow - personal freedom and democracy. Many American Jews will expect their Jewish brethren in Israel to put their lives and land on the line by implementing the creation of a Palestinian State, in order to preserve the comfort zone for Diaspora Jewry.



I believe that once these dual loyalty issues come to the fore, diehard Jewish Americans and Israelis may not fall in line. The day of economic boycotts and the freezing of American Jewish assets may not be that far off. It?s important to note that I don?t blame American Jewry for this impossible situation. I believe much of the onus falls on weak Israeli leadership and if Israel was more resolute in its opposition to a Palestinian State, then Jewish leadership would be more inclined to follow suit and display exceptional backbone. Israel may have been coerced and lured to the negotiating table by our American and European counterparts, but it was the elected leaders of the Jewish State who chose to pick up the pen and sign on the dotted line.



I?m one of those diehard Israelis who will not sacrifice my inheritance and children?s future in Israel to make things easier for America, American Jewry and Americanized Israelis. At this crucial juncture, I don?t believe the Israeli government should be concerned with preserving the status quo for Jewish America, but rather with preserving the future of the Jews living in Israel - a future that should make room for a massive influx of Diaspora Jewry. There should be a dramatic shift in policy and a resounding call for Aliyah.



Israelis and American Jews must abandon the thought that the Jewish State cannot survive without the great American Jewish lobby and exorbitant monetary support from the United States government. This may have been the case for many years, but the relationship has changed. Although we Israelis overwhelmingly support and defend America?s War on Terror, we cannot endorse the lopsided and distorted justice that results from years of a distorted foreign policy that mixes oil, political power and security concerns. I believe that most thinking and feeling Israelis are willing to endure dramatic cuts in American economic and military assistance, rather than see our heartland turned into another hostile Arab state. I believe that the most realistic Israelis would abandon their Americanization process and forgo the shopping malls, coffee franchises, new museum pavilions, domed hospital wings and other trappings, in order to live in an independent (from America) and secure Jewish State. Most of us in Israel would rather have our devoted English-speaking brethren here in person, rather than their names engraved in plaques on magnificent new buildings.



Organizations like AIPAC and the ADL had better reassess their objectives and goals. Are they trying to a preserve an American/Israel bond that may be disintegrating due to reasons beyond our control? Are they trying to ensure that anti-Semitism will ?never again? raise its head in the Western World? They might as well bang their heads against the wall, as they?re not in charge. If the Almighty deems that it?s time for the great wheel of history to come full circle, once again, then the only thing these organizations can do is to raise the alarm and redirect their efforts. Raising the alarm is a very important and crucial function; however, it?s not the only one. It is time for the administrators and activists of all American pro-Israel organizations to reassess, consider and actively promote Aliyah for themselves and for the Diaspora Jews whom they serve.



We diehard Israelis appeal to you Jews in the Diaspora to come home and join your people in building a future. Invest your energy, skills and assets in the land that was promised to all of us for an eternity.

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Ellen Horowitz lives in the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She is a painter and writer and can be reached at [email protected].

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