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National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership’s Rabbi Brad Hirschfield on Obama’s Israeli policies’ impact on his donor and voter support i...
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Now for more on the Middle East -- political theater here at home rabbi -- -- president the national Jewish center for learning and leadership.
Author of the book you don't have to be wrong for me to be right.
Finding faith without fanaticism great to have you with us -- -- well let's start with apparently a number of donors are saying to President Obama.
Your position on Israel is untenable.
We're getting a lot of trouble from our donors and from the -- Community.
What do you make of it.
I think it's probably going to some extent but I think for better for worse and people -- different discussion.
The Jewish vote is pretty secure.
With the -- Democratic Party.
I think that actually one of the bellwethers in this learn from is actually Ed Koch former New York City mayor.
Raise the kind of blistering critique is the only candidate with certain -- question the president and whether the Jewish vote with secure.
I also think it's probably worth remember he did the same thing -- Jimmy Carter in 1980.
Well -- and the funny thing is that when he was asked later so did you vote for Ronald Reagan he's in no of course not now so it turns out that alien nation in changing in voting are two set.
-- its also so a curious thing too because -- that starts to make one wonder.
Evangelicals for example obviously.
Faithful if you -- -- the Republican and conservative movement in this country.
In the greatest allies of Israeli and Israelis and the Jewish communities purposes and goals.
That's -- -- is a disconnect that would be painful if your structure.
I think it could be though again it seems to sustain because it's stuck in that alliance and their people question whether it is always good.
For Israel evangelical support -- matters of policy my response is very simple.
There may be differences of opinion about what is best for his real both within the Jewish community and across different faith communities.
The one thing I will never forget -- evangelical community.
Is when I was riding buses and Israel with my children when they blew up on a regular basis.
The one group of Americans I knew I could count on day in and day out to be on those buses with me in addition to Jewish supporters of this real.
We're American evangelical Christians and I will never forget that.
Don't American evangelicals and villagers community quite.
It working in opposition when it comes to domestic politics.
Yeah and I think that's always an interest that's what makes America great -- we've got about her affair because right and it really is because it means that we understand we can work together and this is going to be -- deficit issues and one set of policies and foreign policy issues.
That we can make alliances.
When pragmatism.
Trumps -- and that's when everyone's gonna have to -- I think well.
Right now somebody got to learn something because -- of setting up fourteen point three trillion dollars they've got the Democrats.
Going one direction.
Republicans intent upon if you -- mature solution here.
There's not going to be -- are going to be much in the way of compromise that -- -- and result in what we're spending these smaller governments.
We're gonna have to find it we're gonna have to find people on both sides and no compromise is not a dirty word.
We're gonna have to insist as Americans we won't listen to anyone from either party.
If whatever suggestions they bring don't include I think -- got a plan to bring other sides to the table that are based on what we're looking at a polling -- by.
I think the American people are already there they are not going to trust -- about it because I -- so now it's not -- -- that's not trusting to holding them to a higher standard saying that if you can't tell me how to get the other side of the table.
Even if I agree with you I don't want to hear you.
Them well.
I I just want.
-- at this point as to whether or not there's -- -- are capable in the and frankly in the administrations -- answers because what we're hearing.
You know.
John Boehner today making great sense sickness is going to be done in the next thirty days attaching an intelligent urgency to it.
Obviously.
Ready to compromise.
And sorcery interest indices are one issue about what is going on in this country and another level and Alameda California.
A fifteen year old man walks into the water.
These -- part.
Stands after his -- -- water across 75 people gathered there watch the man drowned as police and fire there.
And it's a matter of policy that they not rescue the man what in the world is going on in this country.
Ask a lawyer don't ask the rabbi I think we've gotten to a place where the fear of making a mistake that's -- I mean I think.
The hell with the larger I'm talking about here.
Ethics right and wrong in the impulsive human decency no so we agree I think we've created a culture which the fear for -- not for good law.
-- made people afraid to do the right thing it's the same thing with the politicians we have to take this back and say you know what.
Whatever the lawyers say whatever the question may be the truth is when you see a person in need.
It's not someone else's job it's actually you were privilege it's your opportunity to step in and make a difference and you know.
A witness to the whole thing that lasted about an -- It was the witness not anyone from fire police who were.
Waded into the water and retrieve the lifeless body on its astronauts it's up to us and we know that that'll happen less.
Provide good to see could see -- Barbara.
