| With Liberty and Justice For All |
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| Written by Zachary Lazarus | |||||
| Tuesday, 13 December 2005 | |||||
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Hillel International's Political Agenda Hampers Social Justice Work Today, millions of Americans are homeless, without health care, and living hand to mouth. It is a fact the United States has failed to act on sufficiently. Politicians, big businesses, and various agenda-setting organizations have stressed politics over social justice. We are a first world country, so the myth goes, where issues of class and race have largely been stabilized. Social justice issues become sidelined for other “more important” agendas. Much to my chagrin, Hillel International's response to Hurricane Katrina exemplifies this trend. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina highlights a picture no one should ignore. Houses, neighborhoods, schools and entire communities have been destroyed. Low-income African Americans have taken the biggest hit, and are largely ignored by the largest media organizations and aid efforts. Much of the world now agrees; the traumas of New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi require more attention. I commend campus organizations that are providing aide and sending students to assist with the reconstruction work. New Orleans can no longer maintain its ethereal Mardi Gras status. Now, more than ever, it is a real place requiring real assistance. For these reasons, as a progressive, religious Jewish college student, I was thrilled to hear that Hillel is sending 100 groups of ten college students to help rebuild over winter and spring breaks this school year. After my initial delight, I learned that the organization limits the extent of its involvement because of its commitment to other agendas. According to an email sent out from Weinberg Tzedek (“Justice”) Hillel, a part of Hillel International, has partnered with the Westminster Presbyterian Church, a “local Gulfport church that has responded immediately to needs in the local and surrounding area.” The email continues with an assurance to the reader, “see attached (documents) regarding the Church’s view on…Israel.” The implication: this church deserves our help, in part because of its views on Israel. This declaration takes us several steps backwards. Caveats that prioritize political agendas over ethical duty undermine the efficacy of our aid. The prelude, “Churches/mosques/people only deserve help if _____ ” is a chilling example of presumed identity politics chipping away at humanitarian causes. Hillel tells Jewish students that not only are they presumed to be supporters of the Jewish State, but they should also choose their social justice work according to those with similar beliefs. Personal political opinions cannot factor into determining social need. The only questions should be: “Who can I help most effectively, and how?” Any other agenda is self-serving, invalidating, and an underhanded attack on legitimate political discourse. Tzedek Hillel, shame on you.
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