Would it be strange to attend Cardozo if I'm an antizionist?
February 11, 2021 5:18 PM Subscribe
I live in NYC and I'm looking at New York City/State law schools. How weird would it be to attend Cardozo (Yeshiva University) if in my life outside of law school I'm a Jewish antizionist activist? Palestinian solidarity work is a pretty big part of my life and my classmates (and professors?) would likely know this about me.
As I'm sure you're aware, being a Jew and being a Zionist are decidedly NOT synonyms, to the point that "Zionist" is often used a code for "Jew" by anti-Semites so they can claim they weren't actually talking about Jews.
Being an anti-Zionist and a Jew are therefore not mutually exclusive; many Jews, whether Israeli or not, have a profound difference of opinion with Israeli settlement policy, and their treatment of the Palestinian people. But of course, on the other side of the equation there are Jews who do not disagree. (I am not expressing any judgement or agreement with either side, just stating facts)
This is complicated by the fact that for many Jews Zionism is about having a home, and one can be a Zionist in that sense - believing the Jews should have a safe home land to prevent the Holocaust happening again - whilst still disagreeing with Israeli settlement policy and their treatment of the Palestinian people.
In other words, your position is not unusual, nor indefensible. I can't speak to what response you will find at Yeshiva University, but one would hope that civilised, respectful debate about such a critical issue for the Jewish people would be tolerated, if not welcomed.
posted by underclocked at 5:52 AM on February 12, 2021 [2 favorites]
Being an anti-Zionist and a Jew are therefore not mutually exclusive; many Jews, whether Israeli or not, have a profound difference of opinion with Israeli settlement policy, and their treatment of the Palestinian people. But of course, on the other side of the equation there are Jews who do not disagree. (I am not expressing any judgement or agreement with either side, just stating facts)
This is complicated by the fact that for many Jews Zionism is about having a home, and one can be a Zionist in that sense - believing the Jews should have a safe home land to prevent the Holocaust happening again - whilst still disagreeing with Israeli settlement policy and their treatment of the Palestinian people.
In other words, your position is not unusual, nor indefensible. I can't speak to what response you will find at Yeshiva University, but one would hope that civilised, respectful debate about such a critical issue for the Jewish people would be tolerated, if not welcomed.
posted by underclocked at 5:52 AM on February 12, 2021 [2 favorites]
Mod note: One deleted. The question is specifically about going to this specific school and what the climate will be there on this issue; please aim for helping OP with info about that.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 6:06 AM on February 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 6:06 AM on February 12, 2021 [1 favorite]
Since you didn't get much in the way of answers, here's what I found on Google. You wouldn't be the only pro-Palestinian student at YU but yes, it would probably be strange.
Ha'aretz article from 2013:
New York's Yeshiva University engulfed in controversy over Jimmy Carter Peace Award
Seeking to stem the rising tide of disapproval, Yeshiva University President Richard Joel issued a statement on Monday distancing the institute from the award, saying that it “represents solely the initiative of this student journal.”
“At the core of Yeshiva University's expressed mission and sacred mandate stands an unwavering and unapologetic commitment to the legitimacy, safety, and security of the State of Israel,” Joel wrote. “President Carter's presence at Cardozo in no way represents a university position on his views, nor does it indicate the slightest change in our steadfastly pro-Israel stance.”
Yeshiva University student newspaper piece from 2019
At Yeshiva University, supporting AIPAC is seen as a given. As a university which constantly prides itself on its Zionist ideologies, students are expected to toe the line when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When discussing these issues with fellow students, I hardly find diversity in thought. Pro-Israel attitudes on campus tend to verge towards militancy. If you do not like Bibi Netanyahu, Likud, hawkish IDF practices, and laws prohibiting LGBTQ+ marriage in Israel, you are written off as anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and a self-hating Jew.
The Israel conversation on campus is restrictive, not allowing for open dialogue or progressive outlooks on the value-based battles in the Middle East.
Another student newspaper piece from 2019
For open-minded, critically thinking, politically and historically aware YU students...the Israel conversation on campus is extremely disappointing and, frankly, frightening. Students, like me, who attended Orthodox day schools their whole lives and were only provided with staunch, propaganda-like information about the State of Israel, can expect to find similar Israel sentiments and advocacy at YU.
posted by phoenixy at 5:26 PM on February 12, 2021
Ha'aretz article from 2013:
New York's Yeshiva University engulfed in controversy over Jimmy Carter Peace Award
Seeking to stem the rising tide of disapproval, Yeshiva University President Richard Joel issued a statement on Monday distancing the institute from the award, saying that it “represents solely the initiative of this student journal.”
“At the core of Yeshiva University's expressed mission and sacred mandate stands an unwavering and unapologetic commitment to the legitimacy, safety, and security of the State of Israel,” Joel wrote. “President Carter's presence at Cardozo in no way represents a university position on his views, nor does it indicate the slightest change in our steadfastly pro-Israel stance.”
Yeshiva University student newspaper piece from 2019
At Yeshiva University, supporting AIPAC is seen as a given. As a university which constantly prides itself on its Zionist ideologies, students are expected to toe the line when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When discussing these issues with fellow students, I hardly find diversity in thought. Pro-Israel attitudes on campus tend to verge towards militancy. If you do not like Bibi Netanyahu, Likud, hawkish IDF practices, and laws prohibiting LGBTQ+ marriage in Israel, you are written off as anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and a self-hating Jew.
The Israel conversation on campus is restrictive, not allowing for open dialogue or progressive outlooks on the value-based battles in the Middle East.
Another student newspaper piece from 2019
For open-minded, critically thinking, politically and historically aware YU students...the Israel conversation on campus is extremely disappointing and, frankly, frightening. Students, like me, who attended Orthodox day schools their whole lives and were only provided with staunch, propaganda-like information about the State of Israel, can expect to find similar Israel sentiments and advocacy at YU.
posted by phoenixy at 5:26 PM on February 12, 2021
Considering the range of anti-zionist sentiment among Hasidic Jews, you probably won't be breaking any new ground at Cardozo. But you probably won't find a lot of support there either. Unless you intened to stifle your opinion in public, expect a lot of pushback that can be fatally distracting when your main goal is completing your Law studies.
posted by zaelic at 1:08 AM on February 14, 2021
posted by zaelic at 1:08 AM on February 14, 2021
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posted by mundo at 7:51 PM on February 11, 2021