Payback time

Like an increasing number of people, I've long believed that rather than donating money to Israel, Diaspora Jews should give more to their own communities, which, frankly, need the money more. Now Abe Foxman is proposing that Israel donate all the money Diaspora Jews raise for it over the next five years back to the Diaspora.

I don't question that $300 million are important to Israel, but not as important as what they can do to the next generation. Because if we don't have a next generation in the Diaspora who relates, who cares, who feels, you are going to be India. You know there are a lot of Indians out there - there is no United India Appeal. And India is okay, and maybe there shouldn't be a United Jewish Appeal.
I think that should be our hope and our goal - Israel self-dependence, etc. To me, to say to the American Jews, `You know what? It's more important for you than for us' is the beginning of that independence. The fact is, Russia is looking out for its diaspora, the Turks are looking out for their diaspora, the Greeks are looking out for their diaspora.

Thinking about it, it's only a matter of time before you begin hearing requests for Israel not just to return to the Diaspora the money it raised -- but for Israel to donate to the Diaspora its own money. And why not? 'They can't afford it' is no excuse. The Diaspora couldn't afford it either, and it's been giving away money it needed to Israel for 50+ years. Maybe it's time to for the money to start flowing the other way? At least some token projects -- eg. an Israeli community/organization supporting a Diaspora old age home or a Jewish education project -- would be a symbol of both Hakarat Hatov and mutual responsibility and respect.