Reading the Jewish Times each week is an essential way to keep up on important issues facing our People locally, nationally, and around the world.  Of course, there are other Jewish news sources, too, such as the Forward, now in English.

The front page story of this week's edition reveals the following ominous headline:  "Boycott Targets Stars from Elvis to Elton."

If you are thinking Elvis Presley, you are living in the past.  The article talks of Elvis Costello, the profoundly successful performer and songwriter, who has just cancelled a major concert deal in Israel, yielding to tremendous pressure from groups seeking to impose a cultural boycott of Israel.  Why is this a significant issue?

As supporters of Israel worldwide rest on their elbows, the enemies of Israel continue to become more organized, and more effective.  In recent years, smaller rock bands have quietly cancelled various scheduled appearances, but this abrupt cancellation by Elvis Costello--a top name--comes with a comment on his website which expresses concern for the suffering of innocent Palestinians.  To be fair to Costello, there is also a carefully worded reference to Israel's suffering.

BDS.   We would be well served to familiarize ourselves with these initials, which refer to the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement focused against Israel.  And it would be appropriate to intensify our efforts--locally, nationally and internationally--to support Israel's democracy and to combat the public's inclination to equate Israel's defensive policies with those of the former apartheid policies of South Africa.

Natan Sharansky, former refusnik and currently the Director General of the Jewish Agency for Israel, has said that legitimate criticism of Israel crosses the anti-Semitism line when Israel is held to a double-standard, is demonized, or is delegitimized.  The BDS anti-Israel boycott movement is all of the above.

Your Federation contributions support anti-BDS activity through our advocacy office in Trenton, and our policy office on Washington.  Right now, these are funds well-spent.

Elvis Costello's music is wonderful.  Give him a listen.  It is his recent capitilation to inappropriate pressure which leaves but a sour note.

Federation Executive Vice President Robert A. Seltzer posts a blog accessible through www.jewishbytheshore.org. He discusses issues of relevance to Federation, community building, Israel and Judaism. Join him as he discovers Atlantic and Cape May Counties.

click here to talk to Bob!