Losers and Refugees

How did I miss this?

According to the OU's new President:

"People are starting to go to Israel for the right reasons. Years ago aliya was for people who were running away from something. They weren't successful. They didn't have a successful marriage. They were coming because there was a reason. They weren't role models. But today I see really successful people. Young people. Doctors, lawyers, business people, finance people, who are giving it up not to come here to starve. Not to schnorr from their parents."

I beg your pardon?

The above referenced statement was delivered just three hours into this guy's term as OU president!  I guess he wanted to hit the ground running, so to speak.

Well, as far as I'm concerned, he can keep right on running... far, far from here.

What he's saying is that all of the people from North America who have previously given up successful careers, financial security, proximity to friends and family, as well as whatever standing they may have had in their former communities... all in order to live with impossibly high taxes and a lower standard of living... these are apparently all just figments of Zionist mythology???

It sounds like he is trying to liken us to Australia's early immigrants; refugees and outcasts from a society in which we all failed miserably.  Apparently, it is only the current wave of immigrants that are coming for the "right reasons" and who are proper "role models".

Give me strength!

This pompous fat cat is the very sort of person who turned down the opportunity to return to the land of Israel from Babylonia when it became permissible.  After all, it was much more comfortable in Bavel.  I can't blame Ezra one bit for refusing to allow this sort of person the opportunity to participate in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Every few years the North American Jewish community starts making noise about Israel not paying attention to the wants and needs of the Jews in the diaspora.  Well listen up folks - it's because your 'wants and needs' are being expressed by insensitive, wrong-headed leaders like this that we don't listen very closely.

Since I moved here within the past two years, Mr. Savitsky probably thinks of me as  part of this 'good aliyah'. 

Thanks, but no thanks.  If you have to lump me with someone... I'd much rather be counted with the brave, selfless, idealistic Americans who came before me... for all the RIGHT reasons!

I want two things from Stephen Savitsky (in no particular order):  An apology and his resignation.

[hat tip -  and a more reasoned treatment of the issue: My Obiter Dicta ]