Major Donor: 'Hillel’s Reasoning Is Deeply Flawed'

"By allowing the (group) to be (hosted) at a Hillel-sponsored event, you have set a dangerous precedent. Will you next host Students for Justice in Palestine and let them show their favorite Israel-hate movie?"

 Daniel Mael 

Jewish philanthropist Robert J. Shillman remains unconvinced following Hillel president Eric Fingerhut's explaination of the St. Louis Hillel at Washington University's decision to host the Israel-bashing group, Breaking the Silence. In an email obtained by TruthRevolt, Shillman challenged the reasoning of Hillel International:

Hello Eric:

Thank you for sending me your detailed letter describing Hillel’s rationale for allowing the Hillel chapter to (host) the anti-IDF (group), “Breaking the Silence.”

I’ve read your letter very carefully, and find it unconvincing.  I continue to strongly disagree with the decision.

Tell, me, Eric, would the NAACP allow the Grand Wizard of the KKK to present his point of view at one of their conferences using any of the three reasons stated in your letter that Hillel used to justify the (hosting) of the (group) ( …it was going to happen with or without our involvement, …bringing it under one roof gave us the opportunity to balance the event, ….it is part of the broad tent of dialogue…and the speaker for Breaking the Silence affirmed his own love of Israel).  Would Hillel allow an orthodox Jew to present a film that is anti-gay?  I think not.  Then, why is it OK for Hillel to provide a forum for a blatantly anti-IDF (group) that is filled with inaccuracies and biases. 

By allowing the (group) to be (hosted) at a Hillel-sponsored event, you have set a dangerous precedent.  Will you next host Students for Justice in Palestine and let them show their favorite Israel-hate movie?  The same rationale that you used to justify the (hosting) of Breaking the Silence would certainly apply.

The bottom line is that Hillel’s reasoning is deeply flawed.  Hillel doesn’t seem to understand that we are in a war.  And, in a war, there is no rationale for providing a forum to our enemies.  There is no rationale for allowing anti-Israel propaganda to be shown at a Hillel event…even if that propaganda is being presented by Jews who claim to love Israel. 

I hope that in the future, Hillel chapters will not be allowed to host any person or organization or show any film that presents a negative image of Israel or of any of its citizens.  There are plenty of other forums that are already doing that.

Sincerely yours,

Robert J. Shillman

http://www.truthrevolt.org/news/major-donor-hillels-reasoning-deeply-flawed