Donors Protest Jewish Centers’ ‘Anti-Israel’ Activities

Groups in Washington and New York are calling on regional Jewish federations to monitor or pull donations from Jewish community centers that engage in what the critics term cultural activities that denigrate Israel, The Jewish Daily Forward writes.

Protesters have cited the New York Jewish Community Center’s involvement with a film festival that highlights conditions for non-Jewish minorities in Israel and productions at the Washington center’s Theatre J that are critical of Israeli actions toward Arabs and Palestinians.

Critics say their concern is not the centers’ actions but the support they get from Jewish philanthropies. “I don’t want to infringe on anyone’s freedom of expression, but why should it be from my federation contributions?” said Louis Offen, a donor to the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington.

In a written statement to the Forward, the Washington federation said it “considers this to be a serious matter and is taking the issue of funding guidelines under advisement.”