2008 Woodie Awards
Shame on the Cause heads - Charity Starts At Home
Gadi Dotz
Issue date: 5/16/05 Section: Opinion
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On my way back to Rubin dormitory recently, I was accosted by a student telling me to "Buy a t-shirt to save the people in Darfur." I was taken aback at the extent to which the students at Yeshiva University have dedicated themselves to this noble cause. The green t-shirts they sold displayed a YU logo and some explanation of their humanitarian goal. While I am certainly against genocide and support their cause, I believe these students have their priorities all mixed up. As thousands of Jews across the world are suffering from hunger and poverty, and while thousands of Jews in Israel are dealing with the results of daily acts of terrorism, these students have chosen to channel their energies and money towards alleviating the plight of the people of Darfur. However terrible the situation in Darfur might be, I cannot remember the last time I was approached in my dorm lobby to buy a t-shirt for starving Jews or Israeli victims of terror.
Obviously I am not implying that Yeshiva students do not support Israel or that there are no programs or fundraisers for Jews. There certainly are, and rightfully so. As an institution with Torah u-Madda ideals, we are representatives of the Modern Orthodox world and have an obligation to show our support for Jews in need across the globe. However, the level of activism in support of our homeland and its Jewish inhabitants is severely lacking.
From the paltry collection buckets for L'Maan Achai at the entrance to the SOY Seforim sale this year, to the mass of empty seats at the Israel Club's screening of Relentless, it is clear that Jewish welfare and the State of Israel are not at the forefront of our agendas. I was under the impression that students were simply too apathetic or busily involved with their own lives and studies to be activists of any sort. The green-shirt-wearing salesmen in my dorm lobby have shown me that I was mistaken.
The collection on behalf of the people of Darfur will went to support a giant rally in Central Park. Planners of the event raised thousands of dollars and attracted large crowds to raise awareness of the genocide in Sudan. This is all fine and good, since nobody, save a twisted sadist, would argue that genocide is a good thing. By endorsing the rally, YU promotes itself as a caring, humanitarian institution. But that does not change the fact that our brothers and sisters in Israel (and in America and across the globe) desperately need our help.
Obviously I am not implying that Yeshiva students do not support Israel or that there are no programs or fundraisers for Jews. There certainly are, and rightfully so. As an institution with Torah u-Madda ideals, we are representatives of the Modern Orthodox world and have an obligation to show our support for Jews in need across the globe. However, the level of activism in support of our homeland and its Jewish inhabitants is severely lacking.
From the paltry collection buckets for L'Maan Achai at the entrance to the SOY Seforim sale this year, to the mass of empty seats at the Israel Club's screening of Relentless, it is clear that Jewish welfare and the State of Israel are not at the forefront of our agendas. I was under the impression that students were simply too apathetic or busily involved with their own lives and studies to be activists of any sort. The green-shirt-wearing salesmen in my dorm lobby have shown me that I was mistaken.
The collection on behalf of the people of Darfur will went to support a giant rally in Central Park. Planners of the event raised thousands of dollars and attracted large crowds to raise awareness of the genocide in Sudan. This is all fine and good, since nobody, save a twisted sadist, would argue that genocide is a good thing. By endorsing the rally, YU promotes itself as a caring, humanitarian institution. But that does not change the fact that our brothers and sisters in Israel (and in America and across the globe) desperately need our help.