2007 February 9 | Peoplehood.org

Rettig, who covers the Jewish world for the Jerusalem Post, noticed a small entry on Peoplehood.org and got himself a great scoop, which appears on page 6 of today’s (Friday) Jerusalem Post. “”Sharansky: No doubt these rights organizations played a central role in advancing release of prisoners in the Soviet Union.” It’s entirely accurate, other than the headline: “”Jewish groups nominated for Nobel.” UCSJ is a Jewish group; Moscow Helsinki Group is not. But headlines are up to the editor, not the reporter.

It is interesting the effect of a non-Jewish hechsher has on a Jewish endeavor, which speaks a bit to what David Mamet exposed in his recent work “The Wicked Son” and the subtle propensity for self-hate. Not that a Nobel is shabby; I’m not complaining about that. But it is interesting that the nature of the work done by these two human rights groups has been on-going but unappreciated by Jewish philanthropists or establishments (overwhelming majority of funds come from non-Jewish sources). But if the Nobel Committee says they are kosher, well, somehow that’s a different story. Cynicism should not be a hallmark of the new Jewish Peoplehood; it can actually cripple it. Let the new Jewish Peoplehood appreciate the strengths of each piece, each tribe and recognize that an asset-based approach raises all boats. shabbat shalom.