LettersViewpoints

Facilitating discussion

By Jeremy D. Sher, , Seattle

I’d like to appreciate Rob Jacobs’s impact as head of our regional ADL. As a Zionist peacenik, I experienced first-hand the pivotal role Rob played in bridging difficult issues in our community.
Through his levelheaded and magnanimous disposition, Rob welcomed a large group of Israel moderates into the much-enlarged tent of pro-Israel work. Today, reasonable Zionists in Seattle can discuss what policies and politics are best for Israel without feeling the need to call each other names. Rob gave folks a chance to have an Israeli policy discussion in the context of steadfastly supporting the Jewish state. Largely thanks to Rob, we can discuss without dividing, debate without polarizing, and after the discussion unite back in our strong, shared support for Israel.
Thank you, Rob. We are a better, richer, and very much larger Zionist community because of your contribution at ADL.