Who is Yechiel Eckstein and what does he have to do with Ralph Reed and the Christian Right?

Question

I've read about him and his activities in the new York Times. I've seen him of tv. Some guy just posted a question asking for jewish views on him - he is an orthodox rabbi - and the jews who responded either really hadn't heard of him (amazing) or pretended not have,and one called the questioner a hater ("Why do you hate us so much?") - just for for asking what jews think of him! Does ANYBODY acknowledge this guy's existence here,or this another no-no topic,ie. embarrassment to jews?

I don't think you read the question. I don't need to google him; I know all about him. I was conducting a survey. oh well - it's obviously a no-no subject - it might reflect unfavorably on the chosen ones.

Answer 1

There's a whole bunch of stuff on the net. This is the guy who financed Christians United for Israel and bombarded us with all that p.r. stuff a couple of years ago. I gather Jews don't like to talk about him.

I guess that's understandable.

Answer 2

You know...I'm a Jew, and I've never heard of this guy before tonight.

Never.

I googled him, but I haven't had time to read enough to form an intelligent opinion. I certainly don't personally trust Christian evangelicals, and I think that Jewish attempts to be friendly with them are almost always wrong-headed, and born out of ignorance. That's all I can say without learning more.

What really disturbs me--and I mean REALLY--is the glee with which you trumpet your supposed discovery of an embarrassing subject for Jews. Let me tell you, we have plenty of embarrassing subjects, and we tend to not shy away from them.

Unfortunately, your embarrassing issue--anti-semitism--shines through with clear colors. No one reacts to something like this with such "Gotcha!" glee if they don't have a hidden agenda.

I note with dismay that you teach high schoolers. I sure hope it's not social studies--I hope it's math, or something innocuous that doesn't enable you to spread such blatant bias.

Answer 3

With all due respect, I saw that question, and I think the girl who said that was asking you that question, in response to why you assumed that the two other girls hadn't heard of him. But to answer your question no I haven't heard of him, but I will go research him right now.

He seems to be the president of this organization that mobilizes evangelical support for Israel. Apparently from his point of view, Israel is in serious need of help and apparently from the evangelical point of view, they agree and are willing to give it. Is this some sort of problem?

Answer 4

Sorry I am not familiar with them. You might Google it.