How do I find an anti-Zionist hechsher? An anti-Zionist shul?
I am a new anti-zionist, and as far as I know, I am the only one in Northeast Philadelphia.
Would you be able to tell me how to determine if a hechsher is from a zionist or anti-zionist rabbi? If a rabbi is zionist I don't think I can trust his kosher supervision, which is why I ask this.
Also, how do I find an anti-zionist (or at least non-zionist) shul? Do the Lubavitchers count? They seem to be zionist, but some of their past leaders were not, so I don't know.
Also, how do I know which Jewish organizations are OK to donate to, is Mogen David Adom OK even though they are part of the zionist entity?
Any help you can give will be appreciated!
Hindy
There are some major kashrus organizations which are Zionist, such as the OU, which publishes Jewish Action, is affiliated with YU rabbis and the Young Israel movement, and supports the Zionist parade every June. However, when it comes to kashrus we look more at the kashrus policies of the organization than at its hashkafah. I have heard that the OU is reliable but it uses many leniencies that more religious Jews prefer not to use as long as there is a choice.
The CRC Hisachdus Harabbanim is the most prominent anti-Zionist hechsher. Also anti-Zionist are the Volever Rav, the Nirbator Rav and the Tartikover Rav. These hechsherim are recommended. I don't know if they are available in Philadelphia. You might want to contact the Philadelphia Kollel for more information. The kollel is made of up young men from the Beis Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, a non-Zionist institution. I don't know if they are in your area.
Some Lubavitchers today are actually more pro-zionist than the Agudah world, in that they openly advocate belligerence and expansionism. The last Lubavitcher Rebbe is known to have encouraged the Israeli army to take Damascus during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and he said not to give back land. But not all Lubavitchers feel that way. Many are anti-Zionists and interpret their Rebbe's position as being self-defense only. The Lubavitcher Rebbe himself once said the the state is holding back the coming of the messiah. You could start by asking your local Lubavitcher rabbi what his position is (making it clear that you don't want to hear Zionism).
The rule with donations is to help all good Jews, no matter what their affiliation, but to avoid helping organizations that are Zionist. Thus, when Zionist Jews came to the Satmar Rebbe for their private needs, he gave them with an open hand. But supporting the Zionists through their systems strengthens their system. Outside the Zionist system, there are so many charities that help Jews in Eretz Yisroel - more than enough addresses to send your money.