Jewish identity

Natan Sharansky predicts 'beginning of the end of Jewish history in Europe' in the article he published in the Jewish Chronicle. As an ardent Zionist, he would of course. This is the age old argument for Zionism. He approves of the emphasis placed on "Jewish identity"  in the programs of the Jewish Agency.  We are about to have a dose of this "Jewish identity" program in little old New Zealand. But please forgive me, Natan, if I take issue with you. What sort of identity do you promote if this identity has the only common theme that all the goyim hate us? There is a lot more to Jewish identity than concern about anti-Semitic slogans. The threat of assimilation was always a Zionist message. But the reality is that throughout the ages Jews managed to assimilate in many ways to their host societies,  yet maintain their Jewish identities. It is the ignorance of Jewish roots and traditions, not the threat of rowdy, ignorant anti-Semites that undermines Jewish identity. History shows that those who want to flee from their Jewish heritage have more to fear from the anti-Semites than Jews strong in their heritage. It is Jews who want to be someone else than they truly are who have the fear of being exposed. For Jews who never try to deny their roots divided loyalty is never an issue. Using anti-Semitism to strengthen Jewish identity is a futile exercise. Who wants to be Jewish just because anti-Semites hate Jews. You would want to identify as a Jew because Judaism has an amazing, proud history and culture. It is a club you would certainly want to belong to.