August 28, 2017--"This Jew"

According to Gary Cohn, Donald Trump's top economic advisor, he came very close to resigning after Trump, at his intemperate news conference three days after the violent torch-lit march by white supremacists in Charlottesville, equated the counter demonstrators with the neo-Nazis."

With Cohn standing awkwardly next to Trump in the lobby of Trump Tower, the president said, there are "very fine people on both sides," presumably including among the anti-Semites who chanted, "Jews will not replace us."

As one of Trump's highest ranking, most observant Jews (Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump aside), pressed for comments, Cohn had nothing to say publicly for days, though people close to him, the New York Times reported, said he was "disgusted and deeply upset" by Trump's comments.

He now claims he was thinking about what to do. Even, he said privately to friends, going so far as drafting a letter of resignation. 

Finally on Friday, after nearly two weeks of silence, Cohn revealed the results of his struggle--

Citizens standing up for equality and freedom can never be equated with white supremacists, Neo-Nazis, and the K.K.K. I believe this administration can and must do better in consistently and unequivocally condemning these groups and do everything we can to heal the deep divisions that exist in our communities.

He added--

As a Jewish American, I will not allow neo-Nazis ranting "Jews will not replace us" to cause this Jew to leave his job. [My italics]

Cohn also revealed that he spoke directly with Trump about his feelings. Thus far there is no detailed report of this alleged discussion. From the tepid nature of Cohn's formal statement, one can only guess how the meeting went.

The last thing Cohn wants to do, as he said, is to leave or lose his job. Especially since he has another one in mind as the current one awkwardly unfolds--he is looking forward to being named by Trump to replace Janet Yellen when her term as Federal Reserve System chair expires at the end of January.

In the long tradition of Jews serving as counsellors and advisors to princes and men in power (a version of this is Henry Kissinger serving anti-Semite Richard Nixon), Cohn does not want to receive the Reince Priebus/Steve Bannon heave-ho when he has something else of self-interest in mind. 

As skin-crawling as this makes this Jew (me) feel, Cohn doesn't get the prize for the most craven comment of the week by Trump's palace Jews. His other sycophantic Jew, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin--(who my mother, I know, would refer to as Steve Munchkin)--shortly after the events in Charlottesville came to his lord's defense--

While I find it hard to believe I should have to defend myself on this, or the president, I feel compelled to let you know that the president in no way, shape or form believes that neo-Nazi and other hate groups who endorse violence are equivalent to groups that demonstrate in peaceful and lawful ways.

This must mean that Munchkin doesn't want to mess up what he perceives to be a good thing and that the missus has more shopping to do.

After the Holocaust, surviving Jews vowed "never again." They pledged to do all in their power to confront anti-Semitism and prevent future genocides. And to that end committed themselves to not remain silent but to act fearlessly in the face of bigotry and hate. 

Though I am a non-observing Jew, I know this is still my responsibility. To the Jewish people, and more generally to all of humanity. We are required to speak out when we see injustice. And, equally important, to do our part to actively heal the world. Healing the world is Judaism's highest calling. It is called Tikkun Olam. 

Tikkun Olam is not about clinging to one's job. It is not about ignoring the moral implications. In fact, it is all about being guided by moral implications.

For the sake of their souls, Cohn and Mnuchin need to talk with their rabbis. 

Left to Right--Cohn, Mnuchin, Trump