Three Different Groups, Three Different Locations, Discuss One Question: "Has Israel Become America's 51st State?" 

For years, Israel's protractors and detractors have joked that Israel is America's "51^st State," so a couple of weeks ago we put the question to Dor Chadash members in one of the most fascinating "Dinner with Friends" series yet. In mid-June, three different groups, in three different NYC apartments, met concurrently to discuss the same question: "Has Israel Become America's 51^st State?" Israel and the US are close allies, Israel receives the largest amount of military aid of any other foreign country, Israel often considers US government opinion before acting on foreign policy, but does that make it "the 51^st state?"  "These questions sparked heated debate in all three groups," said Dor Chadash staffer Tzach Yoked and organizer of the event. Stereotypes were shattered and ideas deliberated. "The question turned out to be far more fascinating than we initially thought," says Doron Kalir, Dor Chadash Vice Chair and a moderator of one of the dinners.  "I can't say that we reached a consensus, however,  in the process  we explored many fascinating topics including the educational, economical, technological, and other aspects of mutual influence between the two close allies."  Kalir concluded that, "It has been one of the best 'Dinner with Friends' yet. I enjoyed every minute." Tell us what you think in Poll to the left! --"Dinner with Friends" is a continuing series, a new topic is discussed every three months.