Doron Becker responds to Anne Neuberger on antisemitism and public service
To the Editor:
I retired last year from a career spent in cybersecurity working with the intelligence community and most of the armed services. I therefore agree with much of what Anne Neuberger says on Jews needing to view a badge and a security clearance as forms of kiddush Hashem (a sanctification of God’s name). At the same time, I am disappointed that she does not discuss the fact that so many of those conducting background investigations for government agencies are biased against anyone having a connection to Israel—whether having relatives in that country, visiting that country (even, say, on Birthright), or any other tie. I myself failed to get certain clearances because of this issue. This dates from way before September 11 and is all owing to the antisemitic diatribe that Jews have dual loyalties.
While I heard through the grapevine of minyanim at the National Security Agency, I found no equivalent elsewhere. Nor, with some exceptions, were there meaningful opportunities for Jewish employees to gather to observe holidays, Yom HaShoah, and other important occasions. If Jews, and especially Orthodox Jews, are to be encouraged to enter government service, they must know that like any other racial or ethnic group, they will have the chance to demonstrate pride in Judaism as well as in what they do for the defense of the United States.
Anne Neuberger responds:
I thank Doron Becker for his service. I wrote about my own experiences, which have not included the difficult ones he cites in his letter. At the NSA, we had an annual Hanukkah celebration and a Yom HaShoah event (at which I spoke one year). The NSA also moved their family day to Sunday when I noted that Shabbat-observant Jews couldn’t attend family day if it was on Saturday. With that said, I have heard of individuals with connections to Israel who have faced obstacles in getting security clearances. I would note that in certain cases, it’s hard to know whether it comes from a legitimate counterintelligence concern or bias.
I met with Jewish intelligence officers at another intelligence agency who described their challenging experiences as Jews. Their concerns seemed credible to me, and I flagged them for that agency’s leadership at the time. So Mr. Becker’s final point is well taken.