A fierce debate within Conservative Judaism has erupted over the movement's relationship with Israel, sparked by Aryeh Cohen's provocative essay "Permeable Boundaries." Through critical analysis of rabbinic texts, historical Jewish attitudes, and contemporary sociological data, the exchange reveals deep ideological fault lines between traditional Zionist and emerging post-Zionist perspectives. Critics challenge Cohen's interpretations of classical sources, particularly his reading of midrashic texts about Rabbi Yossi and citations from Levi Yitzhak of Berdichev, arguing that he misappropriates these sources to support anti-Zionist positions. They emphasize Judaism's consistent historical attachment to the Land of Israel and cite sociological research showing that Israel engagement strengthens Diaspora Jewish identity. Cohen counters by advocating for "de-centering" Israel in North American Jewish communities, drawing parallels to historical Babylonian-Palestinian Jewish relationships to justify multiple centers of Jewish authority. This fundamental tension between Israel-centric and Diaspora-focused Jewish identities carries significant implications for religious practice, communal priorities, and the future direction of Conservative Judaism in the contemporary era.