CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TENS OF THOUSANDS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WHO TOMORROW IN A SIGN OF KAVOD LATORAH (HONOR TO THE TORAH) WILL CELEBRATE THE SIYUM HASHAS. (THE CONCLUSION OF THE DAILY LEARNING OF A BLAT) [A TWO SIDED PAGE OF THE TALMUD].
I RECALL 71/2 YEARS AGO THE GREAT CROSS SECTION OF THE TORAH COMMUNITY THAT GATHERED IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, AND OF COURSE IN ALL THE SATELLITE HALLS FOR THE CELEBRATION.
IT IS A GREAT DAY FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE. THE ORGANIZERS, RABBEIM WHO TAUGHT THE DAF, THE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED, AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ENCOURAGED THEM MERIT GREAT PRAISE.
MAY WE BE BLESSED WITH GOOD HEALTH THAT WILL ENABLE US TO COMPLETE THE NEXT CYCLE WHICH STARTS ON WEDNESDAY.
Monday, February 28, 2005
IF I OFFENDED ANYONE... 2/28/05
I WAS STARTLED BY THE ANGRY RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS I PUBLISHED ON THE TEL AVIV BOMBING.
I REREAD THE PIECE A FEW TIMES AND COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THE ANGER. THEN THE THOUGHT OCCURRED TO ME THAT SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE INTIMATED THAT I WAS CONNECTING IN SOME WAY THE PRESENCE OF THE STUDENTS IN THE NITECLUB ON THE SHABBAT AS SOMEHOW BEING THE CAUSE OF THE BOMBING.
G-D FORBID THAT I WOULD EVER MAKE SUCH A SUGGESTION EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. THAT IS AN OBSCENE THOUGHT THAT HAS NO PLACE IN OUR THEOLOGY OR ”EMUNAH.“
IN RETROSPECT, THE TITLE WAS MISLEADING SINCE INDEED THERE ARE NO PEDAGOGIC LESSONS FROM THE BOMBING, RATHER INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE NEWSPAPER STORY ON THE BOMBING THAT I USED TO MAKE A POINT NOT ABOUT THE BOMBING OR ANY CONNECTION TO THE STUDENTS.
I WAS SIMPLY POINTING OUT THAT THE NEWS COVERAGE OF THE BLAST HAD DESCRIBED THESE YOUNG DAY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE NITECLUB. OBVIOUSLY HAD THERE BEEN NO TERRORIST ATTACK WE WOULD HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHO WAS IN THE BAR LATE FRIDAY NITE.
I LAMENTED AND STILL DO THE LACK OF FEELING FOR THE HOLINESS OF THE SHABBAT THAT APPARENTLY EXISTS, AND RAISED QUESTIONS REGARDING SUPERVISION AND THE QUALITY OF THE JEWISH STUDIES THAT COULD YIELD SUCH MASS DESECRATION OF SHABBAT.
THE CAUSE OF THE BLAST IS THE INTRANSIGENT HATE OF THE PALESTINIAN /IRANIAN/SYRIAN LEADERSHIP ETC. TO THE PRESENCE OF A JEWISH STATE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
IF THIS IS NOT WHAT UPSET THESE READERS, I INVITE THEM TO BE MORE SPECIFIC.
I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCORRECT IMPRESSIONS AND WILL CHANGE THE TITLE
I REREAD THE PIECE A FEW TIMES AND COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THE ANGER. THEN THE THOUGHT OCCURRED TO ME THAT SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE INTIMATED THAT I WAS CONNECTING IN SOME WAY THE PRESENCE OF THE STUDENTS IN THE NITECLUB ON THE SHABBAT AS SOMEHOW BEING THE CAUSE OF THE BOMBING.
G-D FORBID THAT I WOULD EVER MAKE SUCH A SUGGESTION EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. THAT IS AN OBSCENE THOUGHT THAT HAS NO PLACE IN OUR THEOLOGY OR ”EMUNAH.“
IN RETROSPECT, THE TITLE WAS MISLEADING SINCE INDEED THERE ARE NO PEDAGOGIC LESSONS FROM THE BOMBING, RATHER INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE NEWSPAPER STORY ON THE BOMBING THAT I USED TO MAKE A POINT NOT ABOUT THE BOMBING OR ANY CONNECTION TO THE STUDENTS.
I WAS SIMPLY POINTING OUT THAT THE NEWS COVERAGE OF THE BLAST HAD DESCRIBED THESE YOUNG DAY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE AT THE NITECLUB. OBVIOUSLY HAD THERE BEEN NO TERRORIST ATTACK WE WOULD HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHO WAS IN THE BAR LATE FRIDAY NITE.
I LAMENTED AND STILL DO THE LACK OF FEELING FOR THE HOLINESS OF THE SHABBAT THAT APPARENTLY EXISTS, AND RAISED QUESTIONS REGARDING SUPERVISION AND THE QUALITY OF THE JEWISH STUDIES THAT COULD YIELD SUCH MASS DESECRATION OF SHABBAT.
THE CAUSE OF THE BLAST IS THE INTRANSIGENT HATE OF THE PALESTINIAN /IRANIAN/SYRIAN LEADERSHIP ETC. TO THE PRESENCE OF A JEWISH STATE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
IF THIS IS NOT WHAT UPSET THESE READERS, I INVITE THEM TO BE MORE SPECIFIC.
I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCORRECT IMPRESSIONS AND WILL CHANGE THE TITLE
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Tel Aviv Attack 2/27/05
W e are all HORRIFIED by the terrible terrorist attack in the Stage Niteclub in Tel Aviv this past Friday nite. But, we are also saddened by a report in this mornings Jerusalem Post internet edition.
The Post reports that nine of 49 seniors on a six week Solomon Schechter Israel program were in the bar at the time of the explosion. It implies that perhaps others were on the nearby beach at the same time. Thankfully none were injured.
IF TRUE, there arise a myriad of questions. What were they doing on Shabbat nite in the club? What about the teachers and parents who were supposed to supervise? I am sure each of you could come up with your own pedagogical questions.
One would have hoped that seniors in a Jewish Day School even if under Conservative auspices would have a different feeling for the sanctity of the Shabbat than frolicking in the club. Some teacher or Rabbi on the program should have gone over the weekly torah portion of KI TISAH which speaks of Sabbath observance.
It is hoped that the responsible parties will plan the rest of the trip and future such missions in a more spiritual and JEWISH atmosphere.
In that regard I want to pay tribute to the Frisch Yeshiva High School (of Paramus N.J.) senior program whom I met last week in Jerusalem. Their entire trip was dedicated to CHESED (CHARITY-GOOD DEEDS-KINDNESS). I observed them in their daily prayers, their conduct in the hotel lobby and their ambitious chesed schedule. They actually inspired me with one or two projects that I will mimic on our mission to Israel this May.
Their demeanor and seriousness were truly a KIDDUSH HASHEM (glorification of G-D’s name).
The Post reports that nine of 49 seniors on a six week Solomon Schechter Israel program were in the bar at the time of the explosion. It implies that perhaps others were on the nearby beach at the same time. Thankfully none were injured.
IF TRUE, there arise a myriad of questions. What were they doing on Shabbat nite in the club? What about the teachers and parents who were supposed to supervise? I am sure each of you could come up with your own pedagogical questions.
One would have hoped that seniors in a Jewish Day School even if under Conservative auspices would have a different feeling for the sanctity of the Shabbat than frolicking in the club. Some teacher or Rabbi on the program should have gone over the weekly torah portion of KI TISAH which speaks of Sabbath observance.
It is hoped that the responsible parties will plan the rest of the trip and future such missions in a more spiritual and JEWISH atmosphere.
In that regard I want to pay tribute to the Frisch Yeshiva High School (of Paramus N.J.) senior program whom I met last week in Jerusalem. Their entire trip was dedicated to CHESED (CHARITY-GOOD DEEDS-KINDNESS). I observed them in their daily prayers, their conduct in the hotel lobby and their ambitious chesed schedule. They actually inspired me with one or two projects that I will mimic on our mission to Israel this May.
Their demeanor and seriousness were truly a KIDDUSH HASHEM (glorification of G-D’s name).
Saturday, February 26, 2005
The Tel Aviv Attack 2/26/05
I imagine that the Palestinian Authority believes that we should all be happy and even overjoyed that their leadership has condemned the Tel Aviv attack, and surely the families of the victims should have a sense of comfort following their condemnations!
This is all a charade and totally predictable
UNTIL AND UNLESS MR ABU MAZEN DISARMS ALL TERRORISTS (AND GROUPS) THERE CAN NEVER BE A MOVE TOWARD PEACE.
IN THE ABSENCE OF THE RULE OF LAW, COURTS, PRISONS AND RIGID ENFORCEMENT OF DISARMAMENT THIS IS ALL A MOCKERY AND REPRESENTS BUT ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE SUPPORT OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES BY THE PA.
EVEN IF SYRIA IS BEHIND THIS, IF YOU DISARM AND IMPRISON TERRORISTS, THE LANDSCAPE WOULD BE TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
Do not believe those who claim that disarming Hamas et al in Gaza for example would lead to civil war. In fact Hamas has only about 800 fighters and Mr. Dahlen and Abu Mazen 20,000. It is all a matter of will.
Since Oslo, not a single Palestinian terrorist has been arrested, disarmed or transferred to Israeli authorities (as called for under Oslo).
It is time for Abu Mazen to bite the bullet and crack down if he desires to talk seriously with the Israelis or admit defeat.
This is all a charade and totally predictable
UNTIL AND UNLESS MR ABU MAZEN DISARMS ALL TERRORISTS (AND GROUPS) THERE CAN NEVER BE A MOVE TOWARD PEACE.
IN THE ABSENCE OF THE RULE OF LAW, COURTS, PRISONS AND RIGID ENFORCEMENT OF DISARMAMENT THIS IS ALL A MOCKERY AND REPRESENTS BUT ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF THE SUPPORT OF TERRORIST ACTIVITIES BY THE PA.
EVEN IF SYRIA IS BEHIND THIS, IF YOU DISARM AND IMPRISON TERRORISTS, THE LANDSCAPE WOULD BE TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
Do not believe those who claim that disarming Hamas et al in Gaza for example would lead to civil war. In fact Hamas has only about 800 fighters and Mr. Dahlen and Abu Mazen 20,000. It is all a matter of will.
Since Oslo, not a single Palestinian terrorist has been arrested, disarmed or transferred to Israeli authorities (as called for under Oslo).
It is time for Abu Mazen to bite the bullet and crack down if he desires to talk seriously with the Israelis or admit defeat.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
GOOGLE,YAHOO RECOGNIZE GANCHROWWORLDVIEW 2/25/05
I was pleasantly surprised upon my return from Israel today to find that our blog site is now listed on both Google and Yahoo.
It has always been my experience that a typical “man in the street” reaction to events in Israel is your friendly taxi driver. Their impression is similar to the mood of most analysts that in the absence of an unforeseen major terrorist attack etc, disengagement will proceed. When asked to evaluate the chance for long term peace, or conversely the possibility of a renewal of terrorist activity, the answer is twofold. Firstly, “I trust Sharon” and secondly what appears to me to be an unwillingness to look too far into the future. Israelis seem to be concentrating on the next few months. They don't want to analyze the future critically.
But if proponents of this move honestly believe that this disengagement is the end of a process I fear they are wrong.
• Egypt has announced that they will not provide security assistance, until Israel withdraws from the Philadelphia route which Israel plans to retain at least for the foreseeable future.
• The new Jordanian Ambassador has announced that Israel must negotiate over the so-called “right of return” even if in practice once Israel agrees to this “right” no such activity takes place.
• The IDF intelligence have publicly stated that there continues to be a build-up of arms and rockets by the forces of the PA.
• Abu Mazen has no intention of disarming any terrorist group or individual. We can only speculate based upon previous performances how Hamas, et al will react in one or two months when they realize that they are not getting everything they want.
• The remarks of President Bush regarding the need for contiguity in a Palestinian State are of course worrisome. There certainly could be tunnels, bridges and even a land exchange, but it is a potentially serious problem. If you look at the map you realize the distance from Gaza to the remainder of Judea and Samaria.
• WE SHOULD REMIND THE PRESIDENT THAT ALASKA IS NOT CONTIGUOUS, NOR IS HAWAII. IN ADDITION SHOULD PUERTO RICO EVER ACCEPT STATEHOOD IT TOO IS NOT CONTIGUOUS TO MAINLAND USA.
• As late as this week the IDF intercepted planned suicide bombers. However, the government is trying to downplay this in view of the spirit they are trying to convey.
• Abu Mazen and his advisors are blasting Israel over the fence construction route. Anyone who believes that releasing a few hundred prisoners will silence this issue is silly. Perhaps news of the Pope, Putin and Bush will keep it out of the media headlines .
• Sharon has made it appear that he has a commitment from Bush that allows Israel to annex the major settlement blocs after Disengagement (perhaps followed by 3 or four more SMALL EVACUATIONS WHICH COULD TOTAL ANOTHER 40,000-80,000 SETTLERS). There are those who now question if this is in fact correct. Imagine the civil unrest if this whole disengagement is based upon wishful thinking, and the UN, Arabs, and Europeans begin to vocally demand a return to the pre-1967 lines--PERIOD.
• The battle for Jerusalem has now only begun to percolate
• I COULD GO ON, BUT THE FUTURE IS LESS THAN IDEAL.
Yes Disengagement is on track, but the Arabs have never lost an opportunity to screw themselves. So remember.
IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS
It has always been my experience that a typical “man in the street” reaction to events in Israel is your friendly taxi driver. Their impression is similar to the mood of most analysts that in the absence of an unforeseen major terrorist attack etc, disengagement will proceed. When asked to evaluate the chance for long term peace, or conversely the possibility of a renewal of terrorist activity, the answer is twofold. Firstly, “I trust Sharon” and secondly what appears to me to be an unwillingness to look too far into the future. Israelis seem to be concentrating on the next few months. They don't want to analyze the future critically.
But if proponents of this move honestly believe that this disengagement is the end of a process I fear they are wrong.
• Egypt has announced that they will not provide security assistance, until Israel withdraws from the Philadelphia route which Israel plans to retain at least for the foreseeable future.
• The new Jordanian Ambassador has announced that Israel must negotiate over the so-called “right of return” even if in practice once Israel agrees to this “right” no such activity takes place.
• The IDF intelligence have publicly stated that there continues to be a build-up of arms and rockets by the forces of the PA.
• Abu Mazen has no intention of disarming any terrorist group or individual. We can only speculate based upon previous performances how Hamas, et al will react in one or two months when they realize that they are not getting everything they want.
• The remarks of President Bush regarding the need for contiguity in a Palestinian State are of course worrisome. There certainly could be tunnels, bridges and even a land exchange, but it is a potentially serious problem. If you look at the map you realize the distance from Gaza to the remainder of Judea and Samaria.
• WE SHOULD REMIND THE PRESIDENT THAT ALASKA IS NOT CONTIGUOUS, NOR IS HAWAII. IN ADDITION SHOULD PUERTO RICO EVER ACCEPT STATEHOOD IT TOO IS NOT CONTIGUOUS TO MAINLAND USA.
• As late as this week the IDF intercepted planned suicide bombers. However, the government is trying to downplay this in view of the spirit they are trying to convey.
• Abu Mazen and his advisors are blasting Israel over the fence construction route. Anyone who believes that releasing a few hundred prisoners will silence this issue is silly. Perhaps news of the Pope, Putin and Bush will keep it out of the media headlines .
• Sharon has made it appear that he has a commitment from Bush that allows Israel to annex the major settlement blocs after Disengagement (perhaps followed by 3 or four more SMALL EVACUATIONS WHICH COULD TOTAL ANOTHER 40,000-80,000 SETTLERS). There are those who now question if this is in fact correct. Imagine the civil unrest if this whole disengagement is based upon wishful thinking, and the UN, Arabs, and Europeans begin to vocally demand a return to the pre-1967 lines--PERIOD.
• The battle for Jerusalem has now only begun to percolate
• I COULD GO ON, BUT THE FUTURE IS LESS THAN IDEAL.
Yes Disengagement is on track, but the Arabs have never lost an opportunity to screw themselves. So remember.
IT’S NOT OVER UNTIL THE FAT LADY SINGS
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Be back in 6 days 2/17/05
When I return next week from the Gov. Board meeting of the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem, I will resume my blogging.
In the meantime, I am grateful that 2 L.I. blog sites picked up my comments on the IPA internship, which today is announcing the hiring of a new program coordinator for the summer.
In the meantime, I am grateful that 2 L.I. blog sites picked up my comments on the IPA internship, which today is announcing the hiring of a new program coordinator for the summer.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Social Security Legislation 2/15/05
When I was an intern/resident an earth shattering metamorphosis took place in America. The introduction of Medicare and Medicaid represented an entirely new approach to the care of the elderly and the indigent.
Significantly physicians in practice were faced with a new phenomenon, namely government intervention in the health care system as never before. One immediate change was the abolition of the old charity ward. Until then, indigent patients admitted to the hospital were admitted on “service.” This meant that residents under the supervision of Attendings took care of these patients on a teaching ward.
The new system meant that suddenly those with Medicaid were now admitted directly to the care of an attending physician. Whereas previously the attending received no remuneration for helping the house staff, (even if it meant coming out in the middle of the night to assist at surgery), now everything changed. Physicians who complained about their heavy charity load were suddenly getting funding for their efforts. Of course along with the growth of these programs has been an equal growth in government interference and bureaucracy.
I bring this up to introduce my thoughts on the Presidents Social Security plans, which I believe represent culture shock to many Americans. Accepting such changes requires patience, education and perseverance.
Firstly, I believe the President should tackle making the income tax cuts permanent which was a clear and major campaign promise. It will be easier to pass since it is easily understood and will require little political capital to pass. It will allow him extra time to formulate a coherent plan on social security.
I and my wife are on social security and therefore have no concerns regarding the plan. However, if I were 50-54 years of age I do not think I could mentally be prepared for such a drastic change in the program within the time they are talking about. Therefore, I believe that the transition should be changed to those 45 or below to allow them 20 years to prepare.
Every individual knows social security is in trouble. They also realize that a private investment plan will far outstrip the benefits of what we have now. However, the President has not prepared the nation with the real details of the budgetary implications for the transition period, including what percentage of your funds can go into the private accounts? What are the consequences to benefits if you choose not to join? And so on.
Yes, speeches on the stump are great, but he should not rush consideration of any bill until there is more information available to the public. As for the Democrats, I don’t believe the public appreciates a stone wall of legislative obstructionism on these issues. They act like the Sunnis in Iraq, at their own peril, and to the detriment of the nation.
Significantly physicians in practice were faced with a new phenomenon, namely government intervention in the health care system as never before. One immediate change was the abolition of the old charity ward. Until then, indigent patients admitted to the hospital were admitted on “service.” This meant that residents under the supervision of Attendings took care of these patients on a teaching ward.
The new system meant that suddenly those with Medicaid were now admitted directly to the care of an attending physician. Whereas previously the attending received no remuneration for helping the house staff, (even if it meant coming out in the middle of the night to assist at surgery), now everything changed. Physicians who complained about their heavy charity load were suddenly getting funding for their efforts. Of course along with the growth of these programs has been an equal growth in government interference and bureaucracy.
I bring this up to introduce my thoughts on the Presidents Social Security plans, which I believe represent culture shock to many Americans. Accepting such changes requires patience, education and perseverance.
Firstly, I believe the President should tackle making the income tax cuts permanent which was a clear and major campaign promise. It will be easier to pass since it is easily understood and will require little political capital to pass. It will allow him extra time to formulate a coherent plan on social security.
I and my wife are on social security and therefore have no concerns regarding the plan. However, if I were 50-54 years of age I do not think I could mentally be prepared for such a drastic change in the program within the time they are talking about. Therefore, I believe that the transition should be changed to those 45 or below to allow them 20 years to prepare.
Every individual knows social security is in trouble. They also realize that a private investment plan will far outstrip the benefits of what we have now. However, the President has not prepared the nation with the real details of the budgetary implications for the transition period, including what percentage of your funds can go into the private accounts? What are the consequences to benefits if you choose not to join? And so on.
Yes, speeches on the stump are great, but he should not rush consideration of any bill until there is more information available to the public. As for the Democrats, I don’t believe the public appreciates a stone wall of legislative obstructionism on these issues. They act like the Sunnis in Iraq, at their own peril, and to the detriment of the nation.
The IPA Internship Is Back on Track 2/15/05
I was forwarded information over the last few days from 2 blog sites regarding a suspension of the OU IPA summer internship in Washington. This program which I created and nurtured had 45 college interns in the program last summer serving in Senate and House offices.
Thus, I am extremely pleased that after a tele-conference today of the IPA executive committee the program is back on track. I am grateful that individuals from throughout the U.S., Israel and two who were on a mission in Bulgaria took part in the discussion.
Over the next few weeks we hopefully will get word of the hiring of a new individual who will direct this program, which I consider one of my most important successes at the OU.
Thus, I am extremely pleased that after a tele-conference today of the IPA executive committee the program is back on track. I am grateful that individuals from throughout the U.S., Israel and two who were on a mission in Bulgaria took part in the discussion.
Over the next few weeks we hopefully will get word of the hiring of a new individual who will direct this program, which I consider one of my most important successes at the OU.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Public Health Priorities 2/13/05
The report of a new virulent strain of HIV_AIDS resistant to most anti-viral medications is obviously a worrisome occurrence. We now receive amplification that this individual had hundreds of unprotected sexual partners while high on methamphetamine.
This raises the politically incorrect thought as to what are societal obligations in public health dollars in light of such deviant immoral and illegal activity. Based upon mortality figures Aids research is far ahead in government research dollars received per annual number of deaths in the U.S. than heart disease, alzheimers or cancer.
There are so many diseases that we witness in our daily lives that we really do not fully understand their cause and cure that require research dollars .Some may be genetic, others environmental or infectious. We need allocation of research sources not by political pressure or correctness, but by the number of Americans at risk, suffering and succumbing to a particular disease.
This raises the politically incorrect thought as to what are societal obligations in public health dollars in light of such deviant immoral and illegal activity. Based upon mortality figures Aids research is far ahead in government research dollars received per annual number of deaths in the U.S. than heart disease, alzheimers or cancer.
There are so many diseases that we witness in our daily lives that we really do not fully understand their cause and cure that require research dollars .Some may be genetic, others environmental or infectious. We need allocation of research sources not by political pressure or correctness, but by the number of Americans at risk, suffering and succumbing to a particular disease.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
The NY Times Is Wrong Again 2/12/05
The N Y Times in an editorial today praises Abbas as a great leader and hero for his sacking of a few security chiefs in Gaza and his promise to maintain the cease-fire. In return the paper places the burden now on Mr. Sharon to make a pile of concessions on settlements etc.
ONE PRUNE DOES NOT MAKE A TZIMIS
• No terrorist or group has been disarmed (compare to the IRA,Bosnia, Fallujah) which will be the only path to security
• Hamas and Islamic Jihad have only conditionally accepted an unofficial truce. To me it’s a virtual cease-fire not visible to the objective observer( They can initiate terror as they please )
• Rockets are still hitting settlements. Thirty katushas on Thursday hit Gush Katif, Morag, Atzmona and Neve Dekalim There was property damage.
• Suicide attempts have been intercepted since the Sharm meeting
When IDF intelligence gave the PA a list of middle level terrorists to intercept, they were all warned that “the Israelis are after you “
Yes we are hopeful, but we haven’t gotten to the first step. A total cessation of violence and terror accompanied by the disarming of all unauthorized individuals is the initial minimal step. There should be consolidation of the dozen or so “security groups” into one which will be controlled and answerable to a civilian leadership .There must be the application of the rule of law with proper trained and supervised police with a justice system and courts that will properly punish offenders.
When we see the above take place with Israeli-PA security cooperation we can then examine where to go from there. For now it’s still a dangerous situation that requires much improvement to even make a dent in the political-security situation.
ONE PRUNE DOES NOT MAKE A TZIMIS
• No terrorist or group has been disarmed (compare to the IRA,Bosnia, Fallujah) which will be the only path to security
• Hamas and Islamic Jihad have only conditionally accepted an unofficial truce. To me it’s a virtual cease-fire not visible to the objective observer( They can initiate terror as they please )
• Rockets are still hitting settlements. Thirty katushas on Thursday hit Gush Katif, Morag, Atzmona and Neve Dekalim There was property damage.
• Suicide attempts have been intercepted since the Sharm meeting
When IDF intelligence gave the PA a list of middle level terrorists to intercept, they were all warned that “the Israelis are after you “
Yes we are hopeful, but we haven’t gotten to the first step. A total cessation of violence and terror accompanied by the disarming of all unauthorized individuals is the initial minimal step. There should be consolidation of the dozen or so “security groups” into one which will be controlled and answerable to a civilian leadership .There must be the application of the rule of law with proper trained and supervised police with a justice system and courts that will properly punish offenders.
When we see the above take place with Israeli-PA security cooperation we can then examine where to go from there. For now it’s still a dangerous situation that requires much improvement to even make a dent in the political-security situation.
Dr Dean on Call
Yaaaahooo ! The cry of Gov Howard Dean that was the butt of Jay Leno et al jokes may become the official calling card of the Democratic National Committee. With his election as chairman, we see a victory for the activist left wing of the party.
I am sort of surprised that former Pres Clinton did not use his extensive political contacts and skill to bring about a more moderate and mainstream victor. This cannot be good news for Senator Hillary Clinton who as the front-runner for the 2008 presidential race will want to move the party toward the center. In fact President Clinton looks sort of drawn since his surgery, and may be lacking energy which is common in the immediate post cardiac surgery period.
As for pro-Israel activists I see nothing positive about his election. Other than being married to a Jewish woman (which to me is a negative for our people and for our battle against intermarriage and assimilation) there is nothing in his record or his campaign that would make me comfortable with his leadership. For unlike other party Chairman whose task is to carry out the party platform, DEAN SURELY SEES HIMSELF AS A PROPONENT OF A LIBERAL SHIFT IN HIS PARTY AS A PATH TO VICTORY.
To paraphrase an op-ed (Brooks) in the NY Times his election will guarantee that the Dems will carry Berkley for a long time. As for Republicans there is a smile on our faces, but we should not be come smug or overconfident. Dean is tough, energetic, and backed by the money wing of the left.
I am sort of surprised that former Pres Clinton did not use his extensive political contacts and skill to bring about a more moderate and mainstream victor. This cannot be good news for Senator Hillary Clinton who as the front-runner for the 2008 presidential race will want to move the party toward the center. In fact President Clinton looks sort of drawn since his surgery, and may be lacking energy which is common in the immediate post cardiac surgery period.
As for pro-Israel activists I see nothing positive about his election. Other than being married to a Jewish woman (which to me is a negative for our people and for our battle against intermarriage and assimilation) there is nothing in his record or his campaign that would make me comfortable with his leadership. For unlike other party Chairman whose task is to carry out the party platform, DEAN SURELY SEES HIMSELF AS A PROPONENT OF A LIBERAL SHIFT IN HIS PARTY AS A PATH TO VICTORY.
To paraphrase an op-ed (Brooks) in the NY Times his election will guarantee that the Dems will carry Berkley for a long time. As for Republicans there is a smile on our faces, but we should not be come smug or overconfident. Dean is tough, energetic, and backed by the money wing of the left.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Conversion Update 2/8/05
CONVERSION UPDATE
While the world concentrates on security in light of the meetings between Sharon and the three Arab leaders, there is an equally dangerous situation in Israel that does not get much attention. I refer to the ongoing conversion crisis.
There is much background material on this issue in my autobiography. I have been involved in one level or another for 10 years. It is being played out under the banner of the Jewish Agency, the Prime Ministers office and the Chief Rabbinate. Despite the deep theological differences between the streams, there is agreement that the problem of 250-300,000 non-halachic immigrants must be solved if we are to preserve a Jewish nation.
One quarter of army recruits are immigrants and one quarter of them are non-halachic (according to every stream). The IDF at the highest level is determined to offer to each immigrant the opportunity as soon as they start their service to attend the Jewish Studies program either to learn about their heritage if they are Jews, or to complete the course and enter into the military rabbinic court system and become converted.
WE ARE SEEING GREAT RESULTS IN THIS EFFORT.
TO DATE 637 SOLDIERS WERE CONVERTED OF WHICH 487 WERE FEMALE AND 150 MALE.
Another 500 soldiers are in the process of converting and this is expected in a few weeks. Thus 90% of non-Jews who take the course go toward conversion, and 90% of them are successful.
At the present time 7500 soldiers in the IDF are non-Jewish. The target of the Institute and the IDF is to reach 3000 soldiers (of them, 500 Jews) to become motivated to take the course. A great debt of gratitude goes to Gen Elazar Stern for pushing the program, along with Professor Benny Ish Shalom the overall driving force of the Institute.
The civilian tract has been more difficult, and here the traditional attitudes of the reform movement in Israel toward orthodoxy always leave a bitter feeling in my mouth after each phone conference or meeting of the Unity Committee of the Agency. The committee has had an ongoing interest in this problem since the Neeman Commission had its hearings a few years ago. Not that the orthodox establishment has been blameless, but the appointment of Rabbi Druckman to oversee the religious conversion court while serving in the Prime Ministers Office has been a major positive step.
Prime Minister Sharon has taken a personal interest in seeing that there is no slackening of the part of the rabbinical leadership in this area. For the first time we are seeing real progress in the civilian path. There are 2000 students in the program Rabbi Druckman and the Sephardic Chief Rabbi have basically eliminated the intermediary who were obstructing the flow of candidates from the Institute to the Courts. Currently we hope that 70% of the candidates will pass the exam. Our goal is to get as close to 100% AS POSSIBLE.
THERE IS ANOTHER UNITY COMMITTEE MEETING IN TEN DAYS WHEN WE MEET IN JERUSALEM. I WILL HAVE THE LATEST FIGURES TO REPORT WHEN I RETURN.
We are on the right path. We cannot have one people if so many of our young are non-Jewish. Inevitably because of college, the army and societal interactions, they will inter-marry with young Jewish Israelis. This is an urgent problem and its solution must be accelerated without destroying the halachic (Jewish Law) process.
While the world concentrates on security in light of the meetings between Sharon and the three Arab leaders, there is an equally dangerous situation in Israel that does not get much attention. I refer to the ongoing conversion crisis.
There is much background material on this issue in my autobiography. I have been involved in one level or another for 10 years. It is being played out under the banner of the Jewish Agency, the Prime Ministers office and the Chief Rabbinate. Despite the deep theological differences between the streams, there is agreement that the problem of 250-300,000 non-halachic immigrants must be solved if we are to preserve a Jewish nation.
One quarter of army recruits are immigrants and one quarter of them are non-halachic (according to every stream). The IDF at the highest level is determined to offer to each immigrant the opportunity as soon as they start their service to attend the Jewish Studies program either to learn about their heritage if they are Jews, or to complete the course and enter into the military rabbinic court system and become converted.
WE ARE SEEING GREAT RESULTS IN THIS EFFORT.
TO DATE 637 SOLDIERS WERE CONVERTED OF WHICH 487 WERE FEMALE AND 150 MALE.
Another 500 soldiers are in the process of converting and this is expected in a few weeks. Thus 90% of non-Jews who take the course go toward conversion, and 90% of them are successful.
At the present time 7500 soldiers in the IDF are non-Jewish. The target of the Institute and the IDF is to reach 3000 soldiers (of them, 500 Jews) to become motivated to take the course. A great debt of gratitude goes to Gen Elazar Stern for pushing the program, along with Professor Benny Ish Shalom the overall driving force of the Institute.
The civilian tract has been more difficult, and here the traditional attitudes of the reform movement in Israel toward orthodoxy always leave a bitter feeling in my mouth after each phone conference or meeting of the Unity Committee of the Agency. The committee has had an ongoing interest in this problem since the Neeman Commission had its hearings a few years ago. Not that the orthodox establishment has been blameless, but the appointment of Rabbi Druckman to oversee the religious conversion court while serving in the Prime Ministers Office has been a major positive step.
Prime Minister Sharon has taken a personal interest in seeing that there is no slackening of the part of the rabbinical leadership in this area. For the first time we are seeing real progress in the civilian path. There are 2000 students in the program Rabbi Druckman and the Sephardic Chief Rabbi have basically eliminated the intermediary who were obstructing the flow of candidates from the Institute to the Courts. Currently we hope that 70% of the candidates will pass the exam. Our goal is to get as close to 100% AS POSSIBLE.
THERE IS ANOTHER UNITY COMMITTEE MEETING IN TEN DAYS WHEN WE MEET IN JERUSALEM. I WILL HAVE THE LATEST FIGURES TO REPORT WHEN I RETURN.
We are on the right path. We cannot have one people if so many of our young are non-Jewish. Inevitably because of college, the army and societal interactions, they will inter-marry with young Jewish Israelis. This is an urgent problem and its solution must be accelerated without destroying the halachic (Jewish Law) process.
Monday, February 07, 2005
The Battle for Jerusalem 2/7/05
THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM
With the visit of Sec Rice to Israel the battle for Jerusalem has begun. With a warning to the Israelis not to create facts on the ground in Jerusalem all of us who admire the President should shake ourselves out of our lethargy and realize we are entering a dangerous phase of mid-East negotiations.
It is too early to evaluate the appointment of Gen William Ward as a security coordinator. We have been through similar appointments in the past often leading to tensions with Washington. However, in fairness we should get more information before we criticize or analyze what will be its significance.
This we do know! It's make-up time with the Europeans and there is a love fest underway with Mr Abbas. It is our job to make certain that Israel is not the sacrificial lamb, with Jerusalem as the altar. That means maintaining a constant vigilance and pressure on Congress who might be carried away by the smell of peace, even if it means dividing Jerusalem. We must be prepared to answer and confront left-wing American Jewish groups ready to give away the store. I find it quite interesting that the left wing Kerry-Dean types who hate Bush are the first to send the President letters urging him to squeeze Israel.
But before we lay blame on US policymakers let us remind ourselves that most of the critical errors since 1967 and then Oslo were committed by Israeli leaders. It was Dayan who gave away the keys to the Temple Mount and not US pressure. And it was Barak who wanted to cement that act by further relinquishing Jewish sovereignty to the future site of the third Temple.
It is the Israeli Supreme Court that rules that the Jewish National Fund cannot allocate JNF funds to Israelis only for that is a racist move. It is that same court that slows down the security fence when the Cabinet and IDF order its implementation. It is the Likud Attorney-General that voids the cabinet decision to take possession of abandoned Arab homes in Jerusalem.
For some reason Israel has gone out of the way to tie its hands behind its backs at every opportunity. Let us hope that the prisoner release will not incur greater long range violence against Jews.
In the meantime I have never understood why the Likud and religious parties have never insisted upon a reorganization of the Supreme Court so that future Justices more closely resemble the body politic and not the Tel Aviv intellectual elite.
With the visit of Sec Rice to Israel the battle for Jerusalem has begun. With a warning to the Israelis not to create facts on the ground in Jerusalem all of us who admire the President should shake ourselves out of our lethargy and realize we are entering a dangerous phase of mid-East negotiations.
It is too early to evaluate the appointment of Gen William Ward as a security coordinator. We have been through similar appointments in the past often leading to tensions with Washington. However, in fairness we should get more information before we criticize or analyze what will be its significance.
This we do know! It's make-up time with the Europeans and there is a love fest underway with Mr Abbas. It is our job to make certain that Israel is not the sacrificial lamb, with Jerusalem as the altar. That means maintaining a constant vigilance and pressure on Congress who might be carried away by the smell of peace, even if it means dividing Jerusalem. We must be prepared to answer and confront left-wing American Jewish groups ready to give away the store. I find it quite interesting that the left wing Kerry-Dean types who hate Bush are the first to send the President letters urging him to squeeze Israel.
But before we lay blame on US policymakers let us remind ourselves that most of the critical errors since 1967 and then Oslo were committed by Israeli leaders. It was Dayan who gave away the keys to the Temple Mount and not US pressure. And it was Barak who wanted to cement that act by further relinquishing Jewish sovereignty to the future site of the third Temple.
It is the Israeli Supreme Court that rules that the Jewish National Fund cannot allocate JNF funds to Israelis only for that is a racist move. It is that same court that slows down the security fence when the Cabinet and IDF order its implementation. It is the Likud Attorney-General that voids the cabinet decision to take possession of abandoned Arab homes in Jerusalem.
For some reason Israel has gone out of the way to tie its hands behind its backs at every opportunity. Let us hope that the prisoner release will not incur greater long range violence against Jews.
In the meantime I have never understood why the Likud and religious parties have never insisted upon a reorganization of the Supreme Court so that future Justices more closely resemble the body politic and not the Tel Aviv intellectual elite.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
I AM BACK 2/3/05
I’M BACK
I just came back from a kosher cruise on the Costa Atlantica, where I served as a scholar in residence for Josh Post and Suite Life Cruises. The sun certainly is more agreeable than ice and snow, but all good things must come to an end. It was a terrific voyage, but certainly not good for the waistline.
Today I participated in two tele-conferences of great interest and importance. The first was a meeting of the Unity Committee of the Governing Board of the Jewish Agency which has been deeply involved in the critical problem of conversion in Israel. It is the single most important DOMESTIC issue after security.
The second call was an interesting in depth analysis of Russian anti-Semitism sponsored by the National Conference of Soviet Jewry. Mark Sofier of the Israeli Foreign Ministry gave an update on the view from Jerusalem, while Rabbi Pinchus Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow presented the picture from his home city. The final speaker was the groups Executive Vice-President Mark Levin who is among the most sincere and competent jewish professionals we have today.
Over the next day or two I will outline my thoughts on these issues. Incidentally, in May of this year I will be leading a small group (primarily physicians and their spouses) to Israel for Yom Haatzmaut, and to present a sefer torah to the Israeli Navy in Haifa. From Israel we will be visiting Moscow, with the assistance of Mark, the NCSJ and Rabbi Goldschmidt. We finish off our visit in Berlin which is now a problematic area in view of the over 100,000 halachic jews there (the second largest Jewish population in Europe after France) and the fact that more Soviet Jews go to Germany than Israel at the present time. For example, I believe that Bnei Akiva has over 30 young shlichim (teachers youth leaders) in Germany.
SOME THOUGHTS ON RADIO ADVERTISING
WCBS RADIO is an all news station in NYC. For many years they and their sister station WINS (1010) provide 24 hour news coverage in a set pattern, that allows you to anticipate that the weather for example will be broadcast on the 8’s (08, 18, 28, etc ) after the hour.
While I no longer watch Dan Rather and CBS NEWS on TV, by force of habit and because I am a “news junkie” I keep my dial tuned to the news stations which includes Bloomberg, ABC and NPR (which has a separate problem re fairness).
Over the years you become familiar with the voices and occasionally the faces of the reporters (sometimes simply readers with resonant voices). Thus in a major criminal trial you look forward to the analysis of a particular reporter that you have learned to trust.
Thus, it pains and annoys me when the announcers abuse the hospitality of my car radio to become high pressure sales persons, for flowers, eye surgery and mortgages to name a few causes. When the weatherman tells me to type his name into my internet flower order to get a free vase, or the sportscaster informs us that with good credit his bank fooled him and gave him a hard time while applying for a loan, I find this rather insulting to my intelligence. Moreover, it diminishes my trust in them as objective reporters who have no personal agenda when they report the news.
I have no problem with them being used in ads for a product, but not on their news station. I suggest these people get a raise from the stations and leave the selling to someone else. Perhaps I am old fashioned but, there is a special trust I would like to have in my news reporters, that I listen to every day. Hucksterism and pushing products is ruining that at least for me.
What do you think?
I just came back from a kosher cruise on the Costa Atlantica, where I served as a scholar in residence for Josh Post and Suite Life Cruises. The sun certainly is more agreeable than ice and snow, but all good things must come to an end. It was a terrific voyage, but certainly not good for the waistline.
Today I participated in two tele-conferences of great interest and importance. The first was a meeting of the Unity Committee of the Governing Board of the Jewish Agency which has been deeply involved in the critical problem of conversion in Israel. It is the single most important DOMESTIC issue after security.
The second call was an interesting in depth analysis of Russian anti-Semitism sponsored by the National Conference of Soviet Jewry. Mark Sofier of the Israeli Foreign Ministry gave an update on the view from Jerusalem, while Rabbi Pinchus Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi of Moscow presented the picture from his home city. The final speaker was the groups Executive Vice-President Mark Levin who is among the most sincere and competent jewish professionals we have today.
Over the next day or two I will outline my thoughts on these issues. Incidentally, in May of this year I will be leading a small group (primarily physicians and their spouses) to Israel for Yom Haatzmaut, and to present a sefer torah to the Israeli Navy in Haifa. From Israel we will be visiting Moscow, with the assistance of Mark, the NCSJ and Rabbi Goldschmidt. We finish off our visit in Berlin which is now a problematic area in view of the over 100,000 halachic jews there (the second largest Jewish population in Europe after France) and the fact that more Soviet Jews go to Germany than Israel at the present time. For example, I believe that Bnei Akiva has over 30 young shlichim (teachers youth leaders) in Germany.
SOME THOUGHTS ON RADIO ADVERTISING
WCBS RADIO is an all news station in NYC. For many years they and their sister station WINS (1010) provide 24 hour news coverage in a set pattern, that allows you to anticipate that the weather for example will be broadcast on the 8’s (08, 18, 28, etc ) after the hour.
While I no longer watch Dan Rather and CBS NEWS on TV, by force of habit and because I am a “news junkie” I keep my dial tuned to the news stations which includes Bloomberg, ABC and NPR (which has a separate problem re fairness).
Over the years you become familiar with the voices and occasionally the faces of the reporters (sometimes simply readers with resonant voices). Thus in a major criminal trial you look forward to the analysis of a particular reporter that you have learned to trust.
Thus, it pains and annoys me when the announcers abuse the hospitality of my car radio to become high pressure sales persons, for flowers, eye surgery and mortgages to name a few causes. When the weatherman tells me to type his name into my internet flower order to get a free vase, or the sportscaster informs us that with good credit his bank fooled him and gave him a hard time while applying for a loan, I find this rather insulting to my intelligence. Moreover, it diminishes my trust in them as objective reporters who have no personal agenda when they report the news.
I have no problem with them being used in ads for a product, but not on their news station. I suggest these people get a raise from the stations and leave the selling to someone else. Perhaps I am old fashioned but, there is a special trust I would like to have in my news reporters, that I listen to every day. Hucksterism and pushing products is ruining that at least for me.
What do you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)