Thursday, April 21, 2005
CHAG KASHER VSAMEACH 4/21/05
TO ALL MY READERS A CHAG KASHER VESAMEACH-WILL RETURN AFTER THE HOLIDAY
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
THE GAY PRIDE PARADE IN JERUSALEM 4/19/05
MARC STERN OF THE AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS HAS WRITTEN A MOST INTERESTING ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY AND THE GROWING SOCIETAL ACCEPTANCE OF HOMOSEXUALITY
.IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF TRADITION MAGAZINE HE POINTS OUT THAT WHILE WE CAN PROTEST. TO THE FULL CAPACITY OF OUR LUNGS, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT WE HAVE LOST THE PUBLIC RELATIONS BATTLE.THIS IS EVEN AS WE STRIVE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY NOT FROM HOMOSEXUALS, BUT FROM ITS ACCEPTANCE AS A LEGITIMATE ALTERNATIVE TO A HETEROSEXUAL LIFE WITH A MOTHER AND FATHER FAMILY UNIT.
NEVERTHELESS EVEN AS WE ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT EACH HUMAN BEING WITH DIGNITY, OUR CAVEAT IS THAT HOW THEY CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR HOMES IS NOT OUR CONCERN.HOWEVER, WHEN THEY SEEK TO INDOCTRINATE US OR SEEK TO LOBBY FOR SPECIAL PRIVILEGE OR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RECOGNIZE THEIR WAY OF LIFE AS A MORAL EQIVALENCE TO HETEROSEXUALITY THEN WE MUST PROTEST.
HOMOSEXUALS ARE ENTITLED TO THE FULL PROTECTION OF THE LAW AS CITIZENS.BUT DO NOT DESERVE SPECIAL PROTECTION ABOVE ALL OTHER CITIZENS OR GROUPS
THUS WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR AGENDA AND PLAN A GAY PRIDE PARADE IN AUGUST IN THE HOLY CITY OF JERUSALEM I FIND THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE…I WOULD DARE THEM TO MARCH IN ST. PETERS SQUARE
TO COME TO A CITY THAT IS THE SEAT OF RELIGIOUS LIFE IN ISRAEL AND TO MARCH WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROCLAIMING THEIR PRIDE IN THEIR ALTERNATE LIFE STYLE, IS NAUSEATING AND PROVOCATIVE.
THE RARE COALITION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS (JEWS, MUSLIMS ,EASTERN ORTHODOX AND CATHOLIC) THAT OPPOSE SUCH A HIDEOUS MARCH SPEAKS TO THE COMMON ACEPTANCE OF THE NOAHTIDE LAWS BY THE NON –JEWS AND OF THE TORAH BY OUR RABBIS WHICH CALLS HOMOSEXUALITY A “ TOAVA ‘AN ABOMINATION. THERE ARE NO IFS, BUTS OR MAYBES.
NO ORGANIZED RELIGION CAN APPROVE OF HOMOSEXUALITY EVEN AS IT MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SHOW UNDERSTANDING,COMPASSION ,SUPPORT, AND HELP FOR THE INDIVIDUAL HOMOSEXUAL
THE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THIS PARADE BY CONSERVATIVE, REFORM AND RECONSTRUCTIONIST “RELIGIOUS “LEADERS IN ISRAEL WHILE SHOCKING IS NOT UNEXPECTED.
AS IN THE CONVERSION THE ISSUE IN NOT WHO IS A JEW---WE KNOW WHO IS A JEW. IT IS WHO A RABBI?
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO VIOLATES THE SABBATH, THE LAWS OF KASHRUTH AND TFILLIN , PUBLICLY PERFORMS SAME-SEX UNIONS AND ENDORSES HOMOSEXUALITY AS AN ACEPTED “RELIGIOUS CEREMONY” I ASK CAN WE CALL THIS PERSON A RABBI ?
THESE LEADERS TALK ABOUT COMPASSION AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES IN OUR TORAH, HOWEVER THEY TOTALLY NEGLECT THE ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY AS A PRINCIPLE OF FAITH.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN RELIGION WITH THEIR OWN LAWS, BUT JUDIASM IT IS NOT
WHAT RELIGION DOES IT CORRESPOND TO? WHAT IS THEIR SIMILARITY TO THE 13 PRINCIPLES OF MAIMONEDES OR THE 613 MITZVOTH?
IT IS EASY FOR COMEDIANS AND LIBERALS TO ATTACK RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO UNITE “FOR HATE AND BIGOTRY.” TO THE CONTRARY THESE UNITED FORCES SPEAK TO A COMMON MORALITY BASED UPON THE TORAH.. JUST A REMINDER TO THE PARADE SUPPORTERS IT IS FOR THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITTY (AMONG OTHERS) THAT SODOM WAS DESTROYED.
. MARC STERN IS CORRECT – THE PUBLIC IS NOT REALLY EXCITED EXCEPT PERHAPS TO OPPOSE SAME SEX MARRIAGES.
NEVERTHELESS TO UPHOLD THE DIGNITY OF JERUSALEM WE SHOULD NOT BE SILENT.
.IN THE CURRENT ISSUE OF TRADITION MAGAZINE HE POINTS OUT THAT WHILE WE CAN PROTEST. TO THE FULL CAPACITY OF OUR LUNGS, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT WE HAVE LOST THE PUBLIC RELATIONS BATTLE.THIS IS EVEN AS WE STRIVE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY NOT FROM HOMOSEXUALS, BUT FROM ITS ACCEPTANCE AS A LEGITIMATE ALTERNATIVE TO A HETEROSEXUAL LIFE WITH A MOTHER AND FATHER FAMILY UNIT.
NEVERTHELESS EVEN AS WE ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT EACH HUMAN BEING WITH DIGNITY, OUR CAVEAT IS THAT HOW THEY CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN THE PRIVACY OF THEIR HOMES IS NOT OUR CONCERN.HOWEVER, WHEN THEY SEEK TO INDOCTRINATE US OR SEEK TO LOBBY FOR SPECIAL PRIVILEGE OR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RECOGNIZE THEIR WAY OF LIFE AS A MORAL EQIVALENCE TO HETEROSEXUALITY THEN WE MUST PROTEST.
HOMOSEXUALS ARE ENTITLED TO THE FULL PROTECTION OF THE LAW AS CITIZENS.BUT DO NOT DESERVE SPECIAL PROTECTION ABOVE ALL OTHER CITIZENS OR GROUPS
THUS WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR AGENDA AND PLAN A GAY PRIDE PARADE IN AUGUST IN THE HOLY CITY OF JERUSALEM I FIND THIS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE…I WOULD DARE THEM TO MARCH IN ST. PETERS SQUARE
TO COME TO A CITY THAT IS THE SEAT OF RELIGIOUS LIFE IN ISRAEL AND TO MARCH WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROCLAIMING THEIR PRIDE IN THEIR ALTERNATE LIFE STYLE, IS NAUSEATING AND PROVOCATIVE.
THE RARE COALITION OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS (JEWS, MUSLIMS ,EASTERN ORTHODOX AND CATHOLIC) THAT OPPOSE SUCH A HIDEOUS MARCH SPEAKS TO THE COMMON ACEPTANCE OF THE NOAHTIDE LAWS BY THE NON –JEWS AND OF THE TORAH BY OUR RABBIS WHICH CALLS HOMOSEXUALITY A “ TOAVA ‘AN ABOMINATION. THERE ARE NO IFS, BUTS OR MAYBES.
NO ORGANIZED RELIGION CAN APPROVE OF HOMOSEXUALITY EVEN AS IT MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SHOW UNDERSTANDING,COMPASSION ,SUPPORT, AND HELP FOR THE INDIVIDUAL HOMOSEXUAL
THE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THIS PARADE BY CONSERVATIVE, REFORM AND RECONSTRUCTIONIST “RELIGIOUS “LEADERS IN ISRAEL WHILE SHOCKING IS NOT UNEXPECTED.
AS IN THE CONVERSION THE ISSUE IN NOT WHO IS A JEW---WE KNOW WHO IS A JEW. IT IS WHO A RABBI?
AN INDIVIDUAL WHO VIOLATES THE SABBATH, THE LAWS OF KASHRUTH AND TFILLIN , PUBLICLY PERFORMS SAME-SEX UNIONS AND ENDORSES HOMOSEXUALITY AS AN ACEPTED “RELIGIOUS CEREMONY” I ASK CAN WE CALL THIS PERSON A RABBI ?
THESE LEADERS TALK ABOUT COMPASSION AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES IN OUR TORAH, HOWEVER THEY TOTALLY NEGLECT THE ABSOLUTE PROHIBITION AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY AS A PRINCIPLE OF FAITH.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN RELIGION WITH THEIR OWN LAWS, BUT JUDIASM IT IS NOT
WHAT RELIGION DOES IT CORRESPOND TO? WHAT IS THEIR SIMILARITY TO THE 13 PRINCIPLES OF MAIMONEDES OR THE 613 MITZVOTH?
IT IS EASY FOR COMEDIANS AND LIBERALS TO ATTACK RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO UNITE “FOR HATE AND BIGOTRY.” TO THE CONTRARY THESE UNITED FORCES SPEAK TO A COMMON MORALITY BASED UPON THE TORAH.. JUST A REMINDER TO THE PARADE SUPPORTERS IT IS FOR THE SIN OF HOMOSEXUALITTY (AMONG OTHERS) THAT SODOM WAS DESTROYED.
. MARC STERN IS CORRECT – THE PUBLIC IS NOT REALLY EXCITED EXCEPT PERHAPS TO OPPOSE SAME SEX MARRIAGES.
NEVERTHELESS TO UPHOLD THE DIGNITY OF JERUSALEM WE SHOULD NOT BE SILENT.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
DELAY, BOLTON AND THE "NUCLEAR OPTION" 4/17/05
I LOVE POLITICS AND ENJOY THE TENSIONS AND DRAMA OF THE ELECTIONS SEASON. OUR CAMPAIGNS HAVE BECOME SO DIRTY AND INTENSE AS WELL AS PROLONGED THAT A POST ELECTION RESPITE FROM PURE PARTISANSHIP IS WELCOME.
To me, the worst parts of the pre-election bickering are the TALKING HEADS ON CABLE TELEVISION. They have become EXTREMELY familiar to us and their prejudice and points of view lack spontaneity or sincerity. It is a price we pay for 24 hour cable news coverage that has to keep the audience entertained with controversy, real or contrived.
Thus, it is sad to see the tremendous hatred that has enveloped Capitol Hill as evidenced by three concurrent partisan battles so soon after our national elections (in which it appeared that the American people spoke decisively).
The attacks on Tom Delay are part of an organized effort to bring down the most effective leader that the Republicans can muster.
Firstly, on the issues of the trips abroad, I am aware that a high percentage of The Congress takes similar trips. It is not unusual for interest groups to set up non-profit organizations that have as one of its purposes the ability to invite Members of Congress and their staffs to take foreign trips to areas that interest the sponsoring body. IT IS NOT ILLEGAL and is a common practice. If the Congress would make it illegal that would be a different matter. Let the Democrats issue a list of each member of Congress who takes such a trip. I think we would be shocked at the high numbers of members involved.
Regarding salaries given by his campaign committee to his wife, here too, it is a matter of what they did for the money. If they were given a no-show or fictitious position, that would be illegal. However, if they (the wife and other family members) are talented and experienced campaign strategists or fund raisers, this again is a practice used by many campaigns and is not illegal.
At the end of the day, it will be the voters of his district that will determine as to whether he crossed the line of ethical behavior.
INDEED THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST DELAY IS ORGANIZED NOT SO MUCH BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS, BUT BY GEORGE SOROS, THE N.Y. TIMES AND OTHER LEFT WING ORGANIZATIONS WHO CANNOT BELIEVE THEY LOST TWO PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS IN A ROW. AFTER ALL, THEY THINK, “HOW STUPID CAN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BE?”
FOR THE PRESENT, DELAY HAS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS PARTY AS A GREAT LEADER.
TO US IN THE PRO-ISRAEL COMMUNITY HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE OUR LOYALTY, RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO STAND UP AGAINST PALESTINIAN TERRORISM AND ON BEHALF OF A SECURE AND PROSPEROUS ISRAEL, EVEN IF IT MEANS BUCKING HIS PRESIDENT AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS GREATER INSIGHT INTO THE DANGERS THAT A PALESTINIAN STATE PRESENTS TO ISRAEL THAN 95% OF JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS (IN AND OUT OF THE CONFERENCE).
WE WISH HIM WELL AND PRAY FOR HIS SUCCESS AGAINST THOSE WHO, FOR PARTISANSHIP, SEEK TO DESTROY HIM.
THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST JOHN BOLTON SIMILARLY IS AN ATTEMPT BY DEMCRATS TO EMBARESS AND STYMIE THE PRESIDENT ON HIS CHOICE OF NOMINEES.
Bolton, an outspoken neo-conservative is a great friend of our community, who has spoken out against multi-nationalism when the vital national security interests of the United States are at stake. I believe that he will serve in the mold of Jeanne Kirpatrick and Pat Moynihan. He should be confirmed immediately .
Finally is the question of the so-called nuclear option whereby the ability to end a filibuster would be limited in the case of judicial nominees to a majority vote. In truth, I am not familiar with the ten nominees the President wishes confirmed. I do believe that each of them is entitled to an up or down vote. While the filibuster is an important legislative tool for the minority party, it should not be used in areas where precedent has prevented both parties from using it (to block judicial nominees).
Hopefully a compromise can be worked out. But, if not, then the Republicans must bite the bullet. Six months ago I urged Senator Pete Santorum in a private discussion, to have Sen. Frist and the leadership keep the Senate in session through Thanksgiving and the Holidays, day and night to force a vote on these nominees. The American people indeed have told the President that we have confidence in his judicial nominees-LET THE SENATE ACT.
To me, the worst parts of the pre-election bickering are the TALKING HEADS ON CABLE TELEVISION. They have become EXTREMELY familiar to us and their prejudice and points of view lack spontaneity or sincerity. It is a price we pay for 24 hour cable news coverage that has to keep the audience entertained with controversy, real or contrived.
Thus, it is sad to see the tremendous hatred that has enveloped Capitol Hill as evidenced by three concurrent partisan battles so soon after our national elections (in which it appeared that the American people spoke decisively).
The attacks on Tom Delay are part of an organized effort to bring down the most effective leader that the Republicans can muster.
Firstly, on the issues of the trips abroad, I am aware that a high percentage of The Congress takes similar trips. It is not unusual for interest groups to set up non-profit organizations that have as one of its purposes the ability to invite Members of Congress and their staffs to take foreign trips to areas that interest the sponsoring body. IT IS NOT ILLEGAL and is a common practice. If the Congress would make it illegal that would be a different matter. Let the Democrats issue a list of each member of Congress who takes such a trip. I think we would be shocked at the high numbers of members involved.
Regarding salaries given by his campaign committee to his wife, here too, it is a matter of what they did for the money. If they were given a no-show or fictitious position, that would be illegal. However, if they (the wife and other family members) are talented and experienced campaign strategists or fund raisers, this again is a practice used by many campaigns and is not illegal.
At the end of the day, it will be the voters of his district that will determine as to whether he crossed the line of ethical behavior.
INDEED THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST DELAY IS ORGANIZED NOT SO MUCH BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS, BUT BY GEORGE SOROS, THE N.Y. TIMES AND OTHER LEFT WING ORGANIZATIONS WHO CANNOT BELIEVE THEY LOST TWO PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTIONS IN A ROW. AFTER ALL, THEY THINK, “HOW STUPID CAN THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BE?”
FOR THE PRESENT, DELAY HAS THE CONFIDENCE OF HIS PARTY AS A GREAT LEADER.
TO US IN THE PRO-ISRAEL COMMUNITY HE WILL ALWAYS HAVE OUR LOYALTY, RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO STAND UP AGAINST PALESTINIAN TERRORISM AND ON BEHALF OF A SECURE AND PROSPEROUS ISRAEL, EVEN IF IT MEANS BUCKING HIS PRESIDENT AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS GREATER INSIGHT INTO THE DANGERS THAT A PALESTINIAN STATE PRESENTS TO ISRAEL THAN 95% OF JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS (IN AND OUT OF THE CONFERENCE).
WE WISH HIM WELL AND PRAY FOR HIS SUCCESS AGAINST THOSE WHO, FOR PARTISANSHIP, SEEK TO DESTROY HIM.
THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST JOHN BOLTON SIMILARLY IS AN ATTEMPT BY DEMCRATS TO EMBARESS AND STYMIE THE PRESIDENT ON HIS CHOICE OF NOMINEES.
Bolton, an outspoken neo-conservative is a great friend of our community, who has spoken out against multi-nationalism when the vital national security interests of the United States are at stake. I believe that he will serve in the mold of Jeanne Kirpatrick and Pat Moynihan. He should be confirmed immediately .
Finally is the question of the so-called nuclear option whereby the ability to end a filibuster would be limited in the case of judicial nominees to a majority vote. In truth, I am not familiar with the ten nominees the President wishes confirmed. I do believe that each of them is entitled to an up or down vote. While the filibuster is an important legislative tool for the minority party, it should not be used in areas where precedent has prevented both parties from using it (to block judicial nominees).
Hopefully a compromise can be worked out. But, if not, then the Republicans must bite the bullet. Six months ago I urged Senator Pete Santorum in a private discussion, to have Sen. Frist and the leadership keep the Senate in session through Thanksgiving and the Holidays, day and night to force a vote on these nominees. The American people indeed have told the President that we have confidence in his judicial nominees-LET THE SENATE ACT.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
THE LOST ORTHODOX VOICE 4/10/05
Last week the respected political columnist for the Jewish Week Jim Besser called me for an interview on the TOPIC OF the Orthodox Community and its response or lack of response to unfolding events in Israel. Subsequent to our discussion I have tried to clarify my thinking on these issues. .
The overwhelming majority of my co-religionists are deeply troubled with disengagement. Their feelings are based upon theological grounds, security issues and pragmatic political concerns.
Our community is divided between those who have no hesitation to criticize publicly the Israeli government.( Of course this is not limited to orthodox individuals.) and those while unhappy do not agree with such public criticism. I include myself in that group. A small minority favor disengagement as it now is constituted (TO BE HONEST, I DON’T THINK I HAVE MET MORE THAN ONE OR TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY)
A major problem is that as the activists march in Gush Katif for a worthy cause, basically it is too late. It is after the barn door was opened and the animals have fled. The Democracy of Israel, with all of its fundamental faults and pimples has spoken. If the Supreme Court does not reverse the orders, then the decision of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Knesset will stand, whether a small group of American Jews like it or not. The next battle is tomorrow in Texas.
Moreover confusing right –wing rhetoric emphasizing the theological somehow may have turned off a large number of potential supporters who are looking for a MODERATE BRAND OF RIGHT OF CENTER POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.
The tire burnings at intersections and talk of civil war or soldiers not returning to duty after Pesach,is a big turnoff even if it is not coming from American right-wingers.
Of course the talk by the left of a military coup is outrageous and should be treated by the authorities for what it is,INCINDIARY and LIBELOUS. It should be prosecuted as PURE INCITEMENT.
ON THE ONE HAND THE Presidents Conference must by its nature support the government. An organization comprising the far left and the far right, the reform and the orthodox, the religious and the secular cannot do otherwise.
· But I see a great void and a total lack of leadership that would espouse a MODERATE RIGHT OF CENTER philosophy. Let me be more specific
· while I oppose American Jews being involved in criticizing the Israeli government,as an American I have no such hesitations regarding our (American ) foreign policy
· Such leadership should be speaking out publicly by statements, newspaper ads, op-eds, phone calls, E-mail s etc with the following themes
· MR PRESIDENT WE LOVE YOU,BUT MAALE ADUMIM IS PART OF JERUSALEM-NO PRESSURE ON ISRAEL
· MR PRESIDENT, EVERY SINGLE MILITARY ANALYST BELIEVES THAT A FEW MONTHS AFTER DISENGAGEMENT TERRORIST WHO ARE NOW RESUPPLYING WILL START ALL OVER AGAIN=
· MR PRESIDENT GO VISIT MAALE ADUMIM ETC-IT IS NOT A SETTLEMENT
· MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE CLARIFY YOUR STATEMENTS OF JUNE 24-LET US DO AWAY WITH AMBIGUITY-IS THERE AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE GUSH, ARIEL AND MAALE ADUMIM OR NOT? DO YOU AGREE WITH CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTIONS THAT STATE THAT JERUSALEM IS THE UNDIVIDED ETERNAL CAPITOL OF ISRAEL OR NOT? ARE YOU PREPARED TO CARRY OUT YOUR PROMISE OF FOUR YEARS AGO TO MOVE THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERSALEM, OR NOT?
· MR PRESIDENT WHY SHOULD ISRAEL WITHDRAW ONE INCH WHEN THE TERRORIST GROUPS HAVE NOT BEEN DISARMED AND THE PRIME MINISTER MR ABU ALAI , IN AN ARAFAT-MANNER IS UNDERMING ABU MAZEN ON EVERY SINGLE ISSUE ?
· TO THE SENATE WE SAY DO NOT REINSERT THE POWER OF A PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER IN AN AID BILL FOR THE PA
EVERYDAY WE SHOULD HIT HOME THE VIOLATIONS AND SECURITY ISSUES OF THE PA AND ITS SUBSDIARIES.
BEFORE MR SHARON MEETS THE PRESIDENT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD FULL PAGE ADS CONSISTING OF THE ABOVE
The battle within Jewish organizational life as to how far we can go in criticizing Israel should not make us ==IMPOTENT on a DAILY basis.
.What we need now is strong vocal mature and above all SOPHISICATED leadership in our community. AND SADLY I DO NOT SEE IT YET! We have to realize that certain segments of the Orthodox community either never “GET INVOLVED” or are committed to the far right. This should not impede undertaking what we have to do.
One last point:
Face to face discussions with the Administration and Israeli leadership are extremely important, but it is not a substitute for putting public pressure on the President and the Senate. Yes we can ask tough questions in private and we sometimes feel we are privy to privileged information., as a result of such closed door discussions, .However we must not hesitate to voice our strong feelings publicly ,even if it is Presidential Pressure we are concerned with
We must reach out to the Fundamentalist Christian world. Their support is vital .We must emphasize to them that we are not satisfied with Presidential pressure on Israel in regard to settlements, indeed THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM
Ii is a time for BUILDING political coalitions before we find that Yussie Beilin becomes the only voice that Americans will read in the N.Y. Times (and not ours.) We Jews are sometimes our own worst enemy.
Despite all the financial, military and political help Israel gets from the U.S. it must NOT act like a vassal state .Its survival depends upon an independent road when its existence is in question.
The overwhelming majority of my co-religionists are deeply troubled with disengagement. Their feelings are based upon theological grounds, security issues and pragmatic political concerns.
Our community is divided between those who have no hesitation to criticize publicly the Israeli government.( Of course this is not limited to orthodox individuals.) and those while unhappy do not agree with such public criticism. I include myself in that group. A small minority favor disengagement as it now is constituted (TO BE HONEST, I DON’T THINK I HAVE MET MORE THAN ONE OR TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO FALL INTO THAT CATEGORY)
A major problem is that as the activists march in Gush Katif for a worthy cause, basically it is too late. It is after the barn door was opened and the animals have fled. The Democracy of Israel, with all of its fundamental faults and pimples has spoken. If the Supreme Court does not reverse the orders, then the decision of the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Knesset will stand, whether a small group of American Jews like it or not. The next battle is tomorrow in Texas.
Moreover confusing right –wing rhetoric emphasizing the theological somehow may have turned off a large number of potential supporters who are looking for a MODERATE BRAND OF RIGHT OF CENTER POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.
The tire burnings at intersections and talk of civil war or soldiers not returning to duty after Pesach,is a big turnoff even if it is not coming from American right-wingers.
Of course the talk by the left of a military coup is outrageous and should be treated by the authorities for what it is,INCINDIARY and LIBELOUS. It should be prosecuted as PURE INCITEMENT.
ON THE ONE HAND THE Presidents Conference must by its nature support the government. An organization comprising the far left and the far right, the reform and the orthodox, the religious and the secular cannot do otherwise.
· But I see a great void and a total lack of leadership that would espouse a MODERATE RIGHT OF CENTER philosophy. Let me be more specific
· while I oppose American Jews being involved in criticizing the Israeli government,as an American I have no such hesitations regarding our (American ) foreign policy
· Such leadership should be speaking out publicly by statements, newspaper ads, op-eds, phone calls, E-mail s etc with the following themes
· MR PRESIDENT WE LOVE YOU,BUT MAALE ADUMIM IS PART OF JERUSALEM-NO PRESSURE ON ISRAEL
· MR PRESIDENT, EVERY SINGLE MILITARY ANALYST BELIEVES THAT A FEW MONTHS AFTER DISENGAGEMENT TERRORIST WHO ARE NOW RESUPPLYING WILL START ALL OVER AGAIN=
· MR PRESIDENT GO VISIT MAALE ADUMIM ETC-IT IS NOT A SETTLEMENT
· MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE CLARIFY YOUR STATEMENTS OF JUNE 24-LET US DO AWAY WITH AMBIGUITY-IS THERE AN UNDERSTANDING ON THE GUSH, ARIEL AND MAALE ADUMIM OR NOT? DO YOU AGREE WITH CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTIONS THAT STATE THAT JERUSALEM IS THE UNDIVIDED ETERNAL CAPITOL OF ISRAEL OR NOT? ARE YOU PREPARED TO CARRY OUT YOUR PROMISE OF FOUR YEARS AGO TO MOVE THE U.S. EMBASSY TO JERSALEM, OR NOT?
· MR PRESIDENT WHY SHOULD ISRAEL WITHDRAW ONE INCH WHEN THE TERRORIST GROUPS HAVE NOT BEEN DISARMED AND THE PRIME MINISTER MR ABU ALAI , IN AN ARAFAT-MANNER IS UNDERMING ABU MAZEN ON EVERY SINGLE ISSUE ?
· TO THE SENATE WE SAY DO NOT REINSERT THE POWER OF A PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER IN AN AID BILL FOR THE PA
EVERYDAY WE SHOULD HIT HOME THE VIOLATIONS AND SECURITY ISSUES OF THE PA AND ITS SUBSDIARIES.
BEFORE MR SHARON MEETS THE PRESIDENT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD FULL PAGE ADS CONSISTING OF THE ABOVE
The battle within Jewish organizational life as to how far we can go in criticizing Israel should not make us ==IMPOTENT on a DAILY basis.
.What we need now is strong vocal mature and above all SOPHISICATED leadership in our community. AND SADLY I DO NOT SEE IT YET! We have to realize that certain segments of the Orthodox community either never “GET INVOLVED” or are committed to the far right. This should not impede undertaking what we have to do.
One last point:
Face to face discussions with the Administration and Israeli leadership are extremely important, but it is not a substitute for putting public pressure on the President and the Senate. Yes we can ask tough questions in private and we sometimes feel we are privy to privileged information., as a result of such closed door discussions, .However we must not hesitate to voice our strong feelings publicly ,even if it is Presidential Pressure we are concerned with
We must reach out to the Fundamentalist Christian world. Their support is vital .We must emphasize to them that we are not satisfied with Presidential pressure on Israel in regard to settlements, indeed THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE BATTLE FOR JERUSALEM
Ii is a time for BUILDING political coalitions before we find that Yussie Beilin becomes the only voice that Americans will read in the N.Y. Times (and not ours.) We Jews are sometimes our own worst enemy.
Despite all the financial, military and political help Israel gets from the U.S. it must NOT act like a vassal state .Its survival depends upon an independent road when its existence is in question.
A WONDERFUL SIYUM 4/10/05
So many of the blogs lately are talking about scandal and perhaps the seedy side of the human experience, I thought I would share with my readers an uplifting experience
In 1987 a historic event in the publishing world took place when Random House published the English translation of the Talmud by Rabbi Adin Steinsalz.Following a N.Y. Times story on this event, I volunteered to teach a group of physicians in Good Samaritan Hospital from these volumes
The group for the most part could not read Hebrew, had little background in Judaic Studies and certainly had never seen a GEMARAH (Talmud) They were however extremely bright, motivated and above all each in their own way were kind, compassionate and caring physicians and each had pride in their Jewish heritage.
My challenge was how to make the class interesting, relevant, ,meaningful and of course on a level that they could understand ,while remain intellectually stimulating.
This week, after meeting weekly for about 16 years we completed the Tractate of Baba Metzia. At an elegant siyum (catered dinner) attended by the students and their spouses we recounted, not just the 119 pages of Talmud we covered but the impact these sessions have had on our entire group.both teacher and students,
Each session which took place in the Radiology Dept of Good Sam, a Catholic Hospital with a reputation for sensitivity to Jewish tradition, started with a brief review of the weeks Parshah (Torah portion) .Before each holiday we covered the laws and customs of the upcoming event. We undertook over 613 weeks to cover the SEFER HAMITZVOTH (the 613 positive and negative commandments ),as outlined by the Sainted Chafeitz Chaim
Last year in May, we took our group with our wives and a few friends for a week tour to Israel. Many in our group of 22 had never been there before. From dovening (praying) in the private synagogue of President Katsav to attending a slain soldiers burial,we met a cross section of Israeli leadership. We had a private dinner with U.S. Ambassador Dan Kurtzer and had briefings in the Knesset.
Next month on May 8 we leave as a group of 30 to return to Israel for Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day) . As part of our celebration we are presenting a sefer Torah (Torah scroll) to the Israeli Navy in Haifa. We will once again visit museums and tourist sites, but our emphasis is on visiting two Hospitals, Hadassah and Beersheba .In addition we will once again be briefed by Generals, Diplomats and political figures.
This year we have added visits to Moscow and Berlin. With the aid of the National Conference for Soviet Jewry we will meet the Israeli and American Ambassadors, as well as the Jewish members of the Duma. .In addition to the Bolshoi,we have been invited to the Israeli Embassy for their Independence Day celebration.
Thus as we gathered in the Jerusalem restaurant in Monsey for our siyum we were able to verbalize our feelings on this memorable occasion. Rabbi Nachum Muschel Dean Emeritus of ASHAR delivered a dvar Torah (talk). Both he and Rabbi Dr. Moses Tendler had spoken in years gone by to the group during our Succoth parties.
Of note is the fact that the room where we conduct our weekly classes has two mezuzahs on the doors, placed there by our class
Above all we have developed a sense of friendship for each other and a feeling of being part of the K’hilah (community). Each member of the class today has an enhanced commitment to world Jewry and a strengthened attachment to the traditions handed down from Sinai to the present
In 1987 a historic event in the publishing world took place when Random House published the English translation of the Talmud by Rabbi Adin Steinsalz.Following a N.Y. Times story on this event, I volunteered to teach a group of physicians in Good Samaritan Hospital from these volumes
The group for the most part could not read Hebrew, had little background in Judaic Studies and certainly had never seen a GEMARAH (Talmud) They were however extremely bright, motivated and above all each in their own way were kind, compassionate and caring physicians and each had pride in their Jewish heritage.
My challenge was how to make the class interesting, relevant, ,meaningful and of course on a level that they could understand ,while remain intellectually stimulating.
This week, after meeting weekly for about 16 years we completed the Tractate of Baba Metzia. At an elegant siyum (catered dinner) attended by the students and their spouses we recounted, not just the 119 pages of Talmud we covered but the impact these sessions have had on our entire group.both teacher and students,
Each session which took place in the Radiology Dept of Good Sam, a Catholic Hospital with a reputation for sensitivity to Jewish tradition, started with a brief review of the weeks Parshah (Torah portion) .Before each holiday we covered the laws and customs of the upcoming event. We undertook over 613 weeks to cover the SEFER HAMITZVOTH (the 613 positive and negative commandments ),as outlined by the Sainted Chafeitz Chaim
Last year in May, we took our group with our wives and a few friends for a week tour to Israel. Many in our group of 22 had never been there before. From dovening (praying) in the private synagogue of President Katsav to attending a slain soldiers burial,we met a cross section of Israeli leadership. We had a private dinner with U.S. Ambassador Dan Kurtzer and had briefings in the Knesset.
Next month on May 8 we leave as a group of 30 to return to Israel for Yom Haatzmaut (Independence Day) . As part of our celebration we are presenting a sefer Torah (Torah scroll) to the Israeli Navy in Haifa. We will once again visit museums and tourist sites, but our emphasis is on visiting two Hospitals, Hadassah and Beersheba .In addition we will once again be briefed by Generals, Diplomats and political figures.
This year we have added visits to Moscow and Berlin. With the aid of the National Conference for Soviet Jewry we will meet the Israeli and American Ambassadors, as well as the Jewish members of the Duma. .In addition to the Bolshoi,we have been invited to the Israeli Embassy for their Independence Day celebration.
Thus as we gathered in the Jerusalem restaurant in Monsey for our siyum we were able to verbalize our feelings on this memorable occasion. Rabbi Nachum Muschel Dean Emeritus of ASHAR delivered a dvar Torah (talk). Both he and Rabbi Dr. Moses Tendler had spoken in years gone by to the group during our Succoth parties.
Of note is the fact that the room where we conduct our weekly classes has two mezuzahs on the doors, placed there by our class
Above all we have developed a sense of friendship for each other and a feeling of being part of the K’hilah (community). Each member of the class today has an enhanced commitment to world Jewry and a strengthened attachment to the traditions handed down from Sinai to the present
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
THE DEATH OF THE POPE 4/5/05
As the world mourns the death of the Pope, we are learning more about his feelings toward the Jewish people as “the older brothers “of Christianity. His visit to Jerusalem and the Kotel marked the high point of that relationship. A young man during the Holocaust, he spoke both publicly and privately about this indelible stain on Christianity. As cable television fills the hours with interviews, we are presented with individual stories of his sensitivity to the generations of Catholic anti-Semitism.
One such interview was with maestro James Levine, who related to Larry King, his personal relationships to the Pontiff. This included Bar Mitzvah presents to each of his children and a letter that was read in his Orthodox synagogue on one such occasion. He also related the fact that the Pope insisted that a concert dedicated to the memory of the Shoah take place within the Vatican.
Much has been written and verbalized on the heroic efforts of the Pope in helping to support Solidarity in Poland, as well as complementing President Reagan in their successful efforts to destroy Communism.
Amidst all the good we hear in this “PEOPLES POPE” I would like to comment on two areas which he did not address and should be on the agenda of his successor. Normally as a non-Catholic, papal issues should be beyond my area to comment on. However both issues do influence our world and our future as a society In addition I adhere to a Latin motto I learned a long time ago “NIL HUMANI A ME ALIENUM PUTO “ nothing human do I consider alien.
Despite all the good will that the Pope engendered, the Churches in Europe are less than overflowing. In fact they are empty. Europe has become a secular society. EVEN Italy instituted divorce laws. Ordinarily that would be none of my business. However, nature abhors a vacuum, and it is Islam that is filling that void .Because of an extremely low birth rate which is insufficient to reproduce its population and the aging of the population a severe shortage of workers is developing ,necessary to maintain the “Welfare State “ in Europe. This void is being filled by immigrants from N Africa, who do not integrate into society .Moreover the mosques they build are financed and staffed by Saudi Arabia which exports its Wahabee brand of Islamic fundamentalism.
This problem is not new, but only now being recognized by governments and leaders.
From the point of view of concerned citizens of the world, it is time for European governments to deport those clergy who preach hate, violence, and non- integration. by immigrants into general society. Immigration must be restricted. The Church must get its House in order to meet this challenge
Secondly was the total failure of the Pope to crack down on the sex scandals that rocked the church both morally and financially. I wonder could it be that this pathology is limited to American Clergy. Perhaps an attempt to explore these issues in a public arena would raise questions about celibacy which strikes at the very basic religious orthodoxy of the church.
But sex scandals as I learned are not limited to the Church. I LIVED THROUGH THE LANNER ERA AT THE ORTHODOX UNION, AND WAS CRITICIZED AND OSTRACIZED FOR BRINGING ABOUT A FULL AND PUBLIC INVESTIGATION.( that scandel was limited to one person,and did not involve pedophilia,but rather mental,psychological and sexual abuse)
SEX scandals like white collar crime are part of the human experience, and religious and communal leadership must stand up on behalf of society ,even when it may be politically incorrect.
One such interview was with maestro James Levine, who related to Larry King, his personal relationships to the Pontiff. This included Bar Mitzvah presents to each of his children and a letter that was read in his Orthodox synagogue on one such occasion. He also related the fact that the Pope insisted that a concert dedicated to the memory of the Shoah take place within the Vatican.
Much has been written and verbalized on the heroic efforts of the Pope in helping to support Solidarity in Poland, as well as complementing President Reagan in their successful efforts to destroy Communism.
Amidst all the good we hear in this “PEOPLES POPE” I would like to comment on two areas which he did not address and should be on the agenda of his successor. Normally as a non-Catholic, papal issues should be beyond my area to comment on. However both issues do influence our world and our future as a society In addition I adhere to a Latin motto I learned a long time ago “NIL HUMANI A ME ALIENUM PUTO “ nothing human do I consider alien.
Despite all the good will that the Pope engendered, the Churches in Europe are less than overflowing. In fact they are empty. Europe has become a secular society. EVEN Italy instituted divorce laws. Ordinarily that would be none of my business. However, nature abhors a vacuum, and it is Islam that is filling that void .Because of an extremely low birth rate which is insufficient to reproduce its population and the aging of the population a severe shortage of workers is developing ,necessary to maintain the “Welfare State “ in Europe. This void is being filled by immigrants from N Africa, who do not integrate into society .Moreover the mosques they build are financed and staffed by Saudi Arabia which exports its Wahabee brand of Islamic fundamentalism.
This problem is not new, but only now being recognized by governments and leaders.
From the point of view of concerned citizens of the world, it is time for European governments to deport those clergy who preach hate, violence, and non- integration. by immigrants into general society. Immigration must be restricted. The Church must get its House in order to meet this challenge
Secondly was the total failure of the Pope to crack down on the sex scandals that rocked the church both morally and financially. I wonder could it be that this pathology is limited to American Clergy. Perhaps an attempt to explore these issues in a public arena would raise questions about celibacy which strikes at the very basic religious orthodoxy of the church.
But sex scandals as I learned are not limited to the Church. I LIVED THROUGH THE LANNER ERA AT THE ORTHODOX UNION, AND WAS CRITICIZED AND OSTRACIZED FOR BRINGING ABOUT A FULL AND PUBLIC INVESTIGATION.( that scandel was limited to one person,and did not involve pedophilia,but rather mental,psychological and sexual abuse)
SEX scandals like white collar crime are part of the human experience, and religious and communal leadership must stand up on behalf of society ,even when it may be politically incorrect.
Monday, April 04, 2005
oil,cigarettes and suv's 4/4/05
The current sharp rise in oil and gasoline prices brings to the forefront in my mind at least the question of “whether government is doing enough to protect the consumer and American industry?:”
Our economy is at the mercy of OPEC and oil speculators. When a major investment firm has its chief expert on oil futures announces that the price of oil could go well over 100 dollars the price of oil immediately (within seconds) shot up with ripple effects to our markets. Never mind the tremendous profit potential by his firm with such a rapid price rise, or that the production, supply and reserves of oil at present is adequate for our current needs. .Of course the caveat that oil could also go down is lost in the speculative frenzy.
Should not the SEC and other governmental bodies investigate on what basis this market jarring announcement was made? Should not the Congress initiate tax penalties for the huge windfall profits that the oil companies and the speculators are reaping? What about the oil windfall profits to Saudi Arabia estimated at 38 billion dollars.? Have they increased their aid to poor countries as a result?
Until the present I always agreed that we should not touch our oil reserves except in time of national emergency.However,the dangers to our economy, that this oil crisis is engendering should encourage the President to think out loud if only to frighten the speculators .He should muse about the possibility of tapping our reserves and possibly even doing it on one occasion to show that the threat to do so is real.
How often have we as a country talked about fuel conservation ? yet we observe that the supply of gas-guzzling SUV’s on the road seems to defy our national priorities. Even though we have fuel standard for fleets, my understanding is that these standards apply to the averages of a companies output. The individual car purchaser of an SUV or other gas guzzler is not penalized .
We feel no compunction as a society to tax, tax, and tax cigarettes. We understand that they are health hazards for society, and therefore in lieu of abolishing them we encourage state and federal government to tax them and hope thereby to indirectly reduce their usage.
The same principle should be applies to the SUV and non-commercial vans. As an auto driver I believe they are a danger on the road, and by their size encourage aggressive driving. But, it is for their fuel consumption that society should penalize them for not being considerate citizens. .
Yes I know about large families and car-pooling, but only economic pressure will force the auto makers to build more fuel efficient cars. As a country .even with the Alaska drilling down the pike, we are hostages to OPEC.Until we get our energy house in order we are sitting on a time-bomb.
We must likewise modernize our electric grid as the President has noted. .Ethanol research, alternate fuel research and greater use of coal in newer clean environments must become a top priority Tax incentives should be increased for the development and usage of energy saving modalities
Yes it is important for the President to preach Social Security and Medicare reform, but I believe tax legislation and a solid energy plan that will aim at the short and long- term problems must take priority
Our economy is at the mercy of OPEC and oil speculators. When a major investment firm has its chief expert on oil futures announces that the price of oil could go well over 100 dollars the price of oil immediately (within seconds) shot up with ripple effects to our markets. Never mind the tremendous profit potential by his firm with such a rapid price rise, or that the production, supply and reserves of oil at present is adequate for our current needs. .Of course the caveat that oil could also go down is lost in the speculative frenzy.
Should not the SEC and other governmental bodies investigate on what basis this market jarring announcement was made? Should not the Congress initiate tax penalties for the huge windfall profits that the oil companies and the speculators are reaping? What about the oil windfall profits to Saudi Arabia estimated at 38 billion dollars.? Have they increased their aid to poor countries as a result?
Until the present I always agreed that we should not touch our oil reserves except in time of national emergency.However,the dangers to our economy, that this oil crisis is engendering should encourage the President to think out loud if only to frighten the speculators .He should muse about the possibility of tapping our reserves and possibly even doing it on one occasion to show that the threat to do so is real.
How often have we as a country talked about fuel conservation ? yet we observe that the supply of gas-guzzling SUV’s on the road seems to defy our national priorities. Even though we have fuel standard for fleets, my understanding is that these standards apply to the averages of a companies output. The individual car purchaser of an SUV or other gas guzzler is not penalized .
We feel no compunction as a society to tax, tax, and tax cigarettes. We understand that they are health hazards for society, and therefore in lieu of abolishing them we encourage state and federal government to tax them and hope thereby to indirectly reduce their usage.
The same principle should be applies to the SUV and non-commercial vans. As an auto driver I believe they are a danger on the road, and by their size encourage aggressive driving. But, it is for their fuel consumption that society should penalize them for not being considerate citizens. .
Yes I know about large families and car-pooling, but only economic pressure will force the auto makers to build more fuel efficient cars. As a country .even with the Alaska drilling down the pike, we are hostages to OPEC.Until we get our energy house in order we are sitting on a time-bomb.
We must likewise modernize our electric grid as the President has noted. .Ethanol research, alternate fuel research and greater use of coal in newer clean environments must become a top priority Tax incentives should be increased for the development and usage of energy saving modalities
Yes it is important for the President to preach Social Security and Medicare reform, but I believe tax legislation and a solid energy plan that will aim at the short and long- term problems must take priority
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