NATAN SHARANSKY HAS IT WRONG

Outgoing Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky is quoted as saying that many Israelis including non-orthodox view the American reform movement  as a" hostile sect".
I believe it is much worse than that. It has become a totally different religion, whose future in the not too distant future will bear even less resemblance to classic Judaism than today.
What are the basic elements that have kept us alive as a people  despite exile and persecution . It has been our Torah handed down in both the written and oral forms that we have attempted successfully with great difficulty to pass from generation to generation.
The  concept of a JUDIASM based solely on Tikun Olam   devoid of our traditional 613 mitzvoth is unheard in our long history.  In the works of our sages such as Maimonides and Nachmanides,  Tikkun Olam as a stand alone ideology ( social action )   does not merit the  role that has been assigned to it by the reform.
Let us look at their way of life
there is no Shabbat observance
there is no kashrut observance
there is no mikveh-family purity
there is no serious Jewish education for the next generation
There is intermarriage-above 50% and in some regions much-much higher
a "clergy"  who often come from intermarried families
But the proof is not in mere statistics , for we already know the 20 plus year studies that show when  you take 100 secular or reform Jews  and follow them for 3 or 4 generations, you are left with but a handful of Jews.
Studies also show that the progeny of intermarried couple , despite much effort to bring them back into the community-marry outside the faith
Were it not for the Haredim and the modern orthodox communities, there would be no future for Jews in America. I predict that in the next  survey , orthodox Jews will now count for 15% of the community and each year it will continue to rise.
I  will save my thoughts about Conservative Jews and the Women of the Wall  for another blog.

I write these words with sadness not with smugness- I have written and been involved in the pluralism controversy throughout my leadership days at the Union and the Sochnut ( Jewish Agency)
I see only a worsening of the problem.

One final thought for  the leaders of reform etc who decry their role ( and treatment)  in Israel.
A- even to the secular Israeli, the practices ( or lack of them) of the reform bear little relationship to traditional Judaism'
B- There is no Reform constituency in Israel-no reform political party-absent massive reform aliya the situation will not change. The secular-traditional non-orthodox Israeli who belong to no synagogue, desires his child to have a kosher circumcision, a bar mitzvah in a kosher shul, a wedding by a synagogue rabbi, and a burial in a traditonal Jewish manner.
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Beware of the LEFT/PROGRESSIVES =true enemies of Israel

There was a time not long ago when support for Israel was bipartisan. During my 21 years as President of the Hudson Valley PAC (Huvpac) we contributed funds to candidates from both parties, so long as they supported the US-Israel  relationship.  At our annual dinners, we always had 2 US Senators as guest speakers - 1 from each party.
Today, that has changed. With the influence of Bernie Sanders and the Socialists we now have a new and dangerous situation. Sen. Warren has added to that problem, which is now compounded by 4 Democratic candidates  in Minn., Virginia , N Y  and  Penn. who are openly pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel.
This months Commentary magazine has an article by Melanie Philips on anti-Semitism in Europe.She points out the fact that the left in Europe has been infected with hatred of the Jew, and is now part of the DNA of the progressive world. I see that approach encroaching on the Democratic party leadership in this country.
It is not surprising   that Sen Joe Lieberman writes an op-ed in todays WSJ urging  individuals in the Congressional race that saw Joe Crowley defeated  by a young anti-Israel Socialist to return to the polls and not allow this progressive to win. Crowley is still on the ballot by a small 3rd party.
The  same attack on middle of the road  Democrats was evident in California where Sen Feinstein lost her parties designation for re-election.
I do not see how any pro-Israel voter can now support Democratic candidates-when not a single one showed up for the Embassy opening in Jerusalem-or when they all followed the Obama  nuclear sell-out.
Yes our parents were Democrats BUT THIS IN NOT THE SAME PARTY OF TRUMAN  SCOOP JACKSON, H HUMPHREY AND MOYNIHAN
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Ireland should be taught an economic lesson

During the" Zionism is Racism" debate years ago, Mexico voted to support that anti-Semitic resolution. American Jews and friends of Israel responded by cancelling their winter vacations in Acapulco and other Mexican resorts. They abstained from purchasing Mexican products, until the government cried "uncle". and they changed their vote.
Yesterday the Irish Senate voted 25-20 to advance a bill that would criminalize any Irish trade with any part of Israel beyond the 1967 border.
This would include East Jerusalem.
No other area of the world including the escapades of Russia into neighboring countries, have elicited a similar response
The prime negative beneficiaries of this move will be the Palestinian workers who toil in the industrial zones. However the long term results would be a strengthening of the BDS  movement.

As supporters of Israel and opponents of BDS we have 2 economic possibilities
1- DO NOT VISIT OR CANCEL YOUR SCHEDULED TRIPS TO IRELAND
2-IF YOU ARE ALREADY BOOKED FOR A CRUISE OR VISIT-WALK INTO A STORE AND TELL THE PROPRIETER THAT "HAD IRELAND NOT BOYCOTTED ISRAELI PRODUCTS, YOU WOULD HAVE PURCHASED SAID ITEM."
We cannot sit still and remain silent.  We should urge Jewish organizations to speak up

MARCHING AGAINST TRUMP

I am truly impressed that even before the President announced his SC  decision the marchers were out with their signs -simple leaving space to add the name of the nominee.
Similarly on certain days the marchers are at the border with  Mexico.
My question is =who pays these people? who arranges their transportation-food etc?
Are they all retired and living on a pension- OR is there a group of READY_TO MARCH  AND DEMONSTRATE FOR OR AGAINST ANY ENEMY OF THE LEFT ?
I have been involved most of my life with public policy issues primarily to protect the safety of Israel. In all of my adult life, no person or group  never asked me to join a public demonstration-except once in Yeshiva College. the students  went to the pier in Bayonne N J , where they were loading US tanks to be shipped to Jordan , then at war with Israel.
The students charted a bus, and  we made a "statement"  worthy of 2-3 lines in the next days newspaper.
I truly support the right of people to express their opinions in a public manner. I do not support paying for demonstrators to clog the streets ,or to fill up a chamber of a legislature and prevent the orderly passage of legislation.
Certainly, I abhor interfering with the ability of political office holders from going about their normal daily routines either alone or with their families.
Threatening Republicans for wearing a Trump hat should be objectionable to every Democrat no matter what their political views are.

PART 2==HATE A POOR SUBSTITUTE....

Thus whatever the issue, even if the Dems supported it in previous votes, or even if the facts show that the majority of citizens will benefit ( the tax bill)  (border security)- if it come from Trump= attack it.
An example of Dem hypocrisy is the demand that if an agreement is reached with N Korea (a big ? )  it should be referred to the Senate for approval. Funny, I  do not recall a similar demand on the Obama cash give-away with Iran.
The decision a few months ago to close the government to protect illegals was a foolish gesture to embarrass Trump on the anniversary of  his  inaugural.
Aside from character assassination, where is an honest discussion from the left on the issues.All we hear is scare tactics on abortion, LGBT's etc
Examine the faces and expressions of CNN and MSNBC commentators-their smirks and insults permeate the screen-I feel that they believe anyone who supports Trump cannot be educated or informed and is a neo-racist..
The Rasmussen poll  shows American do not blame the President for family separations at the border.Mothers and women who bring in children that may not be their own-for bribe money are to blame.What do illegals expect  when they violate the laws of any country that has warned them about the path they are undertaking. A country without laws or borders is NOT a country
 Of course our immigration policy is archaic. What are we doing to deport the millions  who have overstayed their visas or those who do not show up for immigration hearings?

The Democrats do not have a single leader to unite them or the country. Are they socialists  or capitalists? Are they for unlimited immigration-NO BORDERS-NO ICE-NO COUNTRY?
THEY SHOULD NOT BE FOOLED BY POLLS THAT PREDICT A BLUE WAVE A LA 2016
Enough hate-mature political discourse is what is needed on both sides.

Finally those who compare Trump to Hitler, or the separation of children at the border to the Holocaust, bring great shame on themselves. As they trivialize the  Holocaust , they admit their ignorance and lack of sensitivity for that horrendous period. If they are serious they should visit the Holocaust museum in Washington or Yad Veshem in Jerusalem and publicly apologize for their gross ignorance. Such ad-hominem attacks only energize the Republican and conservative base.

HATE IS A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR DIALOGUE AND PUBLIC POLICY PART ONE

I had taken my auto into a local garage or an oil change. What should have been a routine event, turned into an eye opener. A middle aged woman was sitting on a couch  and reading a book, as she awaited the completion of her cars service. The TV in front of the room was blaring, and I politely inquired whether she was watching. " No" she retorted . " Do you mind  I change the channel? was my next query. " No " was her answer again.
The moment I turned from CNN to Fox, she started screaming " No, ! Not Fox! "
"But you are not watching " I gently asked .
"I cannot have that hate  in the back of my head" was her final answer before I switched back to CNN.
My wife and I have seen this reaction but to a minor degree in our apartment house in Fort Lee,where luckily one  of the 2 sets can " spew hate while the other can watch that intellectual program 'The View".
Donald Trump was not my first choice for the Republican nomination. However as the process edged toward election day, it was clear ( TO ME) that anyone would be better than Hillary.
Trump as we know is not a conventional politician. His lack of political experience, temperament and questionable conservative bonafides were drawbacks .He was brought up in NYC
under his fathers tutelage, and mastered dealing with unions, the political bureaucracy, the banks and the business intrigue that permeates the building trades in this great metropolis. A TV personality, and celebrity with a huge ego reinforced his tough and often thin-skinned persona. He will not allow anyone to insult him without a tough often crude response.
In my mind, had he apologized to Senator McCain for his ill-advised attack on his war record, it is possible McCain would have supported him on the Obamacare  repeal vote .
Trump with his tweets and change of positions can easily erode our sensitivities to leadership. Americans of all ages have been accustomed to a President who speaks and acts in a classical cinematic manner. A lot of double talk and beating around the bush ( no pun intended) Trump for the most part has tried to keep his campaign pledges- On immigration , trade, Israel  taxes and Iran.
The problem for the left-HE WON! AND THEY==THE LEFT, DEMOCRATS,PROGRESSIVES,  SOCIALISTS, THE UNIONS AND THE MAIN STREET MEDIA still don't believe it or accept it. From day ONE-the goal of the above groups has been to attack and ridicule his mentation and stability without rhyme or reason. The  more he succeeds=the more vicious and desperate the attacks.No matter how worthy the issue =DO NOT DARE SUPPORT IT= ie-the tax cuts (CRUMBS)  the Jerusalem embassy ( WE ARE TOO BUSY TO ATTEND) -N KOREA AND IRAN (GIVE ME BACK THE GOOD OLD  OBAMA/ KERRY/ CLINTON FOREIGN POLICY  "LEADERSHIP")

FEAR OF RELIGION PART 3

Despite being constructed in 22 Jersey communities local groups keep up their effort to prevent the construction of an ERUV. Two federal courts ruled the eruv is not unconstitutional.and does not violate the separation of church and state. Yet the anti-eruv groups file more law suits. On the surface the matter would appear minor, yet the groups seek to prevent orthodox Jews from moving into their neighborhoods, and are willing to spend mega-dollars  for lawyers, as the law firms on the other side perform pro-bono.
Jewish law prevents carrying objects or wheeling carriages on the sabbath in public areas. By using telephone lines and poles they change the property via a Talmudic ruling to one whereby these actions are permissible. As the court stated in the Hampton case-the strips do not endorse religion.
Who are the loudest voices against the eruv?  YOU GUESSED IT!
The Ayatollah in Iran recently urged Israelis to return to the USA and Europe.
After the recent federal court decision one irate resident is quoted as saying " This is America-! GO BACK TO WHERE YOU BELONG -YOU DO NOT BELONG IN THE HAMPTONS!"

MY QUESTION IS WHERE DO I BELONG?
A second generation America, a combat veteran- have I not earned the right to live and carry out my religious beliefs anywhere in this great country?
Yes I wear a skullcap-do not drive on the Sabbath-send my kids to religious school-does this make me any less a proud loyal citizen?
Are they prepared to utilize my surgical skills, but not accept me as a neighbor?
A recent local Jewish newspaper headline read
"State of NJ sues town of Mahwah for discrimination against orthodox Jews"
Religion can be a source of passion in molding personalities without inserting religious doctrine in our decisions.
God is inscribed on our coins. The chaplains of Congress  pray daily for our country's welfare. The pledge of Allegiance  refers to "one nation under G-d".
Our pluralistic society allows us to believe or reject religion
This is our heritage and are rights we should honor=However, BIGOTRY  IS BIGOTRY no matter how you finesse it.

FEAR OF RELIGION PART 2

A request by orthodox tenants to construct a sukkah  ( small portable booth) for  the 7 day Succoth holiday- at their own expense is a causes for apoplexy. Despite the building having a Jewish majority,the mantra goes something like " we don't want to be known as a Jewish building", or we don't allow religious symbols in our building. This despite a 14 foot Christmas tree in the lobby near a 12 INCH  Chanukah menorah. Oh yes! -All-Saints Day ( Halloween ) is a publicized event, where tenants can sign up to have children visit them to receive sweets etc.
Where is that tiny spark of Judaism ( Pintele Yid )  among the non-orthodox to speak up for their neighbors religious desires, IF they do not suffer any harm thereby?
Only last year Senator Dianne Feinstein (d-Calif) objected to the nomination of Law Professor Amy Comey Barrett of Notre Dame ( now under consideration for the Kennedy S C seat)  for a seat on the 7th circuit court of appeals. The problem was her Catholic religion. since the Senator described  "the dogma lives loudly within her". The fact that she is the mother of 7, indicated to Feinstein  and Senator Durbin that Roe  v Wade was in trouble. This despite  the Professors statement that it is not appropriate for a judge  to apply personal feelings to a decision whether " it derives from faith or personal conviction".
A similar event occurred in 2000 when the ADL attacked orthodox Senator Joe Lieberman , then a  VP  nominee for mixing religion and faith with politics. In  the addendum of my autobiography I have an op-ed that I published in the Associated Press on that issue (.JOURNEY THROUGH  THE MINEFIELDS , from Vietnam to Washington, an orthodox surgeons odyssey)
Earlier this month the Supreme Court of Canada denied accreditation to a Christian Law School .since their traditional view on marriage would send the wrong message to the populace.
Luckily Yeshiva University and Touro law and medical schools are not located in Canada.

Part 3 to be concluded in next blog

FEAR OF RELIGION

As a student in Crown Heights Yeshiva in the late 40's ( in Brooklyn) I recall an episode ( that was repeated on a few occasions ) which now seems relevant.
As I exited the school bus, my mother who was waiting for me, was confronted by a small group of Jewish neighbors. They were upset with my parents for their decision to send me to an all-Jewish religious school." How can your son be a success in American society?  they asked. They suggested I was being isolated from the "American Experience".
These individuals represented a generation of Jews who were not only afraid of being different but resented their coreligionists who " wanted to cling to the old ways of Europe" . Assimilation, whose results we witness today, was alive and well during and after WWII.
Freedom of religion is a double edge sword-it meant both the ability safely practice ones religion, or the ability to throw  the prayer book and tefillin into the Hudson River as one approached Ellis Island.
Yet American post -Holocaust  for the most part respected and were proud of the ability of those who sought to  practice the tenets of their faith as full citizens of this great democracy.
I remember a meeting I had with a Catholic Chaplain in Vietnam after Passover 1968.I served as a volunteer Jewish Chaplain ( though I was a surgeon) and the Jewish Welfare Board had supplied us with more than ample wine matzos etc for the 2000 Jewish servicemen in combat. He had run out of wine for his needs. Without blinking an eye, I sent him kosher wine. We were comrades -in- arms, and an enemy rocket could not distinguish Christian from Jew.

SADLY SUCH AN EASY GOING  RELATIONSHIP IS NOT ALAYS PALPABLE IN AMERICA IN 2018
Jews living in hi-rise buildings for example cannot live on high numbered floor if they are sabbath observers  or infirmed --unless there is a " SHABBAT ELEVATOR" INSTALLED. This automatic pre-set elevator stops on every floor ( or alternate floors), thereby avoiding the need for riders to either press buttons (prohibited on the sabbath) or break invisible beams. Usually one elevator ( out of a bank of many lifts)in such a building is thus dedicated.
The problem==the protests of tenants =Usually assimilated Jews
"WE DON'T WANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE ORTHODOX JEWS TO MOVE IN"  IS THE UNDERTONE OF THEIR COMPLAINTS
Never mind that the prospective tenants are upright citizens who can not only afford the rent, but add to the quality of the tenant mix  Respect for people of faith-NOT IN MY BUILDING!.
PART 1   --TO BE CONTINUED

Giving consideration to resume blogging

Now that my 5th book, The Five Day War  (my  first novel) has been published, and I have  some time available, I am considering a return to blogging.
The novel took about 3 1/2 years to write, and I am pleased with the response to date. The critics have been positive, and I await a review in Jewish Action.
I thought I would start with some simple thoughts on the Supreme Court nomination.
The vetting has been going on for a long time. The potential candidates were chosen by the Federalist Society ( I am a member) and all are brilliant and conservative-as well as young.
I am positive that not one of them has uttered a written  or spoken word on Roe v Wade .
When the nominee is chosen , he /she will undergo many days of practice hearings to anticipate every  possible attempt to make them look bad ( by the Dems). Since the hearings  for Justice Ginsberg, and after the Bork   fiasco  no attempt to pin down a nominee on how they would vote has been successful .Yes Judicial approach- the role of precedent  and personality will be on display-however, NO SMOKING GUNS!
The left and the Schumers of the world will object-perhaps 2 or 3 RINOS  WILL VOTE NO-however, the few Dems up for re-election in solid Trump states, will with the vote of the VP  to assure that we have a new conservative on the Court.
One final thought for today, the talk to abolish ICE, to attack GOP office holders and the viciousness of the late-night comedians  will surely lead to an energizing of the country against this left wing socialist  mayhem.