I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT THERE SHOULD BE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN OUR PUBLIC RESPONSE TO THE DISENGAGEMENT PLAN VERSUS THE 350 MILLION DOLLARS THAT THE PRESIDENT WISHES US TO GIVE TO THE PA.
I DO NOT WISH TO SUGGEST THAT I SUPPORT MAKING THE GAZA JUDENREIN, NOR AM I CONVINCED THAT SHARON HAS TRULY THOUGHT OUT THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING NEW AND MORE DEADLY ROCKET ATTACKS WITHIN THE ISRAELI HEARTLAND. WE STILL OBSERVE VIOLENCE AND PREPARATION FOR TERRORISM. INCITEMENT IN ARABIC IS STLL EVIDENT, AND ARAFAT’S RHETORIC IS STILL THE NORM .I SEE WAR, NOT PEACE AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.
HOWEVER, EVEN IF YOU TAKE EVERY ARGUMENT MOST OF WHICH WE AND MANY COMMENTATORS HAVE ENUMERATED OVER THESE PAST FEW MONTHS,AT THE END OF THE DAY THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT OF ISRAEL,WITH ITS CABINET , KNESSET ,COURT SYSTEM,MILITARY AND SUPREME COURT AND THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL MUST REMAIN THE FINAL AND ONLY ARBITERS AND JUDGES IN THIS REGARD.
OTHER THAN THE UNIQUE STATUS OF JERUSALEM WHICH NO POLITICAL POWER ON EARTH CAN TAKE AWAY FROM THE JEWISH PEOPLE,WE EACH CAN HAVE OUR OWN IDEAS AND THOUGHTS.WE DARE NOT INTERFERE WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WITHIN ISRAEL.
AS LONG AS WE LIVE IN THE U.S.., PAY TAXES HERE AND HAVE OUR CHILDREN IN COLLEGE WHILE ISRAELI YOUTH SERVE IN THE ARMY.,THE BALL IS NOT IN OUR COURT( UNLESS WE WISH TO MAKE ALIYA.)
IT MAKES WONDERFUL HEADLINES TO SIT IN THE U.S. AND ATTACK DISENGAGEMENT.IT TAKES FORTITUDE AND MATURITY WITH A GREAT DEAL OF SELF CONTROL TO QUIETLY MAKE OUR VIEWS KNOWN TO THE ISRAELI LEADERSHIP WHILE DIPLOMATICALLY POINTING OUT TO AMERICAN LEADERS THE PITFALLS,WITHOUT ATTACKING THE LEADERSHIP OF ISRAEL
OF COURSE NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO CANNOT SUPPORT DISENGAGEMENT HAVE A RIGHT TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTES IN THE CONFERENCE OF PRESIDENTS AND TO ISSUE A STATEMENT OF EXPLANATION.WITHOUT LOBBYING FURTHER ON THE ISSUE. WE PAY A PRICE FOR AT LEAST THE APPEARANCE OF UNITY BY THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY
OF COURSE IT IS SAD TO SEE ISRAELI DIPLOMATS MOBILIZING SUPPORT ON THE FAR LEFT IN THIS COUNTRY FOR DISENGAGEMENT.THIS IS A HAND THAT WILL TURN AROUND AND BITE ISRAEL AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY.THEY WOULD THINK NO MORE THAN TWO SECOND BEFORE URGING THE PRESIDENT TO PRESSURE ISRAEL THE MOMENT THEY FEEL ISRAEL IS NOT GIVING EVERYTHING BACK TO ABBAS..BE CAREFUL WHO YOU GET INTO BED WITH.
NOT SO IN THE CASE FOR LOBBYING AGAINST AND FIGHTING THE EMERGENCY AND REGULAR APPROPRIATION OF 350 MILLION DOLLARS IN PA AID.THIS IS AMERICAN MONEY, AND WE AS AMERICAN CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT AND THE OBLIGATION TO MONITOR SUCH FOREIGN POLICY EXPENDITURES .IF ISRAEL WANTS TO GIVE THE PA AN ADDITIONAL 350 MILLION DOLLARS,THAT IS THEIR RIGHT,ALTHOUGH WE WOULD HAVE TO SHAKE OUR HEADS IN DISBELIEF NEVERTHELESS THAT WOULD BE THEIR DECISION.
AS LONG AS WE SEE NO END OF CORRUPTION AND INCITEMENT AND NO DISARMING OF HAMAS AND ISLAMIC JIHAD THEN IT IS ALL AS THE TALMUD CALLS IT AN ASMACTAH MERE TALK TO SMOOTH OUR SUSPICIONS OR IN OTHER WORDS PA PUFFERY. I COMMEND THE ZOA FOR A TERRIFIC SET OF ADS ON THIS ISUE.
I ONLY RAISE ONE TACTICAL ISSUE, NAMELY WOULD IT NOT BE EASIER FOR CONGRESS TO PASS THE BILL,BUT PLACE THE FUNDING INTO ESCROW PENDING CERTIFICATION THAT THE PA HAS MET STRICT CRITERIA, INSTEAD OF HAVING CONGRESS VOTING AGAINST THE PRESIDENT WHICH THEY HATE TO DO . IT IS THE SAME DISAGREEMENT I HAD WITH ZOA DURING THE MIDDLE EAST PEACE FACILITATION ACT AFTER OSLO.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
IDF CONVERSION PROGRAM 3/6/05
We have many examples in the United States that speak to cooperation between the religious streams in non-theological areas. AIPAC comes to mind as does the JCRC, Soviet Jewry, etc.
The best example in Israel is the Unity Committee of the Jewish Agency. We previously wrote about the positive results in the conversion dilemma. As we noted, approximately 3oo,ooo of recent olim from the FSU are not halachic Jews according to all streams.
While it would be wonderful to be able to convert the entire group in a halachic manner, it is really not possible. Firstly many have no desire to do so. A few came to Israel to continue worshipping in the Russian Orthodox faith, which has seen a major increase in worshippers, as a result. Others believe that they were singled out in the FSU as ”JIDS” based on a nationalistic or ethnic classification, and therefore there is no need to convert since they believe the world already recognizes them as Jews. Finally it is clear that in democratic Israel, you need not be a Jew to prosper in society.
Therefore, the emphasis correctly has been on the younger olim who are still in the childbearing age. When the older non–converts pass away in 20-40 years they will not have reproduced and will thus reduce the extent of the problem.
The great equalizer in Israeli life is the Army which drafts both young males and females. Since one quarter of inductees are immigrants, and one quarter of them are not Jewish, there are currently 7,500 soldiers who are not recognized as Jews.
There are a number of IDF programs SPONSORED BY THE MILITARY and concluding with their own conversion courts. These include:
· YUVAL – DESIGNED FOR SOLDIERS IN THE BEGINNING OF THEIR SERVICE. THIS IS A 16 WEEK COURSE THAT INCLUDES SOME BASIC TRAINING
· NATIV – A SEVEN WEEK COURSE FOLLOWED BY 2 SEPARATE ONE WEEK COURSES
· IN 2004 FIVE NATIV COURSES GRADUATED 1500 SOLDIERS.
· IN 2005 IT IS EXPECTED THAT 24OO SOLDIERS WILL GRADUATE
· OPEN NATIV –A SPECIAL PROGRAM FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM.
IMPORTANTLY 80% OF THE STUDENTS ARE NON-JEWISH AND THE REMAINDER ARE JEWS SEPARATED FROM THEIR TRADITIONS BY 80 YEARS OF SOVIET RULE. This is necessary so that the course does not get a stigma among young soldiers as being “for the goyim“ and discouraging attendance.
TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS IN ISRAEL, THE 669TH SOLDIER WAS CONVERTED FROM THE NATIV PROGRAM (669 in gematria is AM YISRAEL CHAI).
Starting with 0 army conversions in 2001, the rate is slowly rising and 426 were converted in 2004. Importantly, 155 males and 514 females were converted. It is obvious how important this is.
The first army education course had 36 soldiers, while the upcoming one will have 600.
The leadership in the chain of command on this issue has been truly phenomenal, all the way up to the Prime Ministers Office. The goal of the Unity committee is to reach as close to 100% as possible, understanding that it will probably be closer to 80% which, if achieved, would be a great milestone
The issue of civilian conversion is much more complex and involves politics, and the competing interests of the streams. Hopefully it will warrant a separate report.
The best example in Israel is the Unity Committee of the Jewish Agency. We previously wrote about the positive results in the conversion dilemma. As we noted, approximately 3oo,ooo of recent olim from the FSU are not halachic Jews according to all streams.
While it would be wonderful to be able to convert the entire group in a halachic manner, it is really not possible. Firstly many have no desire to do so. A few came to Israel to continue worshipping in the Russian Orthodox faith, which has seen a major increase in worshippers, as a result. Others believe that they were singled out in the FSU as ”JIDS” based on a nationalistic or ethnic classification, and therefore there is no need to convert since they believe the world already recognizes them as Jews. Finally it is clear that in democratic Israel, you need not be a Jew to prosper in society.
Therefore, the emphasis correctly has been on the younger olim who are still in the childbearing age. When the older non–converts pass away in 20-40 years they will not have reproduced and will thus reduce the extent of the problem.
The great equalizer in Israeli life is the Army which drafts both young males and females. Since one quarter of inductees are immigrants, and one quarter of them are not Jewish, there are currently 7,500 soldiers who are not recognized as Jews.
There are a number of IDF programs SPONSORED BY THE MILITARY and concluding with their own conversion courts. These include:
· YUVAL – DESIGNED FOR SOLDIERS IN THE BEGINNING OF THEIR SERVICE. THIS IS A 16 WEEK COURSE THAT INCLUDES SOME BASIC TRAINING
· NATIV – A SEVEN WEEK COURSE FOLLOWED BY 2 SEPARATE ONE WEEK COURSES
· IN 2004 FIVE NATIV COURSES GRADUATED 1500 SOLDIERS.
· IN 2005 IT IS EXPECTED THAT 24OO SOLDIERS WILL GRADUATE
· OPEN NATIV –A SPECIAL PROGRAM FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM.
IMPORTANTLY 80% OF THE STUDENTS ARE NON-JEWISH AND THE REMAINDER ARE JEWS SEPARATED FROM THEIR TRADITIONS BY 80 YEARS OF SOVIET RULE. This is necessary so that the course does not get a stigma among young soldiers as being “for the goyim“ and discouraging attendance.
TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN I WAS IN ISRAEL, THE 669TH SOLDIER WAS CONVERTED FROM THE NATIV PROGRAM (669 in gematria is AM YISRAEL CHAI).
Starting with 0 army conversions in 2001, the rate is slowly rising and 426 were converted in 2004. Importantly, 155 males and 514 females were converted. It is obvious how important this is.
The first army education course had 36 soldiers, while the upcoming one will have 600.
The leadership in the chain of command on this issue has been truly phenomenal, all the way up to the Prime Ministers Office. The goal of the Unity committee is to reach as close to 100% as possible, understanding that it will probably be closer to 80% which, if achieved, would be a great milestone
The issue of civilian conversion is much more complex and involves politics, and the competing interests of the streams. Hopefully it will warrant a separate report.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Emergency aid for the PA ? 3/2/05
THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION REQUEST FOR 200 MILLION DOLLARS IN EMERGENCY AID TO THE PA IN ADDITION TO THE 150 MILLION ALREADY REQUESTED SHOULD NOT BE APPROVED IN A KNEE-JERK MANNER.
SADLY, DESPITE THE WONDERFUL STATEMENTS OF SEC OF STATE RICE, WE SEE NO COMMITMENT BY THE PA TO DISARM TERRORIST GROUPS AT THIS TIME.
IF ONE PERUSES THE ISRAELI PRESS WE CONTINUE TO SEE ATTEMPTS, ALBEIT UNSUCCESSFUL, TO ATTACK THE CIVILIAN POPULATION OF ISRAEL ON A DAILY BASIS. ONLY SHARP POLICE AND IDF ACTIONS HAVE PREVENTED MASS CASUALTIES.
THIS REQUEST FOR FUNDS IS REMINISCENT OF MEPFA (Middle East Peace Facilitation Act) following Oslo. I recall testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee against that appropriation. For that request not only had no guarantees, but was being accompanied by the intifada.
Today we hear a lot of pleasant talk, but real action on the ground is missing. We all know how the post Oslo funding was wasted. Can’t we ever learn?
Aside from all the well known arguments against such a disbursement at this particular moment (before we see an end to corruption and terrorism) there is one other thought.
Saudi Arabia kissing cousins of the Palestinians is said to have earned about 38 billion dollars as a windfall secondary to the rise in oil prices. I don’t know if this figure is anywhere near accurate, however we can be sure that the HOUSE OF SAUD could easily give their mishpacha a half billion dollars and not notice it.
Let's allow the Saudis to make a major contribution, as we monitor the progress on the corruption/terrorism/governance axis. If the PA makes real progress then we will have an objective reason to commit our funds.
SADLY, DESPITE THE WONDERFUL STATEMENTS OF SEC OF STATE RICE, WE SEE NO COMMITMENT BY THE PA TO DISARM TERRORIST GROUPS AT THIS TIME.
IF ONE PERUSES THE ISRAELI PRESS WE CONTINUE TO SEE ATTEMPTS, ALBEIT UNSUCCESSFUL, TO ATTACK THE CIVILIAN POPULATION OF ISRAEL ON A DAILY BASIS. ONLY SHARP POLICE AND IDF ACTIONS HAVE PREVENTED MASS CASUALTIES.
THIS REQUEST FOR FUNDS IS REMINISCENT OF MEPFA (Middle East Peace Facilitation Act) following Oslo. I recall testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Committee against that appropriation. For that request not only had no guarantees, but was being accompanied by the intifada.
Today we hear a lot of pleasant talk, but real action on the ground is missing. We all know how the post Oslo funding was wasted. Can’t we ever learn?
Aside from all the well known arguments against such a disbursement at this particular moment (before we see an end to corruption and terrorism) there is one other thought.
Saudi Arabia kissing cousins of the Palestinians is said to have earned about 38 billion dollars as a windfall secondary to the rise in oil prices. I don’t know if this figure is anywhere near accurate, however we can be sure that the HOUSE OF SAUD could easily give their mishpacha a half billion dollars and not notice it.
Let's allow the Saudis to make a major contribution, as we monitor the progress on the corruption/terrorism/governance axis. If the PA makes real progress then we will have an objective reason to commit our funds.
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