tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68719061022902854452024-03-12T21:27:59.973-07:00Reasonable JudaismReasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-55915433405401669222024-03-08T07:52:00.000-08:002024-03-08T07:52:24.163-08:00Humanitarian Aid, War, Terror and Hostages. Day 153.<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Humanitarian Aid, War, Terror and Hostages. Day 153.</span></p><p><b id="docs-internal-guid-44fd75bf-7fff-6e05-352a-c70f7570d413" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Today is 153 days that over 130 hostages stolen from their homes family and friends remain in the cruel captivity of the Hamas Terrorists in Gaza since their day of slaughter on October 7, 2023. Recent reports from the negotiations between Hamas and Israel indicate that, God forbid, more than half may no longer be alive. The war continues, and Israel is now dropping leaflets in Rafah indicating another expanded ground and air campaign is imminent - this time in the last remaining refuge of the southwestern edge of the Gaza Strip. Calls for ceasefire and humanitarian aid have increased, and President Joe Biden has announced the construction of a sea port to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza directly. </span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There is ample reason for a supporter of the war to feel immense discomfort and doubt about its current status. The truth is, Israel is running out of military targets and has not achieved its goals. In that circumstance, the unthinkable possibility of the war being a failure becomes thinkable.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The moral case for the war:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">First, to always be clear: the war against Hamas begins as a just war of complete moral clarity. No terror group can be allowed to do what they did, and to remain at rest and in control of a city state like the Gaza strip from which to continue their nefarious and bloody actions. And, when terrorists are fully embedded within a sympathetic and supportive civilian population, collateral deaths of non combatant men, women and children are inevitable.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Second, with equal clarity: The military attempt to rescue hostages from the hands of terror organizations is also entirely legitimate, and may also come with collateral death of civilians.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Assessing the War as it really is:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The failure to achieve the strategic goals of the war will ultimately result in condemnation of the war itself by objective outside analysts.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The failure to rescue hostages:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The fact is that the stated goals of the war may have gone a long way to justify the death and destruction had those goals been successful. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Hamas remains in place, including its entire leadership structure. To date 2 hostages have been rescued by the military, As of February 8, Israel had reported the deaths of 219 soldiers in the war in Gaza so far. Many thousands of non-combatants have been killed. The price of rescue alone demonstrates the failure of the operation.</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The failure to destroy Hamas among the civilians:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Even if the Hamas' number of 30,000 Gazans dead is remotely accurate, and we assume 25% of those to be combatants, there is no military target in sight to justify a claim of victory over the Hamas organization. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Israel would rather not find civilian non-combatants in the theater of war against Hamas. That was made clear by the multiple rounds of “leaflets,” maps and QR codes dropped prior to major expansions of the ground campaign. But those attempts have proven entirely ineffective. There are no completely safe zones to go to because Hamas continues to move and operate from anywhere at any time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">True, Israel has nearly eliminated the launching of missiles from Gaza, and the regularity of RPG's and other larger infantry weaponry has also significantly degraded. But Hamas soldiers who drop their weapons and melt into the civilian background remain to fight another day. The actual military victory is highly questionable for the long term.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The result has been to attempt to discover and degrade the maximum amount of usable infrastructure (buildings, tunnels) possible to force Hamas to be uncovered and reveal/abandon their locations, weapons stashes, support materials and - the hope was - hostages. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Hamas leads the hunters to new targets every day, and Israel obligingly destroys in their wake. Without a significant and convincing military victory, such as the surrender of the Hamas leadership team in Gaza, the only measurable outcome is the destruction of the living space for millions of Gazans, and the accompanying loss of tens of thousands of lives. In recent days, the Israeli army has brought cement trucks to fill tunnels and more explosives to destroy underground infrastructure. The war is clearly nearing its end point and the emphasis is less on military targets and more on what will be left behind for them to use again in the future.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">The war to destroy Hamas has instead become a war to destroy Gazan infrastructure. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Starvation and Disease. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> It has proven impossible for Israel to both prosecute the war against Hamas and guarantee the humanitarian support of the population in Gaza at the same time. While there are those who support the war who are not bothered by that fact, I am. Even as Israel aims at Rafah - the only ground route for aid trucks - the United States is opening a sea port to bring more aid in. None of it will be enough. The specter of actual starvation, and the spread of disease from lack of clean water, is the ubiquitous handmaiden of war. Would it hurt Hamas? Of course. But it will equally hurt the innocent and the hostages themselves.</span></p></blockquote><p><b><u>The only reachable goal is the release of hostages through negotiations.</u></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">The urgency of an increased focus on the hostages is real. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Yes, destroy the tunnels and degrade military infrastructure. </u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Yes, continue to kill as many combatants as possible</u></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> while staying at the negotiating table.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">But there is only one proven way to get hostages out, and that is through those negotiations - with the threat of severe war to keep Hamas at the table. The current situation is terrible, as all war inevitably is. But the goal to eliminate Hamas in the short term must take a second seat to the return of the hostages. Humanitarian aid must be surged to prevent starvation in the Gaza strip by any reasonable moral code of war, so that those international partners who might very well need to take over the basic needs of Gaza after the war can already demonstrate that they are part of the solution. Jordan, Egypt and the United States are the most present in that capacity, and must be affirmed in their efforts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Future:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">President Biden, in his State of the Union speech last night, asserted that a two state solution is the only reasonable hope for peace for Israelis and Palestinians. That is true. But is it possible? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Will the world, Israel and the Palestinians all come together to seek some place of Palestinian sovereignty while affirming the legitimacy of Israel? So far the world says yes. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Palestinian Authority since Oslo says yes. Hamas says no. Netanyahu says no. The current combatants disagree with President Biden, so how exactly does he think he will achieve that goal?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This war is not over. But it may have already failed. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Will Hamas surrender and face justice? No. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Will the horror of the suffering prevent another attack in the future? Probably not. Will the conflict be a painful and necessary step to a just peace? It is hard to imagine. That is the problem with failed wars: they don't produce anything.</span></p><p>For the hostages, the only hope is to make <i style="font-weight: bold;">bring them home now</i> the focus of every Israeli priority, and to plan for the conflict to continue even after the current fighting is done.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I believe that there is still only one hope for the future that makes any reasonable sense, if one believes in sovereignty, self-determination and peace - two states. But there is still no clear path to its creation.</span></p><p><br /></p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-64227871541254340582024-02-23T09:25:00.000-08:002024-02-23T09:25:28.005-08:00 Sacred Ground: Condemning Islamophic and AntiSemitic attacks on Mosques and Synagogues<p><b><u> Sacred Ground</u></b></p><p>Today I soundly and completely condemn the http://protest/disruption by a single Jewish person against the Islamic Center of Mellville, NY yesterday. <a href="https://longisland.news12.com/suffolk-police-man-arrested-following-outburst-at-islamic-center-of-melville-over-israel-hamas-conflict" target="_blank">As covered in the news</a>, this person entered the premises and walked around shouting to free the Israeli Hostages, refusing to leave when asked. They have been arrested and will be charged, as they absolutely should be.</p><p>My synagogue can not stop the war between Israel and Hamas any more than the Islamic Center in Melville can release the hostages held since October 7th by the Hamas terror organization. <i>Transferring</i> our political desires onto a religious site in America is unacceptable and wrong.</p><p>Let's be clear: When someone pulls up to my synagogue and shouts "F* Israel" as happened a few weeks ago, that is AntiSemitism. When someone goes into a mosque and shouts for the release of the Israel Hostages, that is Islamophobia. Neither has any place in our civil discourse, and neither should be suffered silently by either religion.</p><p>When a house of worship in America is targeted because of one's view of an oversees political conflict, that is a form of hate, bias and intimidation. Houses of Worship are Sacred Ground. </p><p>Do most of my members support Israel? Absolutely. I can't speak for the Islamic Center of Melville's position on the war but it is easy to imagine that they at least oppose the war and want a ceasefire immediately. None of that justifies bias threat and intimidation against those religious organizations in their peaceful and protected right to operate and support their communities. </p><p>We are free to exercise our religion and have a right to do so without taunt, threat or slander. Anyone who does so must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.</p><p><br /></p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-52096300289896315092024-02-23T09:13:00.000-08:002024-02-23T09:13:42.108-08:00The Importance of Doing Something.<p> </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-950bcd5e-7fff-37e9-87e5-c03d225c227a"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Importance of Doing Something.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Travel to Israel has always been a priority in my work as your rabbi. Upon arrival in 2011, I began working relationships with Jewish National Fund, the Masorti Movement and the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest. I have sought genuine relationships to nurture in between congregational trips, and have made a point of connecting with our friends and associates every time we go there.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">None of these things stopped on October 7, 2023 on that terrible day of slaughter at the hands of Hamas. We lost friends, and the world is disrupted by war. The communities near the border with Gaza that did not come under direct attack still have lost their workers, and their men and women have been drafted into the army. They struggle to re-establish schools, and to maintain farms without labor with the sad truth that irrigation helps weeds as much as crops and their fields are overrun months later.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jewish National Fund was able to organize emergency volunteer missions to the south and back in October - even before I had anyone committed to come with me - I promised our congregation would come. It was never in doubt.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">From January 20-15 we went with a single goal: Just tell us what to do. What do you do in the face of nearly infinite needs? The Mishnah teaches</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> וּבְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין אֲנָשִׁים, הִשְׁתַּדֵּל לִהְיוֹת אִישׁ</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">: In a place where there are no people, try to be a person. There was no one to weed this crop, or clean this path. They are killed, captured, at war or relocated elsewhere There are not enough people to do the daily work to save the vegetables for market, to prepare the schools for children or to support the soldiers on leave.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pick up a shovel, a rake, a paint brush or a wheelbarrow. Get to work. We farmed one day, and weeded another. We stood in the now horrific beauty of the Nova festival and planted trees in memory for the future. We stood at graves of entire families and wept the memorial prayers. We went to the hospital where the free hostages were first treated - the same hospital that had hundreds of terror victims arrive minute after minute on those horrible first days. We did nothing extraordinary. We were a group of people trying to help our people in their time of need.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">On the bus we sang songs, held serious conversations, and got to know and love each other as members of Bnai Shalom in a way that only happens when we travel together. New friends, and old come home closer to each other and Israel as a result.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We are not alone. They are not alone. In another age, the cossacks, the crusades, the nazis murdered and plundered at will and no one was there to stop them. Today we have Israel, and we will defend our people. Those of us who can not go to war, can go to farm, sweep or support. We can never forget, that we are people.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I hope that you will join me on March 6th for the JNF Breakfast for Israel, that you will find an opportunity to travel to volunteer, that you will donate generously and that you will continue to stay engaged during our people’s time of need.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Am Yisrael Chai,</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rabbi Robert L Tobin</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-18063804704062969102024-01-08T05:05:00.000-08:002024-01-08T05:05:59.227-08:00חדש מאתמול באו"ם - בנו של מנהיג החמאס, מוקיע את החמאס, האכזריות ,מחיר הח...<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/xks-vgbYWHM?si=48SwE-ZlnApmtFEJ" frameborder="0"></iframe>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-59853088838911201182023-11-20T07:22:00.000-08:002023-11-20T07:22:52.158-08:00Answering the Antisemitic Left<p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">You can have your own opinions, but you can't have your own facts.</span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>The accusations that Israel is a racist, genocidal, colonial country of inequality and oppression are absolutely false. Only the most biased observer can possibly make those accusations in the face of historical facts.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>In a 2 minute read, you can learn why:</b></p><p>I reject any voice that seeks to contextualize the Hamas massacres of October 7, 2023 as part of a legitimate response to historic and contemporary injustice or oppression. Targeted mass civilian slaughter is unjustified, and those who perform it are untrustworthy partners for diplomatic solutions.</p><p>I reject the view that a military response to terrorism is unjust or invalid, even in the face of additional civilian deaths. This is because<b><i> there is no alternative action to stop the terrorism.</i></b> If you have the hidden alternative solution to terrorism, and the power to implement it, then by all means you should make that happen. In the meantime, the brutal and blunt tool of military action must be applied. To call for a cease fire in the face of active terrorism against civilian targets is at the least stupid and at the most complicit with the terror itself.</p><p>I reject the exaggeration and misuse of the terms of civil justice in the present conflict:</p><p>1) <b>Israel is not engaged in <i>genocide</i>,</b> which is the intention to erradicate an entire people from the face of the earth. Palestinian Arab civilians in Israel are equal partners in the modern state. The Arab population of Israel is both safe and growing. The violence of the present conflict is not against Israel's Arabs at all. The Hamas terror group is what has provoked Israel's current military action in Gaza. </p><p>2) <b> Israel is not a colonial nation.</b> Israel is not a transplant from some other European nation, stealing land, killing the native population, and farming and mining resources to send back to the homeland. The entire model of colonialism is completely contradicted by what Israel actually is. Israel's population is the outgrowth of 4 historical sources, none of which are colonial: </p><p>First, the Jewish people have always existed in larger and smaller numbers in the Land of Israel for 3,000+ years, including peaceful growth and development of specifically Jewish towns and villages under the Ottomon Empire and the British Mandate from 1300-1948. </p><p>Second, Israel's majority Jewish population in the ares of the UN partition plan in 1948 asserted that native Jewish populations did exist at that time, were widespread, and should rule where they had a democratic majority. </p><p>Third, after WWII and <b><i>after</i> Israel was already a legal and recognized country, it welcomed the <i>refugee populations of Jews</i> from the Holocaust</b>. </p><p>And fourth, over 900,000 Jews were <i>expelled</i> from Arab and Muslim nations of North Africa and the Middle East <i>after</i> the establishment of the State of Israel, <i>knowing </i>that the only place that would take them was Israel. </p><p>Therefore the entire initial Jewish population of Israel is comprised of native citizens, legal immigrants, refugees from WWI and expelled refugees from Arab Lands. None of the population of Israel are colonists representing a foreign nation who receives financial benefit from their existence.</p><p>3) <b>Israel is a vibrant democracy.</b> This almost goes without saying, but the electoral process, free speech, free press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, freedom of sexual and gender identity and equal access to the tools and protections of society are affirmed for all her citizens, over 10% of whom are Arab/Palestinian citizens of Israel. This absolutely is not true for the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank or Hamas in Gaza, let alone Syria, Jordan or Egypt.</p><p>4) <b>Israel is not racist. </b>Israel is a multi-racial and multi-cultural society. Over 50% of Israeli <i>Jewish</i> citizens are of mixed or pure non-European lineage, and over 12% of the society is non-Jewish!<b> In other words, Israel is not "white."</b> <b>Israel is, in fact, much more "black and brown" than the United States</b>. Israel has advocated for and protected the rights of all minorities, Jewish or not, in all expressions of religion, education and governance. Did you know that one of the Supreme Court Justices is an Arab Muslim? Did you know that over 8% of the Israeli Parliament are Arab representatives? Such multi-cultural and mutli-racial demographics are unheard of in the region, or in most nations of the world.</p><p><br /></p><p>So, those are the facts. Whoever you are, you need to start there.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-6440117077050174012023-11-17T08:52:00.000-08:002023-11-17T08:52:30.605-08:00Definition: Genocide<h2 style="text-align: center;">Genocide is </h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the deliberate </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group </span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">with the aim of destroying </span><span style="font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">that nation or group.</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Israel is NOT engaging in Genocide of the Palestinian People. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In fact, the Palestinian-Arab population of Israel has continued to grow every year since 1948.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Despite the deliberate shrill shouts to the contrary, Israel is not trying to destroy and eradicate Palestinians. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In 2006, the official number of Arab residents in Israel was 1,413,500 people, about 20% of Israel's population. This figure includes 209,000 Arabs (14% of the Israeli Arab population) in East Jerusalem, also counted in the Palestinian statistics, although 98% of East Jerusalem Palestinians have either Israeli residency or Israeli citizenship.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-http_148-0" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; text-wrap: nowrap; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_citizens_of_Israel#cite_note-http-148" style="background: none; color: #3366cc; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;">[146]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> In 2012, the official number of Arab residents in Israel increased to 1,617,000 people, about 21% of Israel's population.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-149" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; text-wrap: nowrap; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_citizens_of_Israel#cite_note-149" style="background: none; color: #3366cc; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;">[147]</a></sup><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> The Arab population in 2023 was estimated at 2,065,000 people, representing 21% of the country's population.</span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-CBS2023_1-4" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; text-wrap: nowrap; unicode-bidi: isolate;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_citizens_of_Israel#cite_note-CBS2023-1" style="background: none; color: #3366cc; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration-line: none;">[1]</a></sup></div><div><br /></div><div>In Israel, Palestinian citizens are welcomed and are represented in elections, government and every segment of the shared society.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Problem is Hamas and Gaza: Gaza is NOT part of Israel, and has been independently ruled by Hamas since 2006. Israel is engaged in a war against terror in a civilian terrain. It is a terrible situation and thousands of innocent people are dying. That is true.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>But the accusation of "Genocide" is an inflammatory lie </u></b>meant to distract you from the moral nature of Israel's response to terror and mass murder.</div><div><br /></div><div>HAMAS wants to kill every Israeli and Jew in the land of Israel. THAT is <i>genocide</i> by definition. Israel wants to destroy Hamas, and leave the Palestinian people in peace after. That is NOT genocide.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>STOP.<span> THINK. <span> LEARN THE MEANING OF THE WORDS.<span> THEY MATTER.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-66400181743877837672023-11-02T11:09:00.002-07:002023-11-07T08:24:26.520-08:00I will not be Silent. I will speak the Truth.<p> <span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rabbi Robert L Tobin</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e82aaf85-7fff-acdb-70bc-53aa8ace33c6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Delivered at Montclair State University</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">November 2, 2023</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><b><i><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RJEP-2Vi40">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RJEP-2Vi40</a></i></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THIS WAR IS ABOUT HAMAS, NOT PALESTINE AND PALESTINIANS. THIS WAR IS ABOUT TERROR, NOT ABOUT SOLVING OVER 70 YEARS OF VIOLENCE AND CONFLICT. DONT BE FOOLED THE WOLVES IN SHEEPS CLOTHING WHO HAVE STARTED THIS BRUTAL WAR AND WHO PLANNED FOR IT TO BE EXACTLY AS IT IS, AND NOW THAY HAVE THE AUDACITY TO CLAIM THAT ISRAEL IS THE BAD GUY WHEN THE WAR IS WHAT THEY WANTED FROM THE BEGINNING.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WHEN MARTIN LUTHER KING MARCHED IN SELMA AFTER BLOOD SUNDAY, WHEN MARTIN LUTHER KING SAT IN BIRMINGHAM JAIL, WHEN MARTIN LUTHER KING SPOKE OF HIS DREAM ON THE NATIONAL MALL, HE HAD ONE MESSAGE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR OVER AND OVER AND OVER.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">AND</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“There comes a time when silence is betrayal." </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So I call out to you:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say back to me:</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">[repeat 2-3 times]</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THE STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE, the SJP right here on your campus HAVE PUBLISHED A TOOLKIT. I HAVE IT HERE. I WILL QUOTE FROM </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEIR OWN WORDS</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL QUOTE FROM THEIR WORDS, BECAUSE IN THE HOURS - NOT DAYS - NOT WEEKS - IN THE HOURS FOLLOWING THE BUTCHERY AND TERROR OF OCTOBER 7TH - THE SJP PUBLISHED THIS “TOOLKIT FOR THE DAY OF RESISTENCE.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I URGE THE ADMINISTRATION OF MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY AND ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD CONSCIENCE AND MORAL CONVICTION EVERYWHERE TO LISTEN TO THEIR WORDS! I ASK YOU, ARE THESE WORDS THAT YOU ENDORSE AND PROTECT HERE AT YOUR UNIVERSITY?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the hours after Hamas brutally butchered over 1,400 men women and children in their homes, cars, and beds, </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">DESCRIBING THAT ACT OF BRUTAL TERRORISM, THEY SAID: Today, we witness a historic win for the Palestinian resistance:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">CALLING ON THEIR PROTECTORS AND PROXIES EVERYWHERE THEY SAID: We are asking chapters to host demonstrations on campus/in their community in support of our resistance in Palestine AND YOU HAVE SEEN THEM HERE. BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAY.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEY SAID: our people are actualizing revolution. NOT PROTESTING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS. ACTUALIZING A REVOLUTION.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEY SAID: – it is our responsibility, therefore, to break through [THE NARRATIVE OF] “war” and “unprovoked aggression,” and instead ground our campuses and communities in a narrative which centers the legitimacy of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">resistance</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and the necessity of </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">complete</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> liberation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY RESISTANCE? WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY COMPLETE LIBERATION?</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEY SAID - THAT EVERY ISRAELI IS A SETTLER AND -</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEIR WORDS</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> - Settlers are not “civilians” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEY SAY - THERE ARE NO ISRAELI CIVILIANS. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEY SAY - Resistance comes in all forms— armed struggle, general strikes, and popular demonstrations. All of it is legitimate, and all of it is necessary. THAT MEANS THAT THEIR DEMONSTRATION HERE IS PART AND PARCEL WITH THE TERRORISM OVER THERE. THEY ARE THE SAME. THESE ARE THEIR WORDS.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THEY SAY - ALL ISRAELI CIVILIANS ARE MILITARY ASSETS. ALL ARE SUBJECT TO ARMED STRUGGLE AGAINST THOSE CIVILIANS, WHICH HAMAS HAS PROVEN TO MEAN THE ACTUAL MURDER AND DESIRE TO ELIMINATE EVERY ISRAELI ON EVERY INCH OF LAND “FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA.” THEY PREACH VIOLENCE, MURDER, ETHNIC CLEANSING OF ISRAELIS FROM THEIR OWN LEGAL, INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, DEMOCRATIC HOME. WHEN THERE ARE NO HAMAS MISSILES, THERE ARE NO ISRAELI BOMBS. WHEN THERE ARE NO HAMAS HOSTAGES, THERE ARE NO ISRAELI TANKS IN GAZA. THIS IS A WAR DESIGNED BY, CREATED BY, AND EVEN TODAY CAUSED BY HAMAS AND THEIR PROXIES. WE ARE NOW IN THEIR PLAYBOOK, AGAINST OUR WILL.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They say: “These events are the natural and justified”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THIS WAR IS NOT ABOUT PALESTINE. IT IS ABOUT TERROR. THESE EVENTS ARE NOT NATURAL. THESE EVENTS ARE NOT JUSTIFIED. THIS WAR IS NOT ABOUT VENGEANCE. IT IS ABOUT TERROR. WHEN WILL THE WAR STOP? WHEN OVER 200 HOSTAGES STOLEN FROM THEIR BEDS ARE RETURNED HOME IN PEACE! WHEN WILL THE WAR STOP? WHEN HAMAS NO LONGER HAS THE POWER TO COMMIT TERROR AND MASS MURDER IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE! WHEN WILL THE WAR STOP? WHEN THE MISSILES THAT BEGAN FLYING FROM CIVILIAN TERRITORIES INTO CIVILIAN TERRITORIES ON OCTOBER 7TH - AND CONTINUE TO BE FIRED MINUTE AFTER MINUTE, HOUR AFTER HOUR EVER SINCE, ARE FINALLY SILENCED.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">THIS WAR WILL NOT SOLVE THE ISRAELI PALESTINIAN CONFLICT. THIS WAR WILL NOT CREATE A JUST HOMELAND OR A NATION OF PALESTINE THAT WILL LIVE IN PEACE ALONGSIDE ISRAEL. THIS WAR WILL ONLY CAUSE THE FURTHER SPREAD OF SUFFERING OF THE INNOCENT AND DELAY THAT DAY OF PEACE. BECAUSE TERRORISM IS NOT JUSTICE.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I URGE THE ADMINISTRATION OF MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY AND ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD CONSCIENCE AND MORAL CONVICTION EVERYWHERE TO LISTEN TO THEIR WORDS AND CONDEMN THAT MESSAGE FOR WHAT IT TRULY IS - TERRORISM RIGHT HERE ON YOUR CAMPUS.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I URGE OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS TO TAKE THE FRONT LINE HERE AND ACROSS AMERICA AGAINST THOSE VOICES ON THEIR CAMPUSES THAT THEY THEMSELVES ADMIT ARE CALLING FOR THE KILLING OF ISRAELI CIVILIANS IN THEIR HOMES WHEREVER THEY CAN FIND THEM.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I URGE ALL PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE TO RECOGNIZE THE TERRORISM AND BRUTALITY OF THE MOVEMENT AND THE CYNICAL MANIPULATION BY THEIR PROXIES HERE, WHO DARE TO USE THE LANGUAGE OF LIBERATION AND CIVIL RIGHTS TO PROMOTE TERROR AND MASS MURDER.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">AS MARTIN LUTHER KING HIMSELF SAID, </span><span face="Roboto, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">When I say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL NOT BE SILENT!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You say</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="text-wrap: nowrap;"> </span></span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I WILL SPEAK THE TRUTH!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-8045521521525876472023-10-23T12:15:00.000-07:002023-10-23T12:15:11.335-07:00A vigil for the Innocent, a condemnation of terror, a prayer for peace.<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">October 23, 2023</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-bcbeb3f0-7fff-e992-1c21-45049c1fb9cb"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rabbi Robert Tobin</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">West Orange NJ - At the Interfaith Clergy Association of Verona vigil in support and empathy for Israel Gaza and the Region.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Shalom Aleichem. Salam Aleikum. Pax Vobiscum. The Peace of the Lord be with you.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">October 7th marks a turning point in all of our lives. For Israelis, it will now forever be the day that Hamas terrorists broke through the barrier around Gaza, conquered the defending army base, and proceeded to wreak slaughter and havoc upon more than 2 dozen innocent and undefended small villages and towns. It will be the day Hamas began a barrage of missiles fired from civilian neighborhoods into civilian neighborhoods, not caring who gets killed by them on either side. It is the day they murdered over 1,300 people, most of them unarmed, undefended men women and children in a brutal butchery we have not seen in this generation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">For Hamas, it was their greatest success, and their pride and joy. It is their rallying call to free Palestine, by any means necessary. To label every Israeli human a legitimate military target for death. And for the 2.2 million Palestinian people in Gaza, 1 million of whom are under the age of 18 and have known nothing but Hamas in their schools, government, hospitals and social service agencies, it now results in exactly what Hamas knew would happen: thousands of innocent Palestinians killed by Israeli military might as Israel tries to eliminate Hamas with weapons of war in the most densely populated region on God’s green earth. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The attack of October 7th is still happening today. It started with missiles, continued with murder, developed into hundreds of hostages taken captive back to Gaza, and predictably - intentionally - has turned into war fought on civilian ground. And those missiles have continued to fire off every hour of every day even right now as we stand here in vigilant empathy for the innocent who are caught up in the horrors of this war.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Palestinian child crushed in the rubble of Jaballah or Khan Yunis, or the Israeli child killed in their bed in Beiri don’t know the difference between the very adult decisions that have come to destroy their lives, their families and their communities. The innocent pay the price, and war is terrible. We grieve for the rampant, ongoing human suffering and watch the news agape in horror. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Tonight, this group here on the steps of Verona Town Hall, this clergy association serving the spiritual needs of our community, are united in that human horror - even if some of us are divided on the war, the conflict, and the history. I pray that we are not divided on our hope for peace, security and dignity for all innocent people in the region. As a diverse community of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and more, we unite in empathy for those whose lives have been destroyed and those whose lives may yet be saved.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I would hope, pray - even demand - that all people of moral virtue condemn terrorism, deliberate slaughter of non-combatants, human shields, hostages, and all violations of the geneva conventions protocols for the treatment of civilians in the theater of war. Let me repeat that. [Repeat]</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hostages of all nations and ages must be released. Combatant prisoners of war must be treated as such. Humanitarian aid must flow into the region and those seeking refuge must be allowed and helped to reach a place of relative safety. The international community must insist on this and support this by all means.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Verona Clergy Association has met before to pray for peace. We have worked in mutual respect to build our shared society and all of us must not lose hope even when that day of peace seems to be very far away. How terrible it is for us to hear the cry from anyone who tries to use this moment for only one or the other side of a fight - for so called Justice or Freedom for one people only - from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. This war today is not about solving the Israeli Palestinian conflict. It is about the horror that Hamas inflicted on Israel and Israel’s predictable response. It is about a calculated sabotage of growing peace agreements between Arab nations and Israel. It was a calculated attack not only on Israel, but on the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and any voices of Palestinian or Arab Israelis that speak up in hopes for peace and coexistence. It is a deliberate attack on our common humanity.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So tonight, the missiles are still flying, and the innocent are still dying. The violent militant and military conflict that began on October 7 is ongoing. Hamas isn’t stopping. They continue even now. And Israel isn’t stopping in the face of that relentless attack, and the hundreds of captives imprisoned and afraid. Stop the missiles. Free the hostages. Save the innocent. Protect civilians.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If anyone says the ordinary people don’t matter, tell them they are wrong. If anyone says civilians are legitimate targets, tell them they are wrong. If anyone says October 7 was anything other than a terrorist slaughter, tell them they are wrong. If anyone says military operations permit an army to cut off of food water and medicine to the people, tell them they are wrong. If anyone says humanitarian relief should not be allowed and protected, tell them they are wrong. And if anyone says that peace can be achieved by denying the human rights of any other group of people permanently, tell them that they are wrong.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have our differences, but we have our humanity. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We pray together today, without a clear way out, for the protection of the innocent, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the elimination of hatred, butchery and terrorism, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and the coming of a day when a shared world of civil rights will protect the dignity of all peoples in the region </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and provide the kind of peace that God has promised for all of us.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I ask that you pray for this and more as I read from the book of Psalms.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-13760858010424536662023-10-14T18:09:00.025-07:002023-10-15T08:59:25.325-07:00A Time for War<p> Parshat Bereishit, 5784</p><p>October 14, 2023</p><h1 style="text-align: left;">A Time for War</h1><div>Rabbi Robert Tobin</div><div><br /></div><div>On Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur we affirmed that our lives and every life may have a natural or an unnatural end this year. In the <i>unetaneh tokef</i> prayer we said so many words that have become horribly true. <i>Who will live and who will die? Who by fire, who by sword?</i> We now know that the poem born of persecution and torture in the 13th century in Europe spoke not only to the Crusades, the pogroms and the <i>shoah, </i>but to the towns of Ashkelon, Sederot, Kfar Aza, Beeri, Reim, the Noa music festival, Zikim, Holit, Nahal Oz, Kerem Shalom, Netiv HaAsara, Alumim, Nirim, Kisufim, Ein HaShelosha, Sufa, Nir Yitzhak, Mefalusim, Nir Am, Gevim, Ibim, Or HaNer, Yad Mordechai, Kibbutz Erez - and more - all the way to Ofakim 20 km from Gaza City. And we prayed in our faith and hope that <i>Teshuvah </i>(repentence), <i>Tefillah</i> (prayer) and <i>Tzedakah </i>(charitable giving) could take away some portion of any evil decree for the year ahead - <i>ma'avirim et ro'a ha-gezeirah - </i>and make our lives better.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now we are reminded that <i>Teshuvah, Tefillah</i> and <i>Tzedakah</i> have their own opposites - human choices that don't wish to avert the evil decree but to enflame it and to grow it. That opposite free will choice pours out human hate upon the innocent. Rather than the self-reflection in <i>teshuvah</i> to be self-critical, humble and to seek to be a better person, the terrorist is self-affirming - so superior in their viscious arrogance that any man, woman or child in front of them can be slaughtered by their hand. And in those violent murderous and barbaric acts they reach for <i>tefillah</i> by perverting and twisting what my Moslem friends and colleagues promise me is meant to be a prayer of peace and mercy - instead rejoicing in their blood frenzy and calling out <i>Allah Hu-Akbar</i>! Their prayer to God screams hate and rains death upon the innocent. And what of their <i>tzedakah</i>? Billions of dollars have been sent to Gaza since Hamas took over - first in 2006 with an election and then in 2007 by killing Palestinian Authority rivals fighting a civil war to make their military dictatorship permanent. Billions of dollars from the US, the EU, the Arab League - and in particular Iran and Qatar, but also NATO ally Turkey and others: to build a country; to build a government; to build an infrastructure; to build an economy; to build a life of peace and sustainable prosperity. But instead they have build a terrorist war machine. Missile factories. Machine gun factories. Bullet factories. RPG's. Grenades. Bombs. Drones. Jamming equipment. Everything turned to war. <i>Teshuvah</i>? <i>Tefillah</i>? <i>Tzedakah</i>?</div><div><br /></div><div>Last week, as the first words of the attacks were spreading through our community, we read the third chapter of the <i><a href="https://www.sefaria.org/Ecclesiastes.3.2?lang=bi" target="_blank">Book of Kohelet</a></i> (Ecclesiastes). We were reminded that God's world has a time for everything...<i> a time for every experience under heaven</i>. <i>A time to live... a time to die... a time to laugh... a time to cry... a time for war.... a time for peace</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now is not a time for peace. Now is a time for war. Peace was the farming community of Holit. Peace was the Israelis removed from Gaza in 2005 who settled on our side of the 1948 Armistice line and built tomato farms and dairy farms. Peace was Oslo and offers of a Palestinian state in 1947, 2004, 2007, 2013 - all rejected by Palestinian leadership - all scorned by Hamas. Hamas has an absolute extreme terrorist mentality, built within a radical religious world view, that every inch of Israel is Palestine and every single non-Palestinian is - in their words - an "occupier" and "a military weapon of occupation." Every baby, child, grandparent and foreign worker they call a military weapon and declare a right to murder them at any opportunity.</div><div><br /></div><div>On our college campuses right now across the country a group called Students for Justice in Palestine have published a <a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2023/10/DAY-OF-RESISTANCE-TOOLKIT.pdf">toolkit for organization</a> with action plans and talking points that <i>completely adopt the extreme Hamas terrorist platforms</i>. They are gathering under the banner of Justice but they are teaching hate and terror. Let me quote from their own sources for you: the barbaric slaughter of civilians in their beds and in the streets they described as "gained control over illegal settlements." Describing the day's actions they say "these events are the natural and justified response to decades of oppression and dehumanization." They say explicitly, "settlers" - and remember "settlers" means <u>every Israeli anywhere at all</u> - "settlers are not civilians... they are military assets used to control stolen land." End quote. Every Israeli anywhere is a "settler," of any age, any ability and they say that Hamas terrorism and mass murder is QUOTE "Natural and Justified." End Quote.</div><div><br /></div><div>No.</div><div><br /></div><div>In their toolkit they seek to "normalize" armed resistance and to fight "by any means necessary." Their goal is the complete "liberation of Palestine from (the Jordan) River to the (Mediterranean) Sea." Violence. Armed attacks. Mass killing. Ethnic cleansing. "By any means necessary." In their words, again, "All of it is Justified. All of it is necessary." </div><div><br /></div><div>Well. We Jews have heard that before, haven't we? We know better than anyone what all of that means, and now the world has seen it. And SJP are openly and completely supporting it. They are a proud part of it. They are the terrorist's mouthpieces. They have no place in the legitimate discourse of any liberal arts institution. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have argued for a Palestinian State and I still believe that is the only possible eventual solution. This is not that. Palestinians deserve better than this.</div><div><br /></div><div>Why is there a fence around Gaza? Look what happens when there is not.</div><div><br /></div><div>In their attack on Israeli towns, killing over 1,300 people and taking prisoner over 150 hostages, Hamas has attacked humanity. They have murdered or captured people from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=6678988802217361&set=a.992255364224095" target="_blank">FORTY-TWO other countries</a> in addition to Israel. The US says that 29 citizens were murdered and 14 are being held captives. If that happened anywhere else in the world the United States would send in the Navy Seals and the Marines, and would be right to do so. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hamas will not stop. No amount of peace talks, or humanitarianism will convince them to stop. As a peace-person, an interfaith person, a rabbi who admires and values diversity and cares deeply about the suffering of all innocents... as an international relations guy, a supporter of the U.N., a law and relief agency kind of guy,<i><b> I see no alternative. There is a time for peace. There is a time for War. Now is the time for War.</b></i></div><div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Peace is never won by the military. Peace is the purview of the diplomats. </div><div><br /></div><div>The humanitarian suffering is real. And there are innocents in Gaza right now losing their lives for the terror that Hamas brought and the horror that comes with Israel's bombs and the coming ground war in pursuit of the terrorists and the hostages. It is horrible. Consider supporting humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees - so long as the money does not go to Hamas. Egypt must open the southern border of Gaza for humanitarian aid and refugee safety. The UN, the Arab League, the US and the EU need to support that. And the US must care for our citizens trapped in Gaza and get them out. But there is no room in the world for Hamas any more and every hostage must be freed or accounted for. </div><div><br /></div><div>I pray for a rebuilt Gaza under new leadership that values not only peace but truth. That recognizes historical facts. That Zionism was a partner with the Ottoman Empire, under Moslem rule, for decades before WWI - peacefully and legally buying land, developing resources, building towns - long before the League of Nations gave Britain legal control over the area. And that Zionism was a legal partner with the British doing the same: buying land, developing resources and building towns and infrastructure. And that after WWII, the Mandate for Palestine was legally turned over to the United Nations, who voted for the establishment of Israel, legally and legitimately. And then that legal and legitimate State of Israel solved years of massive refugee crises from the Displaced Persons camps of Europe by bringing the survivors of the <i>Shoah</i> to Israel for asylum. Israel is a legal, legitimate country. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Do you really think people who supported the slaughter of young and old in their beds believe in civil rights?</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Israel's history is not "Colonialism," despite those well meaning fools who have fallen for that false narrative and that fraudulent reading of history. This is a displaced people, who have legally returned to their ancient homeland, joining generations of Jewish settlement that never completely left that land. They consistently returned by legal means under Moslem, Christian and now Jewish rule. 10% of Israeli citizens today are Israeli Arabs, living in peace and relative prosperity in Israel, enjoying civil rights and democracy unthinkable under Hamas' boot in Gaza. Israel is a diverse society racially, culturally, and religiously. Truth and true history are a necessary part of eliminating intolerance, hate and terror. Don't fall for their twisted campaigns masquerading as Justice and Civil Rights as they proclaim every Israeli from the River to the Sea to be a settler, a colonist, a racist and a military asset to be destroyed. Listen to what they are really saying and watch what they are really doing. Don't fall for it.</div><div><br /></div><div>We have always wanted peace. But not today. Not after this. Not with Hamas. It is, sadly, just not possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>So pray for the dead. Pray for the wounded. Pray for the captured, the displaced and the suffering. Pray for those who are now putting their lives on the line to save the hostages and eliminate the terrorists and their tunnels, factories, missiles and all their tools of war so that one day, may it be soon, the diplomats may ensure that all of us can live in a genuine peace.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Od yavo shalom aleinu - aval od lo hayom</i>. Peace will come to us one day, but not today.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a time for War and a time for Peace.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>To support Israel in its time of need click on either of these links:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.jnf.org/ways-to-help/support-israel" target="_blank">The Jewish National Fund/USA Israel Resistence Campaign</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.jfedgmw.org/support-your-community/emergency-funding-for-israel/?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=header-button&utm_campaign=israel-at-war" target="_blank">The North American Jewish Federation's Emergency Fund for Israel</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-1228045353001551262023-10-09T06:50:00.002-07:002023-10-09T06:50:21.804-07:00Hamas Invasion of Israel: Mass Murder, Kidnapping, War Crimes, Terror. The Evil that Must be Stopped.<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dear Friends,</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-69060bc7-7fff-2d48-892d-b6e4a1d774f6"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Ayin leTzion Tzofia. Our eyes are all focused on Israel</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Today is a day of absolute moral clarity and determination. Below you will find links to support our people and to contact our political leaders.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hamas has invaded Israel. In the last two days, hundreds of armed fighters flooded into border towns and brutally murdered over 700 civilians, 50 soldiers and gravely wounded over 2,000 more. Peaceful kibbutzim, small villages and large towns saw machine-gun-mounted trucks and jeeps, strike forces on motorcycles indiscriminately kill anyone they could find. Militants slaughtered over 200 unarmed innocent revelers at a music festival. Rampaging soldiers with military grade weapons hunted and killed hundreds of civilians of every age in their homes and on the streets. Shockingly, the Israeli defense forces were unaware and unprepared, and help came only after hours, or even days. In the meantime, estimates are that as many as 100 civilians were captured and dragged back to Gaza as human shields and bargaining chips, some paraded proudly in the streets of Gaza by the militants with the approval of adoring crowds. In addition, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">thousands</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> of missiles </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">continue</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to be sent from Gaza to pound random Israeli civilian locations from the Gaza border to southern Tel Aviv and around the Gaza envelope.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mass murder. Kidnapping. War Crimes. There is not an inch of pardon or justification that is possible for the brutal and targeted slaughter of hundreds of civilians in a single day. Our people’s deadliest day since the Shoah. No political cause and no organization that engages in such behavior can be allowed to continue unchecked on the face of the earth. The leader of Hamas in Gaza, speaking to Al Jazeera on the record, has been clear </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">even yesterday</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">: Every Israeli anywhere in Israel is a “settler” and all settlers “are not civilians.” They are legitimate targets in their eyes - any person of any age, wherever they can find them are subject to immediate execution. When we say “antiZionism” is “antiSemitism” this is exactly what we mean.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We all wish for peace. The Gaza fence and border was built because of this violence, and only that borders has held back this violence to this point. Hamas has been the ruling government in Gaza since it won their first and last elections there in 2006. For 17 years they have received billions in international aid, but they have incessantly turned that aid into military infrastructure, tunnels, rockets and have raised a generation to believe that mass murder is holy work. This is what they do.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Israel has now mobilized every person capable of military service - over 300,000 persons. The war has begun. For Hamas this is still the war of independence from 1948, and it is about Israel even existing on any level. Israel is starting by smashing Hamas infrastructure and striking back at any location that is firing missiles. Since Hamas has knowingly embedded these terrorist targets in civilian neighborhoods, the collateral damage to civilian life is unavoidable. Should Israel invade Gaza in pursuit of the killers, they will seek military targets and control. Compare that to the slaughter of innocents this weekend. Despite the inevitable news reports that will seek to raise the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">equality</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> of the civilian harm on both sides, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">there is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">no moral equivalency</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to how any why civilians are dying on each side.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Every death is the moral responsibility of Hamas. This is not a skirmish. This will not be quick.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As human beings</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> we care about what is right, and empathize with those wrongfully slaughtered, captured, wounded and terrorized. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As Jews</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> we know the price that our families and friends are paying each moment. We lament the death and devastation we are forced to engage in. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We must rise up and respond</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We must immediately, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">tangibly </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">support Israel’s civilian population’s needs.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> 25 border towns are being evacuated, and those people need shelter, schools, trauma support and more. 2,000+ victims are suffering from wounds endured from gunshots, stabbings, missiles, explosives and more. The hospitals are over-run and supplies have run out. Every member of this congregation must give </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">something</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">today.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Our immediate partners, the Jewish National Fund/USA and the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest are already on the ground responding to these needs. Supporting their emergency campaigns is the fastest and most immediate way to help:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 72pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate?appeal=7043&_gl=1*16pqt4*_gcl_au*OTMyNDIwMDUuMTY5Njg1NzkyNQ..*_ga*MTE2Njc1NzM4MC4xNjk2ODU3OTI1*_ga_CK2ZE2TTQR*MTY5Njg1NzkyNC4xLjAuMTY5Njg1NzkyNC4wLjAuMA.." style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">JNF/USA Israel Resilience Campaign </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">- “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Evacuation from hardest hit communities on the border including transportation and emergency housing; Provide hygiene, bedding, and care packages to those in need; Provide firefighting and protective equipment to those on the front lines; Offer psychological treatment; Give the local communities the promise of rebuilding for tomorrow”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.jfedgmw.org/support-your-community/emergency-funding-for-israel/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jewish Federations of Greater MetroWest Emergency Fund</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> - “Support Critical, lifesaving efforts”</span></p><br /><ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">We must assert to our political leaders unconditionally that Hamas is no longer a sufferable player in the Israeli-Palestinian political conflict.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> No such organization can legitimately claim the mantle of hope for a free or peaceful Palestinian people in any configuration of any kind. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Apologists for them and their actions are complicit enablers of war crimes and terrorists</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">like the world has not seen since the Nazis. Assert (a) Israel's absolute need for our support and (b) Hamas’ complete forfeiture of legitimacy on any level. They and their partners are the enemies of civilized hope.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Find your Representative</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Find your Senator</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://nj.gov/governor/contact/all/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Governor Murphy</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 67.5pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">President Biden</span></a></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The goal of our advocacy is to:</span></p><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: lower-alpha; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">cease any support of the Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip, </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: lower-alpha; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">to ally the United States </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">actively</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the military support of Israel’s efforts, and </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; list-style-type: lower-alpha; margin-left: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">to condemn the propaganda that seeks to legitimize the Hamas tactics as any form of legitimate “pro-Palestinian resistence.”</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In addition, please know that our sister synagogue in Arad is not directly affected, but that every person in Israel is profoundly affected. They are in our prayers, and every point of contact you may have with any Israeli family or friend is appreciated at this time more than you know. And, of course, our Israel trip in late January - which is not scheduled to be in the theater of conflict, is being carefully considered. Now is not the time to disengage, and is of course also a time for care and concern.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the meantime I also caution you to care for your well being. In the age of media blitzes the news can be overwhelming. Make sure that you are putting limits on your exposure and not adding unnecessary trauma by watching </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">repetitions </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">of the same news over and over. Turn it off for a bit, and find a cause or an organization that you identify with that is trying to help. Take the positive path and go to a rally. Post and repost on your social media, and advocate for Israel with your family, friends and colleagues.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There will be many briefings, rallies and opportunities for you to engage in the hours and days ahead. Last night the local Federation held a rally with local and state leaders at Temple Bnai Jeshurun. Today, the JNF/USA will have an online briefing at 12:00 noon today. You can join using this link: </span><a href="https://click.email.jnf.org/?qs=d9adf8b17c69f40d1cac2c2907159a8f2f1b4abd7ca3871430017fd40f0749849e733d9ad17bee377696e1fe9bbe7121ab4e8b06395d6d1b" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #002855; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">https://jnf.zoom.us/j/92168860129</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #002855; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Finally, please know that many of our families have children, grandchildren, parents, siblings and dear ones who are directly in the midst of the conflict. Each morning service for the foreseeable future we will be including a prayer for Israel’s defense forces and for the safe return of our captives. In community we can find strength, and our prayers are real.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We remain steadfast in our love of and support of Israel, and our hopes for a better future.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rabbi Robert Tobin</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-27724352833763405362023-06-22T13:54:00.006-07:002023-06-23T10:54:51.920-07:00Refusing to Make Pride Cookies at a Kosher Bake Shop<p>The week of June 4th, Rabbi Julie Schwarzwald - the Director of Congregational Learning at Millburn's Bnai Israel - had her order for Rainbow Pride cookies cancelled by the West Orange Bake Shop. When she went to the bake shop to ask why, she did not receive a direct answer. Since then it has become clear that it is exactly what it seems to be: the Orthodox proprietors chose to invoke their rights determined by the Supreme Court that, as Orthodox Jews, they are not compelled to actively create a message on their products that contradicts their own religious beliefs and values. In this case, they determined that celebrating LGBTQ+ "pride" matches that definition.</p><p>There has been much circulating in this community, and we should be clear. The order was received by an employee and cancelled by the proprietors prior to the pickup date - when they became aware of it. Rabbi Schwarzwald went in to learn why it was cancelled, with her suspicions. She was not given an answer. Since then there have been private conversations, and it is clear that her suspicions were correct: the order was cancelled because of the LGBTQ+ pride content. It is safe, one would think, to assume that the employees are now better trained not to accept such an order in the future. The real issue is not "how" the order was cancelled, but "that" the order was canceled. It is the actual religious belief underlying the act. </p><p>For my part, and with the full support of the Rabbinical Assembly of America and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, I believe that humans are created in the image of God with a variety of potential gender identities and with the possibility of gender fluidity. In the biblical account, humans were created on the sixth day, and God declared that it was not merely "good" but "very good." This applies to all humans, including all races, genders and identities. Who they are is how God made them, and intended them to be. They are part of the beauty, variety and divinity of humans in the image of God. The concept of "pride" in anything as a virtue may contradict "humility" but given the gross historical oppression of the LGBTQ+ communities by our religious and our social authorities over time, the embrace of "Pride" is a reasonable over-correction to assert the positive value of each human being. I rejoice that as a rabbi I live in an age that has come to better understand our texts and our traditions in this area.</p><p>The Conservative movement is "proud" to ordain clergy, rabbis, cantors and to train educators of any gender identity and background. We are "proud" to sanctify marriages and welcome families of any gender relations and structures. We actively seek to make our spaces safe and uplifting for all, from our restrooms to our sanctuary. Everyone is welcome in our community, and we believe that everyone should be equally served in our community. When we refuse basic Jewish services to members of our community who are articulating who they are, we are excluding and dividing. When that happens, we all need to take note and respond deliberately.</p><p>I recognize that there are serious and direct differences between our beliefs and the teachings of Orthodoxy on this topic. I recognize that there is religious freedom in this country and I accept the Supreme Court ruling that protects one from being forced to create a product or work of art that contradicts personal religious beliefs. Nevertheless, one is not forced to cancel this type of order. Were it a cross on a cake for a Christening, would the order also be cancelled? Many questions arise, and I am sure that the proprietors are sincere and not taking this issue at all lightly. </p><p>I also recognize that I too have a choice where to shop, and where not to shop. As a result of this choice, I will not frequent the West Orange Bake Shop in West Orange NJ in the future. I leave it to you to make your own choice. Their food is still kosher - and certified as such. If families in our community choose to patronize them, that is also their choice. </p><p>I wish this were otherwise. I wish a different choice had been made. We are still one single Jewish community, but there are times when exclusion can not be ignored. This is one of those times.</p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-27133129295812819232023-04-19T09:04:00.002-07:002023-04-19T09:09:11.364-07:00 Fox not covering Fox - Dominion's Victory for Truth<p> Fox not covering Fox</p><p>The only time I blocked someone from my facebook account was after the 2020 election when I posted that the Dominion vote counting machines functioned correctly and that the conspiracy theories to the contrary were outright lies. That person responded with innuendo and accusation, following the fabricated talking points of Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell on behalf of President Trump. Voting machines are calculators, and they scan <i>and preserve</i> the paper ballots filled out by the voter. Visual, manual recounts and checks had determined the facts and the rest was part of a concerted conspiracy to overthrow a free and fair election. </p><p>Yesterday, the Foxs News Corporation settled a defamation lawsuit from Dominion Voting for $187 million in damages, acknowledging that the judge had determined the accusations to be false and the Fox company had knowingly broadcast the false accusations over and over. Fox essentially admitted to misleading the American public intentionally to maintain ratings and curry favor with the Trump camp, behaving in the worst form of unethical journalism imaginable.</p><p>That lawsuit, and its conclusion, is a big deal. It is news. And it is true. But don't expect Fox to cover its own story. Don't expect Tucker Carlson to come on air and admit his deliberate lies. </p><h2 style="text-align: center;">If you Watch Fox</h2><p>If you watch Fox, and are a believer in the election frauds lies, this is not just another political moment in the culture wars of America. You have been deliberately manipulated, riled up and lied to in order to further a losing cause against the natural function of democracy. Do you remember the "Sore-Loserman" signs held by Republicans after Al Gore and Joe Lieberman took the "hanging chads" to court after the 2000 Presidential election? You were right then, and you are wrong now. It's okay. We can't all win all the time, and it looks like you will get another shot at a Trump presidential run in 2024. But we know he is already continuing the lies. <span style="background-color: #fcff01;">If you want his policies say that, but drop the fraud lies and conspiracy theories. </span>Lick your wounds and figure out why the majority of Americans and a clear majority of the electoral college did not want President Trump to continue as president. Work from facts and truth because truth matters. Facts matter.</p><p>If you won't listen to me, and are offended by this post, then listen to Mitch McConnell following the attack on the Capital in support of President Trump's plan to overthrow the Congressional Count of the Electoral votes and the declaration of President Biden's Victory:</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p" style="color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;">McConnell said on Jan. 6, shortly before the Capitol was breached by mobs of President Donald Trump supporters. "We cannot simply declare ourselves a national board of elections on steroids. The voters, the courts, and the states have all spoken. They've all spoken. If we overrule them, it would damage our republic forever." </span><span style="background-color: unset;">McConnell went on to say that "</span><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">this election actually was not unusually close. Just in recent history, 1976, 2000, and 2004 were all closer than this one. The Electoral College margin is almost identical to what it was in 2016. If this election were overturned by mere allegations from the losing side, our democracy would enter a death spiral.</span><span style="background-color: unset;">"</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: unset;">If I could make Fox News cover the story I would. The final proofs of the lies and the conspiracies will play out in multiple lawsuits and courts from New York to Georgia, and Dominion is only the largest of the voting systems to sue. More are coming. But for now, today, we are once again seeing that when it comes to their own honesty and trustworthiness the Fox News Corporation is not telling you who they are or why they do what they do. Rather than spending equal time fixing their lies on air, they have issued a muted statement to the press.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: unset;">Here is all you will ever hear from them:</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><span face="CNN, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, Utkal, sans-serif" style="color: #262626; font-size: 16px;">“We are pleased to have reached a settlement of our dispute with Dominion Voting Systems. <b>We acknowledge the Court’s rulings finding certain claims about Dominion to be false</b>. This settlement reflects FOX’s continued commitment to the highest journalistic standards. We are hopeful that our decision to resolve this dispute with Dominion amicably, instead of the acrimony of a divisive trial, allows the country to move forward from these issues," the statement said.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;">If that is enough for you, fine. But let the consumer beware as we move forward into the next election cycle when truth will once again be on the ballot.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;">And finally, in anticipation of the "whataboutism" distractions of counter-accusations and political nonsense, please know that I will delete any posts in responses that are not on the topic of this specific lawsuit and the facts determined by the court.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #303030; font-family: "Georgia Pro", Georgia, "Droid Serif", serif; margin: 14px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-52241575946412150592023-03-27T06:55:00.018-07:002023-03-27T07:09:26.284-07:00 Israel at the Crossroads: Democracy or Majoritarianism?<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;"><span style="font-size: large;">I believe in inalienable human rights, and sovereign rule through democratic norms. How can that be controversial?</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="Google Sans, Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="color: #202124; font-size: medium;"><i style="background-color: white;">In my opinion, there are two threats to legitimate democracy in Israel today: the One State plan, and the gutting of Israel's supreme court that is occurring right now. Both would forever eliminate the essential structure of civil rights, institutionalize military rule, majoritarianism and the oppression of minorities for the foreseeable future. Here is how.</i></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: large;">The Evisceration of the Supreme Court: <br /></span></u><u><span style="font-size: large;">Corruption and the Loss of Minority Protections</span></u></h2><p style="text-align: left;">As I write, hundreds of thousands of Israelis are marching in the streets in protest of a set of "Judicial Reforms." Universities have closed. Labor unions are threatening a national strike. Growing numbers of reservists are refusing to report to duty. And last night, the Prime Minister fired the Defense Minister for going on television Saturday night and daring to say that the Judicial Reforms need to slow down until a national consensus can be achieved regarding them. Prime Minister Netanyahu has instead declared that the Supreme Court is the greatest threat to democracy and that he and his majority have the right, power and obligation to gut its independence and remove its power to overturn governmental and legislative actions.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><u>What does the Supreme Court do that bothers Netanyahu's partners so much?</u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">1)<span> </span><b>Netanyahu and Deri are invested in removing the court's power to exert a "reasonability veto" on governmental decisions. </b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">The Court has recently used its "reasonability" power to declare that Aryeh Deri was unfit for service in the ruling cabinet because of his prior convictions and jail time for corruption while in office. As head of the Shas religious political party, Deri is a major coalition partner in the government and personally musters enormous numbers of faithful followers in election after election. In addition, it set an important precedent against Netanyahu himself, who is currently indicted for corruption from his previous term of service as Prime Minister. If the power of the Supreme Court remains unchanged, and Netanyahu is convicted, he would be removed from office. This is intolerable to Netanyahu and his followers.</p></blockquote></blockquote><p><b>2)<span> The Supreme Court has protected Religious and Social/Sexual Minorities in the past.</span></b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Israeli Pride marches, gay/lesbian rights in marriage registry and adoption. It has ruled in favor of civil rights in the occupied territories, and minority rights in Israel proper. In particular, it has asserted the religious rights of non-Orthodox Jewish Israelis. It also placed limitations on the expansion of settlements. All of these decisions are noxious to the leaders of Political religious Orthodoxy. If the Supreme court's power to review is eliminated, it is entirely reasonable to believe that gay rights, non-Orthodox religious freedoms and minority liberties can and will be rolled back by the government without recourse. Such an elimination of basic civil liberties would be an illiberal democratic move by definition.</p></blockquote></blockquote><p>3) <b> When rule by the majority is not "democratic." </b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>Two wolves and a sheep vote on what they will have for dinner. Isn't that fair and democratic? It is, unless you believe in the inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Allowing a majority to rule in this case is "pulling the wool over your eyes."</p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">The current majority in the Israeli government is comprised by the following parties:</p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Likud (31)</p></blockquote></blockquote><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Shas (11) </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">United Torah Judaism (7), </p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">The National Religious Party (7) and </p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Otzma Yehudit (6). </p></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">Together they are a bare majority of 62/120 - enough to form a coalition and take over the Executive and Legislative branches of the government. </p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p><b>4)<span> What is Majoritarianism and why is it so bad?</span> </b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>One form of illiberal democracy is "Majoritarianism." This situation occurs when a majority in a free and fair election, such as Israel's, uses their majority power to act with authoritarian power akin to dictatorship. All checks and balances against their rule of power are removed, often including the courts, the free press, civil rights and eventually the legality of opposition parties themselves. The Majoritarian government can do anything, even things that democracies are not supposed to do, claiming that it is the "will of the people" for them to act. In a self-affirming and anti-democratic move, they assert that they have a "mandate from the people" and that minorities that protest their actions are just sore losers.</p></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 22px;"><u><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Illiberal Democracy in the "One State" plan</u></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">My legitimate concern began several years ago was based in the context of annexing territories, won in the 1967 war, without granting full citizenship and voting rights to all people living in those territories. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Either release them to self-governance or annex them and grant full citizenship. The only alternative is permanent military occupation of non-citizen population centers without political freedom and democratic rule. People who argue against this view seek to </span><i style="text-align: left;">justify why it is necessary</i><span style="text-align: left;">. All they are doing is proving my point.</span></p><p>This has now become the <i>stated policy goal</i> of the current governing coalition under Prime Minister Netanyahu and is an unambiguous statement of fact. The permanent rule over occupied territories, however you define them as Yehuda/Shomron or the West Bank, is an expression of illiberalism by definition.</p><p>To put it plainly, The Likud Party has - ever since Menachem Begin the mid 1970's - held the position that there should be "one state" from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean. This has been the basic view of the Otzma Yehudit (Kahanist/Settler) party as well. The Oslo Accords, now abandoned by the majority of Israeli lawmakers, affirmed a Two State solution as the ultimate goal - Israel and Palestine living side by side. The current policy goals reject that idea.</p><p>The One State solution is the view of intolerance on both sides. Anti-Zionism (Hamas, Students for Justice in Palestine, Hezbollah, many in the BDS movement and others) declares one state (Palestinian) as their only goal. Right-wing Israelis - in particular the settler movements and communities - declare one state (Israel) as their only goal. Both extremes have proven that they can not be trusted with the "inalienable rights" of the other should they be granted the power and authority they seek. </p><p>A Two State solution remains the only hope for a future with human rights and legitimate democracies. Do we really have to choose between Democracy and Israel?</p><p>The fact that most Israelis and most Palestinians reject the Two State solution does not change reality. In any One State solution human rights will suffer.</p><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">The Authoritarian Play Book - Why we worry.</h1><div>1)<span> Win legitimate Authority <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span>(YOU ARE HERE)</div><div>2)<span> Demonize minorities <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>(YOU ARE HERE)</span></div><div><span><span><span>3)<span> Focus on external threats and security concerns<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></span>(YOU ARE HERE)</div><div><span><span><span><span>4)<span> Take control of all police and military forces </span></span></span></span></span>(YOU ARE HERE)</div><div><span><span><span><span><span>5)<span> </span></span></span></span></span></span><span>Eliminate or Control the Judiciary <span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span>(YOU ARE HERE)</span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span>6) Eliminate Minority Rights<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> (Underway)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span>7)<span> </span>Eliminate opposition access to power</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span>8)<span> Make your government's rule permanent</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>9) <span> Establish illiberal elections to validate your rule.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>..... So, Where are YOU now?</div><div><br /></div>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-72928848388711614002023-03-21T06:41:00.006-07:002023-03-21T12:30:20.052-07:00 Inclusion and Exclusion - Embracing Change for Good<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inclusion and Exclusion - Embracing Change for Good</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-740c4f98-7fff-8c69-5646-8579c1ae5189"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our synagogue has been engaged in a slow process of change for decades. At first, in the fifties, men and women were allowed to sit together. Then, in the seventies girls could have a bat mitzvah on Friday nights. Next, in the eighties, women could read from the Torah for the congregation and eventually count in the minyan. More recently, we have come to embrace same sex couples, and the life celebrations and memberships that come with them. We now welcome and invite our non-Jewish family and friends to participate in the ritual life of our congregation, especially in their families' </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">simchas</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and sacred moments. And now, as we come to understand and accept the variety of gender expressions and sexual identities that exist in God’s creation, we are devoted to being inclusive of all those who seek more Judaism through participation in our community and synagogue life.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I recognize that when brought together this is a lot. And it is good and it is important. In the wake of these changes, however, a key term - a core value - has been raised, debated and decried by a valued few who are not comfortable or supportive of these values. The terms in question are </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inclusion</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">exclusion</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. So, in the sincere hope and prayer that our variety and differences can be appreciated and our core values understood, I would like to define each term and give a couple of examples.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exclusion</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is any circumstance of formal, ingrained or physical limits that prevent a person from exercising their free will to fully participate in an activity, group or physical infrastructure. They wish to participate, and are excluded </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by an external force</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which prevents them from doing so. That is exclusion. Exclusion can occur through everything from the absence of universal design in bathrooms to overt bigotry and bias. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Inclusion</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the circumstance of an open, supportive and welcoming system that anticipates and eliminates all possible </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">external</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> barriers of exclusion. Inclusion is tested when a person </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wishes to be a part</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and in fact is able to be a part of the activity, community or location in question.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Religion can “Exclude</u>"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Religious organizations will often exclude the non-faithful or outsider from their core sacraments, but this is not exclusion </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">per se</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A non-Catholic can not take communion. A non-Muslim is not allowed at the Kaba in Mecca. A non-Jew can not read from the Torah scroll for the community. Since access to the core rituals is permitted by the free will act of conversion, this kind of exclusivity is entirely </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inclusive</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in potential - based on the free will of the individual in question. There is no structural, formal or deliberate exclusion - just the choice of the individual to adhere to the norms of that community. As such, Religions have the ability and the right to exclude - or include - based on any principle of faith. Religious organizations will draw the lines in various ways. Orthodox synagogues will not accept intermarried couples as members, or permit women to lead religious services of the congregation. That is their right.</span></p><br /><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Religious “Inclusion</u>"</span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two examples are instructive. First, our synagogue has determined exactly what is permitted or not permitted for a non-Jewish person to do during the services of the congregation. We have embraced their full possible participation in our public and private rituals, according to Jewish Law in our movement. A non-Jew can join their spouse at the ark, or on the bimah, and can say a parent’s prayer for their child during their bar or bat mitzvah. Yet they don’t say prayers or engage in actions commanded of Jews for Jews. Second, we have recognized the important religious value of personal dignity and avoiding public embarrassment when it comes to our bathrooms, providing not just the binary choices of men and women but also a proclaimed “all gender” bathroom. No one is forced into a personally awkward space, and each person’s free will defines for themselves where they will go. This is the definition of inclusion.</span></p><br /><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>The accusation of “exclusion" in times of change</u></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Change is not always welcomed by everyone, and is managed as a process in religious communities. Clearly all the movements in Judaism originally accepted the pertinent passages of Leviticus as prohibiting homosexuality, for example. The Conservative movement has come to recognize homosexuality as a creation of God, not a sinful choice. It is, therefore, to be celebrated in the kinds of lifecycle moments that heterosexual couples have always enjoyed. Eliminating the ban on all homosexuality was an act of inclusion, based on the change in beliefs endorsed by the movement as a whole. But what of the person who joined the community long ago who holds fast to the prior belief system? What happens when they sit in their long-time seat and are suddenly subjected to a ritual activity or community norm that they believe is terrible and wrong? “By making this change” they say, “you are excluding </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">me</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” I have to lovingly say, they are mistaken.</span></p><u><br /></u><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Embracing free will</u></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u> in times of change is the key to the conundrum.</u> The religious leadership of the movement, as taught by the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mara d’atra</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - the local rabbinic law authority of the rabbi - determines the acceptable norms and standards for the community. The community then sets policy and procedures within those norms. So there are two steps. First the Jewish law is determined. That is an exclusionary action. Second, the communal standards and policies are determined by the volunteer leadership. That can be either further exclusion, or full inclusion. Our community, to its great credit, has become avowedly </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inclusive</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in its norms. <i><u>Everything permitted by Jewish law is made available to everyone of any ability or identity who comes into our building.</u></i> Barriers have been removed, and free will is the only determining factor for someone’s participation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Some people </b>will accept and others will personally reject these changes in the synagogue. This has always been the case, as in each of the earlier examples of change I mentioned. Some will determine that they want a more exclusive environment, or that they want one with even more inclusive core beliefs and practices. They are still valued and beloved members of our community, and the distress this causes is sad. I ask that everyone look to the most inclusive model when it comes to the permitted, and act from love rather than judgement.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other hand, a negative outcome is possible for some individuals as a personal choice. A</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> person who chooses not to tolerate</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the practices and norms of the community is making a personal choice based on the exercise of their own free will. The community is not "doing this to them." They are still being </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">included</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in our community. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No barrier exists to their continued involvement, and they are welcome and valued, even if they personally oppose the religious standards being taught by the movement and embodied in the synagogue. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Religion Exists to Provoke Change</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In fact, one can presume that this is the core purpose of the synagogue and religion as a whole. If everyone in the room already believed and followed every teaching of the organization, there would be no possibility for spiritual or religious growth among the members. Religion exists to provoke change and improvement in all of us. It can be safely presumed that its message will not always be welcome - especially if it is something new.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are indeed an </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inclusive</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> community, and I am proud of our community’s firm embrace of that standard. It is my sincere prayer that we embrace our diversity in all its forms and that all our people continue to devote themselves to our synagogue and its ever changing fabric of community. All are welcome.</span></p><br /><br /></span>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-5830597023760880592023-03-02T12:52:00.002-08:002023-03-02T12:52:46.810-08:00Condemn the Terror by Palestinians and Israelis this past week and be aware of what is at stake<p> </p><center style="background-color: #deeff7; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="bodyTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 100%px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" id="bodyCell" style="border-top-width: 0px; height: 4112px; margin: 0px; padding: 10px; width: 524px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="templateContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; max-width: 600px !important; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td id="templatePreheader" style="background-image: none; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 390px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top">A message in friendship, with prayers for peace.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 210px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><a href="https://mailchi.mp/shi.org.il/letter-to-hartman-community?e=e314b2ef44" style="color: #066997;" target="_blank">View this email in your browser</a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="templateHeader" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnImageBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnImageBlockInner" style="padding: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnImageContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnImageContent" style="padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><a class="" href="https://hartman.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b7614069dcb43ff1eda09b285&id=ba17d9a147&e=e314b2ef44" target="_blank" title=""><img align="center" alt="" class="mcnImage" src="https://mcusercontent.com/b7614069dcb43ff1eda09b285/images/e71f5d33-d604-aa70-6333-cc41a531bceb.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; height: auto; max-width: 600px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: bottom;" width="468.12" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; table-layout: fixed !important; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnDividerBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnDividerBlockInner" style="min-width: 100%; padding: 5px 18px 10px;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerContent" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-top-color: rgb(8, 133, 190); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 2px; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><br /><br />Since the founding of the Shalom Hartman Institute over 40 years ago, and throughout these decades of producing research on the biggest challenges facing Jewish life and running educational programs for the betterment of the Jewish people, we have adhered to a set of overarching commitments that help to characterize the stakes of our work, and our aspirations. <br /> <br /><strong>Our Core Commitments</strong> <br />First, our work – and the positioning of our headquarters in Jerusalem – reflect an appreciation of the centrality of the birth of the State of Israel in a modern Jewish religious consciousness and a willingness to engage in the audacious, creative process of ‘writing the Torah of Zionism’ for the Jewish people as we encounter the new possibilities that this historical reality has brought about. <br /><br />Second, we understand the State of Israel to have originated as a collective project of the Jewish people worldwide, and we insist that it must remain that way – requiring all our wisdom and passion for its long-term thriving. We sometimes say that Israel is too big and too important to be left to Israelis alone. For Israel to be the homeland of the Jewish people, it must forever engage the hearts, minds, concerns, and commitments of world Jewry. Just as Jewish suffering has historically been shared by Jews the world over, so must Jewish responsibility for Jewish peoplehood be shared as well. <br /><br />Third, we see the State of Israel as one of the greatest tests the Jewish people have ever faced – a crucible of our values systems and essentially a public referendum on the quality of our commitments. The experience of power and sovereignty can be miraculous, but it is also a test. For Judaism and Jewish tradition to be worth continuing, they must address the central moral questions of the day and speak a coherent moral language in response. Put simply, the State of Israel is the largest platform the Jewish people has ever had to test the integrity of our commitments. <br /><br />And fourth, we insist that the core moral and political aspirations of the State – that it be both a homeland for the Jewish people and a vibrant democracy, a homeland for Jews and for Palestinians, and a Jewish state and a state of all its citizens – are not competing ideas in tension with one another and certainly not contradictions, Rather, they are complex yet plausible aspirations for the State of Israel that can be honored through a serious commitment to Jewish and democratic values and institutions. <br /><br />The fact that these commitments are difficult to attain, and sometimes complicated to articulate, does not make them invalid and does not exonerate our responsibility to bring them out. We believe that Judaism has always spoken in full sentences, in paragraphs, even in tractates – much more than in the slogans that work temporarily for political parties or that live easily on a bumper sticker. Moreover, our tradition is skeptical of populism, and questions whether the ideas that are the most popular and easy to implement are truly the morally serious ones. We have always had in our history prophets, elders, and sages with a moral message for the people; sometimes their viewpoints have been rejected by the people for all forms of expediency, but their wisdom is preserved for posterity, and represents the north star of Jewish continuity. <br /><br />For the last several decades, we have benefited from the fact that many of these commitments were shared by Israelis and world Jewry – if not explicitly, then at least tacitly. Even as the attachment by some Jews around the world to Israel has eroded in recent decades, the overwhelming majority has maintained that a relationship to Israel constitutes a significant commitment in their Jewishness; even as some democratic norms have eroded in Israel with the failure of the negotiations with Palestinians and the likelihood of indefinite occupation, the pro-democracy forces in Israeli society have helped Israel keep its central commitments in alignment. <br /><br /><strong>Our Concerns and Fears </strong><br />The events of the last few months – and especially the last week – are constituting some of the most difficult tests to our commitments that we have ever seen. We feel shaken, and we know from many of you that you feel shaken as well. <br /><br /><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">In the last few weeks, we have seen a major outburst of violence including several terror attacks that have killed innocent Israeli civilians, including in our community – Elan Galenes z”l, the brother of Gabriel, an alumnus of our Hevruta Gap-Year Program. We have seen lethal Israeli military incursions in the West Bank that have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties. We have watched – and participated in – historic demonstrations against radical judicial reforms that are wildly unpopular in the Israeli electorate, even as they are being advanced by a government that was just elected. And we have watched, in horror, retaliatory behaviors by a group of Jewish settlers in Huawara following one of the terror attacks. This violent response contradicts the essence of what we mean when we talk about the Jewish people thinking of ourselves as defined by the commitment to be '<em>rahmanim, bnei rahmanim'</em> – the compassionate, children of the compassionate. </span><br /><br />In some of these moments we have raised our voices in protest; in others, in tears of loss; in others, in lament, or in anger. <br /><br />It is not easy in moments like this to remain, as we will remain, a nonpartisan and pluralistic organization. And to do so, we are reminded that we define our work through a commitment to principles, beliefs, and values, and not to concrete political positions or other short-term strategies. <br /><br />All our core commitments are now being tested. <br /><br />There are too many in the Jewish people who are either taking the State of Israel and its long-term future for granted, or increasingly “writing it off” as a less central part of their Judaism. <br /><br />There are many who are either giving up on the collective project that is Jewish peoplehood or being pushed out of that project against their will.<br /><br />There are too many examples of the State of Israel simply falling short of the standard of moral excellence –<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>the standard to which we are meant to hold us ourselves accountable</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– and instead capitulating too readily to the standard of ‘normalcy,’ or worse. <br /><br />Thousands of international and pro-Israel observers are speaking up – in some cases, for the first time in public, because of the clarity of their concerns and the gravity of the issues – to express legitimate fears of Israel’s future as a democracy; and a growing number of Israel’s Palestinian citizens fear for their future. <br /><br /><strong>Our Responsibilities </strong><br />We have no intention of abating our commitments; if anything, the urgency of these commitments – stipulating them, and fighting for them – has never been stronger.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>At this moment, it is our duty to speak out, to critique the moral failures and dangers to Israel’s democratic future, and to be clear about our values as Jews and Zionists.</strong> <br /><br />This is also the time to double down on the work that we do, with a sense of urgency and responsibility that we have never experienced. In Israel, we are accelerating the pace of our growth and innovation in our Center for Israeli Jewish Identity under the leadership of Ronit Heyd, building an activist network of teachers and principals towards the advancement of liberal Jewish and democratic values in the school system; in our new Center for Shared Society under the leadership of Rana Fahoum, breaking new ground in relationship-building and the building of a stronger civic culture of shared belonging between Israel’s Jewish and Palestinian citizens; in our Rabbanut Yisraelit rabbinic network, driving religious-based community organizing across the country; in our Center for Religion and State under the leadership of Tani Frank, pumping out legislative proposals and critical commentary to advance the agenda of religious pluralism; in our Kogod Research Center, under the leadership of Shraga Bar-On, we are working on new ways and methodologies to communicate the essential features of liberal Judaism, democracy, and religious Zionism for Israeli society; and with our voices – in our podcasts, in videos, in writing, and on the street – to sometimes shape and sometimes echo the emergent liberal democratic voice of Israeli society that is making a comeback.<br /><br />It is equally critical that we galvanize American Jewish leaders to speak, teach, and lead with a clear and passionate moral voice about the Israel we are fighting for, that we might support our partners in Israel and honor our commitments to Jewish peoplehood. We are doing this by rapidly growing our work with teens and young Jewish adults in our Wellspring suite of programs, which focus heavily on issues of Jewish peoplehood and Zionism and what it means to be engaged morally, spiritually, and intellectually with Israel at this critical juncture. We have devoted most of the episodes of our flagship podcasts, Identity/Crisis and For Heaven’s Sake, to strengthening the Jewish communal discourse around Israel and Jewish politics. We devoted all last summer’s programs for lay leaders and rabbis, and an issue of our journal<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><em>Sources,</em><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>to the question of “Why Israel Now?” inviting a new generation of our leaders to grow and shape their own courageous leadership voices for the needs of this moment. And we are planning our summer programs for this year for lay leaders, rabbis, heads of Jewish day schools, Hillel professionals, and college students which will be infused with the tagline “The Israel we are fighting for” – to make clear that our commitments are fueled by Torah, our moral convictions, and the responsibilities that come with being alive at this moment in Jewish history. <br /><br />We do none of this alone. The Shalom Hartman Institute is proud to belong and contribute to an ecosystem of organizations in Israel and in the North American Jewish community who are committed to a Jewish and democratic Israel that lives up to our moral aspirations, and especially the many organizations who invite both Israelis and world Jewry to participate in shaping the Israel we imagine.<br /><br />We want you to be with us and to stay with us. Now is not the moment for those who share our overarching commitments – who believe in the ideal – to check out because of the real. Now is the moment for world Jewry to raise up the Israelis and Palestinians who are working for change; for liberal Zionists to see our commitments as rooted in patriotism and loyalty to Israel’s abiding commitments which it laid out in its Declaration of Independence. Now is the time to build larger and broader coalitions, to acknowledge that we don’t have to agree on everything, but we need one another for the betterment of Israeli society. Now is the time to remember that many of our disagreements can be negotiated without the zero-sum framework that our politicians are so attached to, and that a culture of pluralism and principled debate is in our collective best interest. Now is the time for people of Torah everywhere to resist the binary between Jewish values and Jewish nationalism – to recognize that history has made such a distinction irrelevant, and that the work of Torah is in service of the current needs of the Jewish people and not in avoidance thereof. Now is the time for more sermons on Israel that foreground the Jewish tradition’s moral voice and the insistence that the best of our tradition continue to shape our hopes and dreams for how we as the Jewish people walk in the world, for more and better Israel education that doesn’t shy away from the challenges but uses them to help enlist the next generation to be part of the solution, for more philanthropy to Israeli NGOs so that we can do what Zionism has always done – it dreams of a better future, and it rejects the fatalism of the status quo. <br /><br />We need each other more than ever. The Jewish people cannot walk away from one another, not on our watch. There is too much to do. <br /><br />In friendship, and with prayers for peace –</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="mcnTextBlockOuter"><tr><td class="mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 210px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><img data-file-id="8805" height="77" src="https://mcusercontent.com/b7614069dcb43ff1eda09b285/images/53d278a4-9e89-49fa-9e39-1b2f78f38050.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 77px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 150px;" width="150" /><br /><strong>Donniel Hartman</strong><br />President<br /><span style="font-size: 13px;"><em>Shalom Hartman Institute</em></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 390px; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td class="mcnTextContent" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 17.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; word-break: break-word;" valign="top"><img data-file-id="16293" height="81" src="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/b7614069dcb43ff1eda09b285/images/64e8d86f-907a-45d9-868d-bb4ee543af4e.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 81px; margin: 0px; outline: none; width: 165px;" width="165" /><br /><strong>Yehuda Kurtzer</strong><br />President<br /><span style="font-size: 13px;"><em>Shalom Hartman Institute of North America </em></span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td id="templateBody" style="background-color: white; background-image: none; background-position: center center; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: cover; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="mcnDividerBlock" style="border-collapse: collapse; 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All Rights Reserved.</em><br /><br /><strong>Our mailing address is:</strong><br /><strong>Shalom Hartman Institute</strong><br />11 Gedalyahu Alon Street PO Box 8029 Jerusalem 9108001 Israel<br />T: +972 2 567 5320 |<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:shi@shi.org.il" style="color: #006699;">Email</a><br /><br /><strong>Shalom Hartman Institute of North America</strong><br />475 Riverside Dr. Suite 1450, New York, NY 10115<br />T: +1 212 268 0300 |<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:info@shalomhartman.org" style="color: #006699;" target="_blank">Email</a><br /><br /><strong>Canadian Friends of Shalom Hartman Institute</strong><br />8888 Blvd Pie IX, Montreal, QC H1Z4J5<br />T: +1 212 268 0300 | <a href="mailto:info@cfshi.org" style="color: #006699;">Email</a><br /><br /><a href="https://hartman.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=b7614069dcb43ff1eda09b285&id=51bb436aca&e=e314b2ef44&c=eb7bfaa99b" style="color: #006699;">unsubscribe from this list</a> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://hartman.us5.list-manage.com/profile?u=b7614069dcb43ff1eda09b285&id=51bb436aca&e=e314b2ef44&c=eb7bfaa99b" style="color: #006699;">update subscription preferences</a></div><div dir="rtl"> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></center><img alt="" height="1" src="https://hartman.us5.list-manage.com/track/open.php?u=b7614069dcb43ff1eda09b285&id=eb7bfaa99b&e=e314b2ef44" style="background-color: #deeff7; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; height: auto; outline: none; text-size-adjust: auto;" width="1" />Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-72710900944891175622023-02-02T09:19:00.004-08:002023-02-02T09:19:57.009-08:00A Warning About Israel from Matti Friedman, Yossi Klein HaLevi and Daniel Gordis<p> </p><header style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h1 class="headline" style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 44px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 46px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">An open letter to Israel’s friends in North America</h1><h2 class="underline" style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Roboto Slab", serif; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: -0.02em; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Diaspora Jews have both the right and the responsibility to speak out against a government that is undermining our society’s cohesion and its democratic ethos</h2><div class="under-headline" style="align-items: center; border-bottom-style: initial; border-color: rgb(214, 214, 214); border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: dotted; border-width: 1px 0px 0px; display: flex; flex-flow: row wrap; font: inherit; justify-content: space-between; margin: 0px; padding: 10px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div class="wrap-byline" style="border: 0px; flex-grow: 1; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="byline" style="border: 0px; color: #525252; display: block; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 4px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">By <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/matti-friedman/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #244b88; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Matti Friedman">MATTI FRIEDMAN</a>, <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/yossi-klein-halevi/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #244b88; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Yossi Klein Halevi">YOSSI KLEIN HALEVI</a> and <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/daniel-gordis/" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; color: #244b88; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;" title="Daniel Gordis">DANIEL GORDIS</a></span><span class="date" style="border: 0px; color: #525252; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Today, 12:48 pm</span> <span class="comments" style="border: 0px; color: #525252; font-family: "Roboto Condensed", sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <a class="ow-comments-inner-a" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/an-open-letter-to-israels-friends-in-north-america/#openwebComments" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: inline-block; font: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="spot-im-replies-count" data-post-id="2941643" real-time="true" style="border: 0px; display: flex; float: right; font: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></a></span></div><ul class="social" style="border: 0px; display: flex; font: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; 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vertical-align: baseline; width: 940px;"><img alt="Matti Friedman, Yossi Klein-Halevi, Daniel Gordis: 'This is a moment for alarm'" class="attachment-fullwidth size-fullwidth wp-post-image" height="640" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2023/02/M-Y-D-1024x640.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: zoom-in; display: block; font: inherit; height: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 940px;" title="Matti Friedman, Yossi Klein-Halevi, Daniel Gordis: 'This is a moment for alarm'" width="1024" /></a><div class="caption" style="border-bottom-style: dotted; border-color: rgb(214, 214, 214); border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; clear: both; color: #878787; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 5px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Matti Friedman, Yossi Klein-Halevi, Daniel Gordis: 'This is a moment for alarm'</div></div><div class="article-content sticky-sidebar-relative" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; float: left; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 10px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; max-width: 600px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px;"><div class="the-content" style="border: 0px; color: #121212; float: left; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px;"><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To Israel’s friends in North America,</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We are taking the unusual step of directly addressing you at a moment of acute crisis in Israel. We write with a sense of anguish and anxiety for the future of our country. All of us moved to Israel from North America and raised our children here. Between us are many decades of work as reporters, literary chroniclers and translators of Israeli reality for audiences abroad. We have explained and defended Israel against the campaign of distortions that seeks to turn the Jewish state into a pariah and will proudly continue to do so.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Today, though, protecting Israel also means defending it from a political leadership that is undermining our society’s cohesion and its democratic ethos, the foundations of the Israeli success story. The changes afoot will have dire consequences for the solidarity of Israel’s society and for its economic miracle, as our leading economists are warning. It will also threaten Israeli-American relations, and it will do grave damage to our relations with you, our sisters and brothers in the Diaspora.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This crisis is unique, and uniquely heartbreaking, because it comes from within. None of us is an alarmist. But this is a moment for alarm, and one in which the voices of Israel’s friends must be heard.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israel’s government is moving to eviscerate the independence of our judiciary and remake the country’s democratic identity. That initiative needs to be understood through three lenses: the substance of the proposed changes, the process by which they are being promoted and the identities of those pushing for the change.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In substance, the changes would remove the only effective brake on government power and profoundly weaken the only body capable of protecting citizens from the tyranny of a majority – protection that has never seemed more vital.</p><blockquote style="border-bottom-color: rgb(205, 39, 41); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(205, 39, 41); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 6px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #878787; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 40px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israel’s government is moving to eviscerate the independence of our judiciary</p></blockquote><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In a misleading campaign in the American media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to present his plan merely as an adjustment that would align Israel more closely with other democracies. No serious legal figure in Israel believes this is true.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Even if elements of the proposed changes may seem similar to practices in other democratic countries, as the government maintains, all of those democracies have powerful institutional checks and balances, absent in Israel, that limit unbridled executive or legislative power and protect individual rights. Israel has no formal constitution and no second legislature. It has no federal system or regional elections. The prime minister’s plan effectively concentrates nearly all power in the hands of one person – the prime minister himself.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is no “judicial reform,” but a dramatic alteration that would bring Israel’s governing system closer not to the US and Canada but to Hungary and Turkey.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As for process, this radical transformation of Israel’s governing system is being pursued at breakneck speed without any national discussion, without having presented it to the electorate in any meaningful way before the recent elections, and without regard for criticism now coming from across the political and social spectrum.</p><blockquote style="border-bottom-color: rgb(205, 39, 41); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(205, 39, 41); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 6px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #878787; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 40px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is no “judicial reform,” but a dramatic alteration that would bring Israel’s governing system closer not to the US and Canada but to Hungary and Turkey</p></blockquote><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We agree that a constructive national discussion on legal reform is not only necessary but overdue. But that is impossible when the government refuses to slow its pace and engage in discussion aimed at genuine, rather than cosmetic, compromise.</p><h3 style="border: 0px; clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 26px; margin: 26px 0px 13px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hatred and schism</h3><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">As for who is behind this initiative: A prime minister currently on trial for corruption, and who has appointed ministers with criminal records, is claiming legitimacy to overturn the legal system. Understandably, many of Israel’s supporters want to believe that Netanyahu is still a cautious conservative loyal to the country’s liberal DNA. In fact, though, he has become a very different kind of leader, one who subverts the national interest to his own. A wise leader encourages unity among his people; Netanyahu is stoking hatred and schism.</p><blockquote style="border-bottom-color: rgb(205, 39, 41); border-bottom-style: solid; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(205, 39, 41); border-top-style: solid; border-width: 6px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; color: #878787; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 32px; padding: 30px 50px; position: relative; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><p style="border: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 40px; vertical-align: baseline;">Netanyahu has become a very different kind of leader, one who subverts the national interest to his own. A wise leader encourages unity among his people; Netanyahu is stoking hatred and schism</p></blockquote><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The North American Jewish community has steadfastly come to the aid of Israel at moments of crisis. Israel belongs first of all to its citizens, and they have the final word. But Israel also matters to the entire Jewish people. When an Israeli government strays beyond what your commitments to liberal democracy can abide, you have both the right and the responsibility to speak up.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Israeli leaders need to hear where you stand. North American Jews and their leaders must make clear to this government that if it continues on the path to transforming Israel into a country of which Diaspora Jews can no longer be proud, there will be no business as usual.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We and our families, along with many tens of thousands of other Israelis, are in the streets every week demanding the government end its war against our democratic values and institutions. We need your voice to help us preserve Israel as a state both Jewish and democratic.</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With blessings from Jerusalem,</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Matti Friedman</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Daniel Gordis</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Yossi Klein Halevi</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The signatories appear in a personal capacity and not in the name of the institutions with which they are affiliated.</em></p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">–</p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Matti Friedman is a journalist, widely published op-ed contributor, and author, most recently, of “Who by Fire, Leonard Cohen in The Sinai.”</em></p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Daniel Gordis is a commentator and author. His upcoming book is, “Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled Its Founders’ Dreams?”</em></p><p style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Journalist and author Yossi Klein Halevi is a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. His latest book, “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor,” was a New York Times bestseller.</em></p></div></div>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-6055585261771506022022-09-11T07:00:00.001-07:002022-09-11T07:00:34.159-07:00Of Monarchs and Terrorists - Social Justice and Amalek<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The death of Queen Elizabeth II</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1e2463b4-7fff-94df-5b36-b03cd8e7f0dc"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The 21st anniversary of 9/11</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shabbat Shalom. This week we mark two national losses, and reflect on their meaning for us and our understanding of civil society. This weekend is the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on our nation, and marks the death of the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth the second. These national losses are opposites in so very many ways. And this morning we continue to read the laws of the just society command by our holy Torah so many generations ago in parshat Ki Teitzei.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9/11 was an attack on our ordinary friends, neighbors, co-workers, citizens and strangers who comprise the greatest city on the face of the earth. It was ideological murder against a country that believes in religious freedom, social diversity and democratic institutions as the core base of all power of government. It was intentional, evil and extreme.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the contrary, the death of the Queen mother is the loss of the single most elite person in the world. She combined nearly limitless privilege with parallel devotion to a sense of service and obligation to the society she nominally ruled. He ideology of country affirmed religious freedom, even as she was the ordained head of the Anglican Church. She believed in social diversity, even as she represented an inherited dynasty of white privilege that descended from the actual people who had pursued the largest colonial enterprises ever experienced in human history. And she remained committed to the constitutional powers of the people and her countries democratic institutions.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think of the kind of rule the Taliban represent. Religious intolerance. Social repression. Rule by might of arms. And think of the power of Queen Elizabeth embodying in actual monarchy the opposite. Religious pluralism. Social diversity and freedom. And government of the people by their duly elected representatives. Listen to the soft spoken blessings of the Queen mother in her addresses to the people, and compare the vitriolic hate and rhetoric that the enemies of democracy spew online and in terror. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am not a fan of monarchy. Philosophically I am opposed to everything that it is and purports to be. We fought a war of independence to reject it in both concept and reality, and I would fight that war again and again. Yet there is also much good in the British Monarchy in how it developed in the 20th century to become a platform for social causes and charitable acts worldwide. If you judge a tree by its fruit, the Royal House of Windsor has of late been a force for good.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The truth is that the Torah does have ambivalent feelings about monarchy. (Quote last week), a king had limits: Wives, Horses, Gold. And remedies, the torah the prophet .... </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember the young Queen’s famous vow:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And think of our Torah this morning, Deut 23:22-24</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the high commands to treat every person with personal and economic justice: 24:12, 14, 15, 16, 17, </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and disputations and punishments... etc., ch 25.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">honest weights and measures... </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And remember what Amalek did to you on your way.... 25:17 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why does our parshah this week end with the startling non-sequitor of Amalek attacking our week and our elderly from behind as we journey in the wilderness? No society of justice will ever be entirely free from attack or evil. There will always be those, like Amalek, who "doe not fear the Lord." Some of these will be religious fanatics who are so convinced that they act for G-d that they have no sense of fear or trepidation that they in fact may be wrong. Everything can be a tool for good or evil. Religion - the greatest force for peace in the world - can be twisted to hate and violence. Monarchy - the purist form of elitism over and against human rights - can be used for tremendous good in support of the needy, the stranger and the Other. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Good and bad is not what you are - it is what you do.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">May the memory of Queen Elizabeth II be forever a blessing for her family, country and our world, and may God bless King Charles III as he ascends the throne.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shabbat Shalom.</span></span></p><br /><br /></span>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-22122654294473219782022-06-10T12:00:00.001-07:002022-06-10T12:00:18.840-07:00Join Me in Israel! June 2022 Blog reports and our 2023 Israel Trip!<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am thrilled to announce that we will be traveling to Israel as a community in 2023, so save up your shekels! All COVID barriers to travel to and from the US and Israel have been lifted, and it is time to return to our dreams.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-13615721-7fff-879a-ba20-103bb53b91e7"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you haven’t traveled with us before, you need to know that our trips are unique and transformative. Talk to anyone who has come with us in the past and you will learn why and how we do this. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our trips are fun, meaningful and impactful. We engage with real Israelis on the ground, with whom we have built a lasting relationship. We visit less seen locations with incredible hidden histories. We travel in comfort, ending nearly every day with casual social relaxation at the hotel bar and pool. And we make lifelong friends that forever change our experience of Bnai Shalom when we return home.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: #fcff01;">In anticipation of our trip, I am traveling to Israel June 13-17, 2022 to research potential partners and experiences. Follow this Blog for daily updates,</span> as I explore today’s Israel with an eye to your discovery. When I return, we will have home meeting to make itinerary decisions together, and put dates on the calendar.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is an exciting time for all of us, and it’s time to get back out there. Follow me, and join me as we begin the long road home to Israel.</span></p><br /></span>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-75116188341926473282022-05-27T06:41:00.000-07:002022-05-27T06:41:29.993-07:00Common Use v. Common Sense<p><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center;">Common Use v. Common Sense: </h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">the turning point in the Gun Debate in America today.</h2><div style="text-align: center;">Robert L Tobin</div><p>We have a long history with guns and killing in America. Accepting where it came from has to be part of being determined to make it stop. And we must do everything we can to make it stop.</p><p>In the past two weeks we witnessed anti-black racist mass murder at a grocery store in Buffalo, NY, a political shooting in an Asian church in California, and the slaughter of 19 innocent children and two of their teachers in an elementary school in Texas. There are more mass murders in this country than anyone but a computer data base can keep track of. And the worst weapons of choice are those designed for the task: assault rifles. Prior to that, the rise of antiSemitism unleashed multiple attacks on synagogues, and prejudice and racism drove other attacks against homosexuals, latinos and more. The favored tool of hate is not the pen. It is the AR-15.</p><p>Our nation was born with a struggle between an oppressive monarchy that hired mercenaries to police our colonies with military force. The indignity and inhumanity of that inspired colonial leaders to rise up in arms to force our independence through the pain of war. The evil of systemic enslavement of black people, upon which the economic development of much of the new country depended, was ultimately overthrown through bloody civil war and 2% of the population lay dead through force of arms. The conquest of the West came through the armed colonization of native territories, and the concurrent armed population defending itself in scattered towns and homesteads before law and order could be established in due time. And in the twentieth century three generations of Americans were drafted to war, and thought to fight to protect our nation's freedom, interests and allies abroad. Weapons have been synonymous with freedom and liberty in this land for 400 years.</p><p><span style="color: red;"><b><i>When hate is unable to change society in any peaceful way it will not give up and accept the status quo. The inevitable end to its path is killing.</i></b> </span> </p><p>There will continue to be those who will seek the most destructive force that can acquire in order to achieve that goal. Why pick up a pea-shooter when you can have a military style assault rifle?</p><p>I believe in the right to bear arms. I believe that the Supreme Court has been correct in its interpretation of that right in recent years. But we are about to face a tipping point, and it is based on two competing concepts: Common Sense Gun Laws and Common Use standards for legal possession. Let's look at them:</p><p><b><u>Common Use:</u></b></p><p>In <i>Washington DC v Heller</i> (See Cornell's <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/07-290.ZS.html">https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/07-290.ZS.html</a>), the right to posses weapons for self defense was asserted, and the pistol specifically was upheld, in part by a principal called "common use." Basically, if a type of weapon is currently in <i>common use for legal purposes</i>, then the court ruled that the weapon can not be banned by the government. You can not own an artillery cannon. You can own a rifle or a pistol.</p><p>In the coming weeks, the court is nearly certain to strike down New Jersey's <i>may issue</i> statute which effectively makes it impossible for ordinary citizens to carry a gun (open or concealed) anywhere but on their own private property. Weapons in public will become legal overnight. This will happen. But I do not worry about this because in the 25 states that already allow it there is no increased pattern of violence. </p><p>The real threat is not about people having guns in public, but by the accessibility of assault rifles. It is about <i>what gun the malevolent shooter can get their hands on</i>. When assault rifles were banned, mass shooter attacks decreased. When the ban expired, mass shooter attacks increased. To ban such a weapon, the argument needs to be made that they do not reflect a reasonable standard of <i>common use</i>.</p><p>What the court will need to determine at some point is whether or not an AR-15 is a weapon in <i>common use for a lawful purpose</i>. With over 16 million such "modern sporting rifles" in legal possession by Americans by 2018 (see <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/26/tallying-americas-fascination-with-ar-15-style-rifles/">The Washington Post here</a>), it seems like an easy argument that the common use standard will be met and the weapons will continue to be legally sold nationwide.</p><p>By this point I am trying not to seeth. How can that be? Yet the discussion about how to end gun violence has to begin with a dispassionate understanding of what the status of guns in America is. We may not like the facts, but they are facts. Assault rifles may be here to stay.</p><p><b><u>Common Sense:</u></b></p><p>So what can be done about gun violence? I do believe that there are <i style="font-weight: bold;">many</i> effective laws that can be passed to limit access to guns and to strengthen our common defense against their illegal use, without losing the essential value that a person has a right to have and use a gun to defend themselves in both private and public settings.</p><p>Learn about and support the Common Sense Gun Law movement. Here is Congressman Joe Morrelle's <a href="https://morelle.house.gov/issues/common-sense-gun-reform">page on the topic</a>. It is excellent. Encourage your lawmakers to support every one of these measures from background checks, to magazine and ammunition limits and bans against military weapons for civilian use. </p><p>Common sense means simply that you don't need to be able to out-gun the police to be able to provide for your own personal self defense. Common sense does not disarm the citizenry, nor does it empower the random person with the highest power attack weapons known to society. Common sense means that people with red flags must be known to every data base, and prohibited from buying any weapons in any jurisdiction. So that means real universal background checks for everyone's protection. Common sense means that you must secure your firearm from use by minors or those prohibited from owning one themselves. Honestly, only the most unreasonable extremist would hold that anybody of any history can own any gun in any place at any time.</p><p><b><u>Act Now</u></b></p><p>People are dying. Children are slaughtered. The time is now to act. But act reasonably with a realistic and pragmatic hope for real change. The "pro" and "anti" gun lobbies will, by definition, not get their way. Given where we are as a culture and a nation, we must use our Common Sense to define and defend the right to Common Use.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>An ordained Rabbi, Robert Tobin holds degrees in International Relations and Criminal Justice.</i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-74359238046191158932022-05-16T14:04:00.001-07:002022-05-16T14:04:35.444-07:00The Hate Continues: "Replacement" and the Anti-History Killers<p>I have written often over the past 5 years of the growth of the online community of White Supremacists who hate all Jews, all Muslims and anyone who is not "white" who dares to live in this country. .</p><p>Today we focus on the racist murder of 10 black Americans in Buffalo for no reason but white supremacist hatred of black people. It is human evil and deserves absolute rejection by every person of any background.</p><p><b><i><u>THE MYTH OF RACE REPLACEMENT</u></i></b></p><p>Race itself is largely a social construct, without serious biological credence. But there are cultures of racial identity and historical legacies of race that matter. Racial superiority is a myth held by groups of people who seek power and privilege without merit or personal achievement. They assert that they are <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> born to rule</u>. The idea that "white" people have a predestined right to remain racially pure <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">and in charge</u> of this country is arrogant, ignorant and dangerous. It must be left in the dustbin of history.</p><p>The hatred of Blacks, immigrants and non-Christians described by these racists in terms of the "<a href="https://www.adl.org/education/references/hate-symbols/14-words" target="_blank">14 words</a>" is summarized by "<a href="https://www.adl.org/blog/new-surge-in-support-for-replacement-theory-rhetoric?gclid=CjwKCAjw7IeUBhBbEiwADhiEMT05EsagnP5PqXfgwtGARp_o9sICKJ1R5M6WTqhxxDj6KqoCiHX33BoCCwsQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">replacement theory.</a>" The idea is that the sweep of history towards a multiracial and multicultural world, which is the natural outcome of freedom, civil liberty and democracy, is instead a nefarious plot by scheming elites (often "Jews" in their fantasy) to destroy white identity and culture. Historically they hate and degrade black people in this country with intensity.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.adl.org/blog/new-surge-in-support-for-replacement-theory-rhetoric?gclid=CjwKCAjw7IeUBhBbEiwADhiEMT05EsagnP5PqXfgwtGARp_o9sICKJ1R5M6WTqhxxDj6KqoCiHX33BoCCwsQAvD_BwE" target="_blank"><i>Replacement Theory</i> </a>"lone wolf" attacker slowly develops their extremist ideology over time. They believe that igniting a race war that will overturn the political rule of democracy in favor of a return to an earlier day in US History when blacks and other minorities were refused basic civil liberties and the vote. They are willing and able to kill and die in service of this hatred and prejudice. And there are more of them developing every day.</p><p><u>When they act against their targets, they are guilty of hate crimes. </u> While hatred is a protected free speech right, acting on that hatred through violence, harassment or intimidation is illegal in most states, including New Jersey.</p><p><u>When they believe they can change the government through those acts, they are domestic terrorists.</u> <i>The use of violence, threat of violence, or intimidation to cause fear against civilians with the purpose of illegal governmental change, is terrorism.</i> </p><p>With the growth of online silos and echo chambers of hate, the manifestos of racist murderers now form a self-reflective genre of lies to affirm the worst fantasies of the weak minded. This week we saw it in an 18 year old from rural Conklin, New York (near Binghamton) who spent several years in high school fantasizing about mass murder and violence, only to follow through with the massacre of 10 innocent civilians in a racist rampage at a supermarket in Buffalo NY. Next week may be another.</p><p>All good people of conscience must speak out and leave no silence to empower those who would kill for their prejudicial ambition.</p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-29187320006892011822022-05-03T16:16:00.003-07:002022-05-03T16:16:19.421-07:00Judaism Believes in Abortion Rights<p> Judaism is strongly in support of the woman's right to choose the course of, or termination of, her pregnancy for a variety of compelling reasons. It is absolutely clear.</p><p>Here is <a href="https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/conservativemasorti-rabbis-denounce-leaked-supreme-court-decision-overturn-abortion-rights">a statement from the Rabbinical Assembly of America</a>.</p><p>Here is <a href="https://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/story/resources-reproductive-freedom">a resource page for more in-depth study and nuance.</a></p><p>Here is a link to the <a href="https://www.ncjw.org/">National Council of Jewish Women's rally in Washington, D.C.</a></p><p>The SCOTUS decision will stand. To overturn it will take a Constitutional Ammendment. That is unlikely.</p><p>Our moral and ethical duty needs to support and protect those women anywhere who need counseling and medical care in this circumstance to be able to acquire it in those states that will still protect these basic rights.</p><p><br /></p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-301872455750587412022-04-12T13:02:00.001-07:002022-04-12T13:02:30.365-07:00Waving Goodbye from the Docks<p> Goodbye, AIPAC</p><p>For years I have been a supporter of AIPAC, both personally and professionally. I have made donations. I have attended policy conference. I have encouraged others to do the same. I have led groups to attend. This was for a simple and compelling reasons: Israel is not a partisan issue.</p><p>The truth was always clear and compelling: AIPAC invested in education of all members of Congress, regardless of political affiliation. AIPAC sponsored fact-finding missions for Congressmen and Congresswomen to learn for themselves how Israel is a democracy and ally to our core. AIPAC stood for the special relationship and alliance between our countries that would endure regardless of which political party or parties were in charge on either side of the relationship. And the AIPAC policy conference was the jewel in the crown where seminars, speakers, and vendors came together from across the political spectrum in unity and shared beliefs.</p><p>I was right then, but sadly those days are now gone. No more policy conference. And AIPAC is running US domestic agenda attack ads against primary candidates they oppose.</p><p>In the past year AIPAC has chosen to establish a superPAC, and has already begun doing exactly what I always said they would never do. AIPAC now directly funds candidates that they believe reflect a specific approach to the US Israel relationship, and one that has in the past 15 years trended sharply to the right in both Israeli and US politics. That means that some portion of every dollar given now will find its way not only into the political coffers of specific Congresspeople <i>but specific <u style="font-weight: bold;">candidates</u> for Congress </i>as well<i>.</i> </p><p>When they made that decision last year, I expressed my dismay, and held back my public criticism. I chose not to send my own donations through them anymore, since I wish to make my own political donations to the candidates of my choice - including my consideration of what is best for the US Israel relationship. </p><p>But now, it has gone further. I know this is the logical next step, but this is when they lose me completely I am afraid.</p><p>AIPAC's superPAC has now committed itself to <i style="font-weight: bold;">actively campaign against chosen candidates for Congress by running attack ads on </i><u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">domestic American political issues</u>. If an "undesirable" candidate is vulnerable because of their ties to criminal justice reform in the US, AIPAC will now run extreme ads accusing them of defunding the police. AIPAC has no actual policy position on US criminal justice reform. They will simply use it to attack. For me, it is a core betrayal of ideal I had believed in. AIPAC may not actually mention Israel at all in these campaigns. Whatever works to make sure the right person loses.</p><p>And, not surprisingly any more, they are not really involved in the Republican Primaries. It is almost entirely aimed at the Democratic Party. It will be a straight forward multimillion dollar campaign to <i style="font-weight: bold;">seek to choose the leadership of the Democratic party and its delegation to the US Congress</i>. I am appalled, quite frankly.</p><p>For members of the Democratic Party who wish to join a powerful pro-Israel voice, there already is the <a href="https://demmajorityforisrael.org/" target="_blank">Democratic Majority for Israel</a>. It is clearly a domestic political movement engaged in primaries and the general elections. AIPAC is duplicating this effort, and - in my view - in a disturbing way.</p><p>Now, I know how I sound. I can hear my fellow Zionists saying, "Don't be naive, Rabbi Tobin. This is how the game is played today." I get it. We live in a divisive, ugly political climate where money talks and extreme voices are too dangerous to ignore. I get it and you get it. </p><p>I will continue to work for candidates in primaries and the general election that are good for both America and Israel. I will consider broader issues and vote accordingly, rather than just weaponizing them for one side of this divide. And when I wish to be partisan, I will make that decision for myself.</p><p>AIPAC was supposed to be a different space. I lament the loss of AIPAC's legitimate non-partisan posture. I will miss the honest big tent where all views were welcome. And I am confident that my approach is the most appropriate for both this country and for Israel.</p><p>So, sadly, I remain where I am and wave goodbye from the docks as AIPAC sails its superPAC into the mud and muck of extremist domestic American politics.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-69227972485899102832022-03-18T10:43:00.003-07:002022-03-18T10:43:28.361-07:00Lend Lease Leads to War<p>Nobody with love in their heart wants war. But it does seem inevitable - for us, and not just the Ukraine.</p><p>Putin's war is part of a very long cultural process of ambition on the part of the Russian Empire under the Czars, the Soviet Union under the Stalinists and now Russian hegemony under the Oligarch robber barons who have taken over the Russian republic under Putin.</p><p>The west has responded by drawing a line in the sand between Ukraine and its Nato neighbors: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. That said, the entire purpose of NATO is to defend against Russian expansionism, so this move by Putin is a serious threat. NATO exists to contain, and the current policy is designed to relegate the war to <i>just outside</i> the borders of NATO. Ukraine ultimately is left to its own defense, as we have no treaty agreement with them. </p><p>How similar is this scenario to Hitler's expansion into the Sudetenland in 1938 or Hitler and Stalin's agreement to divide Poland in halves in 1939? How similar is America's reaction now to our reaction then? Are we on the path to war?</p><p>There are similarities to look at, and we should walk forward with eyes wide open.</p><p>Hitler's excuse to enter the Sudetenland (modern Czech Republic region) was the large majority of people there who were "pro-German" or "culturally German:" they voted in local elections to be German. Later in the war, Austria would join the Nazi regime the same way. The analogy works to eastern Ukraine, whose population is majority Russian culture, with areas in the east and the Crimea that are overtly pro-Russian. That is why Putin was able to so easily annex the Crimea in 2014 (and 1783 for that matter). The excuse to come in and "Russify" the region gets explained as "supporting the democratic wishes of that region" which is ludicrous since in our day it was part of a sovereign nation. El Paso, Texas can not vote to align with Mexico and hope that Mexico will send in their army to annex the territory. It doesn't work. But here we are and Putin is doing just what Hitler did in the past.</p><p>Second, when Hitler and Russia divided Poland, nobody really reacted. Poland was not allied with the major powers, and nobody wanted a second world war. Americans, in the midst of a nationalist and protectionist era, where not eager to enter the war against Germany. Again today, after Iraq and Afghanistan our country is not eager to find itself in an active war. But "we don't want a war" is a weak starting point for diplomacy.</p><p>Third, once Hitler attacked Holland, France and England, the United States still did not enter the war. Instead, FDR started a process of "lend/lease" of American civilian and military supplies and sent them across the Atlantic to support England or any other country vital to American security. This is exactly what we are doing today in the Ukraine. Germany responded by attacking the military supply columns with U Boats, swaying many American minds. Our entry into the war became nearly inevitable.</p><p>So here we are, just like in 1941. A major power has begun a senseless war of expansion, with claims of supporting self-determination for "Russian People" in a neighboring state. It has already successfully annexed other portions of another country, and wants more. The world wishes "not to start a world war," and has decided to give/lend/lease military and civilian supplies in huge amounts to prop up the defends and bog down the attackers - safely far away from our own people and military. But how long will it be before Putin, like Germany, attacks the supply lines that we have created. Our supplies are stopping him from advancing to conquer all of the Ukraine - or at least the more Russian cultural half of it that is east of the Dniper River. What makes us think he will tolerate failure or defeat?</p><p>Putin shows no sign of stopping. It is hard to see how this conflagration ends without either the entrance of NATO into war with Russia or the abandonment of the Ukraine.</p><p>The only hope would be that Russia grinds down and collapses internally as a result of this expensive and unwise war. That is by no means a foregone conclusion, and would take a long time. Do we, or they, have the patience for that to happen?</p><p>It does seem inevitable: Russian will attack the supply lines. American and NATO ally forces will be hit and killed. What is the administration's plan in that scenario?</p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-39078579990519015232022-02-25T06:51:00.004-08:002022-02-25T06:51:53.749-08:00Support the Jewish Communities of the Ukraine in their Time of Need<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have been asked many questions about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, about the Jewish community there, and how we can help.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-22839fbe-7fff-ae2d-f809-bed03d1d9031"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OUR LOCAL CONNECTIONS - 2 WAYS YOU CAN HELP</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, the Masorti Olami movement (Conservative Judaism in the world) has 4 synagogue communities in the Ukraine which are in immediate need of support. Families from the east 3 communities are being moved in every way possible to the quieter fourth community in the western half of the country, near Moldova. There we are supporting them, and preparing for a possible emergency aliyah. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can support and learn more about this effort </span><a href="https://masortiolami.org/one-time-donation/?fbclid=IwAR32CveuoAsoifAlvxToFdCi3jHge5eRDWcuHukYCmRLBVHXwLTvtBp5CQQ" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Please choose “specific community” and write in Ukraine, if you wish. This will support specific families in need immediately.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second, our Greater MetroWest Jewish Community Federation is deeply involved in the Ukraine already. Many of us have attended missions and programs that have taken us to Odessa, Kiev, and our summer youth camps in Cherkasy. The Federation has immediate channels open to engage financially, socially, educationally and politically to support the broad community infrastructure of JCC’s, food and elderly support systems, schools and more. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is a major basic reason why we </span><a href="https://www.jfedgmw.org/ways-to-give/donate/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">give to the UJA campaign here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and by doing so you will strengthen our ability to support the Jewish community there in Ukraine through this crisis.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN UKRAINE BY THE NUMBERS</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to World War II, and the Shoah, it is estimated that 1.5 million Jews lived in the Ukraine. From enlightenment, secular yiddish, religious and zionist communities in Odessa to widespread chasidic and traditional agrarian communities throughout the countryside, Ukraine had a long history as a major Jewish regional center. Names like Rebbe Nachman of Bratslav come from this region. It is understood that 1 million of those were murdered in the Shoah, and today there are approximately 400,000 “culturally Jewish” people and about 40,000 “affiliated” Jews in the Ukraine. They are centered in a half dozen cities and a several dozen synagogues and community centers which have flourished in partnership with the American Jewish community and Israel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A more complete description of the Ukrainian Jewish community can be found in </span><a href="https://forward.com/fast-forward/482954/who-are-ukraine-jews-and-how-is-russian-invasion-affecting-them/" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this article</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from The Forward, based on AJC demographics.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RECENT BACKGROUND EXPLAINING THE CURRENT WAR - A 2 minute crash course.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This week, Russia invaded the Ukraine. Sadly, this is not new in European history, nor is it new in our lifetimes. From the Tsars to the Soviets this is an old legacy. Putin’s invasion by land, sea and air seems aimed at immediate command and control of air superiority, including air infrastructure on the ground in the Ukraine, and controlling strategic corridors throughout the central and eastern regions of the country. This is the logical first phase of a complete conquest strategy. The goal, as stated, is to disarm Ukraine completely, and - evidently - to topple the fairly elected government and install one favorable to Russian ethnic groups in the country and Russian ambitions in the region.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ukraine is a deeply divided country ethnically and politically, with Russian and Ukrainian cultural regions roughly splitting the country between the east and west sides of the Dniper River. You can see how the river system divides the country in </span><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ukraine/@48.7503352,30.7412843,7z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x40d1d9c154700e8f:0x1068488f64010!8m2!3d48.379433!4d31.1655799" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this google map</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The two major political parties split roughly along these ethnic divides as “pro-Western” and “pro-Russian.” National elections since the fall of the Soviet Union have never shown a majority support for either major political camp’s party, but neither side has ever received less than 40% of the vote either. A helpful wikipedia article, with colored graphic maps demonstrates this </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_Ukraine" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 2014 there was massive upheaval as a pro-Russian prime minister was elected, but not accepted by the West or the opposition due to accusations of voter fraud. Protests forced him to resign, and flee to Russia and a pro-western government was then able to ascend by legal means. The far eastern provinces experienced a pro-Russian rejection of this “Orange Revolution,” naming it a coup. Russia agreed with that assessment, but the west did not. Russia subsequently supported the rebels in creating an autonomous enclave in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia then outright annexed the Crimean Peninsula - which was relatively popular in Crimea but not in the rest of the world.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There were two rounds of diplomacy between 2014 and 2017, named Minsk 1 and Minsk 2, which created an imperfect cease fire between Ukrainian and these various separatist forces in the east, which held until recent months. For reasons not entirely clear, Russia has chosen this time to reassert its objections over the pro-western Ukrainian government and has decided to use its overwhelming military force to invade and eliminate the democratic government in the capital of Kiev (Ukranian: Kiv). At that time I gave a sermon/analysis of the conflict and predicted that Russia would continue to agitate, until it had control of the eastern half of the country up to Dniper and everything south to the Black Sea. People thought I was pessimistic. It seams I underestimated Putin's avarice.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Which brings us up to date.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THE US RELATIONSHIP TO THE UKRAINE</span></p><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a final note, while the “pro-Western” political parties did wish to join NATO and the European Union, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">neither goal was ever achieved</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The United States, NATO and the EU have NO FORMAL ALLEGIANCE to Ukraine, and no obligation of any kind to defend it. That is why US policy at this point has been to fortify NATO countries that border the conflict, and to otherwise stand back physically while sanctioning Russia politically and economically for its behavior. For its part, eliminating a Ukrainian Army that might have become NATO allied is a major strategic benefit for Putin. </span></span>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6871906102290285445.post-53792321005516103922022-02-08T11:25:00.001-08:002022-02-08T11:25:21.561-08:00Time to end the "no knock warrant"<p>In parshat mishpatim, two weeks ago, it is clear that if someone is breaking into your home in the night, you are to assume that they opposed a mortal threat to you and you can use deadly force to repel them with no fear of consequence. </p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: purple; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 18.6667px;">If the thief is seized while tunneling, and he is beaten to death, there is no bloodguilt in his case. If the sun has risen on him, there is bloodguilt in that case. (Exodus 22:1-2)</span></p><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.96px; line-height: 14.904px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">The rabbinic tradition affirms this in Mishnah Sanhedrin 8:6:</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.96px; line-height: 14.904px;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.96px; line-height: 14.904px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="color: green; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">[A thief] who tunnels his way in is judged on account of its [probable] outcome: If he broke through and broke a jug, should there be bloodguilt for him, he must pay [for the jug he broke], but if there is no bloodguilt for him, he is not liable.</span></div><p>Amir Locke, a 22 year old man, was murdered by the Minneapolis police policy of no knock warrants on February 2, 2022.</p><p>The entire scenario was a set up, where police and citizens alike were predictably placed into a life threatening conflict. In a series of terrible facts, Amir was not the subject of the warrant when he was killed. He was in his own home. He legally owned his gun. The police moved in, waking him - dark figures coming at him with guns drawn. He reached for his gun, and now what are the police supposed to do? They shot and killed him, sensing that he was - correctly - going to use his gun against them. The entire thing should never have happened. But Amir Locke did nothing wrong, and he is now dead. The policy, the judge and the officers all pulled the trigger.</p><p>Fact: citizens sleeping in their homes have a constitutional right to have loaded weapons easily at hand to protect themselves from violent home intrusions.</p><p>Fact: no-knock warrants - by design and intent - look just like an armed intruder when they enter the home.</p><p>If I were in bed with a legal gun in my home and someone broke through the door without announcing themselves, I would shoot. It is the exact reason why anyone would have a gun in their home. <b><i>What</i></b> <b><i>other possible outcome can you expect?</i></b></p><p>The tremendous stupidity of no-knock warrants is justified by the argument that armed bad guys named in the warrant need to be surprised and taken when they are vulnerable. Perhaps they could destroy evidence if given the warning. Not good enough. And here are some examples to prove it:</p><p>December 2013, in Texas, Henry Magee shot and killed a police officer during a pre-down, no-knock drug raid on his home. In February 2014, a grand jury declined to indict him, supporting his reasonable assumption of self-defense. What did they find in the home? A few home-grown marijuana plants.</p><p>In May, 2015, also in Texas, Marvin Guy did the same thing in the same circumstance. The grand jury in that case did indict him with murder of a law officer. 7 years later he is <b><i>still in jail without a trail, </i></b>where he will eventually face the death penalty. What did they find in the home? Nothing.</p><p>Two dead cops for warrants on non-violent drug crimes in completely avoidable circumstances. In the same state, two completely different outcomes. What of equal protection? The whole scenario is capricious and deadly.</p><p>But cops aren't the only victims, of course. Innocent civilians victimized by the practice include a severely burned 19 month old in GA (2014) from a flash grenade, a killed 7 year old girl in Detroit (2010), and of course we now should all be aware of the killing of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Breonna_Taylor">Breanna Taylor</a> in Louiseville in 2020.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">According to Time magazine, from 2010 through 2016, at least 81 civilians and 13 officers died during SWAT raids, including 31 civilians and eight officers during <a href="Kevin Sack (19 March 2017). "Door-Busting Raids Leave Trail of Blood - The Heavy Toll of Using SWAT Teams for Search Warrants". The New York Times. p. A1. Retrieved 21 March 2017.">execution of no-knock warrants</a>.</span></p><p>In 2006 already, the CATO institute published <a href="https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/pubs/pdf/balko_whitepaper_2006.pdf">a scathing report</a> about the over-militarization of police raids and their consequences.</p><p>The no-knock warrant's benefit is not worth the risk.</p>Reasonable Judaismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14323871415891276722noreply@blogger.com0