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Archive for the ‘Israel’ Category

The UN Rewrites History, Distorts Truth and Undermines Peace

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged , , , , , , on November 30, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Sixty-five years ago yesterday, on November 29, 1947, the United Nations voted in favor of Resolution 181, dividing the British Mandate of Palestine into an independent Jewish State and an independent Arab State.

Yesterday, on November 29, 2012, the United Nations voted to grant the Palestinian delegation the upgraded status of non-member observer state. In doing so, the UN passed a resolution (http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/67/L.28&referer=/english/&Lang=E) that rewrites history, ignores the events of the past 65 years, distorts Israel’s story and undermines the peace process.

Yesterday’s UN resolution ignores the fact that 65 years ago, the Arabs were offered a state which they could have named Palestine.  Instead, the Arabs chose not to create a state but to attack Israel.

In 1947, when the UN attempted to divide Palestine into new Jewish and Arab states – the Jews accepted the plan.  The Arabs not only rejected it – they began a violent campaign against the Jews to stop the establishment of a Jewish State.  On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was established.  On May 15, 1948 the Arab world, led by Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon attacked the new State of Israel.  Israel’s War of Independence had begun. Miraculously, Israel was able to stand up for herself.  The 1949 Armistice Line (also known as the “Green Line” or the pre-1967 borders), marking where Israeli and Arab forces stopped fighting, cut Jerusalem in half and put the Western Wall under Jordanian control.  Jordan also controlled the West Bank region and Egypt controlled Gaza.  This line was never intended to serve as an official international border.  As was specified as early as the 1949 General Armistice Agreement between Jordan and Israel: “the line that was designated did not compromise any future territorial claims of the two parties, since it had been dictated by exclusively by military considerations.”

Yesterday’s UN resolution distorts the facts by implying that Israel aggressively took land from the Palestinian people.  The West Bank was occupied by Jordan (not Palestine – there was no Palestine) after the Arab nation attempted to annihilate the fledgling Jewish State.  After Jordan attempted once again to destroy Israel in 1967, the Jewish State had no choice but to go on the defensive and force Jordan out of the West Bank.

In 1967, during the Six Day War, Israel was attacked again by her Arab neighbors.  In self-defense, Israel pushed the Jordanians out of Jerusalem and all regions that lay to the west of the bank of the Jordan River – gaining possession of the West Bank region.  Israel also gained control of Gaza – a region she withdrew from in 2005 as part of the “peace-process”.  As we saw just recently, Gaza has been turned into a launching pad for Hamas rockets.

Yesterday’s UN Resolution undermines the peace process and suggests that the “State of Palestine” is defined by the pre-1967 borders – rewriting prior UN documents and interim-agreements which make it clear that borders need to be negotiated and the UN and her nations must promote these negotiation.

In response to the Six Day War, the United Nations Security Council issued Resolution 242 which expressed concern with “the grave situation in the Middle East”.  In addition, the resolution called for the “withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict.” The Resolution states that the U.N. must “promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement” between the involved parties.  The Resolution does not call for Israel to withdraw from the entire West Bank and, thus, return to the “pre-1967 borders”.  Some have tried to twist the wording of Resolution 242 by asserting that it calls for the withdrawal of Israel armed forced from THE territories.  But this is not the case.  It has been widely documented by those involved in crafting the Resolution that the language used was intentional.  There was never the expectation that Israel would return to the “1967 borders”.  They were an artificial armistice line that provided no security to Israel.  Withdrawing to the “1967 borders” has never been Israel’s idea of peace and security.  Other important documents and agreements, such as the Oslo Accords, make it clear that Israel and the Palestinian Authority must rely upon bi-lateral negotiations to determine borders and other important issues. Yesterday’s resolution undermined these documents and agreements.

Yesterday’s UN Resolution recognizes the right of the Palestinian people to form a state and live in peace but fails to acknowledge that Palestinian leaders, which include Hamas terrorists, refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish State.  The Resolution, while calling upon Israel to do much to bring about peace, fails to even mention the violence perpetrated against Israelis by those in the Palestinian world.

Israel is willing to live in peace with a Palestinian State.  But, as Prime Minister Netanyahu said yesterday, peace must include recognition of the right of Israel to exist and to live in peace.  One needs to simply look at the hundreds of missiles that hit Israel this month to see how far we are from this recognition.

Only eight nations stood with Israel to oppose yesterday’s resolution – the U.S., Canada, the Czech Republic, Palau, Nauru, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Panama.  These nations stood up for the truth. 138 nations voted in favor of the resolution.  41 abstained.  Israel sees who her friends are – and so do we.  Now, more than ever – it is crucial for us to stand up for Israel and for the American-Israel relationship.

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A Prayer For Israel on Thanksgiving

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged , , , , , , , on November 21, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

As we gather for Thanksgiving, it is so important that we keep Israel and her people in our prayers.  Please consider sharing these words with your family and friends as you count your blessings on Thursday.

 

Our God, who blessed our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and our mothers Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, please bring peace, strength and comfort to the people of Israel.

 

Please, God, bless the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and the leaders of Israel. Keep and rescue them from any enemy and trouble, and place your blessing upon all of their endeavors; hear their prayer and ours, and save them.

 

Send, please, your blessing upon the Israeli people.  Comfort the worried mothers and fathers, the families torn from their homes and the children too frightened to play. Please God enfold those living in bomb shelters in the sheltering wings of your protection. You, God, are our redeeming guardian.

 

We pray, God,  that the world open its eyes and ears to the truth and may this truth lead us all to an everlasting peace.

 

Please, God, remember Your covenant with our father Abraham. Truly, a sovereign, gracious and compassionate God are you! Spread over Israel your canopy of peace and fill the lives of our Israeli brothers and sisters with blessings.

 

Amen.

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Yom Kippur 5773 Sermon – American Jews and Israel: What We Need To Say And Do To Secure Our Jewish State

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

Before I begin, I need to let you know that while I want to talk about Israel today, the political climate makes this extremely difficult for me to do.  Israel has become so politicized and this politicalization has created an awful rift within the Jewish community.  And this is wrong.  The love for Israel that so many of us share is not determined by our political affiliation but upon our faith, heritage and history – things that transcend politics.  But, the upcoming election has made it virtually impossible to talk about our Jewish homeland without ruffling feathers.  Every year, during the High Holidays, I talk about Israel.  But, this year, I came very close to being silent about the Jewish State.  But, I realized that if an American rabbi can’t stand on his bimah on the holiest day of the year and talk about Israel – something is truly broken.  I realized that if an American rabbi can’t express his support for the Jewish State on the same day that the President of Iran steps before the podium of the United Nations in New York City and threatens the Jewish State’s very existence – something is truly broken.  And I don’t believe we are that broken.  And I don’t believe that we Jews should be silent about our love for Israel – ever.  So, yes, I am going to talk about Israel today.  I am NOT going to talk about what the candidates have to say about Israel.  I certainly am NOT going to talk about who to vote for.  Today, I want to talk about how and why American-Jews need to talk about Israel.  This sermon today is not a feel good sermon.  It is not a sermon about spirituality.  It is a call to action – a plea that we, as a Jewish community – united by Israel and her safety, speak and act in ways which insure that G-d’s sukkat shalom – sukkah of peace – surrounds Israel, the United States and the entire world.  I know it sounds like a huge task.  But, I believe that we are up for it.

With this as an introduction, I want to remind you that at the end of the Book of Genesis, when the Israelites moved down to Egypt from Israel – they thrived.  Joseph, the son of our patriarch Jacob, rose to power in Pharaoh’s administration and all was good.  Egypt was a great place for the Israelites.  They were comfortable, successful and, most importantly, safe.  But, eventually, the tide would turn.  Joseph would die.  The political landscape would change and at the beginning of the Book of Exodus, the Torah tells us that “a new Pharaoh arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph.”  And with this new Pharaoh – Egypt became a dark place for our ancestors.  They were enslaved by Pharaoh – stripped of their freedom, rights and dignity.  Had it not been for the courage of Moses, the Israelite people might very well have died off, giving their last ounce of blood, sweat and tears to build Pharaoh’s empire.

The story of our ancestor’s demise in Egypt is one that repeats itself over and over again throughout our history.  As a small group of people often living under the control of others, we have frequently found our situation change dramatically as a result of political turnover or turmoil.  Whether it was while living under the rule of the Egyptians, the Assyrians, the Greeks or the Romans, our biblical ancestors knew the uncertainty associated with living under leaders who did not consider the concerns of the Jewish people to be a priority.  This uncertainty would continue for centuries as Jews found themselves exiled from the land of Israel and rebuilding lives all over the globe.  At times Jews prospered in foreign lands, living under friendly rulers.  But too often, history shows us how these friendly rulers were replaced by others who either did nothing to protect the Jews or, worse, worked to annihilate them.  We simply need to look back just a few generations to the Jews of Europe – who, at times, prospered but were virtually wiped off the map with the rise of Hitler.

With the screams of the Holocaust still echoing across the globe, the establishment of the modern State of Israel was so very important to us because it was a place where we could be in control of our own destiny – no longer living in fear and waiting for the “new Pharaoh” to rise to power who did not “know us”.  With the rebirth of Israel in 1948, there was no longer any uncertainty about the Jewish tomorrow – because Israel promised and still promises a Jewish tomorrow – and, even better, a Jewish next year.  And for almost 65 years, American Jews have worked tirelessly to insure that Israel will be around, strong and secure, forever.

As American Jews, we are blessed to live in a country that has for years, welcomed us, blessed us, protected us – and let us grow and prosper as a powerful albeit tiny minority – making up just 2% of this great nation.  Without a doubt, Jews in America are safe, secure and prosperous.  We are lucky to be able to call America our home.  And we are lucky to be able to take part in a political process that gives us – a tiny minority – a say – and a pretty powerful say.

I experienced the power of the collective Jewish voice earlier this year when I attended AIPAC’s Policy Conference in Washington DC in March.  AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee)  is the largest pro-Israel lobbying group.  President Obama was a speaker at the conference.  Governor Romney also spoke.  Most major American political leaders played a role.  50% of Congress attended the conference along with 15,000 pro-Israel delegates who worked the halls of the Capital – lobbying for Israel and having a tremendous impact.

Thanks to the efforts of pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC, our government has taken important steps to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon – and, thus, threatening the very existence of Israel, the stability of the entire Middle East and the security of the world.  Just this summer, the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed the Iran Threat Reduction Act of 2012 (H.R. 1905), which enshrined in law that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and sharply tightened the enforcement of existing sanctions law. The House passed the measure by a vote of 421-6, while the Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent and President Obama signed it into law just last month.

Things sure have changed dramatically since some 400 rabbis marched on Washington just 69 years ago, on October 6, 1943.  These rabbis were marching in support of American and Allied action to stop the destruction of European Jewry in the Holocaust.  In 1943, President Roosevelt refused to meet with the rabbis as they walked up to the White House.   The President slipped out of the White House via a rear door.  Today, our American Jewish voice is powerful.  As Rabbi Daniel Gordis wrote in a recent article, “Jews today no longer think of themselves as a tiptoeing people.” We might make up only 2% of this great country – but we have the support of many national leaders on both sides of the aisle.

And this is a blessing.

Since her rebirth in 1948, Israel has had a rough time.  But today, the Jewish State, which continues to struggle with her Palestinian neighbors, is facing unprecedented threats from Iran and her nuclear ambitions, from an unstable Syria, from the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, from the turmoil of the Arab Spring, from a strained relationship with Turkey, from Hamas terrorists who continue to launch missiles into Israel, from Hezbollah militants who are heavily funded and supported by Iran and from a powerful international campaign to delegitimize the Jewish State.  Now, more than ever, Israel needs America and the support of the American Jewish community.  Because now, more than ever, Israel’s security is being threatened and with it, the certainty of a Jewish tomorrow in our Jewish State.

Both President Obama and Governor Romney are spending a great deal of time and money explaining their pro-Israel positions.  It is great that both men running for President have Israel on their radar screen.  But, come January, Israel will be just one of countless other important issues that the winner of November’s election will have to deal with.  While many of us in the Jewish, pro-Israel community will work to insure that Israel’s security continues to be a priority for the President come January – we have to appreciate the fact that the vast majority of Americans will be looking to whoever is our President next year to put jobs and the economy on the top of his to-do list.  Surveys of the American electorate suggest that other issues like heath care and illegal immigration also have to be on the President’s to-do list.  These same surveys suggest that the vast majority of Americans wouldn’t even consider Israel’s security to be something for the President to put on his to-do list – not because these Americans are anti-Israel or anti-Semitic – but simply because Israel is not on their radar screens.  For those of us living in a large Jewish community like South Florida, this is sometimes hard for us to understand. While I love the fact that today, we Jews don’t consider ourselves to be a “tiptoeing people”, we need to get our heads around the reality that what’s important to us is not always what is important to the rest of the country.

Based upon our tiny size and the fact that Jews, for the most part, tend to live in certain parts of the country, more and more, members of Congress increasingly live where the Jewish community does not and the Jewish community lives where there are fewer and fewer members of Congress.

  • For example, North Carolina, with a Jewish population of 30,000, has more members of Congress than New Jersey with a Jewish population of 500,000.
  • The State of Washington has a Jewish population of 45,000 and more congressional districts than Massachusetts with a Jewish population of 280,000.
  • 40% of the Jewish population in America currently lives in the northeast, an area that contains only 19% of the general population.

During these challenging economic times, Congressmen who are not representing a Jewish community like our own – which is the vast majority of Congressmen – are, understandably, much more likely to put Israel’s security on the bottom of the list of national priorities.

We have been blessed by the fact that Congress has been very receptive to pro-Israel lobbying groups and incredibly supportive of Israel.  This Congress “knows Israel” and “knows” how important it is for the United States to insure her safety.  But, Congress will be transformed by the November elections.  33 Senate seats and all 435 Congressional seats are up for grabs.  We already know that, because of redistricting and other factors unrelated to the results of the November election, there will be at least 71 new members of Congress in 2013 – 11 Senators and 60 members of the House – insuring that next year’s Congress will be comprised of one the largest freshman classes in Congressional history.

There will be a lot of newbies in Washington who the President will have to work with come 2013.  These newbies will play an important role in setting the national agenda.  As is typical with new Congressman, many of these new leaders will begin their Congressional careers with little or no background in foreign affairs.  Many of them will not “know Israel” and will, therefore, have little understanding of the important US-Israel relationship.  These Congressmen will, however, begin their careers with a clear and important message from their constituencies: get us jobs!   Spending American resources to secure Israel and stop Iran from getting a nuclear bomb won’t necessarily be a national priority come 2013 – despite the pro-Israel positions of the people we will vote for in November.

If we want to do our part to help insure the safety and security of Israel AND remain a people who don’t tiptoe around – we have to live the words of the prophet Isaiah who said: “For Zion’s sake, I will not be silent!” If we, American Jews, can’t live by these words, who will?  Goodness knows there are a lot of important causes out there – and lots of people fighting for these causes.  We need more people to break their silence when it comes to Israel.  We need more pro-Israel voices.  We need Israel activists who will speak up for the Jewish State.

As this new Jewish year begins and many of us are looking to renew our connection to Judaism, I am asking you to become a pro-Israel activist.  I am asking you to educate yourself about Israel and use what you learn to insure that Israel’s wellbeing remains in the spotlight and on the radar screens of all of our elected officials. You can help to make certain that our leaders in Washington, old and new, “know Israel”.  You can support pro-Israel lobbying groups that work with our national leaders, take them to Israel and teach them about the Jewish State, her security concerns and the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship.  You can come with me to Washington in March and become a pro-Israel lobbyist, meeting face to face with members of Congress urging members on both sides of the aisle to insure the safety and security of Israel.

Closer to home, each of you can talk to your friends and neighbors about Israel.  They need to understand that our passion to insure Israel’s security should be their passion as well!  After all, the biggest threat facing Israel today – mainly Iran and her nuclear ambitions – is a tremendous threat to the United States.

We need to remind people here that Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terror – backing insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan who are responsible for the deaths of many American soldiers.  This year alone, Iran has sponsored terrorism against the U.S. and its allies, including a plot to assassinate the Saudi Ambassador in Washington, D.C., failed attempts to kill diplomats in India, Thailand, Georgia and Kenya.  Iran is behind the horrific events in Syria and is feeding the frenzy associated with the murder of our Ambassador and others in Libya.

We have to remind our friends and neighbors that in addition to calling for the annihilation of Israel, Iran has called for a world without the United States.  A nuclear Iran would be able to provide nuclear materials and knowledge to its allies in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia – bringing the threat of nuclear terror extremely close to our shores.

We have to remind our fellow Americans that the prospect of a nuclear Iran would directly affect the price of oil.  Iran would be able to manipulate the cost of oil by coercing other oil-exporting nations to reduce their crude production.  A nuclear Iran could easily dominate OPEC – which controls 75% of the world’s conventional oil reserves – causing the global price of oil to skyrocket and force us to pay more for gas, groceries and other consumer goods.

But, more important than all of these facts are our beliefs and feelings.  As a pro-Israel activist, I don’t hesitate to tell people that I believe the world is better because of Israel.  And I also don’t hesitate to tell them that I fear a world that could witness her destruction.  And when someone responds to this by saying “well, that could never happen” – I don’t hesitate to say, “you don’t know your Jewish history”.  The tide can turn.  And then what?

As some of you know, when it comes to Israel, my greatest fear is not that Iran will get the bomb.  I have faith in Israel and her leaders.  Israel will not allow the six million Jews and two million non-Jews who call Israel home to be wiped off the face of the earth by Iran.  Israel will take action when and if she feels the threat is there.  What I truly fear is the morning after.  The morning after Israel attacks Iran – waking up to the news.  Waiting for the backlash – from the international community, from, perhaps, our own leaders who don’t understand the dangers of Iran, from our friends and neighbors.  I fear that this “morning after” is getting closer and closer.  It might, Gd forbid, be tomorrow.  And we are not yet ready for this sunrise. There are too many people out there who do not understand – too many people who won’t want to get involved because it costs too much, because it is too dangerous, because we here in the U.S. have enough on our plate.  Too many people who will accuse Israel rather than noting that she not only saved herself, but the entire world.

We – the American Jewish community – can prevent this “morning after” from being a nightmare for Israel and the global Jewish community by doing our part to right now to garner support for the Jewish State.  Perhaps, we can even prevent this “morning after” from happening in the first place by thanking our politicians for all they have done so far to stop Iran – but urging them to increase sanctions and do more to totally isolate Iran and her leaders.  I do believe we can do great things if we pledge to speak up as 5773 begins and insure that as many people as possible “know” about Israel.

By speaking up for Israel– what we are doing according to the Senator Jonny Isakson, the Senator from Georgia – is telling our story.  Telling the story of our heritage and the future of our children and grandchildren.  By speaking up, we’re telling the story that is the great miracle of Israel.  And this telling of the story is, according to the Senator, what it takes for our two countries to commit to a future for Israel that is safe and secure and at peace.

By speaking up for Israel – what we are doing according to former Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey is being an American.  The Senator reminds us that at one point in America, there was only one abolitionist who said slavery was wrong.  There was only one suffragette who said women need the right to vote.  There was only one civil rights worker who said we have to perfect the American promise for African-Americans.  And there was only one environmentalist who said we’ve got to clean up our air and water.  And then there where two and then there were four and there were five…And if we lose sight of that, the Senator says, we don’t see the strength of America.

As American Jews, we owe it to ourselves, to our Jewish community, to our country, to Israel and the world to stand up for our story – for the State of Israel.  In doing so, we will do our part to insure that the words we will chant at the end of our service tonight – “Next Year In Jerusalem” – can be recited with pride by our grandchildren and their grandchildren in a peaceful world that contains a vibrant and beautiful State of Israel.

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Returning from AIPAC’s 2012 Policy Conference

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 17, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

What I Fear Is The Morning After

(my “sermon” Friday night, March 9th)

I was proud to be one of 13,000 pro-Israel delegates at the 2012 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference that was held in Washington, DC on March 4th-6th.  As I return to South Florida, I wanted to take this opportunity to share just a few reflections on this incredible event.

First, it is clear to me that the vast majority of Congress, Democratic and Republican Senators and Representatives alike, stand with Israel and her right to protect herself.  Our South Florida Senators and Representative are some of the most pro-Israel folks out there.  Senator Bill Nelson and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen have both co-sponsored bills that support tougher sanctions against Iran.  We owe them our thanks and appreciation.

Second, “AIPAC” is not a “PAC” – a political action committee.  AIPAC stands for the “American Israel Public Affairs Committee”.  It is a lobbying group.  As such, it does not take sides.  It works to develop strong working relationships with every elected official.  AIPAC’s insistence upon maintaining good relationships with both sides of the aisle frustrates some (even me sometimes!).  However, these good relationships are the key to insuring strong American support for Israel.  AIPAC does not rate, endorse or finance candidates.  This is probably why more than 50% of Congress attended AIPAC’s Gala Event on March 5th.

Third, despite the push by some in Congress to keep Israel from becoming a partisan issue and the bipartisan support in Congress for Israel, Israel is, without a doubt, a very partisan issue.  This was more than evident in the speeches and presentations that I heard at the conference.  This is largely due to the fact that 2012 is an election year and both parties are trying to prove that they have done “good” by Israel.  I attended many “stump speeches” given by politicians attempting to prove that their party done a better job at supporting Israel than the other party.   Despite this, what I truly appreciate about AIPAC is that Democrats and Republicans, right and left, conservatives and liberals and everyone in between can gather together to have healthy debate and discussion about the Jewish State in a tremendously pro-Israel environment.  AIPAC’s tent is huge and many delegates attending the Policy Conference come from incredibly diverse backgrounds.  It was nice to see non-Jews attending the conference and playing such an important role.  Any South Floridian will appreciate that AIPAC’s big tent had room for both Representative Allen West and Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz – two members of Congress who don’t often see eye to eye, but who were able to find a home at AIPAC.  AIPAC constantly reminds speakers, presenters and delegates that respect of differing views is a must.  And, for the most part, I felt this respect.

Fourth, and most important, the most pressing issue discussed at the Policy Conference this year was Iran and the desire by the Iranian government to make a nuclear weapon.

There was a lot of talk about why it is so important for us to prevent Iran from getting “the bomb”.  Experts talked about how dangerous Iran is now – without “the bomb”, serving as a base for terror and a source of tremendous unrest.  The terror and violence in Syria is directly linked to Iran.  In addition, the fact that the President of Iran has openly declared his intention to annihilate Israel makes the possibility of Iran owning a nuclear weapon even more alarming.  It has been reported that Iran has missiles that can not only reach Israel, but our own shores here in the US and has openly expressed the desire to do harm to the United States.  Once armed with a nuclear weapon, these missiles become even more potent.  In addition, we were reminded in DC that just blocks away from the site of the Policy Conference, Iran attempted to assassinate the Saudi Arabian Ambassador.  Iran is a dangerous regime. Period.  A nuclear-armed Iran is even more dangerous. Exclaimation mark!

Both President Obama and the Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed AIPAC.  In listening to both men, it is clear to me that there are two major differences between the two of them.

The first difference has to do with the fact that both men lead different countries and, thus, have different priorities.

President Obama is the leader of the United States of America and, as such, is responsible for the safety and security of the USA.  While stopping Iran from getting a nuclear weapon is certainly in the best interest of America – the President is committed to insuring that other aspects pertaining to the safety and well being of Americans are addressed.  Whether it be retaliatory strikes on the United States by Iran after a preemptive strike on her nuclear facilities, exorbitant gas prices that are created by an escalation in the Middle East, or the cost of US involvement in a war with Iran during this economic downturn, President Obama is putting the United States and her citizens  first.

Understandably, Prime Minister Netanyahu sees things very differently.  He puts Israel and her citizens first.  He is responsible for the safety and well being of more than 6,000,000 Jews who call Israel home and 2,000,000 non-Jews who call Israel home.  He is determined to prevent the annihilation of his nation by Iran.  And will do anything to insure the safety and security of the Israeli people.  And when it comes down to it, Israel, not the United States, is on the front lines when it comes to Iran.  The Prime Minister puts Israel first and has to because if Iran gets the bomb, Israel will be affected first and most dramatically.

The second difference has to do with what we are trying to stop Iran from doing. 

President Obama wants to stop Iran from possessing an actual nuclear weapon.  This is clear.  Prime Minister Netanyahu is determined to stop Iran from having the technology needed to create a nuclear weapon.  If Iran has this technology, than she has the ability  to make the bomb and she will.  According to the Prime Minister, once Iran has the technology, it is too late.  And many are questioning how much time we have left before Iran has this technology.  Interestingly enough, it seems that many members of Congress share the Prime Minister’s point of view on this.

Clearly feeling we have more time to pressure Iran than the Prime Minister, President Obama is leaving all options on the table.  As the Policy Conference wrapped up on March 6th, the President agreed to reenter negotiations with Iran, who, after a very tough speech by Prime Minister Netanyahu the night before, in which he made it quite clear that Israel will do whatever it has to do to secure herself, decided to open up a nuclear site to international inspectors, but only after significant details are worked out.

Certainly we’ve been on this road many times before with Iran.  Negotiations have always failed.  But they have been successful in giving Iran more and more time to develop the technology she needs to create a nuclear weapon.  It is no secret that Iran has a history of lying about her nuclear ambitions, making promises to stop enriching uranium, delaying the process, dropping out of agreements, going back to enriching uranium, threatening Israel, the US and others when they push her too far.  Over and over again, the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) has condemned Iran for failing to live up to its end of negotiations.  Over and again, the IAEA goes back into negotiations only to be slapped down again.  The fact is that Iran is enriching uranium.  Iran is very close to or has the capabilities to build a nuclear weapon.

In his powerful speech on March 5th, Netanyahu reminded us that Iran claims to want to use its nuclear technology for medical purposes and to generate power for the country.  The Prime Minister asked us, if this was the case, why does Iran need to hide from the IAEA?  Why has she lied so often? Why are her nuclear facilities built so far underground, hidden away from the world?  If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, the Prime Minister exclaimed, we need to call it is a duck!

The Prime Minister told the crowd of 14,000 people on March 5th that Israel has waited for years as negotiations failed with Iran. Sanctions, even tough ones, have not seemed to stop Iran from seeking the technology needed to build a nuclear weapon and have done nothing to stop Iranian nuclear ambitions.  Even Leon Panetta, now the US Secretary of Defense, argued that sanctions may “help weaken” the Iranian regime and “create serious economic problems” but he cautioned that sanctions, no matter how tough, would probably not curtail Iran’s nuclear dreams.

The efficacy of some tough sanctions that will be kicking into place soon, such as sanctions involving SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) which would cut Iran off from the international banking community, are yet to be seen. AIPAC was lobbying Congress to support such sanctions.

I do not feel that Prime Minister Netanyahu is, as some claim, “beating the drums of war”.  He doesn’t want war.  Who does!?  But he is a realist.   The fact is, if Iran gets the bomb, they will use it.  And if they don’t use it to annihilate Israel, they will use it to control and manipulate not just the Middle East, but the entire world.  And this is not acceptable to Israel and should not acceptable to the US and other global powers.  If negotiations fail (which they probably will), if sanctions fail (which I pray that they don’t – but there is not much time to pray and see results!!!), what do we have left?

While the Prime Minister made it clear that he was not going to talk openly about his country’s plan regarding Iran, he did make it clear that the longer we wait, the closer we get to an Iran capable of building a nuclear weapon.  And this is not something that the Prime Minister is willing to wait for and I can’t blame him.

The most powerful moment of the Prime Minister’s speech was when he pulled out letters from 1944, letters exchanged by the World Jewish Congress and the United States government.  The WJC asked the US to bomb train lines to Auschwitz in a last ditch effort to save the Jews of Europe.  The US response was that it was unclear that such an attack would be effective and that it would certainly provoke a vindictive response from the Germans. What could be worse than the murder of 6,000,000 Jews!?  As the Prime Minister read these letters, all 14,000 people listening to him knew the obvious parallels he was drawing between the Israel and the United States today and the effect that a strike against Iran would have on the safety and security of Israel’s 6,000,000 Jews.  An incredibly powerful statement!

After reading the letters, the Prime Minster reminded us that it is not 1944.  He said very clearly, today, in 2012, America has our back.

But, he did not stop there, however.  He reminded the world that the Jews in 2012 have a State of our own (and a powerful military to go along with it) and the Jewish State will do everything in her power to secure the future of this Jewish State.  The Prime Minister left no one guessing if he had to get the United States’ approval or blessing before going after Iran as he told the crowd: Israel will defend herself, by herself, against any threat.

So, as I leave AIPAC and return to Florida…..

I know that Israel will protect herself if and when it becomes necessary.  I believe that Israel will do what is in her best interests and not what the United States wants her to do. While I hope that Israel will not need to pursue a military option against Iran, I know that if that is what it comes down to, she can and will pursue this option.  And I am comforted by the fact that our Congress appears to be extremely supportive of Israel defending herself as needed.

I know that our Senators and Representatives are working tirelessly to toughen that sanctions against Iran and I pray that somehow, someway, they effect incredible change in a very short period of time.

I worry, however, about the morning after – the morning after Israel decides enough is enough and takes action by eliminating Iran’s nuclear facilities.  I am not worried about Israel’s abilities to do this.  I am also not overly worried about Israel’s abilities to fend off the countless missiles that will be launched against her by Hezbollah and Hamas and others.  It won’t be easy – but Israel can defend herself.  I am worried, however, about the response of our own country.  President Obama says he has Israel’s back.  But if Israel attacks without the blessing of the President, what will this mean?  How will he respond?  When the UN and nations across the globe attack Israel for being aggressive, what will President Obama say?  What will he say as gas prices escalate and, perhaps, the US is hit with retaliation by Iran?  Will he still have Israel’s back?  And I worry about the response of our fellow Americans who will have to pay higher gas prices and live in a world that might feel unsafe as a result of an angry Iran.  What will they say about us – the Jews, the supporters of Israel, the nation that “caused this problem”!?  And, I even worry about us!  Will we stand by Israel during this trying time?  Will we be willing to support Israel’s actions or will we join the cry against the Jewish nation?  It is one thing to say that we have Israel’s back, that we support her now that things are “okay”, but what about the morning after the attack as the global rage against Israel roars across the planet?  What will we feel like at that time?  This is what I worry about.

But, I pray that such an attack won’t be necessary.  I pray that sanctions will cripple the Iranian regime and Israel will be safe.  But, if the Prime Minister of Israel determines that it is in Israel’s best interests to pursue a military option, I pray that the United States not only has Israel’s back, but stands by Israel’s side as the Jewish nation takes the lead in protecting the world from a nuclear Iran.  May it be so…..

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PODCAST: IRAN – IT IS TIME TO GO FORWARD!!!

Posted in In the news, Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged on February 11, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

In this podcast, I discuss the situation with Iran, comparing it to the moment our ancestors stood at the Red Sea – before it parted – with Pharaoh’s army quickly advancing upon them.  G-d told the Jewish people to go forward!  G-d is not going to part this sea for us this time.  It is up to us.  And it is time to go forward!

Click here for podcast: IRAN

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A Follow-Up Letter On BDS (see previous post)

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on February 8, 2012 | 3 Comments »

So, I watched the videos and read the links that others shared regarding the BDS Movement.  Thank you for sharing.  I also watched videos from the PennBDS conference.  I must say that I am disappointed that no one out there in cyber world who counts him/herself as a BDS supporter responded to the questions/concerns/links that I shared yesterday.   I know everyone is busy and if I were not leading a series of workshops dealing with the delegitimization of Israel on college campuses, I probably would not be spending so much time on this.  This being said, I shared my concerns with this group and would like to get some feedback from those who support BDS please.

 

My homework over the past two days has not only validated my concerns but also elevated them.  The video featuring J.J, Goldberg, Hannah Mermelstein, Kathleen Peratis and Yonatan Shapira (http://www.cctv.org/watch-tv/programs/jewish-perspectives-boycott-divestment-sanctions-bds-campaign) disturbed me greatly not just because of the anti-Zionist sentiments that were expressed in the video but also because of the hatred of Israel that was expressed in the video and the tremendous distortion of the facts by speakers.  I shared the video with my regular Tuesday study group this morning.  This group consists of many long-term Reconstructionists – and to say that they left upset would be an understatement.  I also watched Ali Abunimah’s keynote speech at PennBDS (http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/video-my-penn-bds-speech-and-how-zionist-filmmaker-pretended-be-canadas-cbc).  His demonization of Israel was over the top.

 

Overall, the videos make it clear to me that the ultimate goal of BDS, a goal explained by Abunimah, Mermelstein and Shapira, is to dismantle the Jewish State of Israel and replace it with a new, “democratic”, pluralistic society – a society that is not a Jewish homeland.  This would be the death of Zionism and a horrific loss for the Jewish people.

 

While I am no J-Street supporter, I found myself cheering on Peratis as she said she is committed to a two state solution that includes a Jewish State. 

 

As I see it, one of the huge problems with the BDS movement and many other anti-Israel causes is an issue Daniel Gordis talks a lot about: the faulty assumption that when it comes to democracy, Israel is a Hebrew-speaking, mini-America.   On the contrary, Israel is not like the democracy that we live in here and, if it remains a Jewish State, it never will be. This is a challenging reality for many liberal American Jews – one that must be discussed.

 

The very nature of Israel is to be a Jewish homeland that, in turn, gives Jews a favored status.  This is, as Gordis explains, an “ethnic democracy” which is a democratic system described by Professor Sammy Smooha of the University of Haifa (http://hevra.haifa.ac.il/~soc/lecturers/smooha/files/1572.pdf). 

 

An ethnic democracy is one that “combines the extension of civil and political rights to permanent residents who wish to be citizens with the bestowal of a favored status on the majority group.”  In an ethnic democracy, “the state belongs to the majority and serves it more than the minority.” Israel is not the only ethnic democracy out there.  Latvia and Estonia, Malaysia and Slovakia are also ethnic democracies.  Many consider an ethnic democracy a “diminished” form of democracy and thus many don’t like it.  But, Gordis points out that Professor Smooha, who is a Jew, a critic of ethnic democracy and a passionate defender of the rights of Israel’s Arabs, admits that “the democratic framework is real and not a façade.”  It is part of the reality that is this on-going Jewish project that many of us love with all our hearts and souls – this project we call Israel.

 

I have been thinking a lot about this idea of “ethnic democracy”.  As a congregational rabbi of a liberal synagogue that praises itself on being a democratic, welcoming institution – we, as a congregation, are an “ethnic democracy”.  Our constitution forbids a non-Jew from holding certain board positions including the positions of President and Ritual Chair.  While non-Jews can be members, they are not granted full rights and 99% of the time are expected to be partnered with a Jew.  Non-Jews can’t take part in all aspects of our services.  We will not grant membership to Jews-for-Jesus – this has been discussed – and anyone else who has no “real connection” to Judaism.  We will not enroll students in our religious school unless they are being raised solely as Jews.  In order to become a Jew (not just at Ramat Shalom), we expect people to pledge loyalty to Judaism and renounce all other religions before a beit din.  Once one becomes a Jew, they are given full rights.  Is it fair to compare a synagogue to Israel? Probably not – but there is no question that my congregation is an “ethnic democracy”. (I also think about my days as a Vassar tour guide – telling people that while the school went co-ed in 1969, officials will never allow men to outnumber women because this would change the character of the school.)

 

I know that Israel has many issues to address when it comes to her non-Jewish citizens.  This being said, I accept the fact that Israel is not and will never be a mini-America.  Israel is an ethnic democracy and must remain one in order to remain a Jewish State.  And I always want there to be a Jewish State.

 

I believe, unlike Mermelstein, Shapira and Abunimah, that we Jews need our own nation, our own safe place, our own haven.  Sorry, I don’t believe that the Holocaust is in the rearview mirror.  I believe “Never Again!” and I don’t believe this makes me paranoid.  I believe it makes me a realist.  I also believe that we are entitled to the nation that was created by the UN in 1947.  And I believe that Israel had and still has the right to defend herself.  And I believe that Israel has the right to resolve unsettled territorial disputes that were the result of numerous attacks upon her sovereignty in a manner that insures her safety and her security.  I believe that Israel has the right to be a Jewish State and uphold the law of return for Jews while preventing the return of Palestinian refugees.

 

Because of this, I find the BDS Movement, which singles out, demonizes and delegitimizes the Jewish State and endorses (through BDS) the punishment of the citizens of the Jewish State as a means to achieve its ultimate goal, being the dismantling of the Jewish State, to be not only (obviously) anti-Zionist, but, yes, anti-Semitic.  Please note I said I find the MOVEMENT to be anti-Semitic.  I can’t pretend to know the motivations of individuals who support BDS.  But I can say this: the BDS Movement is committed to end Jewish self-determination in the Jewish homeland officially given to the Jewish people by the United Nations 65 years ago.  (see Professor Dina Porat’s (Tel Aviv University) article “Defining Anti-Semitism in which she argues that denying Jews the right to self-determination by saying Israel is a racist endeavor is anti-Semitic, http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw2003-4/porat.htm) Attacking Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State, comparing it to a Nazi State, applying double standards not expected of other nations (as opposed to working to change Israeli governmental policies) is widely accepted as anti-Semitism.  And when a Jew stands with, supports, gives a platform to the BDS Movement s/he legitimizes this anti-Semitism.  And this brings me back to my original post in which I said: “I fail to understand, am embarrassed by, and am, quite frankly, tired of having to explain to my congregants, the desire among some of my Jewish colleagues to aid those determined to destroy Israel.”



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A Letter To My Jewish Colleagues

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, tagged , , , , , , , , , on February 6, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

To my Jewish colleagues who have stood up and supported the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement:

I am an openly, proud Zionist.  I love Israel.  While I know she, like every nation, is imperfect, she has the right to exist, in peace, as a Jewish State.  I am infuriated by the countless efforts to delegitimize, slander and destroy Israel.

Let me make myself clear: I believe in free speech.  I believe in healthy, respectful debate.  I believe that Jews must stand up for what is right and just.  And, yes, I believe that Jews have a right to respectfully and fairly critique Israeli policy.

This being said, when I read about Jewish leaders standing with and supporting those who are openly committed to the destruction of the Jewish State, I am horrified.  When I read about and engage with rabbis who see nothing wrong with programs like PennBDS and actually think programs like this are good for Israel, I am stunned.   I am even more stunned when some of my colleagues go out of their way to fast for Gaza, but our own children of S’derot are ignored. Who is going to stand up for these children if we, the Jewish leaders, don’t do so? Furthermore, where was the BDS outrage this weekend when China and Russia blocked a Security Council resolution against Bashar?  Simply put, I fail to understand, am embarrassed by, and am, quite frankly, tired of having to explain to my congregants, the desire among some of my Jewish colleagues to aid those determined to destroy Israel.

Some advise me to bite my tongue and say nothing.  And I have often done so, afraid of offending.  Afraid of further alienating myself from the mainstream”, liberal Jewish community, afraid of being called names like “right-winger” or “hawk”.  These labels I can live with.  Being called, “ignorant” or worse, names like an “Islamaphobe”, “racist” or “murderer” – this I can’t live with.  So yes, at times I have been guilty of being silent because sticks and stones have broken lots of my bones.  I have been guilty of lurking in the background, listening, reading, quietly fuming.  But, as a rabbi of students at Penn and many other college campuses across this country, I realize that I am doing them a disservice by being silent.

I was once a college student.  And I know how confusing it is to have your spiritual homeland attacked and maligned on your campus.  In 1988, I was a freshman at Vassar College.  I grew up with very little Jewish knowledge – especially when it came to Israel.  During the first month of my freshman year, I was invited to attend an anti-Israel rally on campus.  I was told that Israel was doing “bad things” to innocent people.  I was told by organizers that I had to stand up for what was right!  My liberal, suburban upbringing had taught me to do just this.  My Jewish education was nonexistent.  So, I started to follow the organizers and stand up for the oppressed!  That was until a Christian senior student who was watching the organizers talk to me pulled me aside and lambasted me for a good hour.  She opened my eyes to the “other side of the story” and told me that as a Jew, I have an obligation to stand up for Israel and stand up for the truth.  I didn’t go to the anti-Israel event that day.  Instead, that day, I became a Zionist.

As I read about PennBDS, I remembered that day I almost protested against Israel and I feared that maybe I had not done enough for my students at Penn and elsewhere to prepare them for the hate they would face….

So, I asked my colleagues what was going on at Penn to insure that I could connect my students to organizations and people who were countering the BDS propaganda.  While, I received a wonderful e-mail from Penn Hillel, the majority of responses I received were questioning my problems with BDS.  Responses suggesting that I was too “closed-minded” and encouraging me to hear what is being said by BDS leaders.  I received responses that attacked those who attacked BDS.  As I read the responses, my heart broke because I was once a clueless college kid who could have easily been misled.  But today, I am a Zionist who knows a lot.  I know that Israel is being threatened and we have an obligation to stand up for her and teach our kids to do the same.   I know the strength of those out to delegitimize Israel.  And I know that we are not doing enough to stand up for her.

I know that Nobel-Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu, who openly supported PennBDS, supports the double standards that are an integral part of BDS: “Whether Jews like it or not, they are a peculiar people.  They can’t ever hope to be judged by the same standards which are used for other people.”  (Religious News Service, 28 November 1984)  I know that Tutu, like many in the BDS world, has invoked Nazi imagery to fuel the passion of his supporters:  “The gas chambers (of the Holocaust) (made for) a neater death (than apartheid resettlement policies)” (Gideon Shimoni, “South African Jews and Apartheid, “American Jewish Tear Book” (New York: American Jewish Committee, 1988) 51).

I know that Omar Barghouti, a prominent leader in the BDS movement praised Tutu last week in the Daily Pennsylvanian, calling him “among the most eloquent voices accusing Israel of practicing apartheid against the Palestinian people.”

I know that Barghouti is opposed to a two state solution, calling, instead for the “launch (of a) new visionary and practical processes that will lead to the establishment of a unitary democratic state between the Jordan and the Mediterranean.” (http://www.counterpunch.org/2003/12/12/relative-humanity-thie-essential-obstacle-to-a-just-peace-in-palestine/).  I know that what he and other BDS leaders really mean when they talk about freeing the Palestinian people is really the destruction of the Jewish State.

I know that while Barghouti is not busy dedicating himself to boycotting, divesting, sanctioning and delegitimizing Israel, he is a graduate student at Israel’s premier Tel-Aviv University.  When questioned about this double standard by Israeli paper Maariv, he has said: ”My studies at Tel-Aviv University are a personal matter and I have no interest in commenting.” He has also said that  ”Oppressed people don’t have a choice of where they go to school,” (Q&A session at Loyola Law School).

I know that Barghouti had plenty of choices. He was born in Qatar.  He grew up in Egypt.  He attended Columbia University.  He moved to Ramallah as an adult. He could have could have pursued his graduate degree at Birzeit University or Al-Quds University or any university outside of Israel.  But, he didn’t.  He chose Israel.  And he condemns the nation that is educating him, the nation he tells the world not to choose.

Many have asked Tel-Aviv University to expel him.  But, the university has said that:

“A university campus should be a place that encourages and tolerates free speech, no matter how offensive the expressed opinions may be to the majority of students and faculty at that institution, or indeed to the public at large. Our university has adopted a similar policy also in previous occasions..  The University cannot and will not expel this student based on his political views or actions. He will be assessed only on the basis of his academic achievements and excellence.”

This man who accuses Israel of suppressing Palestinians in the same way that the Nazis suppressed the Jews is supported by the nation he despises.  This speaks volumes to me.

I know that Ali Abunimah, the keynote speaker at PennBDS has written the following on his Twitter:

-It’s racist to think Jews need a special state and can’t live with other people.

-That is something Zionism shares with anti-Semitism, a disdain for actual Jewish culture and life as it existed.

-Supporting Zionism is not atonement for the Holocaust, but its continuation in spirit.

-Zionism is a distortion of Judaism.

As a Zionist, these tweets disgust me.

I know that Abunimah defended the fact that Hamas did not allow the ICRC to visit Gilad Shalit. (http://aliabunimah.posterous.com/is-israel-right-to-complain-that-hamas-has-de)

I know that Abunimah twists and distorts the facts by calling Israel’s right to defend herself genocide.

(http://electronicintifada.net/content/why-israel-wont-survive/7999)

I know that Abunimah is determined to bash Israel while calling for her demise, writing that : “change will come. Without indulging Israeli racism or preserving undue privilege, the legitimate concerns of ordinary Israeli Jews can be addressed directly in any negotiated transition to ensure that the shift to democracy is orderly, and essential redistributive policies are carried out fairly. Inevitably, decolonization will cause some pain as Israeli Jews lose power and privilege, but there are few reasons to believe it cannot be a well-managed process, or that the vast majority of Israeli Jews, like white South Africans, would not be prepared to make the adjustment for the sake of a normality and legitimacy they cannot have any other way.”

http://electronicintifada.net/content/israeli-jews-and-one-state-solution/8528

I know these things.  And this is why I don’t stand with BDS, don’t want to aid BDS, don’t want to give them a platform, don’t want to encourage anyone to believe that what they have to say will be good for Israel.  I want to support Israel.  And I want my college students to know how to do the same thing.  And I feel that we as Jewish leaders have an obligation to look out for our own and help them navigate through the delegitimization nightmare

Sadly, I know I will be attacked and labeled by some for sharing these things.  Accused of terrible things.  But I know that I can’t remain silent.  I can’t let my Jewish community, my college kids and their parents think that I endorse, support, condone any delegitimization of Israel.

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A Rediscovered Abundance of Goodness – Dr. Daniel Gordis

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged on November 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

I share with you the latest article by Dr. Daniel Gordis, a powerful peace about what he discovered as a result of Gilad Shalit’s release.

A Rediscovered Abundance of Goodness
Daniel Gordis

Mr. Prime Minister,

Before the Shalit deal fades entirely from view, many of us are hoping that you have noticed what you unwittingly unleashed. I don’t mean the next wave of terror or the terrible decisions that Israel must make before the next kidnapping. We knew about those even before last week. But last Tuesday, all of us ˆ those opposed as well as those in favor (and there were persuasive arguments on both sides) ˆ rediscovered something magnificent about this country. It would be tragic if we returned to business as usual without pausing to take note.

In addition to Gilad Shalit, we got one more thing in return that few of us could have expected; we got a reminder of the abundant goodness that still resides at the very core of this society. You could see it everywhere. Compare the speeches on our side, celebrating life and freedom, to the blood-thirsty Palestinian harangues calling for renewed terror and additional kidnappings. Compare the respectful restraint of our press to Shahira Amin’s immoral and abusive interview in Egypt. But more than anything, we saw this reservoir of goodness in the streets ˆ in the people so moved that they could hide neither the tears in their eyes nor the lumps in their throats. We saw it in the throngs along the roads, people who wanted Shalit to know that they, too, celebrated his long overdue freedom. And we saw it in the hundreds of people in Mitzpe Hila who continued dancing long after he’d entered his house and closed the door.

We all felt it ˆ it was innocent, pure and thoroughly decent. We were witness that day to an entire country believing in something again. Those young people outside the Shalit home were singing not only about Shalit, but about this land, this people, and about a future in which they still believe. Did you see them? Women and men, religious and secular, dancing with abandon in celebration of freedom? Did you hear them singing anachnu ma’aminim benei ma’aminim ∑. “We’re believers, the children of believes, and we have no one on whom to depend, other than our Father in heaven”? You didn’t miss it, did you? Hundreds of people of all walks of Israeli life, proclaiming without hesitation their belief in something bigger than themselves?

The reason that the trade was wildly popular, Mr. Prime Minister, wasn’t ultimately about Gilad Shalit. It was about Israel. About a country desperate to transcend the cynicism, that still wants to believe that it’s worth believing in. Shouldn’t we ˆ and you ˆ therefore ask ourselves what can we do next to justify people’s belief in this place? What will it take to make this a country that its citizens can love even when we’re not freeing a captive?

How about if we start by eradicating evil? Take but one example and deal with it. There’s a small but vicious group of kids living over the Green Line who bring inestimable shame on the Jewish people. They burn mosques, tear down olive trees and sow fear everywhere ˆ all with the implicit support of their rabbis. And they make many young Israelis deeply ashamed of this entire enterprise. Last week, you showed us that you do know how to take decisive action. So do it again. Rein them in. Arrest them. Cut off funding to their yeshivot. If you show this generation of Israelis that your government stands for goodness even when that means making tough domestic decisions, you’ll unleash a wave of Zionist passion like we haven’t felt here for a generation. It wouldn’t be any harder to do than what you just did, and it would actually do even more good for Israel than getting one soldier back.

And beyond goodness, there’s also Jewishness. No, we shouldn’t make too much of that anachnu ma’aminim benei ma’aminim song, but admit ˆ it’s not what you expect to see lots of secular people singing. Yet they did. Because this is a strange and wondrous country; not so deep down, even “non-religious” people aren’t “non-religious.” Just like their observant counterparts, they’re searching, struggling, yearning and at moments like that, they know that the well from which they hope to draw their nourishment is a Jewish well.

That’s why it was wonderful that you quoted from Isaiah (the Haftarah for Parashat Bereishit) in your speech. It was your suggestion, I hope, that at its core, this society must be decent, but it must also be Jewish. You know what the main problem with the summer’s Social Justice protests was? It wasn’t the naïve embrace of high school socialism, or the utter incoherence of the demands. It was the fact that there was simply nothing Jewish about their vision for Israel. Dafni Leef and her comrades could have given the same vacuous speeches at Occupy Wall Street. Or in Sweden, for that matter. Those inane speeches were testimony to the failure of our educational systems and of Israel’s religious leadership. The Yoram Kaniuk affair and the court’s willingness to let him declare himself “without religion” is a reflection not on him, but on the appallingly uninteresting variety of Judaism that the State has come to represent. Can you ˆ or anyone else ˆ name eve! n one single powerful idea that’s come from any of Israel’s Chief Rabbis in the past decade or two? Me, neither.

But lo and behold, it turns out that Israel’s young people still want to believe in something. We haven’t given them the tools to articulate it, but they still intuit that whatever we become, it’s got to be Jewish. So ride that wave, too, Mr. Prime Minister. What would it take to shape a country where the profundity at the core of Jewish tradition became once again the subject of discourse in our public square? Does Judaism in the twenty-first century suddenly have to become dull and backward, or can we restore the intellectual and moral excellence that once characterized it? Can you take this on, too? Appoint the right people? Build the right schools? Can you help make this a country encourages those young people now searching for Jewish moral moorings?

For or against, hardly a single one of us is not thrilled that Gilad Shalit is home. He deserved his life back. But so, too, does this country. Shalit, hopefully, will now get better and stronger with each passing day. Israel must do the same. It needs to get better ˆ we need to be honest about the evils lurking in our midst, and we must exorcise them. And we must become stronger, which we can do only by engaging with the roots that brought us back home in the first place.

Can you do this? Many of us hope so. Because if this fails, it will in the long run have made no difference that Gilad Shalit came home. But if it succeeds, we might just come to see his liberation as the turning point in our collective return to believing in ourselves.

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Yom Kippur Sermon: Pursuing Justice for Israel

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

As some of you know, I tried really hard to get myself arrested in New York City two weeks ago.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  I tried really hard to get myself arrested in New York City two weeks ago.  I have never been arrested.  Have never been in trouble with the law – except for a few minor traffic tickets.  But I was determined to get arrested on September 20th.

Unfortunately, despite juggling my schedule, getting Cheryl’s permission, finding flights – I didn’t get arrested.  Our dear friend, Amy Segal, Cheryl’s best friend and the mother of Abigail’s dear friend, Sabrina, passed away and was buried on September 19th.  Instead of spending time in a jail cell on September 20th, I was here in South Florida, in mourning, comforting my wife and daughter.  That is the only reason I was not arrested on September 20th.  Trust me, I would have much rather have been in jail.

September 20th was the day that the Palestinian Authority was set to ask the United Nations for Statehood.  Under the direction of Rabbi Avi Weiss and the organization Amcha, a group of Zionists, lovers of Israel, planned and actually did take part in organized, non-violent, civil disobedience – in the spirit of great leaders like Martin Luther King, Ghandi and Rosa Parks.  They blocked traffic in front of the United Nations, in turn, blocking an entrance to the UN in an attempt to symbolically stop the absurdity of the Palestinian bid for statehood going on inside the international institution.  Some were arrested for their actions.

Coming before the UN, attempting to get themselves declared a sovereign state based upon the infamous pre-1967 borders was a blatant attempt by the Palestinian Authority to undermine the need to talk to and negotiate with Israel.  The statehood bid destroys any attempt to revitalize the peace process.  It flies in the face of UN resolutions that call upon both Israelis and Palestinians to work together to create lasting, secure, peaceful and meaningful borders.  All of this, plus the fact that the UN has demonstrated over and over again just how anti-Israel it is, acts only to delegitimize Israel.  And let’s not forget that the Palestinian Authority, while demanding that the UN recognize her as a sovereign nation, refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist and continues to support terrorism against Israel. And of course, we must not fail to mention Gilad Shalit, our Israeli soldier who has been held captive for more that five years by Hamas with whom the Palestinian Authority has signed a unity agreement.  As Gilad’s father stated in early September: “The Palestinian Authority cannot seek recognition or UN membership as long as they continue this international crime and hold Gilad without allowing him visits by a doctor or a Red Cross representative.”  But, the Palestinian Authority has done just this and Gilad is still held against his will with no visit from a doctor, no communication with the International Red Cross or his family.

As the organizers of the civil disobedience set for September 20th reminded me, there are times when standing safely on the sidewalk is just not okay.  When the safety, security and very future of Israel is on the line, when Israeli children live in fear of missile attacks from Gaza, when Israeli families are murdered in their homes and cars simply because they are Jews, when Israeli soldiers are held against international law – it is time for those of us, Jews and non-Jews, lovers and supporters of Israel, people of conscience to step into the street even if the police tell us not to.  Even if it is illegal.  We must do so peacefully, respectfully and with great pride.  As Martin Luther King Jr. taught us as he relied upon civil disobedience to fight for freedom and equality, “we should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was “illegal.”” Sometimes we need to break the rules in order to bring awareness to something so very wrong and broken.  And the actions of the Palestinian Authority are very wrong and the UN is very broken.

I know some of you feel that my views and opinions on Israel are rather “hawkish” and right of center and, in many cases, I agree with you.  On the issue of Palestinian Statehood, however, I beg to differ with you.  My views on this issue are shared by virtually every major, mainstream Jewish organization – including the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and the American Israel Political Action Committee, of which I am a proud member of the Washington Club.  Even more left leaning organizations, organizations that I don’t often see eye to eye with are opposed to the Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN.  Our own government is opposed to it and has promised to veto any resolution pertaining to Palestinian Statehood that comes before the UN Security Council.  Tzipi Livni – the chief rival of Prime Minister Netanyahu – is also opposed to the statehood bid.

We Jews, we are a passionate people with many opinions.  You get 5 of us in a room, you will hear 10 opinions.  When it comes to Israel and how we will achieve peace there, I am used to healthy, lively, colorful debate with my Jewish brothers and sisters.  But, on the issue of Palestinian statehood at the UN, there seems to be a lot – not complete – but a lot of agreement within the Jewish community.

When I began to share with family and friends my intention to fly to New York on September 20th to take part in the civil disobedience before the UN, I was touched by the number of people – Jews and non-Jews – who told me that they too were opposed to the statehood bid and horrified by the way the UN treats Israel.  At the same time, however, I was disillusioned by the numerous requests I got from people not to “cause trouble in New York”.  People – many of you – some of you products of the 60’s, people who did or would have marched with Martin Luther King, people who admire the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and the Bielski brothers whose story was told in the film Defiance, people who believe that we need to stick our neck out there for things we believe in – you called me, texted me, emailed me, visited with me  – urged me to be careful, not to get thrown in jail.  You were worried that I wouldn’t be tough enough.  You were worried that I would get hurt.  Scared.  Upset.  You were afraid things might get out of control and I might get caught up in something bigger than I expected.  You supported my cause.  But, you didn’t think I should get out there and take a stand.  You wanted me to stay in my nice little Ramat Shalom bubble.

Seth – one of our members here today – he bought a plane ticket and he went to NY.  He didn’t get arrested, but he represented us.  Cory  – another one of our members – offered to go with me and serve as my “bodyguard”.  A few of you offered to post bail for me.  But everyone else – mostly diehard, progressive, stand up for a cause, Israel supporting, proud Jewish, speak up when you see injustice kind of people – you were totally opposed to me taking part in any type of civil disobedience.  Some of you even admitted that you got arrested for standing up years ago against racism or Vietnam.  But you didn’t want me to get arrested for standing up for Israel.  And this truly broke my heart.

Today, I really don’t want to talk about Israeli politics and how to bring peace to the Middle East.  Today, I want to talk about what we are willing to do for us.  What are we, South Florida Jews, who despite economic challenges, live in a pretty good place, what are we willing to do – if anything – for the larger, global Jewish community?  I am not talking about money.  I am talking about giving of ourselves to help the Jewish world.  What do we do for our fellow Jews who are not safe?  What do we do for the countless Israeli children who live in fear of a terrorist attack?  What do we do for Israel when the world denies her justice – when the UN treats her differently from every other nation?  What do we do to secure Gilad’s freedom?  Do we go to a lecture on the issue, maybe sign a petition and go on our way?  Or are we required to stand up and do something?

I talked last night about Unetaneh Tokef, the prayer that reminds us that today, the Book of Life is sealed.  There are three things, according to Unetaneh Tokef, that we can do to insure that we make it into the book: tefillah (prayer), teshuvah (repentance) and TZEDAKAH (pursuing justice).  Can it be any more obvious that our tradition, our Judaism is screaming out to us: If you want to live – really live a meaningful life and be inscribed in the Book of Life this year – you have an obligation to stand up for what is right and speak out against what is wrong.  You have an obligation to put yourself on the line and insure that the scales of justice are balanced.  After all, this is what it means to pursue tzedakah.  We are led to believe that tzedakah means to put money money in a pushke. That is not tzedakah.  By doing tzedakah you do what you can to insure that goodness and righteousness and fairness and justice are upheld.  Yes, it is hard work.  But, it is what we Jews are expected to do if you want to live a meaningful, powerful life.  This is one of the lessons of Yom Kippur.

The past several months, I have watched from afar and envied the commitment and passion involved with the Arab Spring.  Young Arabs, many of whom would want nothing to do with your or me, or Judaism or Israel, have taken to the streets to protest their standard of living and demand a change.  And, in many cases, they have been successful (in ways that jeopardize Israel’s security – but that is another discussion).  As I have watched these Arab protests change the make up of the Middle East, I have wondered where the Jewish Spring has been!?  How about the Jewish Autumn?  Where is the outrage at the continued attacks on our people – the anti-semitic diatribes, the terrorist strikes, the murder of innocent Jews in Israel?  Where are the overwhelming Jewish calls for justice and reform within the halls of the United Nations?  Where are the thousands of Jews protesting the arrival of Ahmadinejad in our own country?  Where are the hundreds of Jewish parents demanding that Gilad is set free? Where were you when Seth protested in front of the UN on September 20th?  Where are we guys?

When we were in Israel this summer, we traveled to a kibbutz on the Lebanese border.  One of our goals while visiting the kibbutz was to have our two bar mitzvah boys, Aaron Lettman and Trevor Wilpon, plant two kiwi trees on the border.

As we prepared to plant the trees, our kibbutz host, Aitan, told us about the violence that has taken place recently along the Lebanese border.  He showed us the remains of a Ketusha rocket that was fired by terrorists into his neighborhood.  He handed us a kafiyah – a Muslim headscarf tied in a knot and filled with stones – it was used as a weapon against Israeli soldiers who were guarding the border this Spring as hundreds of Arabs, caught up in the fury of the Arab Spring, tried to force their way illegally into Israel in an attempt to undermine Israeli sovereignty.  No one had to ask where our soldiers were.  They were there – at the border.  They protected Israel.  Kept it secure.  That’s what they are always doing – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  That’s what they are doing right now.

Aitan showed us blood-stained foam lying in the fields by the border – foam left over from military stretchers that carried wounded Israeli soldiers back into Israel from Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon War – a conflict in which Israeli tried to rid the region of the terrorist group Hezbollah.  One of the wounded Israeli soldiers brought back from Lebanon on one of those stretchers was Major Roi Klein who was actively rescuing some of his men in Lebanon when he saw a grenade being launched at them.  Without thought, without hesitation, Roi jumped in front of the grenade – saving his men – at the expense of his own life.  No one had to ask Roi to do what he did.  He was there – taking care of his men – or, his boys, as those of us who were in Israeli came to know them.

As we learned about Roi, we walked closer and closer to the border fence.  Aaron and Trevor holding the kiwi trees.  Aitan told us to look up the mountain that lay on the other side of the fence in Lebanon.  We did so and saw a fortress at the top.  “Wave to the Hezbollah terrorists” Aitan said.

And he wasn’t joking.

Everyone hesitated.  It was as if you could feel the group collectively saying to themselves “Oh my God – terrorists, what the heck do we do now…”

“Go on,” Aitan prodded, “wave!  Let’s sing Jewish songs.” And he started to lead us in Am Yisrael Chai – Israel lives, Israel is strong.

“Sing!” said Aitan.  “And wave,” he said.  We started to wave and sing quietly – still uncertain what exactly was going on…..

We got to the site where we were planting the trees.  “Keep singing, keep waving.”  Aitan said.  And we did so – except those doing the planting.   As we stuck the trees in the ground, he explained to us that we were doing exactly what Hezbollah doesn’t want us to do: “we are showing them that we are not afraid,” he said; “we are showing them that we are proud, we are showing them that they cannot stop us from growing our land, from living our lives, from being Jews.”

After we heard that, Aitan no longer had to ask us to wave or sing.  We got it.  We were there standing with, digging in, singing about Israel.

On this day of personal introspection – on this day when we commit ourselves to teshuvah (repentance), tefillah (prayer), and tzedakah (pursuing justice) – I am not asking you to become an Israeli solidier and put your life on the line like Roi Klein of blessed memory.  I am not asking you to get arrested with me in front of the UN.

I am, however, asking you to seriously evaluate how you, as a Jew, do meaningful tzedakah, for other Jews.  I am asking you to step off the sidewalk and into the street.  I am asking you: where are you now that Israel needs support?  I am asking you: what are you doing to insure that Israel is treated justly by the world?  How are you standing up to the anti-Israel bias in the UN?  How are you countering the hateful spewings of monsters like Ahmadinejad?  How are you proudly telling the world that Am Yisrael Chai – the Jewish people live and will continue to live? These are questions we Jews must ask ourselves as we enter 5772.

Referring to the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King taught that “history will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.”

If we Jews don’t speak up and take a stand, the lies and distortions told on behalf of those out to delegitimize Israel and the missiles and bombs that come from Israel’s enemies will not be the greatest tragedy of this period of Jewish history.  Rather the greatest tragedy will be the appalling silence and lack of action by the Jews.

I end today with the words of Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav – who teaches us: kol ha’olam kulo
, gesher tsar me’od, veha’ikar – lo lefached klal – the entire world is a very narrow bridge, the essential thing is to have no fear at all.

When it comes to Israel, we are living through very trying times right now.  We have a rough road ahead of us – a very narrow bridge.  But there is no time for fear.  Fear silences us.  Fear keeps us on the sidewalk.  Fear keeps us from acting.  The essential thing is to have no fear at all!  We must unite, hand in hand, arm in arm – just like they did on the streets of Selma and slowly, very slowly, cross the bridge.  With hands held and arms locked, we will make it to the other side.  And the nation of Israel will live.

Am Yisrael Chai!

 

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The Truth About the West Bank

Posted in Israel, Rabbi Andrew Jacobs, Ramat Shalom, tagged , , on September 13, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

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