Category Archives: American Politics and Life

5 Reform Movement Ways to Contribute to Hurricane Harvey Relief

01 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Uncategorized

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Scott Simon of NPR wrote recently that in times of disaster such as what those in the path of Hurricane Harvey suffered, the country comes together. However, not every gift is a good gift. The best gift one can give is money – because then the relief workers can purchase what the people most in need require.

Scott Simon said in no uncertain terms – Do not send items even if you think they are needed because they create more problems than they solve.

Here is a link for Reform Jews (and anyone else) who would like to give financial resources to the relief organizations on the ground that can best help the victims of this terrible storm.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/15e3cb93a2ee8805

 

 

 

Undelivered Address Prepared for Jefferson Day – April 13, 1945

17 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Social Justice

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FDR

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

The following is taken from the end of an undelivered Address to be given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt  on April 13, 1945. He died from a cerebral hemorrhage the day before.

His written words are as poignant today as they were then.

“Today we are faced with the preeminent fact that, if civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships—the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together and work together, in the same world, at peace.”

 

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin Expresses Solidarity and Support in the Wake of Charlottesville White Supremacy Violence

17 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Israel/Zionism, Jewish Identity, Social Justice

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In a message sent to Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Israel’s President, Reuven Rivlin, expressed his support and solidarity and that of all the Israeli people, with the American Jewish community in the difficult times following the events in Charlottesville, and he asked that his message be shared with Jewish organizations and communities across the United States.

Dear Malcolm,

At this difficult time, I want to express my support and solidarity, and that of all the Israeli people with you and your communities, and ask that you kindly convey this message on my behalf to the Jewish communities across the US.

The very idea that in our time we would see a Nazi flag – perhaps the most vicious symbol of anti-Semitism – paraded in the streets of the world’s greatest democracy, and Israel’s most cherished and greatest ally is almost beyond belief.

We have seen manifestations of anti-Semitism again and again arise across the world; in Europe and the Middle East. In the face of such evil, we stand now as we did then. With faith. With faith in humanity, with faith in democracy, and with faith in justice. I know that the great nation of the United States of America and its leaders will know how to face this difficult challenge, and prove to the world the robustness and strength of democracy and freedom.

As we say Chazak, Chazak, ve’Nitchazek. Be strong, be strong, and we will be strong.

Warm regards,

Reuven Rivlin, President of the State of Israel

 

 

 

When a President Stands with Haters, Bigots and Thugs

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Quote of the Day, Social Justice, Women's Rights

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President Donald Trump giving a statement on the violence this past weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia at the White House, Aug. 14, 2017. Photo by Chris Kleponis-Pool/Getty Images.

It is now clear where President Trump stands – with haters, bigots, and violent thugs.

It’s sickening and disturbing to know that the man who occupies the Oval Office, a symbol of American exceptionalism, is an immoral, instinctively insensitive human being that represents the very worst of the human condition.

Trump and his campaign have brought the extremist and violent fringe into the mainstream of American life, and it is now up to all decent Americans of every race, ethnicity, religion, national background, and gender orientation, to stand up and say “Enough!”

“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

“One who condones evil is just as guilty as the one who perpetrates it.” (Dr. Martin Luther King)

“One who is able to protest against a wrong that is being done in his;/her family, city, nation or world and doesn’t do so is held accountable for that wrong being done.” (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 54b)

“We generations close to the Holocaust must be very clear that no interests of any kind can justify a shameful alliance with groups or individuals who fail to recognize responsibility for the crimes of the Holocaust.” (President Reuven Rivlin, State of Israel)

“Few are guilty, but all are responsible.” (Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel)

Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Health and Well-Being

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This is a must-read article for anyone who cares about our kids and the impact that Smart Phones are having on those born after 2000.
 
Jean M. Twenge writes this important piece in the September 2017 edition of The Atlantic. She is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and the author of Generation Me and iGen.
 
“Psychologically, however, they are more vulnerable than Millennials were: Rates of teen depression and suicide have skyrocketed since 2011. It’s not an exaggeration to describe iGen as being on the brink of the worst mental-health crisis in decades. Much of this deterioration can be traced to their phones.
 
…the twin rise of the smartphone and social media has caused an earthquake of a magnitude we’ve not seen in a very long time, if ever. There is compelling evidence that the devices we’ve placed in young people’s hands are having profound effects on their lives—and making them seriously unhappy.”
 
 

Statement on Charlottesville Terrorist Attack – Temple Israel of Hollywood, Los Angeles

13 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Jewish Identity, Social Justice

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Note: My colleagues at Temple Israel of Hollywood and our Vice President of Social Justice today posted the following statement:

 

The face of hate is no longer concealed by a white sheet. It is out in front of us. Hate is not hidden.

And, likewise, the face of justice will not be concealed. The voice of justice will not be silenced. Our voices will ring out louder, clearer, and with deeper purpose. We will respond to hate with action and education, advocacy and giving, drawing near and finding common purpose within our own community and across religious, cultural, ethnic, racial, and national lines. We stand with our neighbors, fellow citizens, and fellow human beings of every background.

Yesterday’s events in Charlottesville were evidence of the dark underbelly of our society and the human condition. As Jews and as Americans we condemn the hate-mongering of the neo-Nazi white nationalist movement in this country the representatives of which callously and brutally attacked law-abiding and innocent people yesterday. We mourn the loss of life and send blessings of love and healing to the victims’ families and dear ones.

We are deeply disappointed that the President of the United States did not initially specifically condemn the neo-Nazi white nationalists as the perpetrators of yesterday’s violence nor condemn them in the strongest terms for their bigotry, racism, hatred, and violence. Though he condemned the violence, we believe that a general condemnation is never enough. We insist that he always be specific about the true perpetrators of criminal acts such as this immediately and condemn the responsible groups in the strongest terms.

Our response today is based on the affirmation that American diversity and pluralism help to make America truly great. We affirm as well the merits of the inclusive character of our nation of immigrants and their descendants, and we reaffirm that our nation belongs to all of its citizens and we hope, the dreamer generation too as well as those fleeing persecution and violence throughout the world.

In the days to come, local interfaith groups will be gathering in solidarity to respond publicly to yesterday’s deadly terrorism and to reaffirm the bonds we all share. We will keep you informed of these events.

Please click here to read the statement by Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, in the wake of Charlottesville.

LA Voice is cosponsoring a vigil tonight, Sunday, August 13, 2017. https://www.facebook.com/events/1906898732883984/?ti=icl

Signed,

John L. Rosove, Senior Rabbi

Michelle Missaghieh, Associate Rabbi

Jocee Hudson, Associate Rabbi

Heidi Segal, Vice President for Social Justice

President Trump is no “Leader”

30 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics

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President Donald Trump holds a rally with supporters in an arena in Youngstown, Ohio, on July 25. Photo by Jonathan Ernst

Though President Trump’s [updated blog] Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci said correctly that “a fish stinks from the Head” but there were two people in the administration who were not the “stinkers,” him and the President, I beg to differ. Indeed, if the stink starts with the head of the fish the head of this fish is none other than President Trump.

Everything we see taking place in the White House is a direct reflection of him: the chaos, lies, deception, crudity, and mean-spiritedness; incompetence, lack of moral principles and ideological clarity; a management style based on dividing and conquering; encouragement of backbiting and power plays dividing top lieutenants and aides; and a black hole of need to be the center of every story every day regardless of merit.

I offer below some thoughts by people familiar with leadership that challenges Trump’s “leadership” as anything deserving of merit:

“The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men/people he has around him.”  -Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)

The boss drives his people; the leader coaches them. The boss depends upon authority, the leader on goodwill. The boss inspires fear; the leader inspires enthusiasm. The boss says “I”; the leader, “we.” The boss fixes the blame for the breakdown; the leader fixes the breakdown. The boss knows how it is done; the leader shows how. The boss says “Go”; the leader says “Let’s go!” – Henry Gordon Selfridge, Sr (1856-1947)

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848)

“The ideal public leader is one who holds seven attributes: wisdom, humility, reverence, loathing of money, love of truth, love of humanity, and a good name.” -Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon (Maimonides – the RAMBAM), Hilchot Sanhedrin 2:7 (1135-1204 CE)

“Great leadership requires not just vision and high moral rectitude, but the love of truth, the love of humanity, wisdom, humility, respect for the dignity of the individual, and a sacred commitment to further the common good.” – Rabbi John Rosove

 

The Challenge of Leadership

28 Friday Jul 2017

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Quote of the Day

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Here is a definition that most everyone in the White House would be wise to read and take to heart – if that is at all possible!

“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor but without folly.”

-Emanuel James “Jim” Rohn, American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker

The Worst Humanitarian Crisis Since WWII

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Social Justice

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The United Nations has declared that the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II is taking place in a number of African countries and that twenty million people are at risk of starvation. The vast majority of the famine victims have been so affected not by natural disaster, but as a consequence of war and the massive displacement of populations, now numbering 25 million refugees worldwide.

This disturbing report is discussed on today’s “Pod Save the World” broadcast that you can download as an App or listen here – https://getcrookedmedia.com/pod-save-the-world-7cc67d64dd56

David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee and a former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, speaks with the host of “Pod Save the World,” Tommy Vietor who served under President Obama on the National Security Council.

Mr. Miliband notes that only fifteen percent of Americans are aware of the crisis, but once people become aware of it, it shoots to the top concern they have relative to crisis points in the world. Even the Trump Administration United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, to her credit, has said: “This is a crisis that should be leading every newscast and on the front page of every newspaper.”

What can we do right now to make a difference?

  1. Educate yourselves about this crisis – listening to this podcast is the first step;
  1. To date, thirty-five percent of the $6.5 billion needed to head off the famine has been collected. Money does save lives – so we can donate today to the Globalization Emergency Response Coalition – http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9531971/k.5213/Global_Emergency_Response_Coalition.htm (I just did!)
  1. Apply political pressure to our congressional representatives on both sides of the aisle and explain to them if they need explanation that from a geostrategic point of view America’s withdrawal from many parts of the Muslim world gives the opportunity to malevolent forces there to fill that void and make it more difficult for international famine aid to reach those in need. Our Congressional representatives also need to be reminded that, as Miliband suggests, “We can’t enjoy the blessings of globalization unless we share the burdens of globalization.”
  1. Put pressure on Congress to increase the number of refugees that the United States accepts beyond the 85,000 minimum accepted during Obama administration.

Rabbi Tarfon said – “We are not expected to complete the task [of healing the world] but neither are we free from trying.” (Mishnah Avot 2:21)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Righteous Dissent – Thurgood Marshall

17 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Quote of the Day, Social Justice

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“We must dissent from the fear, the hatred, and the mistrust. We must dissent from a nation that buried its head in the sand waiting in vain for the needs of its poor, its elderly, and its sick to disappear and just blow away. We must dissent from a government that has left its young without jobs, education, or hope. We must dissent from the poverty of vision and timeless absence of moral leadership. We must dissent because America can do better because America has no choice but to do better.”
-Thurgood Marshall, US Supreme Court Justice (1908-1993)