Category Archives: American Politics and Life

Mr. President: Commute Jonathan Pollard’s Sentence

01 Thursday Dec 2011

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History

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It is time for President Obama to commute Jonathan Pollard’s life sentence to time served for his guilty conviction of spying for Israel. Not only has Pollard now spent 26 years in prison, but he is in failing health. The latter would not be reason enough to commute the sentence if the punishment really did fit the crime, but the sentence from the beginning was grossly unfair.

Long ago it was revealed that Casper Weinberger, the then American Secretary of Defense, bore such animus against Pollard for his leaking American security documents to Israel that the Defense Secretary wanted to make a severe example of Pollard for his treachery. Weinberger had submitted a letter to the judge in Pollard’s case incorrectly alleging that information from Pollard had reached the former Soviet Union, and it was on this basis that the judge made the sentence so severe.

All this information was recently repeated to Vice President Joe Biden when he met with seven American Jewish leaders about the Pollard case. Included in this meeting was Malcolm Hoenlein of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Rabbi Eric Yoffie, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, Dr. Simcha Katz of the Union of Orthodox Congregations, Rabbi Julie Schonfield of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly, Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League, Rabbi Steve Gutow of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and Michael Adler, a Miami community leader.

The meeting was called because two months ago the Vice President publicly condemned Pollard in the harshest terms provoking a strong response from many in the American Jewish community. The good news is that VP Biden welcomed a meeting at all. To date he is the highest-ranking American official ever to hold a meeting about Pollard, as was reported by Rebecca Anna Stoil, the Washington Representative of The Jerusalem Post. However, the Jewish leaders agreed to strict confidentiality as to what Biden’s response was or what he would advise the President to do in this case.

Pollard’s sentence is extreme relative to the sentences of other guilty foreign spies and agents. The average sentence in an American court given to others convicted of the same crime of spying for an ally as Pollard received has been two to four years. People convicted of treason also served far less time than Pollard. The Jewish leadership delegation cited to Biden the case of Hasan Abu-Jihad, who received only a 10-year sentence for spying for al-Qaida. American spies Aldrich Ames and Robert Hansen, convicted of spying for the former USSR, also were given less time. Other than Ethel and Julius Rosenberg, who were executed for passing top nuclear secrets to the Soviet Union in the early 50s (only Julius was likely guilty), no one has received a more harsh sentence than Jonathan Pollard – and again, his crime was passing secrets to an ally, Israel.

Reason and precedent dictate that Jonathan Pollard be released with a commutation of his sentence soon, perhaps before Hanukah. Humanitarian concerns also recommend his early release. Pollard has been hospitalized 4 times in the last year and suffers from a number of maladies including diabetes, nausea, dizziness, black-outs, problems with his gall bladder, kidneys, sinuses, eyes, and feet.

Finally, the Jewish leadership delegation told the Vice President that there is virtual consensus in the American Jewish community that President Obama should commute Pollard’s sentence to time served. The Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis both passed resolutions years ago calling for justice and commutation. I agree wholeheartedly.

There is a political consideration here for the President as well. Though his record is solidly pro-Israel (only the Republican Jewish coalition refutes this based on anti-Obama political enmity), his releasing Pollard would be well-received in Israel and would undercut the same Republican Jewish Coalition that loves to distort and lie about Obama’s pro-Israel credentials.

Mr. President – commute Pollard’s sentence now!

On Being Grateful While Living in Both “Light” and “Shadow”

23 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Inuyim - Prayer reflections and ruminations, Life Cycle, Musings about God/Faith/Religious life, Quote of the Day

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Tennessee Williams said, “You know we live in light and shadow. That’s what we live in – a world of light and shadow; and it’s confusing.” (Orpheus Descending)

None of our lives is simple, but along comes Thanksgiving each year and the expectation is for us to emphasize that for which we are thankful regardless of how we might feel.

For some of us, gratitude comes easily, and for others feeling grateful is a significant challenge. I believe that nurturing gratitude is one of the most effective means to dispel the “shadow.” For some, pharmaceutical help is indicated, and I urge it if that is your situation. For most of us, we need a way to help ourselves get out into “light.”

I have a suggested exercise that may help. If each of us were to take out a blank sheet of paper and list on one side all the good things in our lives and all the negatives on the other, which side would be longer? Spare nothing in compiling your lists. On the positive side, start with “I am alive!” even if you are sick or in pain. Include all that you have – home, food, medical care, family, friends, the ability to see, hear, walk, use the bathroom, to help others. Take your time and make the list as detailed as you can.

Then list all the negatives. Include every ache and pain, every loss from which you have not been able to heal, the holes in your heart, your frustrations and aggravations, your unmet dreams, your overly thin-skin, your inability to control rage, envy, jealousy, resentment, your feeling victimized, etc.

Now, given the two lists, which one takes most of your time, vitality and attention?

For me, thankfully, the side in “light” is so much longer than the side in “shadow,” yet there are times that I spend proportionately too much time in “shadow.” Not good for me or for those around me, and I know it.

On Yom Kippur, I made a commitment that I would emphasize the “light” of my life and not the “shadow.” The good news for me is that I feel and express gratitude easily despite my spending more time in “shadow” than is good for me.

Yet, I wake up each morning usually feeling refreshed, and excited about the morning sun, the new day, new opportunities to learn, think and create, to be with the people I love and enjoy, and to do meaningful work in my synagogue and friendship communities.

If you too often find yourself in “shadow”, perhaps these quotations on the theme of gratitude can help make this Thanksgiving Day happier and every day more meaningful.

“Hodu l’Adonai ki tov, ki l’olam chasdo” (“Give thanks to God, for Adonai is good…God’s steadfast love is eternal.” –  Psalm 136 (9th century, B.C.E.)

“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.” – Native American Prayer, Tecumseh Tribe

“How strange we are in the world, and how presumptuous our doings! Only one response can maintain us: gratefulness for witnessing the wonder, for the gift of our unearned right to serve, to adore, and to fulfill. It is gratefulness which makes the soul great.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907-1972)

“Ingratitude to a human being is ingratitude to God.” – Rabbi Samuel Hanagid (993-1056 CE)

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward, American scholar, author, pastor and teacher (1921-1997)

“Gratitude, not understanding, is the secret to joy and equanimity.” – Anne Lamott, writer (b. 1954)

“Thank everyone who calls out your faults, your anger, your impatience, your egotism; do this consciously, voluntarily.” – Jean Toomer, poet and novelist (1894-1967)

“We should write an elegy for every day that has slipped through our lives unnoticed and unappreciated. Better still, we should write a song of thanksgiving for all the days that remain.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach, author (b 1948)

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” – Cicero, Roman philosopher (106 BC – 43 BC)

“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart, German theologian, philosopher (1260-1328)

“I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks, and thanks, and ever thanks.” – William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

Paul Krugman on Why the Failure of the Super-Committee is Good – NY Times

20 Sunday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life

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I am not an economist, and so I find myself waiting to read Paul Krugman in The NY Times to explain what is occurring in the economy, the pluses and minuses of the positions of Democrats and Republicans in their respective proscriptions and values, and the role of journalists.

This piece on why Krugman believes the Congressional Super-Committee of 6 Republicans and 6 Democrats will fail in its mission is worthwhile reading (NY Times, November 17). It describes the issues at stake, the different universes and values of the two major political parties, and how journalists so often fail in writing about the motivations and consequences of policies out of fear of being accused of partisanship on the one hand and of losing access to policy-makers on the other because they ask the hard questions and then report the answers with appropriate critical analysis.

Why I Declined to be on the Host Committee for AIPAC in Los Angeles

18 Friday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism

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I was invited to become a member of the Host Committee for a Gala Fundraising event sponsored by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Los Angeles in February, 2012. I have declined the invitation, with a heavy heart, and when the Southern Pacific Synagogue Initiative Director of AIPAC invited me to speak with him about why, I wrote this letter and welcomed a follow-up conversation with him. I wanted you to see an edited version of that letter.

Dear Judah:

I welcome the opportunity to meet and begin a conversation with you. Thank you for the offer and outreach.

By way of introduction, my involvement with AIPAC goes back to the 1980s. I was very friendly with Tom Dine (one of the first Executive Directors of AIPAC) who was a congregant when I served at Washington Hebrew Congregation in D.C. in the mid-80s. I have always been respectful and appreciative of AIPAC and its multitude of contributions to the security of the State of Israel through its advocacy in Washington.

One issue for me which keeps me from signing on as a member of the host committee is that too many people involved with AIPAC have become intolerant of American Jewish diversity and uncritical of Israel’s government policies that are undemocratic and reflective of extremist nationalism. For AIPAC (and for that matter, for any pro-Israel Jewish organization) to say nothing is essentially to give tacit support to those undemocratic forces within the government and Israeli society that run counter to the principles articulated in Israel’s own Declaration of Independence calling for a just, democratic society that includes all citizens of the Jewish State.

That is not the only difficulty I have, however. The refusal of AIPAC leadership to meet with J Street leadership, to join together as two pro-Israel organizations when there is consensus on a particular issue, or even to enter into a public debate with J Street President Jeremy ben-Ami about the differences between AIPAC and J Street in their respective approaches to American Jewish politics in Washington, D.C. vis a vis Israel does not serve the cause of Israel as a vital democracy and adds fuel to the flames of many Republican leaders in Congress and their Jewish pro-Israel supporters who seek to make Israel a wedge issue in American politics for political gain. This has never before happened in the 63 year history of the State of Israel vis a vis the American Jewish community.

I believe AIPAC could do much to change this negative and divisive atmosphere by addressing these undemocratic and intolerant trends directly and publicly, but it declines to do so. Remaining quiet is not good for Israel or for the American Jewish community.

Having said this, please understand my own Zionist and pro-Israel background and thinking. I am a national Vice President of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), supportive of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), am a member of the Advisory Board of the Daniels Center of Tel Aviv, and have assisted as a congregational rabbi at my own synagogue in helping our Israeli Reform brothers and sisters build two Reform synagogue centers in Israel (Kehillat Mevasseret Zion and Congregation Darchei Noam in Ramat Hasharon). I take missions of my congregants to Israel every two or three years. My synagogue Day School has a 3 year exchange program with the Tzahalah Elementary School (in north Tel Aviv) as part of the LA-Tel Aviv partnership. I have raised millions of dollars for State of Israel Bonds. And I am an active member of the Rabbinic Cabinet of J Street, though I have not always agreed with every position that J Street has taken.

J Street, in my view, is essentially correct in its approach to Congress and Israel, that we American Jews have both a duty to support Israel as a pluralistic democracy that champions human rights and civil liberties, as well as supporting all efforts that will bring about an end-of-conflict solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that results in two-states for two-peoples living side by side in peace and security. I agree with J Street’s position, as well, that pro-Israel American Jewish supporters must be free to criticize Israel’s government (arguably the most right-wing extremist government in the history of the Jewish State) without fear of being placed in cherem (excommunication and pariah status) when it acts in ways that we, as American Zionists and lovers of the Jewish State, believe do not support a peaceful and secure two-state resolution and compromise with the Palestinians.

If you are interested, please read my Rosh Hashanah morning sermon this past High Holiday season which is posted on my synagogue’s web-site (www.tioh.org) to learn what is behind my thinking about Israel, her security and liberal Zionist values.

This is why I have declined to be an active supporter of AIPAC, though again, I am grateful and appreciative of AIPAC for its many years of past advocacy for Israel in our nation’s capital. If you feel comfortable I ask that you share this letter with AIPAC leadership in Washington, D.C.

L’shalom,

Rabbi John Rosove

Herman Cain’s Character Problem

16 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics

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According to Herman Cain he has never done anything wrong for which he feels ashamed, which in light of the four women who have charged him with inappropriate sexual predatory behavior against them, reminds me of something my late mother in-law, Edith Wahl, taught her three daughters: “If you seem to be having a problem with everyone around you, the problem isn’t them – it’s you!”

On the subject of character, here are four statements that Mr. Cain might use to measure his own character:

“The best index to a person’s character is (a) how he treats people who can’t do him any good (Samuel Johnson, lexicographer), and (b) how he treats people who can’t fight back.” (Abigail van Buren, advice columnist)

“If you want to see what a person is made of, see how he behaves in a position of authority. (Yugoslavian folk saying)

“The measure of a person’s character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out.” (Thomas Macauley, historian)

“What you are thunders so loudly that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

The Dogs of War? Will the US and NATO Attack Iranian Nuclear Sites in the Next Year?

14 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Israel/Zionism

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This may be nothing more than speculation, but this piece from Aryeh Sullivan of Media Line is worth reading. Aryeh is a veteran newsman with particular expertise on the Middle East who I met last year in Israel. He escorted my Temple Leadership Mission to Bethlehem to meet with the head of Ma’an, the Palestine News Agency.

WEST, NOT ISRAEL, LIKELY TO STRIKE AT IRAN

http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=33697

A Child Molestation Victim Reflects on Her Own Trauma in the Wake of the Penn State Scandal – Huffington Post

13 Sunday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics

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Dani Klein Modisett is a friend and a congregant. Professionally, she is a writer, actress and stand-up-comic. She is also a loving wife and mother. Dani gave me permission to post her article (link is below) on my blog.

Dani was a child molestation victim at the age of 8. Now 47, she reflects in The Huffington Post on the Penn State University scandal involving the molestation of at least 40 children by the former Assistant Football Coach Jerry Sandusky between 1994 and 2008.

As the ongoing investigation has now revealed, Head Coach Joe Paterno, the beloved University personality and Penn State icon who made “Success with Honor” the University’s mantra, knew (along with others) about Sandusky’s predatory behavior, but neither he nor anyone reported it to the police or took action of any kind against Sandusky on behalf of the children he abused or the University that employed him.

Edmund Burke’s warning bears repeating: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dani-klein-modisett/joe-paterno_b_1087477.html

30 Second Wall Street Ad – David Sauvage on MSNBC

10 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life

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David Sauvage is a young man (pushing 30) who I’ve known since he was a kid and I consider a friend. He is smart and principled, is a play-write and a documentary film-maker (like his Dad, award winning Pierre Sauvage). David appeared in the last couple of days on MSNBC and talked about the Wall Street Protests and his 30-second Wall Street ad that has gone viral. I am proud of David and recommend your watching. http://ow.ly/7mbGV

The Principle – B’tzelem Elohim – as Applied to Social Media

07 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Stories

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Once the Baal Shem Tov (or, the Besht) summoned Sammael, the lord of demons, because of some important matter that he wished to command Sammael to do. Sammael roared at the Besht – “How dare you summon me! Up until now this has happened to me only three times; in the hour when the Tree of Knowledge was violated, the hour when the Israelites created the golden calf, and the hour when Jerusalem was destroyed.”

The Besht bade his disciples to bare their foreheads to Sammael, and on every forehead, the lord of demons saw inscribed the sign of the image in which God creates the human being.

Upon that, Sammael did as the Besht requested, but before leaving on his mission, he said humbly and beseechingly: “Oh Sons of the living God: permit me to stay here just a little longer and gaze upon your foreheads.” (Tales of the Hasidim, by Martin Buber – p. 77)

Imagine the world if every human being were aware every time he/she looked upon another human being of what is inscribed on our foreheads – B’tzelem Elohim – that each of us, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, race, religion, ethnicity or nationality is created in God’s image! There would be no “other!”

My friend Alex Grossman applied this principle of sameness to his post concerning the social media and the growing tendency to self-censor because of the fear of personal attack. It is worth reading as well as his first response to a reader.
http://mediatapper.com/are-there-taboo-subjects-in-social-media/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Iran’s Nuclear Threat and Israeli Rhetoric

06 Sunday Nov 2011

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Israel/Zionism

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IAEA Expected to Detail Iranian Nuclear Efforts

“The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is expected to release its most explicit charges to date that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Diplomats who have seen the report, which will be released this week, said that among the most incriminating facts are that Iran developed computer models for a nuclear warhead and that it constructed a large steel container to carry out tests with high explosives that could be used in nuclear weapons. Western powers have long suspected that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, but Tehran has insisted its program is peaceful and the IAEA has until now has held by back from making any definitive conclusions. The diplomats argue that the new IAEA study offers no other explanation for Iran’s efforts other than that it is developing a nuclear weapon. The U.S. will likely use the report to lobby the international community to impose new sanctions against Iran. Meanwhile, Israeli President Shimon Peres warned on Saturday night that an attack on Iran is “more and more likely.” (Media Line News Services – http://www.themedialine.org/elite/registration.asp – I recommend your subscription – JLR)

The above report of the IAEA confirms what Israel has known for a number of years. Yet, the questions remain – what is to be done about it and who is to do it?

When Israel’s leaders rattle their sabers as Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Barak did publicly this past week calling upon Israel to be ready to strike Iranian missile silos and weapons installations, we have to ask how serious Israel really is given the catastrophic implications that such actions would unleash.

In response to Bibi’s and Barak’s statements, Hezbollah’s leader Hasan Nasrallah warned that if Israel attacks Iran, Hezbollah (Iran’s proxy in Lebanon) will launch 20,000 missiles at Tel Aviv, and though Hamas has not also made such a statement, we cannot eliminate the possibility that Iran’s proxy in Gaza will not also launch missiles at Tel Aviv, Ashdod and Ashkelon.

Bibi’s and Barak’s speeches may have been merely political rhetoric to shore up their get-tough bonafides following the Gilad Shalit deal with Hamas, an exchange which emboldened Arab and Muslim extremists, enhanced popular support to the increasingly unpopular Hamas, and softened Israel’s deterrent presence in the Middle East.

It is noteworthy (and comforting to me, at least) that all the heads of Israel’s intelligence services have strongly advised against Israel attacking Iran, not only because Israel likely would not succeed in its mission in destroying all Iran’s missile silos and nuclear production facilities (some are deep underground and others are presumed to be hidden), but an attack could instigate a wider war including other Arab nations against Israel as well as increased threats of terrorist attacks against American, Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide.

The peace activist Shlomo Avineri wrote this past week that he is certain that Israel will NOT attack Iran on the basis of the above and on the principle that if one is going to launch a surprise attack one doesn’t talk about it in advance. And so, if Israeli leaders are sane and calculating, which I believe (or want to believe) they are, then all this talk is nothing more than talk.

That being said – Iran indeed poses a real threat to the State of Israel and moderate forces in the Middle East, and because of this the United States and the Quartet should be the ones on the front lines confronting that threat, not Israel.

Shaalu shalom Yerushalayim – Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!