Category Archives: American Politics and Life

On Yesterday’s Attack on the Poway Chabad

28 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Human rights, Jewish History

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We at Temple Israel sent this response to our membership today, and I wanted you all to see it.
We write to express our deep sadness and outrage that our community has been attacked yet again in Poway on Shabbat morning. We mourn the death of an innocent woman, who came in peace to her synagogue to say kaddish for her mother, and we pray for the healing of those injured in this attack. Beyond that, we pray for strength and courage as these events are becoming all too frequent, all too violent, all too disturbing of our nation’s heart and soul, all too harmful to the human and American spirit. We recommit ourselves to raising an organized, vocal, and intentional message of love, rooted in an intolerance of hatred.
We stand in the firmest opposition to acts of terror. We stand in the firmest opposition to laws that allow people access to weapons designed to kill. We stand in the firmest opposition to white supremacy and to those forces that encourage and incite hatred. At our core, we are a community of love. At our core, we are a community of hope and peace and belonging. We will not be silent in the face of hatred.  We will not be silent in the face of forces intent on stoking our fears.
To all those intent on silencing us: Hear our love and our moral outrage echo across our country! It is a resounding cry, trumpeting from the souls of peace-loving neighbors.
We assure our community that we have tightened security. Our first obligation is to the safety and security of our community.
L’shalom,
Rabbi John L. Rosove
Rabbi Michelle Missaghieh
Rabbi Jocee Hudson
Shelly Fox, Cantorial Soloist and Music Director

Politics On The Pulpit: Is There A Line And Where Do You Draw it?

11 Thursday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish Identity, Social Justice, Women's Rights

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Last evening I participated on a panel at the American Jewish University with moderator Rabbi Elliot Dorff and with fellow panelists Rabbi Sharon Brous and Rabb Elazar Muskin in a conversation between rabbis of different religious streams (Reform, Conservative/non-denominational, and Orthodox) that, if not checked, can tear apart the fabric of the American Jewish community.

The three of us panelists represent similar and dissimilar approaches to what we believe is appropriate for rabbis to discuss on the bima and within the synagogue setting. We didn’t always agree – in truth, at times we disagreed substantially.

For my full statement and a link to the discussion, go to my Times of Israel blog at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/politics-on-the-pulpit-is-there-a-line-and-where-do-you-draw-it/

Follow up – “2 American Zionist Organizations Liberal American Jews Can Support”

09 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish Identity, Social Justice, Women's Rights

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After my last post, a reader asked how contributing to the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ), and J Street can help Israel remain pluralistic, democratic, and just.

I answer this question on my latest blog at the Times of Israel – see https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/follow-up-2-american-zionist-organizations-liberal-american-jews-can-support/

Two American Zionist Organizations that Liberal American Jews can Support

08 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Social Justice

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As Israel prepares to go to the polls, it is likely that PM Netanyahu will form the most extremist right-wing government in Israel’s history. His pledge over the weekend to annex the West Bank and foreclose the possibility of a two state solution thus compromising the Zionist dream of a Jewish majority democratic state in the Land of Israel ought to provoke despair in the hearts of every lover of the Zionist dream and enterprise.

There are two ways for liberal American Jews to support the liberal democratic Jewish State of Israel that we believe in. First, we need to work with groups on the ground in Israel that support pluralism, human rights, a shared society, and Israel’s democratic institutions. The Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) is the counterpart to the Israel Movement for Reform and Progressive Judaism (IMPJ). Through ARZA we Reform American Jews must give our full emotional, financial, and political support.

For the complete blog – go to Times of Israel at https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/2-american-zionist-organizations-that-liberal-american-jews-can-support/

A year of anti-Semitic, anti-Zionist and anti-Israel hate

05 Friday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Jewish Identity, Jewish-Christian Relations, Jewish-Islamic Relations

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The New York Times today (April 5, 2019) reviews the spread of anti-Semitic hate around the world. How ought we Jews to respond? That’s the perennial question we ask ourselves.

See my blog at the Times of Israel – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/a-year-of-anti-semitic-anti-zionist-and-anti-israel-hate/

In Defense of Congressman Adam Schiff against an immoral President Trump

01 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Uncategorized

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Anyone who knows Congressman Adam Schiff recognizes the quality of the man, his intelligence, dignity, integrity, and seriousness as a public servant. Modest, refined, distinguished, thoughtful, and professional – these are the adjectives that immediately come to mind when I think of him.

See my blog at The Times of Israel – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/in-defense-of-congressman-adam-schiff-against-an-immoral-president/

Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch Rebukes Netanyahu for damaging Israel-Diaspora ties – Jerusalem Post

22 Friday Mar 2019

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

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Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch is Senior Rabbi of the Stephen S. Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. He was interviewed in the Jerusalem Post.

This interview given in advance of the Prime Minister’s visit and the AIPAC conference is must reading.

https://www.jpost.com/printarticle.aspx?id=584174

Stav Shaffir explains why Israel is NOT Netanyahu

20 Wednesday Mar 2019

Posted by in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Social Justice, Women's Rights

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Member of Knesset Stav Shaffir (Israel Labor Party), the youngest parliament member in Israel’s history, entered public life after her leading role in the 2011 social justice movement, Israel’s largest-ever, cross-party protest, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of Israelis to take to the streets and set up protest camps throughout the country.

Shaffir is now serving  her second term in the Knesset and is known for her relentless fight against the corrupt use of taxpayer money. She  successfully exposed and blocked, for the first time in Israel, the massive use of government funds for political purposes.

A former journalist, Stav studied for her master’s degree in Philosophy and History of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University and holds a BA in Journalism and Sociology from City University of London, where she was the recipient of the Olive Tree Program scholarship for conflict resolution.

This video was likely released to the American Jewish community in advance of Stav’s appearance at the AIPAC Policy Conference, March 24-26 in Washington, D.C. She explains here, and hopefully she will do the same before the AIPAC thousands, why PM Netanyahu does NOT represent the vast majority of Israelis.