J.Post May 29: American Jewish organizations divest from J Street

Sir, – Susan Hattis Rolef (“The crisis in Israel-American Jewry relations,” Think About It, May 26) complains that J Street was not accepted for membership by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

She insidiously implies that the vote was somehow controlled by the inclinations of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. She also makes the unsubstantiated claim that the rejection “does not represent what a majority of American Jews feels,” but fails to mention that J Street’s application was rejected by an overwhelming majority of the conference’s membership, all of which are American organizations.

The correctness and wisdom of the decision unfortunately escapes Ms. Rolef, who fails to appreciate the difference between the expression of variant views and their translation into deeds, like the encouragement of BDS activities or the lobbying of Congress against increasing sanctions on Iran. You cannot be “pro-Israel” and at the same time support programs that are clearly injurious to its well-being and security.

Much of her concerns would disappear rather quickly if Israel were to receive millions of American olim, who could then participate in totally free and democratic elections and thus influence change in the direction that suits her.

ZEV CHAMUDOT 

Petah Tikva

[Image credit: Flickr user Takver]

Obama on Syria: Now is the Time, But Let's Wait

Sir, - Obama declares, 'Now is the time to show the world that America keeps its commitments.' It is really very difficult for an intelligent reader to take this declaration with any degree of seriousness. As a matter of fact, despite the learned commentaries and analyses that fill the media and sometimes struggle to inject some credibility into the American president's statement, sadly to say it nevertheless remains totally unconvincing!

Why? It is almost impossible to reconcile a 'serious commitment' with waiting for the leisurely return of Congress, its deliberations, and the real possibility (as in the British parliament) of its refusal. The time frame offered by Obama for the gaining of congressional approval may very well encompass the murder of thousands of additional Syrians.

If and when the Commander in Chief of U.S. forces does take action, whom and what will be the targets? Surely any meaningful arms, personnel, or supply depots would have been emptied or moved thanks to the early warnings and kindly explanations about the acutely limited interest of the U.S. in causing a regime change or of destroying chemical storehouses.

Anyone who desires that his threats and actions have some measure of meaning must learn the basic lesson of effective combat: Shoot and Don't Talk!!!

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikvah

[Video credit: The White House]

Manhattan Haredi Protest: The Ugly Truth

Sir, - I was both profoundly grieved as well as deeply angered when reading about American haredim who planned a major rally in Manhattan to protest the draft of Israeli yeshiva students. The planned rally was canceled before it was held. I would like to address my thoughts about the rally and its subsequent cancellation and how it reflects an ugly, growing and misguided gap between that group of American haredim and the God-fearing, Torah observant, Zionist community in Israel.

 

Although the Almighty's thoughts are beyond our mortal comprehension, I would venture to say that He desired the cancellation of the rally, because if it were held the Desecration of His Name and that of the State and people of Israel would have been beyond his sufferance. A number of glaring aspects of the portrayal of the reasons for the rally and its cancellation testify to its being conceived in sin and motivated basically by ill-will toward the State of Israel and its glowing accomplishments.

 

Unfortunately Agudath Israel still is unable to embrace the reality of the sovereign State and is thus forced into the tortured casuistry expressed by its executive vice president who states that "while Agudath Israel was not a sponsor [(why not?)] of the rally it nonetheless enjoys the strong backing of Agudath Israel's rabbinic leadership." It is important to note the anonymity of the rabbis in support of the rally, while the only named rabbinic luminary, Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, who assumed the mantel of world Torah leadership upon the passing of Rabbi Shlomo Elyashiv, was reported to be against the event.

  

Agudath Israel spokesman Rabbi Avi Shafran, usually an intelligent and well-balanced presenter, is evidently forced into the unenviable comical position of trying to explain the patent absurdity of the reasons for the cancellation. He offers that "the senior ultra-orthodox rabbis felt that now [(i.e. during the wake of the Boston marathon attack)] would not be an appropriate time to gather masses of visibly Jewish Jews into one area for such an event." We are compelled to ask Rabbi Shafran how this rally is any different from the tens of rallies held by visibly Jewish haredim -- and this rally was

scheduled for Manhattan, which is a fair distance from Boston.

 
However, the most troubling question is what was the initial purpose of the rally and how that relates to the Torah-committed and army-serving community in Israel. We are informed that it was intended as a forum for prayers for "heavenly mercy" in the face of the ''possibility" that full time yeshiva students may be required to serve in the Israeli army. It is again worthy of note that there are far more efficient ways to evoke heavenly mercy, such as declaring a day of fasting and prayer, that do not require the presence of screaming masses.

The biggest violation of truth and self deception took place when the formerly quoted Agudath Israel executive vice president emphasized that the rally was not meant to be "a demonstration or protest against the State of Israel, or an effort to enlist the American public or the American government in a campaign to fight the proposed new law." I am sorry to say that anyone with a minimum of intelligence and integrity, including the anonymous rabbis themselves, would understand that a visible mass demonstration like the one planned was designed to accomplish exactly that.

 The important truths concerning this issue may be summed up as follows. The draft laws in the state of Israel are not those of Czarist Russia which meant being drafted into a hostile environment. There are tens of thousands of Hesder Yeshiva students that willingly and proudly study Torah and combine it with army service vital to the security of Israel and the continued existence of the Jewish Homeland. Instead of organizing massive protests against the State, any rabbi worthy of the title should positively embrace the state of Israel and the fact that here, where we are surrounded by major hostile forces, God has enabled and blessed the State of Israel with the ability to engulf in its midst more Torah learning and learners than any other period of Jewish history, while at the same time enhancing His name by the state's achievements in science and technology, agriculture, medicine, and all worthy areas that can alleviate suffering, and help make His world a better place.

ZEV CHAMUDOT

Petach Tikva

[Image credit: IDF spokesperson]

Straight Shooter: Eastwood Goes Romney

Sir, - With America facing a most crucial presidential election in November, the two major candidates are naturally seeking the backing of important personalities and groups. Both the Democrats and the Republicans are vying for the support of people who command a lot of respect and influence.

Since the results of this election will have important ramifications for Israel, there are several well-known figures who have announced their support for one or the other of the candidates. Since Israel is very much in need of the bipartisan support of the United States, I for one have serious doubts about the political wisdom or (lack of) for a member of the government or of the Knesset to voice partisan support for either candidate.

However, our Minister of Defense, Ehud Barak has unequivocally endorsed the candidacy of Pres. Obama and this has strongly resonated throughout the political debate. The pro-Romney forces though have now managed to win over a most formidable supporter of the Romney candidacy with the announcement of Clint Eastwood's backing of the Republican candidate. Everyone of course recognizes Clint as a straight shooter who always fights on the side of the good and just even when appearing as "Dirty Harry". Does Obama still have a chance?

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

[Image credit: Miguel Chajtur]

An Appeal for Help: Trenton Out of Toilet Paper

Sir, - Although this is probably important, even of vital importance, to the citizens of Trenton, I found it quite difficult to comprehend the appearance in Thursday's paper of the article under the banner "Trenton New Jersey, may restock toilet paper". Of course the fact that you stress that Trenton is the capital of the third wealthiest U.S. state may add a dimension of gravity to this sordid item of information.

Taking into account that the article appeared exactly one week after Purim, which describes the miraculous transformation of a threatened calamity into a time of joy, I suspect that the beleaguered people of Trenton were, via the good offices of your paper, issuing an appeal for help.

I firmly believe, that just as we sent Israeli teams to disaster areas like Turkey, Haiti, and Japan, we can afford to do no less for the unfortunates of Trenton.

I am aware, however, that J Street is urging that no help be extended until sanctions have been given sufficient time to work.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petach Tikva

J.Post September 4: American Orthodox Zionists -- Too Little, Too Late

Sir, - Re 'America's Orthodox Zionists ask: What now, post-disengagement?' (August 31): Stephen Savitsky and Nathan Diament, representing the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and claiming for the union a religious Zionist orientation, are to be commended on their interest in the critical questions, soul-searching and challenges confronting all elements of Israeli society now that Gush Katif has been uprooted.

I would reluctantly suggest, however, that this interest is somewhat late in arrival and does not appear to have much to contribute to the agonizing debate. One cannot sit on the sidelines and then hope to be counted as a voice that commands respect and attention. One has no right to a say in the placement of the mezuza if one has not participated in the building of the house.

The writers describe the difficult path the OU has walked as the largest national religious umbrella organization, a path that led it to neither oppose nor endorse the disengagement plan. But do they know of one religious Zionist rabbinical authority or leader who did not oppose it?

The reasons for the disengagement were never clearly explained to the people of Israel, and certainly not to the residents of Gush Katif. The statement that it was a 'national security decision and those with their lives on the line must be deferred to' should have provided the impetus to vigorously oppose the plan, since it was the population of Gush Katif whose lives were on the line for more than 30 years.

ZEV CHAMUDOT
Petah Tikva