I am posting aletter fro a Rabbi I came across in one of the groups. It is well worth the read.
Dear Colleagues,I am writing to you because I am increasingly disturbed by what appears to be a concerted campaign to discredit Barack Obama within the American Jewish community. Whether or not you choose to support Obama's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, as rabbinic colleagues I feel a need to share with you what I have learned about the man - and it is quite different from the rumors that refuse to die in our Jewish community.When it comes to presidential politics, I am truly privileged to be a rabbi in Iowa. There is no question or doubt but that we Iowans enjoy extensive exposure to the presidential candidates with ample opportunity to delve deeply into their positions on many a subject. As an Iowan, and a Democrat, I truly struggled to arrive at my decision as to which of the Democratic candidates would earn my support. Indeed, throughout most of the Iowa caucus campaigning, I remained undecided, weighing the pros and cons of what I felt was an excellent field of choice candidates.In the end, I decided to support Barack Obama (though Joe Biden was a close second). There were several reasons why I arrived at this decision, many of them related to Jewish issues. Let me share with you my thought processes.For quite a while, I was one of those who had serious questions about Obama's lack of experience. It seemed but yesterday that he was an Illinois state legislator (with Illinois just across the Mississippi from Davenport). What chutzpah for someone who has spent less than one term in the US Senate to assume that he was capable of serving as President! Yet, my reservations were continually eroded as I experienced the superlative campaign organization which he had put together, and as I had the opportunity to listen to him speak publicly. In dealing with his campaign staff (and they were continually seeking me out), I found these people to be intelligent, well versed on the issues, and remarkably capable of getting their jobs done. If only our government could operate as effectively, efficiently, and intelligently as Obama's campaign organization. I soon came to the realization that if Obama could do this for his campaign, then, as President, he most certainly would have the insight to at least attempt to do this for our country. As far as the person himself, he is most definitely charismatic. To be in his presence is to fall under his spell. But he stands not on charisma alone. What he says makes a lot of sense, and it comes from the heart. He can truly be an engine for serious, positive change in our country, and God knows, we need it.One of his characteristics which captured me was his consistency. He does not play the politicians' game of saying one thing to one group and another to another. He fearlessly states what he believes, regardless of what opinions may be held by the group he is talking to at the moment. As a rabbi and as a Jew I found this to be an especially appealing quality in terms of his positions on the Arab-Israeli conflict and US-Israel relations. He is one of Israel's staunchest friends. During the 2006 Lebanon War, while other of his Democratic congressional colleagues were waffling (at best) on their support of Israel, and it seemed that the only true friends Israel had were the conservative Republicans, Barack Obama was outspoken in his support of Israel's actions and of Israel's fundamental right to take all measures necessary to protect her citizens. He has said time and again, to Muslim groups as well as Jewish groups, that he is unashamedly a supporter of Israel, for Israel is one of the US's surest allies and the only democracy in the Middle East. On "Meet the Press," when Tim Russert challenged his support of Israel, he reiterated that position without apology, for he feels that one need not apologize for supporting Israel. As he has consistently presented his message of support for Israel, he has equally consistently presented his strong belief that if the Palestinians are ever going to be able to establish a state of their own, they must first renounce the violence of terrorism and embrace the right of Israel to exist in safety and security.Along the same lines of consistency, I have to tell you how he has addressed one of my hot button issues - negative political campaigning. For several years, I have been involved in a local clergy effort to get political figures to renounce negative campaigning and the use of attack ads. Needless to say, we took advantage of the Iowa caucuses to try to corner the various candidates to commit to refrain from negative campaign tactics. By and large, each campaign cordially received our overtures and then ignored them. Only the Obama campaign committed to refuse to engage in negative campaigning. As has been evidenced by the campaign so far, Obama was as good as his word. Even while being the target of smear tactics, he has chosen not to respond in kind. He has chosen not to sink to the level of his detractors but to keep his focus on the positive; on what good things he has to offer the country rather than engage in the art of demonizing his opponents.As you are probably aware, on Martin Luther King Day, he made a major address at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. In that address, he made a point of denouncing antisemitism, and particularly the antisemitism which has manifest itself in the African American community. This deeply impressed me. It was Martin Luther King Day, and he could have given quite a fine and well received speech without ever touching on the issue of antisemitism. By doing so, he placed the reception of his speech in question. Yet he did this, not to gain points with the crowd but because he believed that it was something that needed to be said. For my money, that is truly presidential.I know that there have been questions about his pastor's association with Louis Farrakhan. But I also know that Obama has, on more than one occasion, denounced the bigotry of Farrakhan. As far as his pastor is concerned, as rabbis we know what it is to have congregants who vehemently disagree with us on one issue or another, yet who feel a kinship to us for our having been there for them in their moments of joy and of sorrow. All these questions about the influence Obama's pastor would have over him in terms of his relationship with the Jewish community simply reminds me too much of all the barbs that were directed against John Kennedy concerning whether or not if he were elected President, how much influence the Pope would have on formulating US policies. Such thinking was wrong then and it is wrong now. Let the man stand on his own merits.Yet another aspect of the Obama campaign which impressed me was the people who are high up in the campaign. While there are those questioning Obama's feelings toward the Jews and his commitment to Israel, it is interesting to note that at the top of his campaign you will find such Jews as Chicago's David Axelrod and Congressman Robert Wexler (of Broward County, FL - with more Jewish voters than any other congressional district in the country). Their support alone speaks volumes concerning Obama and the Jews. I had the privilege of receiving a phone call from Congressman Wexler. We spoke at great length; a conversation which removed any shadow of doubt I might have possessed about Obama's sincerity concerning Israel and Jewish issues.One other point I wish to make in this quite lengthy letter. Of all the presidential campaigns which we experienced in Iowa this past year, only one made a concerted effort to reach out to my Jewish community (I cannot speak for my other Iowa colleagues) - the Obama campaign. Only the Obama campaign actively sought counsel on Jewish issues and demonstrated themselves eager to share the Senator's record on these issues. Think about it! In Iowa, they cared about the Jewish vote. Now if they cared about the Jews of Iowa, how much more so do you think they care about the Jews in places such as New York and California - where the Jewish vote really matters.Thank you for your patience in reading this tome. Note that I have sent it to you under my personal email address (and not from the Temple). In returning to my original statement, I have written this to you because, regardless of whatever candidate you support, as rabbis and as Jews, you need to know that contrary to the rumors that are spreading throughout the American Jewish community, Barack Obama is indeed a friend of the Jews, a friend of Israel, and a man of true integrity.Thank you & Shabbat Shalom,Henry J Karp
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/543807.html
worthwhile reading.
Dear Group members,
My friend Hank and I would like to create a small townhall style gathering at a local Los angeles establishment to openly and civily discuss the important issues of race raised by Barack's speech.
I know this is a broad question, but does anyone have any suggestions as to format/procedure/organization, etc? All suggestions are welcome.
Sincerely,
If nothing else, at least now we are forced to deal with racial issues openly even if I do find the snippets from the Pastor deplorable.
My hope is that this can bring about real CHANGE in the non-civil or non-existent discourse we have had about race so far.
There is a saying in Hebrew that says ""me-Az Yatsa Matok" from bitter came sweet. I hope that is the case here and that now we can achieve real change and understanding.
respectfuly,
David
http://www.pbs.org/itvs/fromswastikatojimcrow/relations.html
Jews made substantial financial contributions to many civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, the Urban League, the Congress of Racial Equality, and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee. About 50 percent of the civil rights attorneys in the South during the 1960s were Jews, as were over 50 percent of the Whites who went to Mississippi in 1964 to challenge Jim Crow Laws.
You can read the whole article on the link I provided. Its a shame the two groups grew apart (Thanks NOI and Mr. Wright). Here's to a renewal of good relationships between Jews and Blacks!
Dear Barack
I am supporting your candidacy for President of the United States of America, and will continue to do so as I believe in you. I am, however, very worried about the people who surround you, from Robert Malley, Samantha Powers, your former Pastor, etc.
You have strong support among Jews but we also have our sensitivities, not unlike African americans. They include veiled and open anti semitism which seems to be extremely prevalent, virulent, and growing world wide.
You have made strong statements supporting the State of Israel which is the sine qua non of my personal existence. I pray that those around you who might not share that support do not become prominent in your administration. I am therefore, making the "leap of faith" that you will maintain your support for Israel and bring real peace and security to Israel and Palestine.
After all, doesn't the Good Book says to speak out for Zion’s sake (Isaiah 62:1), to be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:6) and to bless the Jewish people (Genesis 12:3)? That coupled with the marked difference in the treatment of all religion, genders, races, and orientations in Israel vs. the treatment of those people in countries that hate Israel should make you feel comfortable continuing your support for Israel. It seems that "what you do unto the least of My brethren, you do onto Me" is not followed everywhere.
I thanks you in advance.
David E. Treston
I hope the admin of the group is just not paying attention and not actually supporting the anti Israel bile being spounted by Tony "Israel is Apartheid" Wicher. This said, however, if things do not change in the group I will have to remove myself from this very important group.
Thanks for your consideration.
I don't like liars. Yup. Just plain don't like them, they tend to lie.
In line with that, I like my friends to be honest and not tell lies. How, you must ask, do I relate this to my support for Barack? Simple, I would like my best friends (those who happen to be Black), who tell their children that they "can be whomever and whatever they want to be in America, even the President!" to be telling them the truth.
Once and for all lets help make those promise those children the honest truth by electing Barack.
Moreover, if you can have an excellent President of arguably the greatest country around who is Black, then maybe some people will be less trepidatious about having a Black business partner, doctor, or yes, even a Black neighbor or friend.
Here's to hope. Here's to Brack bring some "change"
Thanks
"I strongly condemn this cowardly and outrageous attack. The United States must strongly support Israel's right and capability to defend itself. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and with the Israeli people who defeat these terrorists every single day that they go about their daily lives."
The Bible commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), to speak out for Zion’s sake (Isaiah 62:1), to be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem (Isaiah 62:6) and to bless the Jewish people (Genesis 12:3). I just hope Pastor Wright had read those (and other) parts of the bible. Anti semitism has no place in theChurch , that is is you actually read the Book
Thanks and apologies to those Atheists and Agnostics for the post.
Thank you for your courage. If my Rabbi had said similar things about America, or preached racial hatred, I would also denounce him/her and leave the synagogue. Thsi always distressed me and as a Jew, I am sensitive to people who hate me for being a Jew. I am proud of your courage. You have yet again shown this Israeli/American that you are the right choice for ALL people.
Sincerely, David Treston, Los Angeles, CA
“Hope is making a comeback and, let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change,”
I am still supporting Obama, but statements like these are a huge turnoff. Is this her opinion or a shared one? Such selfishness is alarming "nothing was right with this country until it seemed to be doing something for my narrow parchial interests" is an apt paraphrase of wehat she is saying.
I dont expect one, but It would be nice to see a strong retraction or "clarification".
She is not just a citizen making this statement, she is the wife of the futre President of these United States.
