Friday, November 16, 2012

Israel Under Fire

Chaverim,

Israel has faced an unceasing threat from rockets emanating out of Gaza ever since they pulled out of the territory back in 2005. And instead of using Israel's disengagement to build trust and work towards peace, Hamas has turned Gaza into a forward base to relentlessly attack Israel with its increasingly deadly rocket arsenal.

So finally, after months of incredible restraint, Israel launched “Operation Pillar of Defense” on Wednesday, and in a targeted assassination eliminated Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari (who was responsible for many attacks, including the abduction of Gilad Shalit).  The latest barrage of rocket attacks left Israel with no choice but to respond and to do what every government is charged with, namely, protecting her citizens from harm.

Predictably, Israel is not only having to defend itself from the rocket barrages aimed at her civilian population, but also from the ongoing PR attacks attempting to delegitimize Israel in the public arena and to erode US support. 

Therefore it is very important that we mobilize as a community and not remain silent.

There are several concrete steps we can all take to support Israel during this trying time which I urge you to consider:

1) Stand up publicly and state you support for Israel's defensive efforts in light of sustained rocket attacks that are terrorizing 1/7th of the Israeli population.

2) Contact your Senators and Congressmen.  Senators can be reached by phone through the Capitol switchboard at : (202) 224-3121.  You can also use the following link: http://www.capwiz.com/aipac/issues/alert/?alertid=62157761

3) Write Op Ed letters to newspapers

4) Actively support Israel on social media like Facebook and Twitter.  (On Twitter use the hash tag #israelunderfire )

Here are some main messages to help you be a more effective Israel advocate:

• The goal of Israel’s operation is clearly defined and is aimed at removing a strategic threat to Israeli citizens. Israel is not interested in a deterioration of the situation.

• Israel has demonstrated great restrain for a long period but cannot stand for the recurring attacks on its citizens. No other state would accept a similar reality.

• Israel is acting in self-defense and out of its duty to protect its civilians from terrorist attacks.

• Hamas rules the Gaza Strip and is responsible for all that occurs in Gaza and all that is launched from there.

• It must be noted again that Israel disengaged completely from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The result of Israel’s disengagement is that Gaza has become a giant ammunition dump. In addition, it provides a breeding ground for terrorist groups to organize and to operate, including groups associated with al-Qaeda and Global Jihad. All this under the rule, responsibility and sponsorship of Hamas.

• Weapons smuggled from Libya, Iran and Sudan accelerated the process of Gaza turning into a terror base. These weapons also increased the danger posed to the Israeli population.

• Hamas and the other terrorist organizations hide among the civilian population of Gaza. They also deliberately direct their fire at the civilian population of Israel. These acts constitute a double war crime.

• The targets of the Israeli operation are all military. Israel will make every effort to prevent harm to the civilian population of Gaza, and regrets any injury to civilians.

• The border crossings from Israel to the Gaza Strip remain open, allowing for the routine passage of goods and humanitarian aid.

• The international community must act to stop the attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and should not wait for an Israeli reaction to act. Time and again, Israel has warned that it would not tolerate these attacks.

Together let us all make our voices heard in support of Israel at this difficult time.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Mark Zimmerman

Friday, July 27, 2012

US Jewish Federations Considering Dropping ‘Zionism’ from Global Plans. Really?

I was indeed surprised and dismayed to read this article:
Jewishpress.com/news/jewish-news/us-jewish-federations-to-drop-zionism-from-their-global-plans

Actually, surprised was an understatement...  I had to do a double-take, and then check around a bit to make sure this article was indeed genuine.

In fairness, the last sentence says: "it is possible that the decision may be reversed before the report is finalized.". So I hope our JFNA leadership has the wisdom to put Zionism back on their official global agenda, or they are going to hear from quite a few unhappy donors.

Zionism ought to be firmly on the Jewish Federation's agenda without any hesitation.  If we don't make Israel a key concern in our lives, who will?

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Ten Commandments of America's Jews - A Response


I was taking part in a "Jewish Professionals" discussion forum today, in response to the following article by my teacher Professor Jack Wertheimer in Commentary Magazine:  http://www.commentarymagazine.com/article/the-ten-commandments-of-americas-jews/?goback=%252Egde_45992_member_122855793 

Being challenged by some on the list who were bashing all  forms of non-Orthodox Judaism, I was prompted to post the following reply, after calls from a participant wanting to specifically hear from Reform and Conservative Jews about what  WE were doing to ensure Jewish continuity.

I share with you here a few thoughts I added to the discussion:


May all of us in our own way continue to grow MeChayil L'Chayil, from strength to strength
Rav Mark

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Traveling Through Life’s Mile-Markers

“Growing old gracefully.” It is a phrase that we frequently hear people say when they talk about aging, though I never quite understood what it’s supposed to mean. It almost sounds like an admonition that we should not put up too much of a fight as our physical strength and mental acuity begins to diminish.  Just tolerate it with a kind disposition and for heaven’s sake, try not to kvetch too much.  It makes everyone else around you awfully uncomfortable.

Now, for many of us, that suggestion is simply not going to work. After all, we are the people who elevated kvetching to a rare art form. We’re not going to give up that easily.  And there is nothing particularly wrong with that struggle. We ought to do everything we can to stay vital, dynamic, engaged and productive for as long as humanly possible. We ought to strive to keep an alert and active mind, remain interested and interesting, and avoid becoming ill-tempered and cantankerous so that nobody wants to be around us.

But as far as I’m concerned, “growing old gracefully” ought to really mean: Savoring the beauty of every single day, and appreciating that our limited time on this earth means that every moment and every relationship is something precious and irreplaceable.  Each day presents us with the potential for beautiful moments that are not to be squandered.

As we travel through life, we are occasionally met by special moments that serve as “mile-markers” alerting us to the passage of time. If we have children, it is often their birthday parties, b’nai mitzvah, graduations and weddings which become wonderful examples of some of life’s most heart-warming milestones.  

On a personal note, I have now reached the “grandparent” stage of life (and I do hope you’re all still thinking: “Gee he’s way too young to be a grandfather”)!  We just recently celebrated our grandson Gavi’s third birthday which accompanied the Jewish tradition of upsherin -- the first haircut at 3 years old -- which seems to be making quite the comeback these days.  Such events serve to underscore the beauty and mystery of the passage of time.  

God-willing, we will celebrate two more simchas this summer: the birth of another grandchild, and the upcoming marriage of our middle daughter.  So this brings us to another magical time in our lives, filled with hope, promise, and anticipation. 

Whenever the subject of our daughter’s approaching wedding has come up in conversation, the question I get more than any other is: “Will you be officiating at the service?” “Is that even allowed?” 

Actually it is not a bad question. In rabbinic practice, a rabbi is supposed to exclude him/herself from intervening in certain matters or halachic decisions, if he or she is a “nogeah badavar” (literally “touching the matter”), which means somehow personally involved in any loss or benefit that may stem from the decision. One could have cogently argued that a father is similarly affected by his daughter’s choice of a husband. 

But our tradition has no such concern when it comes to performing your own child’s wedding ceremony. All that matters is that there are two proper unrelated witnesses  to sign the Ketubah and to confirm that the legally required elements of a Jewish marriage have in fact taken place.  In our family it has been a long-standing tradition to get married by your father, and this pattern has probably repeated itself a dozen times over throughout the generations.

So as I chant the traditional words under the chuppah that I have spoken so many times before, another two young adults will be forging a magical bond as they embark on their future together. And Linda and I will smile knowingly at one another. We will be reminded of our youth, our age and our own wedding ceremony many years ago. And as we celebrate, God-willing, another birth this summer, we will know that we are experiencing another one of life’s miraculous moments as we move past another treasured milepost along the path of life.

May all of us merit the opportunity to celebrate many such simchas in our lives, and to never lose sight of what a magical and precious world we are privileged to enjoy.

L’Shalom,
Rav Mark Zimmerman

Perhaps: Religious Freedom in Israel for Jews?

Hopefully this is an opportunity that won't be wasted!

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/for-first-time-israel-to-recognize-reform-and-conservative-rabbis-1.433171

There's still plenty of work to do...

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Beth Shalom's "Graduation Issue" of the bulletin now online!

Our latest "Graduation Issue" of the shul's bulletin looks even more spectacular online in living color. Check it out here: http://bshalom.net/bulletin.pdf

Monday, June 4, 2012

Fascinating article about a Muslim who after experiencing Israel realizes that he had fallen prey to old fashioned anti-Semitism. I wish him great success in getting his message across.

Scroll down to read the text of the article...

http://www.timesofisrael.com/from-rage-in-the-mosque-to-tears-at-the-wailing-wall/

Tuesday, May 29, 2012