Haaretz reported:
The Arab daily Al-Hayat on Tuesday quoted a senior Hamas official as saying that United States President-elect Barack Obama's advisors met with members of the Palestinian militant group before the U.S. presidential election.
Ahmed Yusuf, a political advisor to Hamas' Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh, reportedly told the London-based paper that, "The connection was made via email and after that we met with them in Gaza."Al-Hayat reported that Yusuf also said the relations were maintained after Obama's electoral victory last Tuesday. He said the president-elect's advisors requested that the relations be kept secret so as not to aid his rival, Senator John McCain.During Obama's campaign, he pledged that his administration would only hold talk with Hamas if it renounced terrorism, recognized Israel's right to exist, and abided by past agreements.
On Saturday, Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Meshal told Sky News that he is willing to hold talks with Obama, and that he is challenging the newly elected leader to follow through on past statements indicating a willingness to sit down with America's chief adversaries on the world stage.
The Arab daily Al-Hayat on Tuesday quoted a senior Hamas official as saying that United States President-elect Barack Obama's advisors met with members of the Palestinian militant group before the U.S. presidential election.
Ahmed Yusuf, a political advisor to Hamas' Gaza leader Ismail Haniyeh, reportedly told the London-based paper that, "The connection was made via email and after that we met with them in Gaza."Al-Hayat reported that Yusuf also said the relations were maintained after Obama's electoral victory last Tuesday. He said the president-elect's advisors requested that the relations be kept secret so as not to aid his rival, Senator John McCain.During Obama's campaign, he pledged that his administration would only hold talk with Hamas if it renounced terrorism, recognized Israel's right to exist, and abided by past agreements.
On Saturday, Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Meshal told Sky News that he is willing to hold talks with Obama, and that he is challenging the newly elected leader to follow through on past statements indicating a willingness to sit down with America's chief adversaries on the world stage.
Diplomacy means meeting with your enemies. If you only meet with friends, it is "drinks and dinner".
ReplyDeleteDiplomacy is the employment of tact to gain strategic advantage or to find mutually acceptable solutions to a common challenge.
The US should meet with anyone who will have us. We cannot plan to solve our ideological differences with other countries by invading them.
The Chicago crazies come onto the world stage!
ReplyDeleteObama the "Judaeophile", even as he lauds Rev Wright (only from Chicago) who damns America and Father Pfleger (from Chicago, of course) who defends Farrakhan (from Chicago, naturally)? How crazy is all that?
As the saying goes: Politics makes for some odd bedfellows (especially in Chicago)!
The first note that something unusual was brewing in the post-election Obama camp concerning Jews and Judaism was his rush to appoint the Jewish/Israeli Rahm Emanuel (from Chicago) as his "chief of staff" in waiting.
Then Rahm's father (from Chicago) blows it by insulting the Arabs, forcing Rahm to apologize http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE4AC99K20081113 for his father's mean remark about Arabs.
[Photo:] Emanuel's father, Dr. Benjamin Emanuel.
"In an interview with Ma'ariv, Emanuel's father, Dr. Benjamin Emanuel, said he was convinced that his son's appointment would be good for Israel. "Obviously he will influence the president to be pro-Israel," he was quoted as saying. "Why wouldn't he be? What is he, an Arab? He's not going to clean the floors of the White House." http://www.vosizneias.com/22512/2008/11/13/washington-rahm-emanuels-apologizes-for-arab-remark-made-by-his-father/
Then an interview surfaces of Obama (from Chicago) claiming: "And I’d say, probably, intellectually I’ve drawn as much from Judaism as any other faith" (Obama's [2004] Fascinating Interview with Cathleen Falsani http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/11/obamas-interview-with-cathleen.html )
And rounding it all off is a statement from the Haredi American Council of Torah Sages (one of them, Rabbi Chaim Levin is in Chicago) calling on Orthodox Jews to bury the hatchet and that those who supported Senator John McCain now need to unite behind Obama: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=25913
"Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah Statement on Presidential Elections
November 13, 2008
15 Cheshvan 5769
November 13, 2008
Throughout the long years of our Golus, Jews have always been loyal citizens of the countries in which they have resided. Gedolei Yisroel through the generations have emphasized the importance of showing hakoras hatov to our host nations and according honor to their leaders. This is particularly so when those nations have provided a hospitable environment for the growth and development of the Jewish community.
Perhaps no nation in the history of humankind has shown greater friendship to the Jewish people than the country in which we reside, the United States of America. America has proven itself to be a medinah shel chesed, a land that has been good and kind to Jews both within its borders and beyond.
The American people have voted to elect a new president, Senator Barack Obama, who is pledged to continue this great tradition of chesed. It is incumbent upon all Jews, even those of us who may have supported the candidacy of Senator John McCain, to show President-elect Obama the proper dignity and honor due to the leader of our country – and, it goes without saying, to distance ourselves from any intemperate rhetoric that demeans the office of the presidency.
We take this opportunity to offer congratulations and best wishes to President-elect Obama, with whom we look forward to a warm and productive relationship. May Hashem, in Whose hand the hearts of all earthly leaders reside, guide America’s new president to succeed in carrying out his awesome responsibilities in a manner that will bring great blessing to the Jewish people, to America, and to all of humankind.
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America"
"Chicago, IL - Obama In 2004 Interview Cited Judaism as Part Of His Influence"
http://www.vosizneias.com/22498/2008/11/13/chicago-il-obama-in-2004-interview-cited-judaism-as-his influence/
[When Obama ran for senator in 2004 he visited a local Chabad rabbi (in Chicago). Caption reads:] "8/20/04 Rabbi Yossi Brackman, Director of the Chabad Jewish Center had the opportunity to meet Democratic Senate candidate Barack Obama. Mr. Obama expressed his admiration for the work of the Chabad Jewish Center and looks forward to visiting in the fall after the election."
And in case anyone forget, this is what Rev Wright (who is wrong) said in his notorious sermons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk3LXvVlsI4 and what Father Pfleger who defends both Wright (who is wrong) AND the Jew-hater Farrakhan in this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjJlsGrlbUs
Note, that Obama's political guru and the mastermind behind his election is the Jewish David Axelrod (who is from Chicago, where else). Al Capone, eat your heart out!
Obama better watch his back with the Clintons on board!
ReplyDeleteHillary Prostitutes Herself For MORE Power, sells out herself and women!!!
Where's Obama's "change" by reaching back to the Clintonistas???
Yes we CAN'T strikes again!
The ODD COUPLES: THE OBAMAS AND THE CLINTONS MATE TO CREATE HAVOC IN THE WORLD!
Well, well, the UK Guardian (Monday November 17 2008) reports that "Hillary Clinton to accept Obama's offer of secretary of state job"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/17/hillary-clinton-secretary-of-state
Seems Obama has now forgotten his own well-aimed propaganda at Clinton with the devastating "Hillary 1984" video, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJklyhWniDQ and even his ongoing misogynist attacks against Sarah Palin "You can put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig" as well as against other women, including Hillary, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X03m-vXm_Y
Obama and YOU must see this epic:
THE CLINTON CHRONICLES
at:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1741717829878772713
(Read why at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clinton_Chronicles )
"Obama's advisors met with Hamas" and now they also met with the Clintons ... and guess what, lots of Arab connections are involved in both meetings! Which should make all Jews worried about what a potential Obama-Clinton alliance would look like and do for Israel and the Jews... as Obama and Clinton prove how entangled they are with Arab regimes -- even as they enjoy and employ Jewish proteges and supporters and lackeys galore!
ReplyDeleteSee this latest November 17, 2008 report from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/18/us/politics/18clintons.html?bl&ex=1227157200&en=19a61f8eea16eb41&ei=5087%0A
"Many Dealings of Bill Clinton Under Review
Over the weekend, former President Bill Clinton enthusiastically endorsed the prospect that his wife, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, might join the Obama administration as secretary of state...
Mr. Clinton delivered those remarks at an international economic symposium in Kuwait City sponsored by the National Bank of Kuwait, which said the former president would “share with a select audience his perspective on the issues likely to shape the future prospects of the region.”
It is precisely that kind of paid speech, which Mr. Clinton delivered 54 times last year for a total of $10.1 million in fees, that has complicated the vetting process that Mrs. Clinton is undergoing by the Obama transition team...
The vetting of Mr. Clinton’s myriad philanthropic and business dealings is “complicated, and it may be the complications that are causing hesitation on both sides,” said Abner J. Mikva, one of Mr. Obama’s closest supporters...
“The problem is it’s going to require some sacrifice by him,” ... “If he’s not willing to do that, it could blow up.”
...Since the former president established the William J. Clinton Foundation in 1998, it has raised more than $500 million, a sum that allowed him to build his steel-and-glass presidential library in Little Rock, Ark., and create the Clinton Global Initiative, ...
The foundation has received contributions from the Saudi royal family, the king of Morocco, a foundation linked to the United Arab Emirates and the governments of Kuwait and Qatar...
In September, at his annual Clinton Global Initiative meeting, Mr. Clinton hosted more than two dozen foreign leaders, including Queen Rania of Jordan, President Shimon Peres of Israel and President Álvaro Colom of Guatemala...
When the Clintons released their postpresidency tax returns in April, the documents showed the couple had earned $109 million after leaving the White House in January 2001...
The returns also showed that Mr. Clinton had collected at least $12.6 million since 2002 from his work as an adviser to Mr. Burkle, whose Yucaipa Companies have invested money for the Dubai government and acquired a stake in a Chinese media company...
But if Mrs. Clinton were to be nominated as secretary of state, potential conflicts could occur if Mr. Clinton continued to serve as a traveling emissary of the United States. It is unknown whether he would be asked to curtail speaking out on foreign policy matters or, if asked, if he would be willing to do so."
Seems the Clintons have been RECIPIENTS of big money from Arab regimes and business and that they will now get some PUBLICITY they may have not banked on...making the Obama people look stupid yet clever, or cleverly stupid...
Obama's victory: Most Modern Orthodox rabbis rejoice while most Haredi rabbis worry!
ReplyDeleteWhile most in the frum Haredi and Hasidic world are very nervous about Obama, even Agudas Yisroel of America's Moetzes' "official letter" http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/25913/Moetzes+Gedolei+HaTorah+Statement+on+Presidential+Elections.html is guarded and cautious in the face of the unknown future with Barack Hussein Obama in line to be the next president of the USA, almost all Modern Orthodox rabbis (like the Reform and Conservatine ones) are singing the praises of the new "Obama-messiah" and will even attack their followers for showing any fear of the future under the Obaman African-American regime.
Needless to say the vast majority of secular and liberal Jews and the entire Reform and Conservative rabbinates and movements were 1,000% behind Obama and even joined by the hundreds the "rabbis for Obama" group http://www.rabbisforobama.com/ and of course Jews were among the biggest funders and planners of Obama's presidentail race, and now too as he lines up his team for January 20th, 2009.
No rational or logical reasons are given as to how anyone can support a person who for TWENTY YEARS was a loyal follower and member of the Rev Wright's (who is wrong) church who said the most vile things in his notorious sermons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk3LXvVlsI4 and of Father Pfleger who defends both Wright (who is wrong) AND the Jew-hater Farrakhan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjJlsGrlbUs
But why bother with the realities of genuine black and white antisemitism by Obama's pastors when it's more important to jojn the new mass hypnosis and hysteria and blindly crown Obama the new civil "messiah" of America and of the world which is a lot more fun than dull logic and rationality.
As examples of the fawning Modern Orthodox worship of Obama, on November 16, 2008, Modern Orthodox and YU alumnus Rabbi Genack of the OU writes in delirious rhapsodic praise of Obama, citing drivel and narishkeit from his "cousin Julius" at http://jta.org/news/article/2008/11/16/1001000/op-ed-reflections-on-obama (note, Hillary Rodham Clinton consders Rabbi genack to be "her rabbi" see http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=264773 )
"Op-Ed: America’s journey and Obama
By Menachem Genack · November 16, 2008
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. (JTA)—The Greek philosopher Heraclitus believed that reality is ever in flux. "You cannot step into the same river twice" he taught, emphasizing that the only constant is change. In this political season, everyone wanted to be the candidate of change. But on election night, Heraclitus’ mantle clearly belonged to U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.
Likewise, the American poet Archibald MacLeish observed, "The American journey has not ended. America is never accomplished. America is always still to build." Nearly two centuries previously Edmund Burke wrote, "A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation."
Change was the mantra of this election, and change is what brought Obama to the White House. America’s capacity for change is different from the kind that exists in other countries, where change connotes a complete rupture from the past. Change in America is a continuing American revolution, rooted in the principles of the founders, a search for a more perfect union.
Those two ideas—the need for change, but a search for something better rather than complete revolution—found expression in Obama’s elegant words on election night in which he reminded us that the dream of the founders is very much alive in our time.
Sen. John McCain’s extremely gracious concession speech, reflecting his decency and patriotism, also represented change without rupture. Both candidates made it clear that it was a day of celebration because on this day, America redeemed itself from its tortured history of racism.
This election has special meaning for me because my cousin, Julius Genachowski, is an old friend and longtime adviser of Obama. Julius was very active in the successful campaign and now is a member of the transition team. He and Obama attended Harvard Law School together in the early 1990s and both served on Law Review. They attended each other’s weddings—Obama participated in the Jewish dances at Julius’ wedding—and have remained close to this day.
Julius attended yeshiva through high school and studied in yeshiva in Israel before going to Columbia and then Harvard, where he met Obama. Julius later clerked for Supreme Court Justice David Souter. Obama and Julius bonded in part because both were outsiders—one a former yeshiva boy and son of immigrants, the other an African American with international roots.
Julius tells me that Obama has always been able to relate to the Jewish experience because of his own background, as well as the African-American experience of slavery and discrimination. Julius knows that part of Obama’s agenda is to heal the breach between Jews and blacks and to restore the close ties that existed during the civil rights movement.
Obama affirmed those ties at the AIPAC Policy Conference in June.
"In the great social movements in our country’s history, Jewish and African Americans have stood shoulder to shoulder," he said. "They took buses down south together. They marched together. They bled together. And Jewish Americans like Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were willing to die alongside a black man—James Chaney—on behalf of freedom and equality. Their legacy is our inheritance."
Julius also surely enjoyed these words from Obama at the conference: "I have been proud to be part of a strong, bipartisan consensus that has stood by Israel in the face of all threats. That is a commitment that both John McCain and I share because support for Israel in this country goes beyond party."
Obama later said, "Those who threaten Israel threaten us," and "I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security."
Over the last eight years the American brand has been eroded and its prestige in the world diminished as we have become a go-alone nation, now with an economy in crisis. If America is weakened, Israel is weakened. When people asked me who to vote for, I would respond, "Vote for the person who you think is best for America. He is the person who is best for Israel."
What we need is a president who is more cerebral and less intuitive; who responds with his head and not his gut; who is more empirical and less ideological. Obama has demonstrated these qualities again and again.
To those who say—and did so vociferously during the campaign—that Obama is too young and inexperienced to accomplish these goals, that he makes great speeches but that words are not enough, I would counter not to hold Obama’s age and oratory against him.
Only four presidents in their 40s have been elected: Teddy Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and now Obama. They all brought their intellect and vigor to the art of governance and went on to be extremely successful presidencies.
They also were were gifted speakers. Abraham Lincoln proved that words can save a nation during wartime; Franklin Roosevelt re-taught that lesson during a subsequent time of crisis. Don’t underestimate the power of words in the hands of a talented leader. Words can inspire, set forth a vision and lead the nation to fulfill its potential.
Obama’s life story positions him perfectly to restore America’s place in the world and reaffirm old alliances. The multiracial blood that courses in his veins; his experiences as the child of a single mother and as a child who saw his father just once in his life; and his moving around the country and to Indonesia enable him to relate to a world no longer dominated by Pax Americana. These experiences are certain to help him rebuild America’s standing in the community of nations—as noted, an important element in safeguarding Israel’s security and existence.
How Barack Obama manages change—in both domestic and foreign affairs—will be a major element of how well he succeeds as president. He is untested, for sure, and is young as presidents go. But Obama has the capacity to manage change in the interests of enhancing human freedom and opportunity; in restoring to America its genuine spirit; in making both the United States and Israel more secure in a dangerous world; and in rebuilding the ties that once joined Jews and African Americans in the struggle against inequality.
So we wake up to a new America, the America of Archibald MacLeish, an America that "is always still to build." Barack Obama has the capacity to build something very good. Let us wish him well and pray for his success.
(Rabbi Menachem Genack, of Englewood, N.J., is the chief executive officer of the Orthodox Union Kosher Division.)"
____
The following article describes the turmoil and differences in attitude and reactions between the Modern Orthodox and the Haredi communities:
For background see "The President-Elect, Modern Orthodoxy, And Skin Color" (November 12, 2008) at http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/failed_messiahcom/2008/11/the-president-e.html
As reported on 11/12/2008 in The NY Jewish Week http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c52_a14005/Editorial__Opinion/Gary_Rosenblatt.html
"Racial Comments ‘Shock’ Principals
by Gary Rosenblatt
Editor And Publisher
Last Wednesday, the day after the elections, Elliot Prager, the principal of Moriah, a Modern Orthodox day school in Englewood, N.J., was approached by a 9-year-old student in the hallway, who asked him if he was afraid.
“Afraid of what?’ I asked,” Prager recalled the other day. “Afraid of Obama,” the child replied. “My Mommy and Daddy told me that he doesn’t like Jews and is dangerous.”
Prager later said he was “stunned,” but thought it was an isolated incident. As the day wore on, though, he said he heard a number of reports from students and teachers that were also disturbing, suggesting that a mix of racism, strong concern for the welfare of Israel and misguided parenting had combined to make students fearful.
“Some students who voted for [Sen. Barack] Obama in our mock election were intimidated to tears,” he recalled.
Prager took the unusual step of writing a lengthy letter to the parent body of the school, which has 967 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. He called his e-mail: “Student Responses to the Election: Profound Shock and Dismay.”
Prager wrote that for students in a school that emphasizes ethical values and the religious belief in kavod ha-briot — respect for every human being — to berate classmates for voting in mock elections “for a black man” was deeply disappointing.
“I cannot help but wonder if our concerns about prejudice and racism are valid only when it comes to our own people,” he wrote. “I cannot help but wonder how we are supposed to succeed in our mission of teaching middot [values] when so many children are apparently being exposed to unwarranted distortions of information based not on political biases, but biases which go to the very core of common decency and respect for our fellow human beings.”
He asserted that the school will continue to speak out against all forms of prejudice and he called on parents to be “proactive and vigilant” in seeking to raise children “whose only hatreds and prejudices will be those directed at injustice and immorality.”
When I spoke to Prager this week, he said that the feedback to his letter to the parent body was “extremely supportive,” with parents and teachers thanking him for taking the lead in addressing this sensitive subject, and some saying it was long overdue.
But he noted that there has been some dissent, as well, including a long anonymous letter, signed “Concerned Moriah Parents” — he had no idea if it was the work of one person or many — that charged him with conflating racial bias and “serious and legitimate concerns” many Jews have about Obama and his views.
Another Modern Orthodox educator disturbed enough by the behavior of students to speak out publicly this week was Rabbi Yosef Adler, principal of the Torah Academy of Bergen County, a boys’ high school in Teaneck. Rabbi Adler, who is also the spiritual leader of Congregation Rinat Yisrael in Teaneck, told his congregants in a sermon on Shabbat that while change in American policies takes time, some behaviors must change immediately — namely the kind of racist attitudes he observed in school last week.
Judaism’s description of all men and women being created in the image of God “is not a left-wing term,” he said, noting that Jews should take pride in the fact that an African-American was elected president.
Both Rabbi Adler and Prager said they would not have spoken out as they did if the criticism they had heard from students was based on concerns that Obama would be unsympathetic to Israel.
It was the racist comments that motivated them to respond, they said. And the reaction from their constituents was overwhelmingly positive, they noted.
A spot check of educators, rabbis and other leaders in Orthodox communities in the metropolitan area revealed relative degrees of concern about reactions to Obama’s victory. One yeshiva teacher said she was “disgusted” to hear a number of students making anti-Muslim and anti-black statements “beyond inappropriate,” while others seemed oblivious to the historic election results.
Several people connected to the haredi community — including Brooklyn, Monsey and Lakewood — said there was a high level of concern about Obama before the election, but that it has eased in the last week largely because of the president-elect’s post-election statements and the likely look of his administration.
“The paranoia has died down,” one observer said.
“I think it’s calmer,” said talk-show host Zev Brenner. Since the election, the criticism of Obama by callers from haredi circles has greatly decreased, he said. “They’re willing to give him a shot.”
Rabbi Hershel Billet of the Young Israel of Woodmere, disturbed at some of the comments he has heard, told his congregants on Shabbat that while he did not vote for Obama, the incoming president deserves the respect and cooperation of all Americans.
He said his talk was very well received.
So what is going on here? Are the same adults suspected of expressing bias at home enthusiastically applauding demands that such behavior cease immediately?
Isn’t it true that youngsters — and adults — who favored Sen. John McCain were sometimes accused of racism when there were plenty of legitimate reasons to be wary of an Obama presidency? And is it unfair to continue to call attention to examples of racial prejudice in a Jewish community that voted overwhelmingly (about 78 percent) for Obama?
There are no easy answers here in trying to parse out how much of the Jewish negativity toward Obama, found almost exclusively in the Orthodox community, was because of his race and how much was based on a deep-seated fear that Israel would suffer under his administration.
But there are too many disturbing statements from “the mouths of babes” to deny or ignore the problem.
Educators are trained to turn important events, including painful ones, into “teaching moments,” and this is an ideal time for day schools to recognize that elements of their community have become so insulated and parochial that young people lack exposure to the full range of American society.
“It’s true that the students don’t meet people who are not like them,” noted Rabbi Chaim Hagler of Yeshivat Noam in Bergen County, N.J. He acknowledged that he and his faculty were surprised at some of the “misguided comments” from students last week, and he made a point, during the school’s observance this week of the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, to draw parallels to Germany’s hatred of Jews at the time and reactions to the Obama election.
So did other educators, and Elliot Prager, the Moriah principal, said his school is now planning to form a parent committee to deal with issues like multiculturalism and understanding. “Our approach has to be more comprehensive,” he said, adding that he was gratified that his letter to parents “opened up a tremendous amount of discussion in the community.”
Such steps are to be applauded, but more is needed. Nine-year-olds shouldn’t be afraid of Barack Obama, and we should stop and think hard about the messages we send our children.
Additional reporting by staff writer Steve Lipman."
____
And on September 9, 2008 this what the "Rabbis for Obama" http://www.rabbisforobama.com/ group had to say for itself http://blogs.jta.org/politics/article/2008/09/10/999591/rabbis-for-obama
"Rabbis for Obama
By Eric Fingerhut · September 9, 2008
More than 300 rabbis from across the country and across the denominations are publicly backing Barack Obama for president. According to a press release, Rabbis for Obama is a "grassroots effort" founded by two rabbis from Obama's home state of Illinois, Rabbi Sam Gordon of Wilmette, and Rabbi Steven Bob of Glen Ellyn, and includes prominent figures such as University of Judaism rector Rabbi Elliot Dorf, former Central Conference of American Rabbis president Rabbi Janet Marder and Rabbi Burton Visotzky, professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Also on the list, named as one of the organization's vice chairs, is Rabbi Ethan Tucker – stepson of the head of the honorary Senate rabbis for McCain, Joe Lieberman.
The rabbis write that Obama "has been inspired by Jewish values such as Tikkun Olam and the pursuit of justice, and he is deeply committed as well to a civil discourse between opposing arguments." They also note the smear campaign against the Democrat and say "we feel it is our duty as Jewish leaders to fight for the truth and against Lashon Hara."
The full letter and list of signatories is here:
Dear Friends:
As rabbis who believe that Barack Obama is the best candidate to be President of the United States, we have formed "Rabbis for Obama" as a grassroots organization of rabbis from all movements and backgrounds. We join together to support Senator Obama for President, and we do so in the belief that he will best support the issues important to us in the Jewish community.
Some of us know Senator Obama personally, and we recognize that he has been inspired by Jewish values such as Tikkun Olam and the pursuit of justice, and he is deeply committed as well to a civil discourse between opposing arguments. We also know that Senator Obama will inspire young people, both in the Jewish community and the wider American community, to become more involved in improving this country and repairing the world.
We know that Barack Obama's longstanding, stalwart support for Israel is a testament to his own principles as well as the strong bi-partisan pro-Israel movement in America, and we fear that the attempts by some to use Israel as a wedge issue against him - unjustifiably - is dangerous in that it politicizes the pro-Israel position. Most importantly it has completely distorted Senator Obama's record. With his tough but pragmatic approach to Iran, Senator Obama is in the best position to restore faith in America as a leader in the fight against serious threats to Israel, our allies, and the United States.
Senator Barack Obama inspires in us the hope for an America once more called to its best values. We know him to be a man of incredible integrity, born of a deep and abiding spiritual faith based on the teachings of the Hebrew Prophets, and committed to achieving a world of peace with justice for all people.
We are fully aware that a smear campaign against Senator Obama has been waged in the Jewish community, and we feel it is our duty as Jewish leaders to fight for the truth and against Lashon Hara. Senator Obama has been viciously attacked using innuendoes, rumors, and guilt by association, and we urge our fellow American Jews to judge Senator Obama based on his own record and the clear statements he has made about his personal beliefs and principles. Continuing efforts to defame him and distort his record help perpetuate a deeply disturbing political process in our country.
We hope that the members of the American Jewish community will seek to learn more about the Senator, his story, and his positions on issues. Senator Obama's record and background clearly demonstrate that he shares our commitment to change the direction of this country, both at home and around the globe. Thank you,
Rabbi Sam Gordon, National Co-Chair, Rabbis for Obama Rabbi Steve Bob, National Co-Chair, Rabbis for Obama...[names of many rabbis]"
oh, and it's really worthwhile to see the comments that seem to have much more sechel than the "rabbis for Obama" do:
Rick
09/10/08 01:54 AM
You Libs are the most self-destructive and foolish people I’ve ever met! I don’t even know where to begin, or what to tell you. Liberalism is a mental disorder. There’s nothing I could say to you that could possibly awaken you from your stupor, so I’m not even going to try. Good luck.
David
09/10/08 10:17 AM
“Senator Barack Obama inspires in us the hope for an America once more called to its best values. We know him to be a man of incredible integrity, born of a deep and abiding spiritual faith based on the teachings of the Hebrew Prophets, and committed to achieving a world of peace with justice for all people.”
Are you people out of your minds? What (Jewish) values and teachings of the Hebrew prophets? Late term abortion? Same sex marriage? Kindness to evil? “incredible integrity”? How did he get that million doller plus house and land at a steal and what are his exact connections to Mr. Resko? Caring for others?? A guy who b4 he was running gave less then 2% of his income to the poor / charity!! Wake up you self hating Jews!! The fact that you have the title Rabbi makes your twisting of the Torah commandmants even worse.
David
09/10/08 10:28 AM
“More than 300 rabbis from across the country and across the denominations are publicly backing Barack Obama for president”
Can someone do me a favor and list any of the Rabbis mentioned who are from the Orthodox denomination of Judaism??????? Something tells me most if not all the Rabbis listed are from those denominations of Judaism which have corrupted true Torah Judaism to accommodate their assimilated liberal westernized lifestyles, to the point where many of them have made a complete mockery of the very Religion they say they represent.
Allen
09/10/08 12:11 PM
Dear Rabbis...Is it any wonder our intermarriage rate is so high? With the moral relativism exhibited by the signors of this document our young people would be foolish to look to the rabbinate as a source of guidance. ?we feel it is our duty as Jewish leaders to fight for the truth and against Lashon Hara.? Is there any pulpit rabbi signatory who believes if he/she spewed the hatred exhibited by the Pastor of Obama’s church of 20 years, within 24 hours there would be a revolt in your synagogue/temple? Lashon Hara by those questioning Obama? The signers of this document have let down all of us who are not Orthodox Jews, and at one time, foolishly believed our rabbinic leadership might be a source of guidance and wisdom.
David
09/10/08 12:47 PM
WOW! Rereading their statement I’m shocked that they passed up the oppurtunity to also stick in a line for their favorite underdog - the poor ‘Palastinians’ who I’m sure most of them believe are so oppressed by the Jews who stole ‘their’ land.
David
09/10/08 03:03 PM
dollar, commandments, opportunity, Palestinians - sorry for the typos!! Was in a hurry!
Josh
09/10/08 04:55 PM
I’m sure you all would be praising them if they were supporting McCain.
Religious figures should stay out of politics. The results are always the same. Disaster.
Of course… Only the Republicans are the true party of God.
What bull----.
Bill Levinson
09/10/08 06:59 PM
Pay no attention to these rabbis--there were also Jews who told other Jews that the cattle cars were going to take them to nice country resorts until the war was over. Most of them believed it, or wanted to believe it so badly that they forced themselves to believe it.
Obama has proven himself as a promoter and enabler of anti-Semites by not only appearing with but endorsing Al Sharpton and his National Action Network. Google on Sharpton and “Freddy’s Fashion Mart” to learn more, or learn about how Sharpton’s followers reenacted the Night of the Broken Glass in Crown Heights while Sharpton denounced the Jews as “diamond merchants.”
Sharpton is but one example. Obama’s church called for divestment from Israel and questioned Israel’s legitimacy, and even published a blood libel of Israel (and also the U.S.). The above rabbis can’t bring themselves to ask about these things, just as the Judenrat members refused to wonder why no letters or other correspondence, let alone Jews, ever came back from those nice “country resorts."