Ganchrow World View

Where are the shtarkers?

2009-07-14T17:15:00.003-04:00

Yesterday the Pres met with Jewish leaders. Although most were from the Pres. Conference, there were representatives fro Peace Now,J Street and the National Jewish Democratic Council.
Absent because of their outspoken criticisms were ZOA and the Young Israel.

In general it was a love feastand a pr victory for the President as he pressures Israel.
Reading the JTA accounts, the Jerusalem Post and the letter of the OU President,the only criticism appeared to be about the public perception of one -sided pressure on Israel.It appears that no one appears to have brought up the issues of the failure of the PA to accept many different peace offers over the years,ior the fact that long before settlements,the Arabs never have (and never will ) accept Israel as a Jewish State.
Nore was there public mention that there was a defense of the legality under international law to build these settlements,or the agreement of the Bush administration to allow internal growth. The OU President in his statement did note that they were against an "even-handed " approach to the issues,and that the special relationship between Israel and the US must be maintained.

Sadly the President and incoming Pres. of AIPAC apparently asked bland questions about Saudia Arabia and Iran. Of note, they are both from Chicago and were mega-Obama fund- raisers.
When you stack the room with 1/3 lefties and the rest not prepared to defend Israel in a forceful but respectful manner and to support the PM, you have a sad situation.

I recall vividly long before I was OU President .I was invited to see Pres. Reagan who wanted me and a few others to release some Republican Senators who committed to us to vote against an arms package for the Arabs. I did not want to go,because I questioned if I was up to the task.That was until I recieved a call from Doug Bloomfield,then of AIPAC (now a columnist)who asked me "are you a shtarker?"
I replied "what is a shtarker?"
His retort "can you say NO to the President of the United States?"
I answered " yes, if I believe in the cause"
"then you must go "he answered.
I did,and we spoke up forcefully,and we killed the deal.
Many times over the nexr 8 years, I was priveledged to meet 4 Presidents in the White House,When the group was homogeneous, such as the OU,we met the night before and prepared the questions and the order they would be presented.With the Pres, Conf. it was more informal of a prep.Yesterday was obviously not a homogeneous crowd, and it was meant to soothe the Jews,and even show Bibi that he will not be able to count on the entire American Jewish community FOR SUPPORT
.Tomorrow the OU Pres. presents an oral report to the officers,and we await further clarifications.
WHERE WERE THE SHTARKERS?

Judicial hearing / Pressure on Israel

2009-07-13T19:35:00.005-04:00

I would like to get a pledge from Judge Sotomayor that she will never refer to the role of International law in deciding a US Supreme Court case. Our constitution is pure Americana, and while there may be nice points of law in Europe,etc, she will be rquired to uphold our laws,
Surely she will be confirmed,however Repoublicans should give her a tough set of hearings ala Bork and Thomas.

The reports that the US has given Israel 6 months to toe the line or they will withdraw from their role in peace talks,is just a silly threat. I would love to hear the reports of today meeting between Obama and the Conf. of Presidents.We see much pressure from the EU and the WH on Israel-zero on Abbas and company.

"political correctness" / Cong Eliot Engel

2009-07-12T13:19:00.005-04:00

I am indebted to my dear friend Dr. Richard Kroll who sent me the following:

"Sometimes you are encouraged about our country's future when you see something like this.

Specifically there is an annual contest at Texas A & M University calling for the most appropriate definition of a contemporary term.

This years term was "political correctness"

The winner wrote
Political correctness is a doctrine , fostered by a delusional ,illogic minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrpulous mainstream media ,which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"
R. J. Wiedemann LtCol USMC Ret,

I was shocked to see that my friend Cong. Eliot Engel who is Chairman of the W. Hemisphere sucommittee, attack the removal of Manuel Zelaya as a "military coup".
I have great affection for Eliot, and spoke to him only last week about the Obama policy toward settlements.He is truly one of the most dedicated activists in the Congress on these issues.
However,I take exception with him on Honduras,where the Supreme Court,the National Assembly,the Church and the Military saved Honduras from a Chavez-like takeover for life.Yes Obama and Clinton attacked the events,however we should be grateful and support Honduras.

u

mea culpa / Foggy Bottom

2009-07-09T19:56:00.003-04:00

The President is once again on his Mea Culpa tour. Now it is our role in global warming,that faux-science that seeks to punish the accomplishments of American technology and industry.In his race to rid the world of all ills,he has undertaken to do everything at once,regardless of the economy or the fate of our defecit.If India and China are not on board,then this whole cap and tax is just a charade.
It would appear, that the left wing is meeting some resistance from those colleagues that come from marginal districts or states.The latter will have to defend the taxes on energy, the loss of their relationships with their private doctors and its eventual rationing of care,especially for seniors. The legislative battle is underway, and the longer these issues take to resolve,the more pressure will be brought to bear to kill all of these socialist anti-capitalist one-world ideas(as we get closer to election season)'.

The granting of permission for 1350 Iraqi-Palestinians to come to the US makes no sense.They were not given citizenship by their fellow-arabs,and they were supporters of Saddam Hussein.What overiding need will be served to bring these people to our shores?
.

OBAMA-CHAVEZ? / Rev Al-a survivor

2009-07-08T21:39:00.002-04:00

As we drove down to Florida, we had an an opportunity to listen to much talk radio. Most of it very repititous and very conservative.
There was one lady however who set me thinking.She raised the question as to whether our Pres. is supporting the ousted Pres. of Honduras, who is usurping the rule of law, for the following reason.Like Chavez, the Honduran Pres. would like to be Pres. for Life.Is this a hidden Obama goal?

You have to love the Rev. Al. From the ashes of Tawana Brawley with the suits against him,he is all over.The WH, City Hall, cable TV and now as confidant of our dear departed Michael.
He is a survivor, and makes the Rev. Jackson look like an amateur.
America is safe in his hands!

Obama/Powell

2009-07-07T14:02:00.003-04:00

Elliot Ganchrow writes:

Here are a couple of quick thoughts:

The Obama team is running out of time with respect to people's patience as it relates to the economy. While people are not yet blaming the administration for the lack of a recovery, it won't be too long until such finger pointing will begin. Much was made of the stimulus package that the Democrats rammed through Congress a few monthes ago, yet it is apparent that the package has had no (or little) positive effect on the economy. That vote, along with the recent vote on a Carbon tax, should be enough to start making Democrats in swing districts/states nervous. Take a look at Obama's approval rating in Ohio which was released today and you will note an approval rating of 49%. His national numbers have been sagging over the last month as well. It is time for Obama to deliver on the economy.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Colin Powell is a great American, was a terrible Secretary of State, and was an even worse Republican. It is was fairly obvious last year that Powell's allegiances switched to the Democratic Party after he publicly endorsed Obama. Obama's platform was (and continues to be) made up of extremist, leftist positions (including socialized medicine, a Carbon taxes, raising taxes on the middle and upper class, appointing activist judges, nationalizing private industry, closing Guantanamo, pressuring Israel, coddling N. Korea and Iran etc.). These are not positions which should make even the most moderate Republican comfortable. Powell's recent comments in support of Obama's appointment of the liberal federal judge Sonia Sotomoyor is further evidence that Powell's next stop should be at the Board of Elections to change his voting registration. I don't mind Powell appearing on Sunday talk shows- just don't pretend to be a Republican.

Jewish citizens in Palestine

2009-07-05T21:16:00.004-04:00

Salaam Fayad is a very bright leader.The PM of the PA is beloved by the West primarily because he has a reputation for honesty and competence.Thus his statement today that if a Palestinian State were created and Jews wish to live there ,they would have full citizen rights in a manner similar to Israeli Arabs.
Sounds nice,and the audience applauded.
The problem is that historically since the expulsion of the Jews from Spain and Portugal despite periods of amity,the Jew has been treated as a dhimmi.It is not because of good treatment,that a million Jews escaped from Arab-Moslem lands almost penniless, to Israel. Remember the desecrations of Jewish Holy places by the Jordanians, and these same Palestinians that will occupy his "State"..
Jews can prosper if the King wills it.Thus in Morrocco, there is a Jewish community with synagogues and yeshivoth.
Mr. Fayad however is no King,and actually is hated by Hamas.Who knows how long he will be alive or in office.His opinion while welcome,do not represent either any elected body,or the 'body politic'.
He knows well what will make headlines in newspapers,and he thus suceeded.Let's not jump to conclusions.

Tomorrow I drive to Florida for a month.Hopefully will resume on Wed.(unless my son blogs in the interim)

Palin / G-8

2009-07-03T16:48:00.002-04:00

As I prepare for Shabbat,I am trying to absorb the news of a few minutes ago of Sarah Palins resignation.
I only heard a few minutes of her announcement -live.She sounded under stress.
Why did she leave now? Did all the negative news and media get to her?( not a good sign)
Is there something coming out in the next few days?
Is this the opening of her Pres. campaign? if she needs time to travel and study the issues,she could have done that as Gov.
I said a few days ago, she needs to travel meet with experts on economics,fiscal policy and foreign affairs, if she wants to be taken seriouly.
I am sure there will be more to talk about as the story develops.

The news that the US will try to block greater sanctions at the G-8 is quite unbelievable!

If youy"ll pay for it then they will continue to raise prices.

2009-07-02T14:21:00.003-04:00

Yesterday Allen Barra had an interesting op-ed in the WSJ on sports tickets and compensation.His point was that these escalate,because people are willing to pay .If the consumer would not pay, then the seats would be vacant,the player salaries less and a bottle of ballpark beer less.
He concludes the reason that "ballplayers make so much and medical researchers so relatively little,is that as a nation (we ) are far more interested in having good baseball teams than we are in finding a cure for cancer."He goes on "if we put our money where our mouths are and support cancer,AIDS or Downs syndrome research and then buy our tickets with what's left over,athletes and rock stars will actually be paid what we pretend they they should be paid."
This is my philosophy exactly,and explains why when the Brookly Dodgers left Brooklyn, I went cold turkey on all professional sports.I realized it was big business and not a sport.As I said many times since to my incredulous children and grand-children "It's not my business."Thankfully I have remained true to my "boycott of the Sports Business" and have never regretted it, despite being an avid fan as a youth.
The corrallary of the above can be seen with the adulation and hero worship of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.Thousands line the Appollo Theatre ,as the news media spends hour after hour on this.Try and get these mourners to protest the alleged hangings in Iran of protesters.
When we look at the NY State Senate,Calfornia and Congress we indeed get the government we deserve.

"You or someone like you" a novel by Chandler Burr

2009-06-30T10:59:00.026-04:00

Three weeks ago, I recieved a book in the mail entitled "You or Someone like you" by Chandler Burr.Mr. Burr who I do not know, sent me an accompanying 2 page letter.
The letter starts by explaining that this novel is "about Judiasm". He goes on to say that it relates to "an experience I had in Israel at age 23.I was expelled from a Yeshiva in Jerualem for being racially impure".
After explaining to me his objections to organized religions,he highlights Judiasm which represents "seperatism" Quoting Charles Bronfman ( a businessman-philanthropist, and architect of "birthright ) who is certainly not a Jewish scholar,ethicist or philosopher who said "You can live a perfectly decent life not being Jewish but I think you're losing a lot."..there are people throughout the world who have the same DNA you have.
The reason that he sent me the novel,is because I am quoted in the book by name as saying "intermarriage is sweeping young Jews out to sea".
Mr Burr's father is "ethnically Jewish and his mother Protestant This somewhat mirrors the characters in the book where the mother is an Englishwoman who is gentile,and the father a product of an Orthodox Jewish home.
Mr. Buris concludes his letter to me by saying "you'll instinctivly disagree ( with the novel) but that is just my instinct".
The main characters are this very literate couple with degrees in Literature who become involved in Hollywood,both professionally and socially. She finds a niche in developing an expanding a number of book clubs for the rich and famous.
His parents object to the marriage,but very little is discussed regarding religious differences.The one exception is the annual Passover seder that they attend with their son (Sam) which culminates yearly with the "pledge" NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM.(the mother stops attending after a while)
Subsequent to the grandparents demise, Sam on his own `goes to Israel.At the Kotel(Western Wall)( he is picked up by an obvious right wing "shliach"(representative) doing kiruv (outreach) who asks him "are you Jewish?, he answers affirmatively.After agreeing that he would like to learn more of his heritage,he and 5 similar young men wind up in a yeshiva,where he is again asked the "Jewish" question and again answers "yes".
By the next day,Sam has confided in one of the young men the truth,and is immediately brought to the head Rabbi,who berates him as being "trefe (unkosher) unclean and impure.You are not a Jew.Your father has been part of the destruction of the Jewish people".
From then on the anger of the wife shines through.It is an anger that borders on the antisemitic.Sam returns home, announces his homosexuality,as the father has pangs of guilt for marrying a gentile.He consults a Rabbi,and proceeds to divorce his wife,though they still love each other.

Some of the quotes from this angry wife include
"What is called Judiasm.... is to divide.... 2 groups.The disgust for Trefe is not a disgust for shrimp, but a disgust for non -Jews "(p 298 )

"Israel is a racial security state ..with an exclusivist system of apartheid that distinguishes Jew from non-Jew" (p 298)

'If they don't accept my son..they can all go to the goddamn ovens.If that means mass cultural suicide through the intermarriage that they the racists hate so much,then mass suicide it will be " (p 282)

While Mr. Burr uses real people in his story including many prominent Jews such as David Remnick,Bronfman, Abe Foxman and Mort Zuckerman to name a few,none really touch the heart of the anger that is manifest in Mr. Burr's characters..None of course are learned ,Jewish philosophers or halachik scholars.(Jewish law).

Mr. Burr has fashioned a well written ,literate novel that any student of English literature would love..He notes that he wrote much of the book while in the NYC Public Library.Yet sadly nowhere in the book do we hear a "Jewish voice" defend the proud history of our people.We witness not an analyses of the issue,but a monologue against Judiasm.
Furthermore Mr. Burr lists a number of individuals who assisted him in bringing the novel to fruition.Absent is a single Orthodox Rabbi or scholar to place things into a different perspective at least as a partial rebuttal.Nowhere is there someone to raise a voice to say that whereas the words and actions of the Rabbis were indeed without compassion or based on how Jews should respond under those circumstances, yet they do not represent Judiasm.To me it is like condemning all physicians, because your physician had no bedside manners.
The most critical omission is the failure while in the library,to walk over to Google the 7 Noahide Laws which govern and define how a gentile is viewed by Jewish Law.One who follows the Noahide Law is considered a righteous gentile and as Maimonides (Rambam) notes is equal in stature to our High Priest,and has an equal place in the world to come.
The seven Laws are:
1-Idolatry is forbidden
2-Incest and adultery are forbidden
3-Murder is forbidden
4-No cursing in the name of G-d
5-Theft is forbidden
6-Eating the flesh of a living animal is fordidden
7-A system of Courts of Justice must be established

-. Jews have no special place in this world other than to study and follow Torah.Long before there was DNA knowledge, our Torah, written and oral kept us together.When Jews strayed from that path,they and their progeny were lost.
While we do not seek converts,those with a sincere desire to follow our 613 mitzvoth can do so after study.But why would a non-Jew want to be burdened with 613 Commandments, when he/she can reach the same level of purity and holiness by following seven?
The author describes our seperatism as a "toxin".To me it is a postive mandate pushing me to be the best human being possible whether in dealing with man-man relations,(INCLUDING GENTILES) man-G-d relations and man dealing with himself (to achieve the maximum from your potential) to be the best possible human being possible.

One last personal note.I fashioned my life as a Torah Jew,however my "seperatism" never stopped me from being a good physician whether my patients were Jew, gentile or even prisoner of war(during the Vietnam War).Our way of life is "tikkun olam"-to repair society (all society).
Contrary to living with a "toxin" in my system, my Torah ,and my learnings of Torah have guided me to believe that every human being is precious and made in the image of G-d.
Too bad Mr. Burr never sat down with some truly modern Orthodox Jews.

Gaza / Honduras / New Haven

2009-06-29T16:52:00.003-04:00

The Reds Cross and other organizations atack Israel for conditions in Gaza.They claim 1.5 million people are in a "jail", and that Israel will not allow material in for construction.
No mention of the tunn els, nor of the rocket atacks,or the horses with explosives attached to them. We do not hear about Shalit,and most importantly no men tion that the steel and concrete goes to build bunkers.
How about their addressing these issues!

I find it amazing (as outlined in this mornings WSJ) that our Pres. and State Dept. should attack the coup in Honduras where a dictator and ally of Chavez was seeking dictatorial powers.His actions were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.Can't this admisistration be on the right side of anything?

Three cheers for the Supreme Court in the New Haven fire case.Discrimination is just that, even if it is REVERSE!
It is hard to understand the logic of the WH,that says the decision shows Judge Sotomayer is not biased=huh?

Practical Demographics

2009-06-28T19:19:00.003-04:00

As you get older and have the benefit of the RETROSPECTOSCOPE,it is both interesting and sometimes sad to both witness and be a part of changing demographics.My most recent involvement of course was living in Monsey for 38 years and seeing the community change from a dynamic modern orthodox Jewish Community to a black hat-chassidish one.Our children moved out upon marriage, and slowly through illness, deaths and moves to Israel, Florida and close to children the changes are palpable.Aside from commenting on the lack of multi-family housing for young married the results were and are almost inevitable .There is still a MODERN Yeshiva (ASHAR),but things are not the same.
For indeed that is the cycle that we have seen in Far Rockway, Forest Hills and other places.
I started thinking about this because when I moved into Fort Lee last tear, I found a small siddur that amazingly was given out at the 39th annual dinner of the Young Israel of Easter Parkway in 1962.The guest of honor was Murray Kotkes.I do not know of his current status, but his son Willie,who went on to get smichah at YU, was my youth leader at the Young Israel in my high school days.
My Rebbi, Rabbi Harold Kanotopsky of blessed memory, was the Rabbi of the Young Israel.It was a vibrant synagogue, that was founded in 1923 and sadly closed its door in the 1980's.During its heyday,it was the home to thousands of young people who learned how to conduct services in the youth minyan,and feel at home in its gym.The Rav was a dynamic leader,and each shabbat another young YU student would get up at the end of services to deliver a sermonette on a relevant torah topic.The level of Torah scholarship that he taught was second to none.
Yet the inevitable population changes took place.Chabad become strong ,and the Black and Haitian Communities grew as our people ran to the suburbs, and our young people got married and took themselves where their careers carried them.
My only thought is to warn young communities, that what you have is not forever.You must reach out and attract young married couples.The role of the Rabbinate must not be forgotten.Considering I retired young,I am cognizant of the fact that many Rabbis do not wish to retire.In general that is not healthy.Not that they cannot continue to provide services ,however when a person is over 60-65, their thoughts are on retirement and the status quo.Excitement , the desire to expand and grow and provide vision for the next decade belongs to the young. Thus Assistant Rabbis must be considered for those tasks.
Thankfully new communities spring up such as Teaneck, Boca etc, however they must plan for the future now before they reach the top of the curve.

PRIORITIES

2009-06-25T22:32:00.004-04:00

America is a serious nation.Our people and leaders are not only sophisticated , but well educated on the issues.
Thus tonite for the last few hours ALL cable news shows have been discussing the most important news event of the cycle.
Not the N. Korean nuclear ship or the July 4 N. Korean rocket on Hawaii. Not Iran or the riots. Not even a settlement freeze.You might think its the Cap and Tax bill scheduled for a vote tomorrow.Perhaps an announcement that all 435 Members of Congress will read the 1200 page bill before voting,(FICTION)
No it is the deaths of Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.
We certainly know how to prioitize!
I rest my case.

STRENGTH? through weakness!

2009-06-25T21:24:00.002-04:00

Resume diplomatic relations with Syria-no mind that they control with Iran- Hezbollah. Or no mind that many terror groups reside in Damascus.Or that Syria was caught with a mini-nuclear plant in conjuction with N. Korea. or that the Harari murder is still outstanding. It is all part of the reach out to your enemies,and show your weakness.
First you apologize for every American ill,and then promise to squeeze Israel.You don't have to talk about democracy or human rights.Bush was for them, and anything he supported is wrong.
Next is Venezuela, that paragon of human dignity,as Pres-for-life Chavez does his best to screw our country.

I have agreed to speak in Rockland County in Sept on the topic "Were Jewish voters wrong about Obama?"
The Elliot Abrams article in todays WSJ is a must ead.Knowing Hillary she will deny it all.

Romney in '12 /What would Ronald Reagan have done.

2009-06-24T17:27:00.002-04:00

The way GOP big wigs are having trouble with the zippers on their trousers, and with the economy still in the tank,the list of real contenders for the next Presidential race is thinning out.While Palin can still bring excitement to a crowd,she has done little since Nov. to work on her foreign policy or for that matter domestic issues resume. No foreign trips, no position papers or comments on Iran, N. korea, Israel or anything.We have not heard her thoughts on the auto bailout etc. In addition her family leaves much to be desired vis a vis the symbols we look for in leadership families.
While it is still a long way to go,the one Republican who can talk the economy based on real business experience is Gov. Romney. Now that we have a quasi-Muslim President, the Mormon issue, will no longer be a factor.His family life and his positions on foreign policy will attract those on the US who voted for Obama, but now are drifting away based upon the feeling they were fooled by BIG LIBERALISM.Romney is handsome and telegenic.

Yesterday when asked why he hasn't been more aggressive on Iran,Obama answered that we don't know how it will end!
When Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall and said "Mr Gorbachev tear down this wall", he likewise did not know how his words would help bring about the destruction of the wall.
Obama does not care for the young people marching,in fact they are obstructing his grand vision to sit with the Ayatollah and charm him.
In that regard I urge you to read the editorial in the current Commentary magazine by John Podhoretz on the Obama plan to be "honest" with Israel- meaning a Palestinian State with 100% ISRAELI CON CESSIONS AND 0% PALESTINIAN CONCESSIONS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE HIS MASTER PLAN.

double standard-x2 / Sarkozy-Obama

2009-06-23T19:32:00.004-04:00

As we all know David Letterman made a disgusting "joke" about Sarah Palin's daughter.NOW and other feminist groups were silent.There is no question that had he made the same remarks regarding the Obama girls,he would be history.
Somehow the old girls network and left wing blogosphere is not there to protect conservatives.
David Letterman himself was living with a woman,and they had a baby-commonly known in our neck of the woods as a mamzer.Then after many years he decides to marry her.No jokes,no barbs no criticisms from the media elite.

Three cheers for French President Sarkozy who flatly said that the female Muslim head covering (Burqua) was not welcome in France.It is not he said a religious article,but a symbol of male dominance and seperation.This is exactly opposit of the Obama Cairo speech.
The President seemed annoyed and defensive when a reporter asked him if his tough rhetoric today on Iran was in response to Sens. McCain and Lindsey Graham's push.In essence the Pres. statements.were exactly taken from the 2 Senators speeches.

E.Jerusalem- JEWS KEEP OUT!

2009-06-22T21:52:00.003-04:00

The report that that the State Dept. announced that new Israeli building in E. Jerusalem is included in the Obama " freeze" adds another nail into the coffin of THE MYTH THAT OBAMA IS A FRIEND.
The Jewish Dems are sending e-mails trying to defuse the reality of the sad anti-Israel program that Obama and Hillary have undertaken.
Netanyahu has gone out of his way not to criticize OBAMA ON HIS PASSIVITY IN IRAN,HOWEVER THE FEELINGS and words ARE NOT RECIPROCAL.
Israel must continue to build in Maale Adumim,Efrat,Har Homa and all the E-1 ring.All of these areas are suburbs of Jerusalem.
What is most disturbing is that self hating left wing groups like Peace Now, are monitoring every govt. activity ,including line by line inspection of the budget that includes funding for some projects.
How can Jews do that to undermine the State and their fellow Jews?
Unfortunately we have no mechanism to punish such people, however as we say in the Talmud "yesh din, vyesh dayan" there is a higher power that will judge and apportion punishment.
The faster they build these projects the faster the attacks from the left and Obama will dissipate.
More than that-if the "freeze" that Bibi placed on new settlements is not met by some reciprocal PA moves,then that concession should be taken off the table, and new settlements begun .In fact no matter what concessions Israel makes, there will be no recognition of Israel by the Arab world

ISRAELIS-'OBAMA CONSIDERED PRO-ISRAEL BY ONLY 6%"

2009-06-21T18:26:00.003-04:00

It must have been a shock to Jewish Democrats to find out that the most reputable poll in Israel found that only 6% of Israelis believe that Obama is pro-Israel.Of course they have come up with excuses and alibis, but the facts are clear.
The WH took it seriously ,for it immediately issued a statement reinforcing the ties between our 2 countries.Even Sen. Harry Reid the Senate Majority Leader wrote a letter to the Pres. noting the undue and uneven pressure on Israel without asking anything from the Arabs.
Liberal Jewish Democrats can keep parotting the same party lin e, but one nite when they are alone with time to think,they will realize that OBAMA IS NO FRIEND!
THE PRESIDENT IS FIXATED ON HOW HE PERSONALLY CAN SWEET TALK THE WORLD,AND REFUSES TO BE BOTHERED BY THE FACTS.
Thus Iran, N. Korea the ME, are all items that he can solve if only people would not pressure him. Sadly (for Obama) the world goes on.N. Korea readies a rocket against Hawaii,people are dying in the streets of Tehran and Hamas imports rockets and refuses to recognize Israel. Obama is still preparing to negotiate-DON'T CONFUSE ME WITH THE FACTS"

Olive Garden / A thought / Jewish Press on Glanz

2009-06-18T16:47:00.005-04:00

kudos to the Olive Garden for cancelling their ads on Letterman.

A gentleman stopped me in the elevator and proclaimed:
If Israel were to disarm, the Arabs would march and slaughter the Jews.
If the Arabs were to disarm, we would have peace.

I picked up my copy of the Jewish Press,which they leave in our shul.Turning to page 58,I did a double take to make sure this was not the Purim edition.
In an article that portrays Rabbi Leib Glanz as a hero and tzaddik who does what every prison chaplain does,the author Rabbi Gershon TANNENEBAUM claims the NY PAPER THAT IS COVERING THIS CHILUL HASHEM "misunderstood and misrepresented the efforts of this orthodox Rabbi in providing for the religious needs of inmates."
How you can write this with a straight face and without admitting the outlandish and irregular conduct which will be investigated for criminal activity and already has caused high level resignations is beyond belief.He wants us to believe that the party was served "leftover or rejected institutional kosher meals" He misses the whole point,namely they are prisoners,who must follow rules that society has placed upon them
Are these people above the law,because their brand of chassidim have political power?
Certainly Tannenbaum deserves an award for his chutzpah-you name it!

A PATHETIC OBAMA FOREIGN POLICY and a word from J.C.

2009-06-17T14:35:00.004-04:00

I was going to write a larger piece regarding the foreign policy of Obama vis a vis Iran and N.Korea, however the editorial in todays WSJ pretty much summarizes the Iran part.(better than I could ever do)
The N.Korean part simply follows.However in truth this naive ands simplistic approach is not too much different than Bush. A lot of talk but no teeth in regard to these 2 regions.
The narcissistic approach to the world,is that sweet talk, overwhelming personality, a great speech in a glitzy sorrounding will cause the world to change as Angels hum ..HTH--hail to Obama)
Let's see- the end of nuclear weapons,close Gitmo,peace within 2 years in the ME, a stand-down by Iran on the nuclear issue,a nuclear free friendly N. Korea , and no outstanding issues with Russia.
AT THE SAME TIME, IGNORING REALITY HE WANTS TO REDUCE OUR DEFENSES IN THE US, and not proceed with our committments to E. Europe for missile defense.(No funds in the budget for these agreed upon projects)

Back to the Obama foreign policy look-a-like Jimmy Carter (I'm sure Obama appreciates his imput) who today recommended that the peace-loving Hamas be taken off the terrorist list!

BIBI GOT IT RIGHT /Carter cries!

2009-06-16T10:58:00.003-04:00

The more I think of it, the more brilliant does Bibi's speech appear to be.We know Mubarak asked Bibi to announce that negotations would continue from where they left off.
That is the problem.Israeli negotiators over the years negotiate in secret,make concessions and the Arabs ask-no demand for more concessions,and then walk away.They want to start the next round from where they left off-concessions in hand..There is no end point.Arabs believed they could get a Capital in Jerusalem and maybe 50 or 100,000 "refugees" into Israel.
Bibi explained the cause of a lack of peace.Failure to recognize Israel as a Jewish State.The Arabs want 2 States,the first all-Arab, the second a mixed State that eventually will become Muslim.
"You want us to recognize an Arab State-fine,then recognize us as a Jewish State.You want to live in peace,fine but you don't need an Army."
Remember they lost every war they started.Japan and Germany post-war were demilitarized. I saw on the internet,that 23 small nations including Iceland have no Army.
Every single statement of Bibi was on mark.
The Arabs were shocked because they thought that after Obama Bibi would fold.To the contrary he rose to the occasion, outlined a logical and well thought out plan.
He never mentioned the Saudi Plan a non-starter,but placed the onus on the Arab world to face reality.

The JP reports our friend Jimmy Carter held back tears when he saw the destruction in Gaza.No comment on a tour of the tunnels.While he decried bombs on Sderot (7000) the moral equivalency of Sderot-Gaza is nauseating.
I would say his visit to the home of Shaul Goldstein head of the settlers in Nve Daniel-right next to Efrat was encouraging.He told Shaul ,who is an old friend,that these types of settlements will stay forever-THANKS

Benny Begin M.K. / Reform Clergy

2009-06-15T13:15:00.005-04:00

One of the Israeli leaders that I have the most respect for is Benny Begin.He is not a politician,rather a very straight and honest academician.
In announc ing that he will not leave the government over Bibi's speech ( he is extremely anti-Palestinian State).he made one important observation.Namely that after a nunber of years a demilitarized State can and has the potential(will) to remilitarize.The end result would make it very difficult for Israel to invade,if the remilitariztion were done slowly.

At a moment when Israel needs unity and support from the diaspora,leave it to the Reform "Rabbinate" to join the ranks of tha attackers.
Yesterday in honor of the PM's talk these "chachamim" (wise ?) "religious " leaders proclaimed the settlements are the greatest obstacle for peace(including natural growth).
Let's remember,their history = anti-Zionist even after the State was formed.Their attachment to the traditions of our people include unkosher Yom Kipper balls in the early days.
It is not hard to fathom why their brand of "religion" has not caught on in Israel, and as Dr Lamm correctly pointed out,theirs is a group populated to a great extent by gentiles-far removed from the halachah.

PA RESPONSE

2009-06-14T15:14:00.003-04:00

Listening to Bibi's talk was difficult in that I really don't support a Palestinian State.However he crafted it in such a manner, that the Arabs will not waste even one moment of thought in attacking it, and guaranteeing there will never be a Palestinian State.
Indeed in the few hours since the talk,the vehemence of the PA is off the chart.
I guess they would have liked him to say:
"Yes Pres Obama, we will move 300,000 Jews back to the '48 border,
yes we will help you build barbed wire fences to divide Jerusalem,
yes we will accept 1 million Arabs into Israel so that they can show their love for the "Zionist Entity"
and we will invite the Hamas and all the Arab nations who over the years have tried to destroy Israel to send military units into the new State"
Sorry suicide is not the order of the day

THE IRANIAN EXPERIENCE

2009-06-14T09:27:00.003-04:00

Before the Iranian election,the press was portaying the possible election of Mousavi as a step toward liberalism.In fact every analyst knew that in the end no matter who won there would be a continuation of Iranian policy toward Hamas ,Hezbollah and nuclear proliferation.The difference wold be one of tone and abrasiveness.The ultimate policy comes from the religious leader.
In fact a number of sophisticated pro-Israel commentatorsa were rooting for Ahmadinejad,so as not to confuse the issues,and allow the Iranians additional time for nuclear development,as we waste time with negotiations.,
Surely today the Bibi talk will emphasize this existential threat to Israel.It is clear from the toothless UN resolution on N. Korea, that Obama has no stomach to protect the US from those monsters if it means military power-even at sea to interdict a boat.
No one in their right mind at this moment can believe he will lift a finger at Iran .Rather he will accept Iran as a nuclear power.With N. Korea looking to sell nuclear technology and plants,and with a nuclear Iran ,the race to supply terrorists,Syria Saudia Arabia ,Egypt and A WHOLE HOST OF OUR WORLDS GREATEST DEMOCRACIES will be underway.
Only tiny Israel will have the means and desire to stand up-but it will be dangerous,difficult and possibly costly.However preserving ones own nation mandates taking such sacrifices.The option of not doing so yields much worse results.

Again I have no inside information regarding the contents of the Bibi speech.However it is not so much whether he mentions the"2-state" words,but rather defining clearly what such an entity must be.Such a step must be at the END of a process that includes instituting the rule of law,the end of terror,the cessation of incitement and the acceptance of Israel as a Jewish State.Any Arab "refugees" would be free to return to that entity and not Israel.
Demilitarized-open skies for Israel,control by Israel of the borders,no division of Jerusalem,no Hamas State and immediate consequences for violations are all necessary fot the final negotiations.

Letterman/ A jailhouse Simcha

2009-06-12T15:13:00.003-04:00

Without rehashing the story. David Letterman is disgusting.CBS should punish him and his advertisors should remove themselves from his program.

The story in yesterdays Post regarding the bar-mitzvah and subsequent engagement party in the NYC Tombs is a real "chilul Hashem" a desecration of the name of the Almighty.Instead of hiding his head in shame for crimes committed, the father shamelessly catered these parties in an ostentatious manner.
Those responible, including the Rabbi and Imam etc should be fired and prosecuted,if found to have broken a law.
Similarly the story in todays Jewish Week of the Rabbi quoted as saying it is permissible to CHEAT ON YOUR TAXES, IF NOT CAUGHT,BRINGS GREAT SHAME TO OUR RELIGION.
REMEMBER- THE DEFINITION OF ORTHODOX IS NOT A BEARD,A BLACK HAT ETC, BUT HOW YOU CONDUCT YOURSELF PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY IN REGARD TO YOUR FELLOW MAN,AS WELL AS THE
LAWS OF THE RELIGION INVOLVING PRAYER,KASHRUTH ETC.

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Only Bibi knows what he will say on Sun day.The event at Bar Illan will surely highlight the Sadat mission to Israel (its in the Sadat-Begin Peace Center)
Will Bibi return to his old form, or stay strong ?Sadat was not mentioned by Obama!