An Oprn Letter to Rep Talib

 Dear Rep Talib,

I live in your district , I am part of the community of Jews living in Southfield Michigan that pray daily for the Scion of David to assume his throne and witness G-D’s presence return to Zion in the soon to be rebuilt Third Temple. 

It is either irony or cynicism that has brought this circumstance about. However, you correctly pointed out Free speech includes speech we disagree with even find vile odious and even somewhat threading . Yet your recent remarks regarding the removal Rep Omar from the Foreign Relations Committee are unacceptable. 

Madam Congressperson Rep Omar was removed not because of gender, race or faith she was removed for embracing hate, bigotry and prejudice! Please do not trot out the support you enjoy from self loathing Stockholm syndrome, infected Jews, who lack even a modicum of self-respect.

By embracing hate Rep Omar has failed her district ,state and country as whole. Remember the Republicans disciplined MTG for her outrageous comments . The Democrats instead appear to stand with Rep Omar and by which tacitly endorse Antisemitism. Support for Rep Omar by her Democratic Party colleagues render the round table addressing the ruse in Anti-Semitism chaired by the Second Gentleman into nothing more than a  Photo op. 

This is the failure, this is the shame ! I am looking forward to a day when I have representation in Congress once again 

Thank you 

Rabbi Bernard S Antin 

The Volunteers: Answering the Call of History

Passover, A Jewish Story

Yesterday April 12, 17 Nisan 5780 I saw "Saturday Night Seder" featuring Jason Alexander.

 Link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGRsH2Qti_Q&t=1s

  

 Fairness demands I disclose the stated purpose was to entertain those isolated at home because of the Stay at Home orders promulgated worldwide in response to the COVID19 virus pandemic. The program was a fundraiser for the CDC Foundation. For the most part the video had some outstanding musical numbers and other segments about the Exodus.

Unfortunately the participants including several "Rabbis'  offer insights that succeeded  in making the Exodus being only incidentally a Jewish story. Rather the Seder recalls the yearning of the oppressed for redemption, a slaves' hope for freedom, a call to fight for Social Justice etc....

True there are some universal values conveyed by the Seder and the Exodus as a paradigm for personal growth , hope and the like . The straw that really got to me was 

Harvey Fierstein's tirade against a literal reading of "Next Year in Jerusalem" deriding the thought of a Jewish return to its ancestral Capital. Mr. Fierstein would prefer Miami or Berlin. 

Although the organizers had a noble intention in mind but I was left as though my story and culture had been usurped and appropriated . The Exodus as depicted in the Haggadah  was fulfillment of prophecy made to Jewry's ancestor Abraham, The Exodus features miracles, signs and wonders forging a special relationship between G-D and the Bene Yisrael/ Jewry. Repeating the story is for internal use, to communicate the special relationship between Jewry and G-D. Indeed non-Jews pretty much could not participate in the Passover sacrifice. Recasting the Exodus story as universal erodes away its true message of G-D's intimate involvement in human affairs, exemplified by Jewry's Exodus from Egypt. 

Exchanging Jerusalem as Jewry's home  and to speak of home in vague terms thereby eviscerating the notion of Exile, Diaspora and redemption. Further what I found most irksome is how Mr. Fierstein came across sounding like the Haggadah's  Wicked son who excluded himself from the Exodus redemption.  Further one cannot help thinking Mr. Fierstein's grandfather or Great Grandfather who have called out Next Year in Jerusalem expressed the active yearning of generations to see Jewry restored to their land living under  the rule of the Mashiach , the Temple rebuilt and the world perfected. Not some generalized desire for a better world.        

KOTEL COMMENT

Dear Mr. President,
As a supporter the following has me greatly concerned


“Q    Wait, can I just get one more?  Something that General McMaster declined to answer on two occasions from behind that podium that's causing some unhappiness on the Hill, the refusal to say whether the Western Wall is in Israel or not.  Can you explain why you guys can't answer that question?

MR. SPICER:  The Western Wall is obviously one of the holiest sites in Jewish faith.  It’s clearly in Jerusalem.  But there’s been -- it’s an issues that's had serious consideration. It will be a topic that's going to be discussed during the President’s trip between the parties that he meets with.

But obviously I think this stems from a comment that was made yesterday and which was not the policy of the United States. And so I think just because -- so just to be clear about what was said yesterday.  “ (White Press Briefing May 16, 2017)


True, acknowledging the Western Wall, Kotel is located in Jerusalem and is a Jewish holy site is far more positive than many if not most governments’ policies on the matter. Mr. Spicer did somewhat disavow an earlier comment denying Israel’s sovereignty over Judaism’s holiest site in the Temple’s absence.


Had this word dance taken place during any other administration the statement denying the Kotel’s status would be hardly worth notice, same old, same old. However, in contrast to the overt animus for Prime Minister Netanyahu by President Obama and the on-going support for Anti –Israel/Anti Zionist/Anti Semitism by the Democratic Party, President Trump promised a new chapter.


Indeed UN Ambassador Haly said in an interview with CBN “The Western Wall is part of Israel and I think that is how we have always seen it and that is how we should pursue it,”  Although the Administration after taking office has evidently placed moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem on a back burner equivocation as to where the Kotel is located is as disappointing as it is unacceptable.

Those of us who supported you last year expect better from you Mr. President, do not disappoint us.
Wishing you and the United States the greatest success
Bernard S.Antin Esq.

Identity Crisis

The plan to build a new plaza at the Kotel to accommodate ceremonies and worship that do not conform with Jewish Law is emblematic of The State of Israel's on-going and seemingly endless identity crisis.

The problem lies in where the balance between Jewish and Democratic values. When the State looks at the Kotel, Cave of the Patriarchs, Rachel's Tomb etc... does it see a historic site or a religious/holy site?

As a historic site the Kotel should be available to all humanity and especially to all Jewry. However, as a religious site, a place for prayer for hundreds of years. The place to where Jewish Law mandates Jews face when at prayer it should comport with the requirements of Jewish law. Who should be tasked with setting Jewish Law observance standards within the State of Israel?  One would believe authority and administration would be coordinated under the Authority of the Chief Rabbinate. Yet this new prayer area is under the Prime Minister's office.

How then does this new area promote the interests of the non-Orthodox ? Those who so deeply long for gender mixed prayer at the Kotel believe the Temple is a memory, an anachronism,
best consigned to History. Further, these groups are dubious regarding notions such as Mashiach, Messiah, in gathering of exiles and building the Third Temple. Therefore, the desire for access to the place is rooted someplace deeper in Jewish psyche than logic.

That elusive beyond logic need to connect to the Kotel belies how fundamental and complex this issue is. An additional consideration is that connecting remains important. That in spite of strident denial and defiance of Jewish Law ancestral values remains even if actively suppressed.

Leading a double life reduces life's narrow bridge to a mere hairs' breath all but  ensures a fall.
It is time to be true to one's self and stand with a timeless  G-D connected people.

Be on Gaurd

The death of Ezra Schwartz HY'D exposes so much that compel our shaking off our complacency . While a Department of State spokesperson condemned the murders last Friday. However, it was today Tuesday November 24, 2015 when President Obama called Ezra's parents to offer condolences.
Five days of outrage over the Oval Office's apparent indifference.

Yet how was the story reported? Media showed Ezra during his gap year with his buddies wearing an IDF uniform. Unlikely Ezra was actually serving as opposed to an IDF sponsored army experience designed for students to "serve" or as a volunteer in a support non-combat role. Ezra was not a soldier nor and extremist. Yet, nearly every young Black man shot by police is shown in cap and gown despite these people having criminal records or were under the influence of drugs etc.... This image strongly implies Ezra was no innocent but a soldier. Ezra is no different than any  middle class kid inspired to join ISIS.

The insanity of so called Knife intifada is pronounced by the extreme youth of the stabbers. The choice of what is more heinous the random and extreme brutality expressed or the adults sending 13 and 14 year olds as combatants.

Even more so is the West's slow and equivocal  response. Facing evil cannot be with a smile or in search for common ground.  Evil most be destroyed. Tolerating evil places every one in danger.  Tolerating evil never works out well for Jews, never.

   

IF THERE WAS ANY DOUBT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2015/07/15/17-ridiculous-things-the-president-said-at-the-iran-news-conference/

Before anyone dismisses the linked article's observation. Today 7/16/2015 it was reported that the Secretary of Defense   was dispatched to Israel and Saudi Arabia to sell the Iran deal. It was reported further that the administration would be open to additional arms sales to Israel.

If the deal is so good and the danger is muted why would Israel want additional weapons? Is thee still danger? Or was this gesture an act of contempt, to patronize Israel  and trivialize its concerns.
Either way it is clear this administration is hostile to Israel and it is doubtful the President will ever be called Philo Semitic except by the cadre of sycophants who nourish the President's ego.

SCOTUS JERUSALEM, Anywhere but Israel

SCOTUS decided on Monday June 8,2015 that Congress' law giving Americans born in Israel's capital city , Jerusalem  the option to have their American Passport list birthplace as Jerusalem, Israel. The Court's majority believes Congress overreached by affecting Foreign Policy the sole province of the President. Although there were dissents The Court  6-3 felt otherwise.
It is remarkable that it would appear the majority included the three Jewish Justices. Certainly, no one wants any judge letting anything but the law inform or influence one's decision. However, anyone familiar with the Justice system knows that ideal situation simply does not exist. Judges are people too and bring who they are as well. So where  were the MOTs on the bench?

It is telling that to Justices Ginsberg, Breyer and Kagan the declaration "NEXT YEAR IN JERUSALEM" apparently has only ceremonial meaning. Why retreat from one's cultural background particularly when  other Justices could have seen their way clear to uphold Congress' law and defend the honor of Jerusalem . It would be far too easy to say these Justices are more dedicated to siding with liberalism than with Judaism. An accusation temping as it maybe is still misplaced.
 
Or the even more disturbing thought is that if any Jewish Justice sided with Jerusalem being in Israel they would be fodder for Anti-Semites casting all Jews in government as being not fully American. This is 2015 not 1945 what a lesson in exile is exile even in the Goldeneh Medina

 A link to the article.
https://us.lrd.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X1MDBGFjdANtYWlsX2NiBGFuA29wZW5MaW5rBGNoA2VtYWlsBGN0AwRldANtdGYEZ2QDQmVybmFyZEVzcUBnbWFpbC5jb20EaW50bANmYWxzZQRsYW5nAwRsdHh0A1N1cHJlbWUEbW8DMARwa2cDBHBsYXRmb3JtA1lIT08tVU5QBHBvcwMxBHNlYwNtb2Qtc2gtbWFpbARzbGsDdGl0bGUEdGFyA25ld3MueWFob28uY29tBHRlc3QDBHRwA3RlbXBsYXRlLm10Zi5lbWFpbC5tYWlsX3RvX2ZyaWVuZF9nc192MTgEdHMDMA--/932419839105592103/SIG=1523o4tgc/**http%3A%2F%2Fnews.yahoo.com%2Fcourt-strikes-down-born-jerusalem-passport-law-140857993--politics.html%3Fsoc_src%3Dmediacontentsharebuttons%26amp%3Bsoc_trk%3Dma

JERUSALEM IS ISRAEL ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUES.

Recently, oral argument was heard in the United States Supreme Court concerning the fight of American citizens born in Jerusalem to have "Place of Birth" line on one's passport read Jerusalem, Israel. Federal legislation specifically authorize this. However, The State Department as a matter of policy refuses to follow this statute. The case has made it before the US Supreme Court.

It should be pointed out that the three branches of Government the executive, legislative and judicial. They are understood as being co-equal each which specific powers that do not overlap. Foreign Relations belong to the Executive branch exclusively and it is not Congress' place to dictate to the State Department how o do its job. so there is a legitimate separation of powers question for the Court to decide. However, what is outrageous is the assertion made by attorneys for the Administration through the Solicitor General's office that Israel has no more right to Jerusalem than Russia does to Crimea.

The cultural ignorance and insensitivity behind such arguments border on the Anti-Semitic. Jerusalem is where Jews face at prayer. During the week Jews pray for the return of the exiles to Israel and rebuilding of Jerusalem three times daily. The Passover Seder and Yom Kippur services conclude with the declaration "NEXT YEAR N JERUSALEM".

Though a secular and ethnically diverse society the modern state of Israel asserts its historic antecedents the Kings of Davidic Dynasty. The establishment of the State of Israel was widely heralded as the Return to Zion. Although ridiculed as racist the Law of Return mistakenly seen as unfair to Arabs displaced in 1948 seeking to return to pre-1948 residences misses the cultural aspect of the law.

The Law of Return canonizes  the cultural norm of Israel as homeland. The notion of Jewry's connection to the land of Israel and Jerusalem only eroded in the aftermath of Jewry's trending away from tradition during the 19th century. Even so a proposed Jewish state in Uganda or a  the Soviet Jewish republic of Birobidzhan went  for all intents and purposes, nowhere.

It is quite serious that the Administration actually believes an argument denying  a fundamental aspect of Jewish identity, shame on them.  And if Israel has no right to Jerusalem then where do Jews have a right to belong? 

MURDER IS NOT AN EXCUSE NOR WILL IT EXCUSE

It is becoming clear that the Arab boy who was murdered was killed by Jews. Part of me wishes to minimize this outrage, that the murder of the three Jewish teens overshadows this boy's death. However, murder is a crime that must be prosecuted to the extent of the law. Yet, there are some distinctions there is a difference between an act done by individuals contrary to society's educational infrastructure and its other institutions. Those who kidnapped the three boys were at best the product of a generation feed hate along with their mothers' milk, a culture encouraging violence against Jews that reaches within every echelon of Arab society in Judea, Samaria or Gaza. No one in the Israel's Jewish community is celebrating this young person's death unlike the three finger salute or passing out candies in celebration. Remarkably a murder denounced by the Israeli government within a short time suspects were arrested and face arraignment the system is working yet the Arabs respond with massive rocket barrages including desecration of Joseph's Tomb. Sorry, the death of the Arab teen is not justifies nor does this murder justify the Arab response. The murder of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali must be responded to not out of revenge. Revenge is exclusively G-D's department but there must serve as a deterrencee to discourage anyone from harming another Jew.