Thursday, March 14, 2013
Rabbi Cohen's report on AIPAC conference
Learn about Rabbi Cohen's recent trip to the AIPAC conference and how he believes it is important to attend.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Why and How AIPAC Makes a Difference
Why and How AIPAC Makes a Difference:
By Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
March 10, 2012
The Book of Esther, which we have all just read, is unique in the Bible in that it addresses the perils, the pitfalls and the political intrigue that affect the Jewish people in exile where things are not in their control and where we are dependent on the halls of power to keep us safe. Yoram Hazony has written a book about this subject, entitled: "The Dawn". It is worth everyone's reading in order to understand what the Haman experience was really all about.
In a very real sense, AIPAC addresses the same issue that is presented in the Book of Esther. What can we do to assure that the government of the United States of America will stand by Israel to make her safe and to make the Jewish people safe in a dangerous world which is beyond our control? Seventy-five years ago in 1938 when the Holocaust began in earnest, there was no AIPAC. Jews actually had a very strong presence in the Roosevelt Administration. The President's inner circle of advisers included Felix Frankfurter, Bernard M. Baruch and Henry Morganthau, Jr. Among his most trusted aides and associates were Benjamin V. Cohen, Sidney Hillman, Herbert H. Lehman, David K. Niles and Samuel Rosenman. The Chairmen of the three major committees in Congress concerned with rescue and refugees were Jewish: Representatives Sol Bloom, Samuel Dickstein and Emanuel Celler.
The times were, of course, very different, but one of the major differences between then and now is that, then, there was nothing like AIPAC, a powerful organization that could bring 13,000 Jews and non-Jews to Washington for three days to urge the government of the United States to stand with Israel because of our shared vision and shared values. AIPAC is an organization that is prepared to speak truth to power. That did not exist seventy-five years ago.
As we members of the KJ and Ramaz delegation participated in this powerful conference, many of us thought to ourselves: ומי יודע אם לעת כזאת הגעת למלכות
"Who knows but that we have not come here except for the responsibility to make our voices heard in the halls of power in the United States?"
But what should our voices address? In the first place, they should address the Arab Spring which began fifteen months ago, when a Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire and set off a conflagration that has spread over the entire Middle East.
Egypt, along with a few other countries, has been taken over by Islamists bent on Israel's destruction. Syria is in the throes of a deadly revolution at the conclusion of which its President will probably be ousted and only God knows who will take his place. Jordan has, so far, been resistant to the Arab Spring but no one knows what tomorrow will bring in that country.
Israel is an innocent by-stander to all of this, hopeful that the Spring will bring true democracy but fearful that, at least, in its beginning stages, the democratic tide will bring to power forces that are inimical to the Jewish State.
As Howard Kohr, Executive Vice President of AIPAC, put it: the only thing certain in the Middle East is uncertainty.
At such a time, Israel, however strong she may be, must also rely on the strength of its strongest - and sometimes only - ally in the world: the United States. How will the President react? We really don't know. What we do know is that today Congress is the key and AIPAC's work is to cultivate strong support in the Senate and in the House, a Senate and House which will undergo a fifty percent turn-over in lawmakers in the election years of 2008, 2010 and 2012.
The first concern of our voices, therefore, is the Arab Spring and its consequences for Israel.
The second subject which our voices must address is, actually, the most important subject right now: Iran. Before I went to Washington, I was deeply troubled by the tension between Israel's need to respond to an emerging Iranian nuclear threat and the terrible consequences that could ensue from a military response should all else fail. That is the talk in the US media today.
After listening to political leaders from the right and left, Jews and non-Jews, and, of course, after listening to the Prime Minister of Israel, I am convinced that Israel is not the problem. The problem is a nuclear Iran. The question is not what Israel will do and what will be the consequences in rising gas prices, in closing the Straits of Hormuz and in potentially dragging America into a war that Americans do not want. The problem is what a nuclear Iran will mean, not just for Israel, but for the world. The problem is not what Israel will do but what will Iran do. Will it stop its effort to attain nuclear capability or will it follow the course it has followed for the last twenty years and move with the greatest speed toward realizing that capability.
The most reassuring development in the past few weeks was President Obama's statement at AIPAC that containment of a nuclear Iran is not an option; only stopping Iran from going nuclear is an option. That was actually the theme of the Conference and it was gratifying to hear the President of the United States express it. Iran is the most dangerous regime in the world and, as Bibi put it, you cannot allow the world's most dangerous regime to obtain the world's most dangerous weapon.
Everyone talks about the cost of stopping Iran. The Prime Minister said it is time to talk about the cost of not stopping Iran. What would that cost be? It would provide an umbrella for terrorists who could operate under the protection of a nuclear Iran. It would allow Iran to close the Straits of Hormuz under the threat of using a nuclear weapon. It would create a nuclear arms race in the Middle East with disastrous consequences in the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It would enable nuclear terrorism by placing devices on a ship or on a truck. It would embolden Hamas and Hezbollah which could operate under an Iranian nuclear umbrella. All of this is the cost of allowing the world's most dangerous regime to obtain the world's most dangerous weapon. Containing a nuclear Iran is almost an absurdity. As far as Israel is concerned, the Prime Minister said it very clearly, "I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation."
Without a nuclear weapon, Iran has dramatically supported Hamas and Hezbollah in the placement of thousands of missiles pointed at every corner of Israel. Without a nuclear weapon, Iran has bolstered Syria which is its main ally, a murderous regime. Without a nuclear weapon, Iran has threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz. Without a nuclear weapon, Iran tried to assassinate a Saudi diplomat on American soil. Iran is the most dangerous nation in the world without nuclear capability, "imagine, said Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky, how dangerous it would be with a nuclear capability. This is not a Jewish problem, nor an Israeli problem. This is a world problem.
Crippling sanctions are good. Preventing the use of Swift and Company in Belgium, which is the vehicle for transferring funds to and from Iran, is essential. Diplomacy is critical. But none of this has stopped Iran as yet. There must be a credible threat on the part of The United States to use force. Only such a threat which has to be credible, has a chance of stopping Iran from reaching the point of nuclear capability.
All of this brings me to the reason for this morning's address. It is not to give you information or to make a political statement. It is to state as clearly as I can that every one of us should plan to go to next year's AIPAC Conference, which will be held Sunday through Tuesday, March 3 - 5. Think to yourselves: do you really believe that President Obama would have made a clear statement that "containment of Iran is not an option" unless he was speaking to 13,000 attendees at an AIPAC Conference? Do you believe that Senator McConnell and Representative Nancy Pelosi would have made powerful statements in support of Israel and, in McConnell's case, would have laid out a program for when US military force will be used, without their appearing before 13,000 attendees at the AIPAC gala? This conference is an answer to the question I posed in the title of my book, "Were We Our Brothers' Keepers": The Public Response of American Jews to the Holocaust 1938-1944. The answer to that question was "no". The right answer for today is provided by AIPAC - not J Street and not the Occupy AIPAC protesters who assembled across the street from the Convention Center in Washington. The answer to "are we our brothers' keepers" is provided by AIPAC; and every one of us who was there was giving the right answer to that question.
Seven years ago, Howard Kohr, the Executive Director of AIPAC sat with twenty rabbis at the AIPAC Conference planning for a representation of synagogues at AIPAC. This past Monday, there were four-hundred rabbis and cantors at a special luncheon at AIPAC reflecting the tremendous influence of synagogue attendees at the AIPAC Conference. One-hundred came from the Young Israel of Scarsdale, a congregation which has about four hundred and fifty member families. KJ and Ramaz had over one-hundred and fifty people but we have over a thousand member families in KJ and Ramaz has close to eleven hundred students. We should have over two-hundred-and-fifty representatives at the AIPAC Conference and maybe we should have five-hundred. Audrey and I have already registered for next year because we feel that there is nothing we can do as Jews who love Israel and who understand Israel's importance to the Jewish people that is more important than attending the AIPAC Conference. Contributions are wonderful; pulpit speeches are sometimes wonderful; but just as our presence in the Solidarity Sunday marches for Soviet Jewry was essential in the 1970's and 80's, so is the presence of every one of us in Washington for the AIPAC Conference.
Prime Minister Netanyahu ended his address by telling the story about the effort of American Jews to get the United States to bomb Auschwitz in the Spring of 1944 when we knew that 10,000 Jews were being murdered every day in that Hell on earth. The answer that came back from Washington was that such a bombing would not be effective; it would divert planes from more important bombing missions and - get this - it might provoke worse action by Germany. Think about it as you read in the media about how if Israel attacks Iran, it will result in terrible consequences. The real answer to that charge is: if no one stops Iran, the consequences will be much more horrific. And only AIPAC is giving that answer.
Thank God, 2012 is not 1944. We live in a world with two major differences from that time. The first difference is that Israel can and will defend itself. The second difference is that we have an organization like AIPAC that galvanizes the efforts of thousands of Americans to encourage the United States to support the State of Israel.
That, dear friends, is not a responsibility of only one-hundred-and-fifty from KJ and Ramaz. That is the responsibility of every serious, feeling and passionate Jew in the KJ/Ramaz family who loves the Jewish people and who loves the State of Israel. That is why all of you should join with us at the next AIPAC Conference, March 3 - 5, 2013.
L'hitraot!
Addendum: In order to encourage parents to bring their children to next year's AIPAC Conference, I am going to ask the Ramaz Administration to declare Monday-Wednesday, March 4 - 6, 2013, homework free days, that no assignments be due on those days, and that no tests or quizzes be scheduled for the entire week of March 4 - 8. We must have our priorities straight and we must demonstrate our priorities clearly for students and parents to see. We must, quite literally, walk the walk!
Please accept my best wishes for a Chag kasher v'sameach.
Haskel Lookstein
By Rabbi Haskel Lookstein
March 10, 2012
The Book of Esther, which we have all just read, is unique in the Bible in that it addresses the perils, the pitfalls and the political intrigue that affect the Jewish people in exile where things are not in their control and where we are dependent on the halls of power to keep us safe. Yoram Hazony has written a book about this subject, entitled: "The Dawn". It is worth everyone's reading in order to understand what the Haman experience was really all about.
In a very real sense, AIPAC addresses the same issue that is presented in the Book of Esther. What can we do to assure that the government of the United States of America will stand by Israel to make her safe and to make the Jewish people safe in a dangerous world which is beyond our control? Seventy-five years ago in 1938 when the Holocaust began in earnest, there was no AIPAC. Jews actually had a very strong presence in the Roosevelt Administration. The President's inner circle of advisers included Felix Frankfurter, Bernard M. Baruch and Henry Morganthau, Jr. Among his most trusted aides and associates were Benjamin V. Cohen, Sidney Hillman, Herbert H. Lehman, David K. Niles and Samuel Rosenman. The Chairmen of the three major committees in Congress concerned with rescue and refugees were Jewish: Representatives Sol Bloom, Samuel Dickstein and Emanuel Celler.
The times were, of course, very different, but one of the major differences between then and now is that, then, there was nothing like AIPAC, a powerful organization that could bring 13,000 Jews and non-Jews to Washington for three days to urge the government of the United States to stand with Israel because of our shared vision and shared values. AIPAC is an organization that is prepared to speak truth to power. That did not exist seventy-five years ago.
As we members of the KJ and Ramaz delegation participated in this powerful conference, many of us thought to ourselves: ומי יודע אם לעת כזאת הגעת למלכות
"Who knows but that we have not come here except for the responsibility to make our voices heard in the halls of power in the United States?"
But what should our voices address? In the first place, they should address the Arab Spring which began fifteen months ago, when a Tunisian street vendor set himself on fire and set off a conflagration that has spread over the entire Middle East.
Egypt, along with a few other countries, has been taken over by Islamists bent on Israel's destruction. Syria is in the throes of a deadly revolution at the conclusion of which its President will probably be ousted and only God knows who will take his place. Jordan has, so far, been resistant to the Arab Spring but no one knows what tomorrow will bring in that country.
Israel is an innocent by-stander to all of this, hopeful that the Spring will bring true democracy but fearful that, at least, in its beginning stages, the democratic tide will bring to power forces that are inimical to the Jewish State.
As Howard Kohr, Executive Vice President of AIPAC, put it: the only thing certain in the Middle East is uncertainty.
At such a time, Israel, however strong she may be, must also rely on the strength of its strongest - and sometimes only - ally in the world: the United States. How will the President react? We really don't know. What we do know is that today Congress is the key and AIPAC's work is to cultivate strong support in the Senate and in the House, a Senate and House which will undergo a fifty percent turn-over in lawmakers in the election years of 2008, 2010 and 2012.
The first concern of our voices, therefore, is the Arab Spring and its consequences for Israel.
The second subject which our voices must address is, actually, the most important subject right now: Iran. Before I went to Washington, I was deeply troubled by the tension between Israel's need to respond to an emerging Iranian nuclear threat and the terrible consequences that could ensue from a military response should all else fail. That is the talk in the US media today.
After listening to political leaders from the right and left, Jews and non-Jews, and, of course, after listening to the Prime Minister of Israel, I am convinced that Israel is not the problem. The problem is a nuclear Iran. The question is not what Israel will do and what will be the consequences in rising gas prices, in closing the Straits of Hormuz and in potentially dragging America into a war that Americans do not want. The problem is what a nuclear Iran will mean, not just for Israel, but for the world. The problem is not what Israel will do but what will Iran do. Will it stop its effort to attain nuclear capability or will it follow the course it has followed for the last twenty years and move with the greatest speed toward realizing that capability.
The most reassuring development in the past few weeks was President Obama's statement at AIPAC that containment of a nuclear Iran is not an option; only stopping Iran from going nuclear is an option. That was actually the theme of the Conference and it was gratifying to hear the President of the United States express it. Iran is the most dangerous regime in the world and, as Bibi put it, you cannot allow the world's most dangerous regime to obtain the world's most dangerous weapon.
Everyone talks about the cost of stopping Iran. The Prime Minister said it is time to talk about the cost of not stopping Iran. What would that cost be? It would provide an umbrella for terrorists who could operate under the protection of a nuclear Iran. It would allow Iran to close the Straits of Hormuz under the threat of using a nuclear weapon. It would create a nuclear arms race in the Middle East with disastrous consequences in the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It would enable nuclear terrorism by placing devices on a ship or on a truck. It would embolden Hamas and Hezbollah which could operate under an Iranian nuclear umbrella. All of this is the cost of allowing the world's most dangerous regime to obtain the world's most dangerous weapon. Containing a nuclear Iran is almost an absurdity. As far as Israel is concerned, the Prime Minister said it very clearly, "I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation."
Without a nuclear weapon, Iran has dramatically supported Hamas and Hezbollah in the placement of thousands of missiles pointed at every corner of Israel. Without a nuclear weapon, Iran has bolstered Syria which is its main ally, a murderous regime. Without a nuclear weapon, Iran has threatened to close the Straits of Hormuz. Without a nuclear weapon, Iran tried to assassinate a Saudi diplomat on American soil. Iran is the most dangerous nation in the world without nuclear capability, "imagine, said Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican from Kentucky, how dangerous it would be with a nuclear capability. This is not a Jewish problem, nor an Israeli problem. This is a world problem.
Crippling sanctions are good. Preventing the use of Swift and Company in Belgium, which is the vehicle for transferring funds to and from Iran, is essential. Diplomacy is critical. But none of this has stopped Iran as yet. There must be a credible threat on the part of The United States to use force. Only such a threat which has to be credible, has a chance of stopping Iran from reaching the point of nuclear capability.
All of this brings me to the reason for this morning's address. It is not to give you information or to make a political statement. It is to state as clearly as I can that every one of us should plan to go to next year's AIPAC Conference, which will be held Sunday through Tuesday, March 3 - 5. Think to yourselves: do you really believe that President Obama would have made a clear statement that "containment of Iran is not an option" unless he was speaking to 13,000 attendees at an AIPAC Conference? Do you believe that Senator McConnell and Representative Nancy Pelosi would have made powerful statements in support of Israel and, in McConnell's case, would have laid out a program for when US military force will be used, without their appearing before 13,000 attendees at the AIPAC gala? This conference is an answer to the question I posed in the title of my book, "Were We Our Brothers' Keepers": The Public Response of American Jews to the Holocaust 1938-1944. The answer to that question was "no". The right answer for today is provided by AIPAC - not J Street and not the Occupy AIPAC protesters who assembled across the street from the Convention Center in Washington. The answer to "are we our brothers' keepers" is provided by AIPAC; and every one of us who was there was giving the right answer to that question.
Seven years ago, Howard Kohr, the Executive Director of AIPAC sat with twenty rabbis at the AIPAC Conference planning for a representation of synagogues at AIPAC. This past Monday, there were four-hundred rabbis and cantors at a special luncheon at AIPAC reflecting the tremendous influence of synagogue attendees at the AIPAC Conference. One-hundred came from the Young Israel of Scarsdale, a congregation which has about four hundred and fifty member families. KJ and Ramaz had over one-hundred and fifty people but we have over a thousand member families in KJ and Ramaz has close to eleven hundred students. We should have over two-hundred-and-fifty representatives at the AIPAC Conference and maybe we should have five-hundred. Audrey and I have already registered for next year because we feel that there is nothing we can do as Jews who love Israel and who understand Israel's importance to the Jewish people that is more important than attending the AIPAC Conference. Contributions are wonderful; pulpit speeches are sometimes wonderful; but just as our presence in the Solidarity Sunday marches for Soviet Jewry was essential in the 1970's and 80's, so is the presence of every one of us in Washington for the AIPAC Conference.
Prime Minister Netanyahu ended his address by telling the story about the effort of American Jews to get the United States to bomb Auschwitz in the Spring of 1944 when we knew that 10,000 Jews were being murdered every day in that Hell on earth. The answer that came back from Washington was that such a bombing would not be effective; it would divert planes from more important bombing missions and - get this - it might provoke worse action by Germany. Think about it as you read in the media about how if Israel attacks Iran, it will result in terrible consequences. The real answer to that charge is: if no one stops Iran, the consequences will be much more horrific. And only AIPAC is giving that answer.
Thank God, 2012 is not 1944. We live in a world with two major differences from that time. The first difference is that Israel can and will defend itself. The second difference is that we have an organization like AIPAC that galvanizes the efforts of thousands of Americans to encourage the United States to support the State of Israel.
That, dear friends, is not a responsibility of only one-hundred-and-fifty from KJ and Ramaz. That is the responsibility of every serious, feeling and passionate Jew in the KJ/Ramaz family who loves the Jewish people and who loves the State of Israel. That is why all of you should join with us at the next AIPAC Conference, March 3 - 5, 2013.
L'hitraot!
Addendum: In order to encourage parents to bring their children to next year's AIPAC Conference, I am going to ask the Ramaz Administration to declare Monday-Wednesday, March 4 - 6, 2013, homework free days, that no assignments be due on those days, and that no tests or quizzes be scheduled for the entire week of March 4 - 8. We must have our priorities straight and we must demonstrate our priorities clearly for students and parents to see. We must, quite literally, walk the walk!
Please accept my best wishes for a Chag kasher v'sameach.
Haskel Lookstein
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Take Action
Call
(202) 224-3121
Senate and House
members can be
reached through the
Capitol switchboard
E-mail
your Senator
E-mail
your Representative
Find
your Member of Congress
Info/Questions
Contact Rachel Levin
(202) 639-5203
rlevin@aipac.org Urge Members of Congress to Cosponsor Resolutions Calling for the Prevention of a Nuclear-Capable Iran
Call members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor resolutions affirming that it is a vital interest of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. The resolutions call for all options to remain on the table with the exception of containing a nuclear armed Iran.
The Senate resolution (S. Res. 380) was introduced by Sens. Robert Casey (D-PA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT). The House resolution (H. Res. 568) was introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Ranking Member Howard Berman (D-CA).
These resolutions do not authorize the use of force against Iran, nor do they foreclose negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Earlier this month, Senators Casey, Graham and Lieberman authored an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal addressing these important points and making the case for why this resolution is necessary. Click here to view the op-ed.
Click here to view S. Res. 380
View Senators who have not yet cosponsored
Click here to view H. Res. 568
View House members who have not yet cosponsored
Senate sample phone script:
"I am calling to ask the Senator to cosponsor S. Res. 380, affirming that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat to the global community and represent an existential threat to Israel, our ally in the region. I strongly urge the Senator to cosponsor this important resolution."
House sample phone script:
"I am calling to ask the Representative to cosponsor H. Res. 568, affirming that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat to the global community and represent an existential threat to Israel, our ally in the region. I strongly urge the Representative to cosponsor this important resolution."
Talking Points
President Obama has stated that it is U.S. policy to prevent, not contain, an Iran with nuclear weapons. The leading republican candidates have also stated that prevention, and not containment, should be U.S. policy.
Iran has nearly achieved a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran continues to defy all international demands that it suspend nuclear enrichment and return to the negotiating table.
The February IAEA report confirming that Iran is speeding up its production of enriched uranium is a stark reminder that the time for prevention is fast running out.
If Iran achieves the status of a “threshold” nuclear state, it will enjoy virtually the same benefits as if it actually possessed nuclear weapons. This status also would embolden Iran’s regional allies like Hizballah and Hamas.
An Iranian nuclear weapons capability would likely spur a nuclear arms race in the region and beyond. Several Arab states have already indicated they would respond by developing such a capability for themselves.
A nuclear-capable Iran also would enjoy increased leverage on oil prices within OPEC.
The United States must focus on prevention while there is still time, and must make it clear that Iran will not be permitted to achieve a nuclear weapons capability.
To achieve that result, all options must be on the table except reliance on containment of a nuclear Iran.
Containment fails as a policy now because it cedes Iran nuclear weapons. And even if it were possible to deter Iran from using nuclear weapons, there would still be nuclear proliferation, greatly enhanced prospects for nuclear terror, expanded Iranian influence over the price of oil, and emboldened activity in the region by Iran and its proxies.
The House and Senate resolutions do not authorize the use of force against Iran, nor do they foreclose negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
(202) 224-3121
Senate and House
members can be
reached through the
Capitol switchboard
your Senator
your Representative
Find
your Member of Congress
Info/Questions
Contact Rachel Levin
(202) 639-5203
rlevin@aipac.org Urge Members of Congress to Cosponsor Resolutions Calling for the Prevention of a Nuclear-Capable Iran
Call members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor resolutions affirming that it is a vital interest of the United States to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. The resolutions call for all options to remain on the table with the exception of containing a nuclear armed Iran.
The Senate resolution (S. Res. 380) was introduced by Sens. Robert Casey (D-PA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT). The House resolution (H. Res. 568) was introduced by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Ranking Member Howard Berman (D-CA).
These resolutions do not authorize the use of force against Iran, nor do they foreclose negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Earlier this month, Senators Casey, Graham and Lieberman authored an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal addressing these important points and making the case for why this resolution is necessary. Click here to view the op-ed.
Click here to view S. Res. 380
View Senators who have not yet cosponsored
Click here to view H. Res. 568
View House members who have not yet cosponsored
Senate sample phone script:
"I am calling to ask the Senator to cosponsor S. Res. 380, affirming that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat to the global community and represent an existential threat to Israel, our ally in the region. I strongly urge the Senator to cosponsor this important resolution."
House sample phone script:
"I am calling to ask the Representative to cosponsor H. Res. 568, affirming that it is U.S. policy to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. A nuclear-armed Iran would pose a threat to the global community and represent an existential threat to Israel, our ally in the region. I strongly urge the Representative to cosponsor this important resolution."
Talking Points
President Obama has stated that it is U.S. policy to prevent, not contain, an Iran with nuclear weapons. The leading republican candidates have also stated that prevention, and not containment, should be U.S. policy.
Iran has nearly achieved a nuclear weapons capability. Tehran continues to defy all international demands that it suspend nuclear enrichment and return to the negotiating table.
The February IAEA report confirming that Iran is speeding up its production of enriched uranium is a stark reminder that the time for prevention is fast running out.
If Iran achieves the status of a “threshold” nuclear state, it will enjoy virtually the same benefits as if it actually possessed nuclear weapons. This status also would embolden Iran’s regional allies like Hizballah and Hamas.
An Iranian nuclear weapons capability would likely spur a nuclear arms race in the region and beyond. Several Arab states have already indicated they would respond by developing such a capability for themselves.
A nuclear-capable Iran also would enjoy increased leverage on oil prices within OPEC.
The United States must focus on prevention while there is still time, and must make it clear that Iran will not be permitted to achieve a nuclear weapons capability.
To achieve that result, all options must be on the table except reliance on containment of a nuclear Iran.
Containment fails as a policy now because it cedes Iran nuclear weapons. And even if it were possible to deter Iran from using nuclear weapons, there would still be nuclear proliferation, greatly enhanced prospects for nuclear terror, expanded Iranian influence over the price of oil, and emboldened activity in the region by Iran and its proxies.
The House and Senate resolutions do not authorize the use of force against Iran, nor do they foreclose negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
AIPAC PUBLIC MEETING
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO AN AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (AIPAC) BRIEFING
Israel Under Siege: The Changing Realities of the Middle East and Their Impact on Israel's Safety and Security :Featuring
Yudi Gross
AIPAC Northeast Regional Synagogue Initiative Director
Joined by Elana Lichtenstein
AIPAC Southern Connecticut Area Director
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
7:00 PM Doors Open
7:30 PM Event Starts
Congregation Agudath Sholom
301 Strawberry Hill Ave.
Stamford, CT
About Our Speaker
Yudi Gross is AIPAC's Northeast Regional Synagogue Initiative Director. In this role, Yudi works with synagogues throughout the Northeast providing them with the tools and resources needed to promote a deeper understanding of the
U.S. -Israel relationship.
Yudi has worked on numerous political campaigns including a presidential campaign in 2008 and managing a congressional race in 2010. Yudi served as the political director for Teach NYS and the Real Estate Board of New York. He has a master's degree from Hofstra University.
Israel Under Siege: The Changing Realities of the Middle East and Their Impact on Israel's Safety and Security :Featuring
Yudi Gross
AIPAC Northeast Regional Synagogue Initiative Director
Joined by Elana Lichtenstein
AIPAC Southern Connecticut Area Director
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012
7:00 PM Doors Open
7:30 PM Event Starts
Congregation Agudath Sholom
301 Strawberry Hill Ave.
Stamford, CT
About Our Speaker
Yudi Gross is AIPAC's Northeast Regional Synagogue Initiative Director. In this role, Yudi works with synagogues throughout the Northeast providing them with the tools and resources needed to promote a deeper understanding of the
U.S. -Israel relationship.
Yudi has worked on numerous political campaigns including a presidential campaign in 2008 and managing a congressional race in 2010. Yudi served as the political director for Teach NYS and the Real Estate Board of New York. He has a master's degree from Hofstra University.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Ottawa Protocal on Israel
A little light in the darkness.
Canada becomes first country to sign the Ottawa Protocol
See: http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/department/media/releases/2011/2011-09-19.asp
Ottawa Protocol text at: http://www.antisem.org/archive/Ottawa-protocol-on-combating-antisemitism/
Canada Gets Tough on Anti-Semitism
The government of Canada took an historic step
Yesterday by signing the Ottawa Protocol to Combat
Anti-Semitism. By doing so, it recognized anti-Semitism as a
Pernicious evil and a global threat against the Jewish
People, the State of Israel and free, democratic countries
Everywhere. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper has noted,
"Those who would hate and destroy the Jewish people would
Ultimately hate and destroy the rest of us as
Well."
The protocol is a declaration that hatred of
This nature will not be tolerated in this country. It sets
Out an action plan for supporting initiatives that combat
Anti-Semitism and provides a framework for other nations to
Follow.
It also sets out a vibrant definition of
Anti-Semitism which, for the first time in history, links
Anti-Semitism to the denial of the right Jewish people have
To their ancestral home land -- the State of Israel. This,
In fact, is what sets post-World War Two anti-Semitism apart
From its historic roots. Today's anti-Semitism is all about
Denial: denial of the legitimacy of Zionism as a Jewish
Movement to reclaim the land of Israel; denial of a Jewish
History in connection to the holy land and, in particular,
The centrality of Jerusalem to the Jewish people; denial of
The Holocaust (while at the same time accusing Jews of
Nazism); and denial of Jews to live free of anti-Semitism,
Hate and intolerance.
In announcing the Protocols,
Foreign Minister John Baird has expressed his government's
Unequivocal support for the State of Israel. In referring to
This week's turmoil at the United Nations and the
Palestinian threat to unilaterally declare a state, Baird
Said, "Canada will not stand behind Israel at the United
Nations, we will stand right beside it. It is never a bad
Thing to do the right thing."
According to Baird,
More and more countries are refusing to participate in the
UN conference dubbed "Durban III" -- otherwise known as an
Anti-Semitic hate fest which began as a human rights forum
In South Africa in 2001; the forum ultimately degenerated
Into an anti-Semitic slinging match in which repressive Arab
And African countries blamed all the problems facing their
Own countries and the world on Israel. The governments of
France, New Zealand and Poland (today) joined Canada and 10
Other western nations this week by declaring they will not
Take part.
Unquestionably, the Government of Canada's
Stance on Israel is based on the principle of standing by
Your friends -- especially when they are democracies and
Advocates for human rights. Most Jewish leaders would agree
That Israel is indeed Canada's greatest ally in the fight
Against hate and intolerance.
But the fight against
Hatred and anti-Semitism must be won here in Canada as well.
The Ottawa Protocol is mostly the result of a report
Published this summer by a Canadian Parliamentary Coalition
To Combat Anti-Semitism which was comprised of leading
Canadian politicians who volunteered their time to probe the
Increasing and alarming tide of anti-Semitism in
Canada.
In a letter accompanying the report, Chairs
Of the Inquiry Panel and the Steering Committee Mario Silva
And Scott Reid wrote, "The Inquiry Panel's conclusion,
Unfortunately, is that the scourge of anti-Semitism is a
Growing threat in Canada, especially on the campuses of our
Universities." The report cites numerous examples of
Anti-Semitism on various campuses including the infamous
Incident in 2009 when Jewish students at York University
Were chased and barricaded themselves in the Hillel lounge
While a mob outside taunted them with anti-Semitic slurs.
The list of examples is quite long and
Disturbing.
Universities should take note of the
Report and the signing of the Ottawa Protocols. They should
Put an immediate end to hateful and fallacious events like
Israeli Apartheid Week; they should state unequivocally that
Freedom of speech should not be abused to provide a cover
For anti-Semitism; they should ensure that Jewish students
Feel welcome on campus and that their learning environment
Should be freed from anti-Israel occurrences and finally,
Universities must become accountable for allowing their
Private property to be venues for hateful conduct among
Students.
The Ottawa Protocol to Combat Anti-Semitism
Is a template for every Canadian to consider. But it is
especially a document of significance for universities that
have allowed themselves to become vehicles of hatred and
complicit in its promotion. As my friend, Professor Irwin
Cotler said last night at the Ottawa signing ceremony,
anti-Semitism is not only the longest known form of hatred
in the history of humanity -- it is the only form of hatred
that is truly global.
Every person of conscience
should take note of the Ottawa Protocols and never forget
the lessons of the Holocaust when the world was silent.
Canada becomes first country to sign the Ottawa Protocol
See: http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/department/media/releases/2011/2011-09-19.asp
Ottawa Protocol text at: http://www.antisem.org/archive/Ottawa-protocol-on-combating-antisemitism/
Canada Gets Tough on Anti-Semitism
The government of Canada took an historic step
Yesterday by signing the Ottawa Protocol to Combat
Anti-Semitism. By doing so, it recognized anti-Semitism as a
Pernicious evil and a global threat against the Jewish
People, the State of Israel and free, democratic countries
Everywhere. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper has noted,
"Those who would hate and destroy the Jewish people would
Ultimately hate and destroy the rest of us as
Well."
The protocol is a declaration that hatred of
This nature will not be tolerated in this country. It sets
Out an action plan for supporting initiatives that combat
Anti-Semitism and provides a framework for other nations to
Follow.
It also sets out a vibrant definition of
Anti-Semitism which, for the first time in history, links
Anti-Semitism to the denial of the right Jewish people have
To their ancestral home land -- the State of Israel. This,
In fact, is what sets post-World War Two anti-Semitism apart
From its historic roots. Today's anti-Semitism is all about
Denial: denial of the legitimacy of Zionism as a Jewish
Movement to reclaim the land of Israel; denial of a Jewish
History in connection to the holy land and, in particular,
The centrality of Jerusalem to the Jewish people; denial of
The Holocaust (while at the same time accusing Jews of
Nazism); and denial of Jews to live free of anti-Semitism,
Hate and intolerance.
In announcing the Protocols,
Foreign Minister John Baird has expressed his government's
Unequivocal support for the State of Israel. In referring to
This week's turmoil at the United Nations and the
Palestinian threat to unilaterally declare a state, Baird
Said, "Canada will not stand behind Israel at the United
Nations, we will stand right beside it. It is never a bad
Thing to do the right thing."
According to Baird,
More and more countries are refusing to participate in the
UN conference dubbed "Durban III" -- otherwise known as an
Anti-Semitic hate fest which began as a human rights forum
In South Africa in 2001; the forum ultimately degenerated
Into an anti-Semitic slinging match in which repressive Arab
And African countries blamed all the problems facing their
Own countries and the world on Israel. The governments of
France, New Zealand and Poland (today) joined Canada and 10
Other western nations this week by declaring they will not
Take part.
Unquestionably, the Government of Canada's
Stance on Israel is based on the principle of standing by
Your friends -- especially when they are democracies and
Advocates for human rights. Most Jewish leaders would agree
That Israel is indeed Canada's greatest ally in the fight
Against hate and intolerance.
But the fight against
Hatred and anti-Semitism must be won here in Canada as well.
The Ottawa Protocol is mostly the result of a report
Published this summer by a Canadian Parliamentary Coalition
To Combat Anti-Semitism which was comprised of leading
Canadian politicians who volunteered their time to probe the
Increasing and alarming tide of anti-Semitism in
Canada.
In a letter accompanying the report, Chairs
Of the Inquiry Panel and the Steering Committee Mario Silva
And Scott Reid wrote, "The Inquiry Panel's conclusion,
Unfortunately, is that the scourge of anti-Semitism is a
Growing threat in Canada, especially on the campuses of our
Universities." The report cites numerous examples of
Anti-Semitism on various campuses including the infamous
Incident in 2009 when Jewish students at York University
Were chased and barricaded themselves in the Hillel lounge
While a mob outside taunted them with anti-Semitic slurs.
The list of examples is quite long and
Disturbing.
Universities should take note of the
Report and the signing of the Ottawa Protocols. They should
Put an immediate end to hateful and fallacious events like
Israeli Apartheid Week; they should state unequivocally that
Freedom of speech should not be abused to provide a cover
For anti-Semitism; they should ensure that Jewish students
Feel welcome on campus and that their learning environment
Should be freed from anti-Israel occurrences and finally,
Universities must become accountable for allowing their
Private property to be venues for hateful conduct among
Students.
The Ottawa Protocol to Combat Anti-Semitism
Is a template for every Canadian to consider. But it is
especially a document of significance for universities that
have allowed themselves to become vehicles of hatred and
complicit in its promotion. As my friend, Professor Irwin
Cotler said last night at the Ottawa signing ceremony,
anti-Semitism is not only the longest known form of hatred
in the history of humanity -- it is the only form of hatred
that is truly global.
Every person of conscience
should take note of the Ottawa Protocols and never forget
the lessons of the Holocaust when the world was silent.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
CAS Israel Advocacy Project Event
The Congregation Agudath Sholom Israel Advcoacy Project invites you to
an evening with Pastor Victor Styrsky
Israel is surrounded by new and ancient enemies and the US is at a
tipping point in support of her. The Church was silent during the
horrific days of the Holocaust - but Christians United for Israel is
not. PLEASE join us to find out how they and we can make our voices
heard.
Guest Speaker: Victor Styrsky - Pastor, Author, CUFI Eastern Regional
Coordinator.
"Why do Evangelicals support the nation of Israel? What is their
"real" agenda?"
Monday, January 23, 2012 @7:30 PM
Congregation Agudath Sholom
301 Strawberry Hill Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
Christians United for Israel, (CUFI) is the largest pro-Israel
organization in the United States with over 900,000 members and one of
the leading Christian grassroots movements in the world.
Victor Styrsky has been a pastor, music director, and pro-Israel
activist in Northern California for more than twenty five years, and is
the author of "Honest to God-Christian Zionists Confront 10 Questions
Jews Need Answered." Pastor Styrsky assumed CUFI's Eastern Regional
Coordinator position after serving several years as CUFI's California
Director. A Christian Zionist for over 30 years, Victor has been a
frequent speaker at AIPAC, on college campuses, Zionist Organization
of America, Eagles Wings, the Israel-Christian Nexus and other
pro-Israel organizations across the nation.
The mission of the Israel Advocacy Project (IAP) is to broaden and deepen the mobilization of our membership as advocates for Israel . Beyond financial support and visiting or living in Israel, the IAP recognizes we can play a role in history.
If you would like to become involved with CAS IAP, or for more information, please contact:
Rabbi Cohen, rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org or
Norine Krasnogor, nzk111@yahoo.com
an evening with Pastor Victor Styrsky
Israel is surrounded by new and ancient enemies and the US is at a
tipping point in support of her. The Church was silent during the
horrific days of the Holocaust - but Christians United for Israel is
not. PLEASE join us to find out how they and we can make our voices
heard.
Guest Speaker: Victor Styrsky - Pastor, Author, CUFI Eastern Regional
Coordinator.
"Why do Evangelicals support the nation of Israel? What is their
"real" agenda?"
Monday, January 23, 2012 @7:30 PM
Congregation Agudath Sholom
301 Strawberry Hill Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
Christians United for Israel, (CUFI) is the largest pro-Israel
organization in the United States with over 900,000 members and one of
the leading Christian grassroots movements in the world.
Victor Styrsky has been a pastor, music director, and pro-Israel
activist in Northern California for more than twenty five years, and is
the author of "Honest to God-Christian Zionists Confront 10 Questions
Jews Need Answered." Pastor Styrsky assumed CUFI's Eastern Regional
Coordinator position after serving several years as CUFI's California
Director. A Christian Zionist for over 30 years, Victor has been a
frequent speaker at AIPAC, on college campuses, Zionist Organization
of America, Eagles Wings, the Israel-Christian Nexus and other
pro-Israel organizations across the nation.
The mission of the Israel Advocacy Project (IAP) is to broaden and deepen the mobilization of our membership as advocates for Israel . Beyond financial support and visiting or living in Israel, the IAP recognizes we can play a role in history.
If you would like to become involved with CAS IAP, or for more information, please contact:
Rabbi Cohen, rabbicohen@cas-stamford.org or
Norine Krasnogor, nzk111@yahoo.com
Monday, January 9, 2012
Speaker at CAS January 23, 7:30 pm
Israel is surrounded by new and ancient enemies and the US is at a tipping point in support of her. The Church was silent during the horrific days of the Holocaust – but Christians United for Israel is not. PLEASE join us to find out how they and we can make our voices heard during these perilous and prophetic days.
Guest Speaker: Victor Styrsky - Pastor, Author, CUFI Eastern Regional Coordinator. "Why do Evangelicals support the nation of Israel? What is their "real" agenda?"
Monday, January 23, 2012 @7:30 PM
Congregation Agudath Sholom
301 Strawberry Hill Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
" You will be touched by Victor’s impressive work in winning hearts and minds to the Biblical mandate of standing with Israel!"
- Gary Bauer, President, American Values
Sponsored by Congregation Agudath Sholom Israel Advocacy Project
Guest Speaker: Victor Styrsky - Pastor, Author, CUFI Eastern Regional Coordinator. "Why do Evangelicals support the nation of Israel? What is their "real" agenda?"
Monday, January 23, 2012 @7:30 PM
Congregation Agudath Sholom
301 Strawberry Hill Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
" You will be touched by Victor’s impressive work in winning hearts and minds to the Biblical mandate of standing with Israel!"
- Gary Bauer, President, American Values
Sponsored by Congregation Agudath Sholom Israel Advocacy Project
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