Sydney Levy of "Jewish" Voice for Peace just sent out this email:
"I'm on my way to Tampa. I'm going in support of our allies in the United Methodist church who are pushing for divestment from Israel's Occupation. But I'm not going alone. I'm taking the strong letter of support from members of Jewish Voice for Peace's rabbinical council and other Jewish clergy.
I'd like to take you with me too, or at least your name. I hope you'll go to RabbisLetter.org right now and add your name in support of divestment. The United Methodists are considering divestment from Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard, and Motorla—all companies we have identified as profiting from the violation of Palestinians' human rights.
The struggle to stop these companies has been a long one. But we don't have much time left—the conference starts this week, and we will deliver our names Tuesday morning, in less than 24 hours, so please add your name now. You don't have to be a rabbi to sign, but you do need to sign now if we are going to bring you with us. And to keep you connected, we will be updating RabbisLetter.org throughout the week with all the latest developments in this historic push for divestment."
Why is JVP "Stacking the deck"? Why are they filling up a "rabbis" letter with signatures, of Jews and non-Jews alike?
Maybe its because after weeks of searching for signatures, the signatories on their own letter are few and far between. As of now, the current signators are
Rabbi Margaret Holub
Rabbi Brant Rosen
Rabbi Alissa Wise
Rabbi Julie Greenberg
Rabbi Michael Feinberg
Cantor Michael Davis
Rabbi Rachel Barenblatt
Rabbi Lynn Gottleib
Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman
Rabbi Rebecca Alpert
Rabbi Joseph Berman
Rabbi David Mivasair
Rabbi Brian Walt
Rabbi Jeremy Milgrom
David Basior, Rabbinical Student
Alana Alpert, Rabbinical Student
Ari Lev Fornari, Rabbinical Student
Rabbi Borukh Goldberg
Rabbi Meryl Crean
Rabbi Howard A Cohen
Rabbi Mordechai Liebling
Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton
Rabbi Everett Gendler
Rabbi Michael Lerner
Contrast that extremely limited group with the 1200 rabbis from across the religious and cultural spectrum who have formally expressed their concern about the Methodist divestment referendum. Orthodox, Conservative, reform- religious leaders from across the Jewish spectrum have signed a "Letter from American Rabbis to Our Christian Neighbors Regarding Divestment Proposals" . If your rabbi hasn't already signed, its not too late.
From the Jewish Council for Public Affairs:
“A letter signed by so many Rabbis demonstrates the breadth and depth of the American Rabbinate’s commitment to the finding a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; something which cannot be achieved through divestment,” said Gutow. “I am privileged to join my colleagues from all fifty states, leaders from the Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, and Orthodox movements, rabbinic groups and seminaries, and some of the most influential Jewish thinkers and theologians of our time. There is a clear rabbinic consensus - divestment efforts will tear the fabric of our interfaith relationships and undermine ongoing efforts for peace.”
The Rabbinic letter spells out the profound concern of the signatories about the one-sided nature of the divestment proposals, which "shamefully" paint Israel as a pariah nation. "For Jews, the use of economic leverages against the Jewish state is fraught with inescapable associations,” the letter states. “They resonate in the Jewish consciousness with historic boycotts against Jewish companies and the State of Israel…policies that knowingly tap into the deepest fears and pain of another is, in our tradition, a serious failure of relationship."
It also spells out a commitment to a negotiated two-state solution, which includes Palestinian state building and economic development, programs of reconciliation, understanding of multiple narratives, humanitarian aid and other areas where collective action is needed to help foster peace. Divestment, the note explains, runs in opposition to these goals and "is more likely to encourage those with extreme aims” - and is so contentious that it "drowns out the real conversation about how to end the conflict.”
“At a time when politics in general have become so divisive, here and abroad, our efforts should be aimed toward reconciliation,” the letter continues. “Together and independently, Christians, Jews, and Muslims must give the parties to the conflict the confidence they need to move toward peace.”
Oh yes, the reality challenged bloggers at Mondoweiss (no, i'm not going to link there- you can find it your self) characterized the heart-felt plea for mutual respect and cooperation as "1200 rabbis threaten an end to interfaith harmony if Methodists support divestment"
The Methodist General Conference is being held in Tampa, Florida over the next week. If you have any friends or family attending, remind them of the words of our own community leaders:
"when politics in general have become so divisive, here and abroad, our efforts should be aimed toward reconciliation. Together and independently, Christians, Jews, and Muslims must give the parties to the conflict the confidence they need to move toward peace. There are many meaningful coexistence programs that are necessary to foster a generation of Israelis and Palestinians that will work and live side-by-side – moving past the teaching of hate and the resort to violence. As leaders of the Jewish and Protestant communities we need to deepen our understandings of the multiple narratives in the region. "
Showing posts with label BDS Bozos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BDS Bozos. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Cecilie Surasky and JVP: "We Was Muzzled"
Jewish Federations of North America represents 157 Jewish Federations & over 300 independent Jewish communities and is one of the top 10 charities on the continent.
From the Fed's website:
Strengthening Jewish communities in Israel and around the world has always been a top priority for the North American Jewish Community" , along with helping to connect the North American Jewish community with Israel and World Jewry. The Fed also puts on the General Assembly - the premier annual North American Jewish conference, attracting lay leaders and professionals as well as the leadership of the Jewish Federation of North America's partner organizations and other important national Jewish organizations. The General assembly hit the news last year in an unexpected way- when a team of activists from Jewish Voice for Peace calling themselves "Young Jewish and Proud" repeatedly interrupted the proceedings.
The Federation has an annual contest to locate Jewish community heroes, in both the professional and volunteer sector. Its a good thing. But in a move that can only be described as "beyond chutzpah" (sorry Normie), JVP infiltrators Cecilie Surasky and Rebecca Vilkomerson had themselves nominated.
Why should an organization tolerate this? Why should an organization honor those that have tried to shut it down? In this case, the Fed said no, and removed the JVP'ers names from consideration. And Cecilie, a salaried employee of JVP commenced whining about this slight on her blog Muzzlewatch. No, there is no point in linking to it. Muzzlewatch "tracking efforts to stifle open debate about US-Israeli foreign policy" does not allow comments.
The local Jewish paper , the J Weekly had written about Cecilie's nomination earlier in the week. The comments are particularly interesting:
From Mike Harris:
"Surasky’s nomination was clearly an attempt to subvert the rules of the Jewish Community Heroes contest, which state the criteria for the awards:
“The nominee shows exceptional qualities and commitment in line with the mission of The Jewish Federations of North America.” Clearly the mission of the Federations is not congruent with an organization that presents speakers such as Alice Walker and Ali Abunimah, that supports and endorses BDS activities, and that publicly stands with those who openly support Hamas and Hezbollah."
This incident is just one more lesson, demonstrating that the institutions of our community need to remain vigilant against attempts by anti-Israel extremists to subvert them. JVP will remain “outside the tent”, but if it wants to come inside, the password isn’t complicated. Just say “I accept the Jewish state.”
From Cadance M
"Nowhere in her nominating statement is Cecilie’s affiliation with the notorious anti-Israel organization “JVP” even mentioned. Did she think that her paid position with this group would negatively impact people’s opinion of her activism? Judging by the comments, she was right. If Cecilie is uncomfortable mentioning her employer, maybe there’s a good reason. Any group that stands shoulder to shoulder with those chanting. ” Palestine is our land, and the Jews are our dogs” does not deserve a place at the table. "
From Theresa
"When Yom Kippur ends tomorrow, Jews all over the Bay hour and the world will utter the same words they have said for millenium “Next year in Jerusalem”, reinforcing the ties that bind us with our ancient homeland.
I cant help but wonder what Cecilie will be saying at that same moment."
The action of the Fed shows that Jewish community activists have begun to fight back against the delegitimization of our land and our people. This is also a good thing. And its happening at all levels.
From our friends at Divest this:
"... this type of respect for others is not shared by Surasky and friends who continue to demand access to other people’s organizations and platforms while greedily protecting their own civic spaces at all costs. Which is why I’d like to announce my own contest that anyone (including members of JVP) are free to join.
Announcing the first annual Divest This BDS Bozos ™ competition, a month long quest to find the most ridiculous, hypocritical and/or downright clownish BDS campaign and/or campaigner on the planet. I’ll assume Cecile wants in, and I’m even happy to use the profile provided in her Heroes campaign (with suitable clarifications) as a first nominee. Anyone else interested in submitting your own BDS Bozo can send it to me at divestthis[at]aol[dot]com or post your nominee in the comments section. First prize will be a donation to the Jewish National Fund in the name of the winner.
Game on!"
Indeed it is.
From the Fed's website:
Strengthening Jewish communities in Israel and around the world has always been a top priority for the North American Jewish Community" , along with helping to connect the North American Jewish community with Israel and World Jewry. The Fed also puts on the General Assembly - the premier annual North American Jewish conference, attracting lay leaders and professionals as well as the leadership of the Jewish Federation of North America's partner organizations and other important national Jewish organizations. The General assembly hit the news last year in an unexpected way- when a team of activists from Jewish Voice for Peace calling themselves "Young Jewish and Proud" repeatedly interrupted the proceedings.
The Federation has an annual contest to locate Jewish community heroes, in both the professional and volunteer sector. Its a good thing. But in a move that can only be described as "beyond chutzpah" (sorry Normie), JVP infiltrators Cecilie Surasky and Rebecca Vilkomerson had themselves nominated.
Why should an organization tolerate this? Why should an organization honor those that have tried to shut it down? In this case, the Fed said no, and removed the JVP'ers names from consideration. And Cecilie, a salaried employee of JVP commenced whining about this slight on her blog Muzzlewatch. No, there is no point in linking to it. Muzzlewatch "tracking efforts to stifle open debate about US-Israeli foreign policy" does not allow comments.
The local Jewish paper , the J Weekly had written about Cecilie's nomination earlier in the week. The comments are particularly interesting:
From Mike Harris:
"Surasky’s nomination was clearly an attempt to subvert the rules of the Jewish Community Heroes contest, which state the criteria for the awards:
“The nominee shows exceptional qualities and commitment in line with the mission of The Jewish Federations of North America.” Clearly the mission of the Federations is not congruent with an organization that presents speakers such as Alice Walker and Ali Abunimah, that supports and endorses BDS activities, and that publicly stands with those who openly support Hamas and Hezbollah."
This incident is just one more lesson, demonstrating that the institutions of our community need to remain vigilant against attempts by anti-Israel extremists to subvert them. JVP will remain “outside the tent”, but if it wants to come inside, the password isn’t complicated. Just say “I accept the Jewish state.”
From Cadance M
"Nowhere in her nominating statement is Cecilie’s affiliation with the notorious anti-Israel organization “JVP” even mentioned. Did she think that her paid position with this group would negatively impact people’s opinion of her activism? Judging by the comments, she was right. If Cecilie is uncomfortable mentioning her employer, maybe there’s a good reason. Any group that stands shoulder to shoulder with those chanting. ” Palestine is our land, and the Jews are our dogs” does not deserve a place at the table. "
From Theresa
"When Yom Kippur ends tomorrow, Jews all over the Bay hour and the world will utter the same words they have said for millenium “Next year in Jerusalem”, reinforcing the ties that bind us with our ancient homeland.
I cant help but wonder what Cecilie will be saying at that same moment."
The action of the Fed shows that Jewish community activists have begun to fight back against the delegitimization of our land and our people. This is also a good thing. And its happening at all levels.
From our friends at Divest this:
"... this type of respect for others is not shared by Surasky and friends who continue to demand access to other people’s organizations and platforms while greedily protecting their own civic spaces at all costs. Which is why I’d like to announce my own contest that anyone (including members of JVP) are free to join.
Announcing the first annual Divest This BDS Bozos ™ competition, a month long quest to find the most ridiculous, hypocritical and/or downright clownish BDS campaign and/or campaigner on the planet. I’ll assume Cecile wants in, and I’m even happy to use the profile provided in her Heroes campaign (with suitable clarifications) as a first nominee. Anyone else interested in submitting your own BDS Bozo can send it to me at divestthis[at]aol[dot]com or post your nominee in the comments section. First prize will be a donation to the Jewish National Fund in the name of the winner.
Game on!"
Indeed it is.
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