A Letter to 613 Pro-Obama Rabbis
October 3, 2012
As we anxiously await tonight’s debate between President Obama and Governor Romney, I’d like to share with you a letter written by the Israeli Advocate’s newest contributor, esteemed Rabbi, Bernhard Rosenberg. The letter is addressed directly to the 613 “Rabbis For Obama,” but should be a wake up call for all Jews and Christians that express love for Israel.
He received his ordination and Doctorate of Education from Yeshiva University in New York. He also possesses A.A., B.A., M.A., and M.S. degrees in communication and education. The Jewish Theological Seminary presented him with his DD in May 2010.
He taught Holocaust and Genocide Studies graduate courses at Rutgers University, and currently teaches communications and public speaking at Yeshiva University and Rutgers.
He recently received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Humanitarian Award and also received the Chaplain of the Year Award from The New York Board of Rabbis for his efforts during and following 9-ll. On June 10, 2002 Rabbi Rosenberg was presented with the annual Rabbi Israel Mowshowitz Award by The New York Board of Rabbis. Rabbi Rosenberg appears frequently on radio and TV and has published hundreds of articles regarding the Holocaust.
He is the author of
Theological and Halachic Reflections on the Holocaust, 1992,second printing.
A Guide for the Jewish Mourner, 1992
Contemplating the Holocaust, 1999
What the Holocaust Means to Me: Teenagers Speak Out, 2002
Thoughts on the Holocaust-Where Was God Where Was Man–Teenagers Reflect on Major Themes of the Holocaust, 2004
The Holocaust as seen Through Film, 2005
Handbook for the Jewish Morner, 2009
Public Speaking – A Guide for Study--Third Edition 2010
Public Speaking – A Guide for Study--Fourth Edition 2011
Rosenberg Holocaust Siddur, 2011
Rosenberg Holocaust Hagaddah, 2011
The Holocaust in Film with Bibliography, 2011
A letter to America's rabbis --from Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg
To my fellow rabbis:
I write to you at this time of dire trouble for our country and for Israel.
Last
week America was under attack. Our ambassador to Libya and three other
Americans were slaughtered by Muslim extremists. This was not a
spontaneous "protest" against an admittedly stupid video. This was an
organized military assault, coordinated expressly for execution on
September 11.
Likewise,
the "protests" in Cairo at the American embassy where our flag was
shredded, and the black Islamist flag of al-Qaeda was raised in its
place. Reliable sources say the US was forewarned of both attacks --
probably by Israel. But America's State Department ignored those
warnings. Why?
The
Obama administration's reactions to these outrages was sadly typical.
The very next day, President. Obama incongruously flew off to Las Vegas
to raise funds. Lamentably, our government still apologizes for that
inane video; made by an Egyptian Coptic.
Where
is the leadership here? What has such ongoing appeasement gotten us?
President Obama once promised a "reset" of America's relationship with
the Muslim world. But the reality has been far different. The Islamic
world holds us in greater contempt than ever, seeing Obama's America as
weak and incapable, or unwilling, to defend our interests and our friends.
On
that note, Obama's policy toward Israel has been a disgrace from the
start. It's as if his goal is to disenfranchise himself -- and America
-- from the Jewish state. To make clear to the world that Israel,
should they dare to defend their very existence, will go it alone. Such
signals serve only to embolden Israel's enemies -- who are also our enemies.
The
same signal comes from Obama's latest snub of Bibi Netanyahu -- who was
told that Obama did not have time to meet with him when the Israeli
Prime Minister arrived in America last week. Meanwhile, he found time to
regale on the David Letterman show and also had time to chit chat with
Barbara Walters and Whoopie Goldberg on the TV show the View. To his
discredit, Obama also extended an open invitation to Egypt's President
Morsi.
Such actions say a lot to the world. Can we stand silent any longer?
To
the 613 "Rabbis for Obama," in light of the President's most recent
actions, I ask you: What have you got to say now? What are your excuses
for President Obama now?
I say this with all my heart. I cannot keep silent any longer. The voices of my father and my mother, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, compel me to speak out -- with zeal.
I urge you to consider the following:
-
Silence did not work in the 1930s, when the looming evils of Nazism
could have been stopped in their tracks. Nor will it work today when
Islamists, who deny the Holocaust, threaten the destruction of Israel
and all the Jews and Christians therein.
- Why does the United States say nothing about the daily denigration of Jews and Christians by Imams worldwide?
- Why do we tolerate an American media that continues to play dumb when our real interests, and our very lives, are at stake?
- Why does America continue to send money (and excuse outstanding loans) to Morsi's Egypt?
-
Why doesn't America compel Morsi to uphold the peace treaty with
Israel? To rein in Hamas? To act like a responsible, civil government?
-
And of utmost importance, why don't we rabbis come together and insist
that the Obama administration express -- in words and in deeds -- their
unequivocal support for Israel during this most challenging of times?
I
started "Rabbis for Romney" as a counterweight to "Rabbis for Obama."
My message at first was not political, but the situation has evolved --
or devolved -- into one where the danger to Israel is more paramount
than ever. Don't kid yourselves. We are nearing the 11th hour.
Please join me in my quest to see that America and Israel stay safe from the growing danger that's all around us.
We can no longer afford to stay silent. Let us make sure that, "Never again" means "NEVER again."
Respectfully,
Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg
Note: To join “Rabbis for Romney,” please contact Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg at chaimdov@aol.com
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