the Other Side of CUFI (Part 2)

Posted by Ellen W. Horowitz

For the purposes of the second half of this report, please keep in mind that the term “messianic” refers to those calling themselves “messianic Jews”, “Hebrew Christians”, or “Judeo-Christians”. While some of these people consider themselves “Jewish believers in Jesus”, they are indeed practicing Christians with an aggressive evangelizing agenda.

At the inception of the current Evangelical-Israel relationship, many Israelis and members of the Diaspora Jewish community sought ways to distinguish evangelicals from messianics. As Haaretz reported, “ The Christian Allies Caucus, a Knesset lobby group that aims to further ties between the Israeli government and the Christian world, refuses to work with the messianic Jewish community on the grounds that it actively seeks to convert Jews. ‘We believe they work against the interests of the State of Israel,’ caucus director Josh Reinstein explained.” (1)

Unfortunately, it appears that - for many evangelicals – that borderline never existed. Although it may have been kept largely under wraps, it seems evangelicals and messianics are collaborating more than ever “ to build the Kingdom of God in Israel” (2)

Stephen Strang: CUFI Regional Director:

Strang publishes Pastor Hagee’s Books, is the founder of Charisma Magazine and Strang Communications – “a multi-media communications company focused on spreading the name and fame of Jesus throughout the world through the mass media.” Strang made TIME Magazine's list of "The 25 Most Most Influential Evangelicals in America"

He is perhaps the most problematic of CUFI’s regional directors. A simple rundown of a sampling of his activities and affiliations over the last few months should give any Jew reason for great concern. He promotes overt missionary activity, bolsters the messianic community in Israel, vilifies the Orthodox community, and fans the flames of anti-Semitism.

In March of this year, Stephen became a signatory on the widely publicized World Evangelical Alliance statement which called for both evangelicals and messianics to continue to target Jews for conversion. (3) (pictured below is an ad appearing in the New York Times and other major publications)

In April Charisma Magazine ran an article by its editor, Lee Grady, which reeks of classical anti-Semitism (4) Below is an excerpt:

In the days of Jesus, rabbis observed a myriad of extra rules that were not in Scripture. Their legalistic code focused on what they could and could not touch. These guys invented the original version of the holier-than-thou religion. They stayed away from women, children, dead bodies, lepers, beggars, sinners, blood, shellfish, pigs and—especially—people of other ethnic backgrounds. They didn’t want “unclean” gentiles to corrupt them.

The Pharisees, especially, were obsessed with hygiene. They had a rule for everything from how to wash dishes to how to stay ceremonially clean after walking in the streets. That’s why they got upset when they saw that Jesus’ disciples didn’t follow the standard Jewish hand-washing ritual.

They asked Jesus: “‘Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?’” You can almost hear their smug, nasal tone. Jesus’ reply was blunt. He called His inquisitors hypocrites; then He chastised them for “‘teaching as doctrines the precepts of men’” (Mark 7:5-7, NASB).

Also in April Strang lauched a campaign decrying persecution in Israel against messianic Jews, and appeared to implicate Orthodox Jews in a “terrorist attack against a Messianic Jewish family” …“there are also ultra-Orthodox groups like Yad L'Achim who are responsible for constantly harassing Christian believers in Israel… I hope you join me in writing letters of concern on behalf of Evangelical and Messianic believers in Israel and bombard Israeli officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Prime Minister's Office, and the Ministry of Justice” (5)

In May Charisma Magazine’s chose to mark Israel’s 60th anniversary by celebrating the messianic missionary community in Israel and hailing them as “brave Christians celebrating the love of Jesus in Israel” (see cover below)(6)

In June Strang wrote an article in Charisma Magazine which again implicates the Orthodox Jewish community in an attack on a messianic pastor’s son. Without any suspects or arrests, his article amounts to nothing short of an anti-Semitic blood libel.(7)
(Excerpt)
“However, some of the anti-missionaries have become so vicious that it appears they have resorted to violence...Messianic Judaism… is growing rapidly and is considered to be a threat by some Orthodox Jews. Harassment of all Christians in Israel is increasing, and Messianic believers are concerned that they may be facing a new round of persecution…we need to urge leaders in the Jewish community to express their outrage… My Israeli sources say the pattern is to let time pass and sweep the investigation under the rug because many Orthodox Jews despise all Christians, not only Messianic believers…”

Stephen Strang has been involved in promoting CUFI Nights to Honor Israel which utilize the services of the messianic organization, the Joseph Storehouse. (8)

But the messianic founders and operators of the Joseph Storehouse may not be as Israel-friendly as they seem. Like Strang, Barry and Bayta Segal are screaming bloody murder in their newsletters- with no evidence - and pointing the finger at the Orthodox Jewish community (9)

It should be noted that CUFI Directors Stephen Strang and Robert Stearns have been guest speakers and performers at the Segal’s messianic missionary shindig which takes place every Succot in Jerusalem (10)

To be fair it should be noted that Strang’s disdain for Orthodox Jews and his cries of messianic oppression go way back. In an article which appeared in Charisma Magazine in September 2002 Strang mixes praise for John Hagee with cries for his messianic brethren (he admits to supporting them financially, too) (11)
(Excerpt)
Equally as hard-hit as the Jews by the unrest in Israel are Messianic believers. Many of them are unemployed. Ministers such as Ari Sorko-Ram are working to raise money for them from Christian believers through a Web site called www.istandwithisrael.com.
The problem is that a Web site with a similar name collects money from evangelicals for many worthwhile causes. But that group also funnels money to Orthodox groups that often oppress Messianic believers.
Ari Sorko-Ram is the son-in-law of Christ for the Nations co-founder Freda Lindsay. I met with him and his wife, Shira, when I was in Israel several years ago and know how valuable and important their ministry, Maoz Israel, is. I have personally supported this ministry financially, as I urge you to do by visiting their Web site. It's important for Christians to stand with our Messianic brothers and sisters at this time.

MICHAEL LITTLE: CUFI Executive Board Member

Little is the President of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). As noted earlier in the first part of this report, Michael Little continues to endorse the messianic missionary organization MaozIsrael. And MaozIsrael is currently on an anti-Semitic rampage in which they falsely accuse Orthodox Jews of terrorism and murder and being possessed by evil spirits (12)

(exerpt)

And when ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel rail and blaspheme folowers of Yeshua, burn down the believers’ places of worship and ministry, and now attempt to kill believers, then they too have been possessed by these evil spirits.

CBN is offering plenty of air time and articles towards promoting messianic Judaism, making erroneous claims of church Persecution, and disparaging Orthodox Jews. The network has repeatedly, erroneously and maliciously linked unrelated incidents like the incineration of missionary material in the town of Or Yehuda to a small church fire which was most likely vandalism, and occured last year in Jerusalem, to an explosion in Ariel which as far as we know could have been anything from illegal Purim fireworks to an Arab terror attack. The only thing that has been proven is that Michael Little’s CBN network likes to set fires, fan flames, and create lies(13)

CBN even temporarily converts Christians to Jews for theatrical purposes: The poor Jew in this report: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/385992.aspx is really the unabashed Christian in this report: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/336829.aspx

Robert Stearns: CUFI Regional Director

Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings Ministries. Stearns and Dr. Jack Hayford serve together as co-chairmen of "The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem” The mass prayer mobilization represents “the largest coalition of leaders of influence in the Body of Christ focused upon prayer for Jerusalem”.

Robert and his friend Jack are heavily focused on a messianic Jewish (Christian) revival in Israel, and they sponsor major conventions that champion the cause of messianic Judaism. Stearns lectures and leads prayer serves at conferences entirely dedicated to the subject of messianic restoration in Israel.(14)

In August of 2007, three thousand delegates from the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel gathered in Jerusalem for a conference aimed at embracing local messianic s. Throughout the conference, early morning worship and prayer services were led by Robert Stearns, founder of Eagles Wings ministry. (15)

In June of 2008, Stearns was again leading prayers for “3000 believers in Israel”. (16)

Young Israelis Praying at "The Call"

Messianic Jews and Arabs Praying Together

Jim Hutchins: CUFI Regional Director***
***I have a significant and distressing report on Hutchins, but when I checked the CUFI website on July 8, 2008, Hutchin’s name no longer appeared. I have received confirmation that James Hutchins is no longer a regional director of CUFI. My source was unable to say who "instigated the split".

So I will just offer a brief synopsis without citing sources at this time (those sources do appear in previous postings of mine).

Hutchins Is President of the Jerusalem Connection International. He graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Missionary (Multi/Cross-Cultural Studies). His dissertation was entitled, "A Case for Messianic Judaism." Jim sits on the board of the Cyrus Fund which is a project of the Jerusalem Connection. Although the Cyrus Fund websites don’t admit it, it does seem some missionaries affiliated with the Cyrus Fund are teaching the Gospel to Bnai Anusim via messianic churches - and getting those "converts" ready for aliyah. Also six out of the seven board members of the Cyrus Foundation are either active evangelical missionaries or messianic Jews. Rabbi Kravitz of Jews for Judaism has more to say on Hutchin's proselytizing to Jews…

In Conclusion:
First and foremost, the situation demands that Israel set up an accountable system to monitor our relationship with Christian groups. Counter-missionary legislation must be enacted, and our rabbinic leaders need to issue immediate and clear halachic guidelines which enable and empower us to protect and preserve our Jewish heritage.

Under the circumstances, it would be wise for the Diaspora and Israeli Jewish community to distance itself from CUFI until Hagee can get his house in order. I know that's a difficult and tall order to fill - especially in light of the outstanding and supportive statements and gestures emanating from that Christian body

I met with Hagee confidant and friend Rabbi Arye Scheinberg fourweeks ago at the home of Rabbi Simcha HaCohen Kook. I understand Rabbi Scheinberg had requested the meeting with Rav Kook in order to better understand certain positions the rabbinate has been taking. A Representative from the Jerusalem City Council and the director of a counter-missionary group were among those present at the meeting. Rabbi Scheinberg acknowledged the wealth of evidence and problems with certain CUFI directors, and assured me that Pastor Hagee was well aware of the situation with at least one of his main directors and publishers. I was told that Strang was “out” and that other changes were forthcoming. But other than the sudden removal of Jim Hutchins from the CUFI Regional Director section of the website, I have no indication that any action has been taken as a result of that meeting.

Sources:
(1) Haaretz, June 10, 2006 , Aliyah with a cat, a dog and Jesus
(2) http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/344905.aspx
(3) http://www.worldevangelicals.org/news/view.htm?id=1732
(4) http://www.fireinmybones.com/Columns/043008.html
(5) http://www.strangreport.com/2008/04/silence-is-almost-deafening.html
(6) http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=17050
(7) http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=17205
(8) http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=13922
(9) http://www.sidroth.org/site/News2?abbr=art_&page=NewsArticle&id=7169&security=1043&news_iv_ctrl=-1
(10) http://www.succotcelebration.com/speakers.htm
(11) http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=6495
(12) http://www.israelenews.com/view.asp?ID=2354
(13) http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/385992.aspx
(14) http://www.tikkunministries.org/newsletters/dj-jan07.asp
(15) http://www.israeltoday.co.il/default.aspx?tabid=134&view=item&idx=1501
(16) http://www.tikkunministries.org/newsletters/EdS-jun08.asp

The Other Side of CUFI (Part 1)

Posted By Ellen W. Horowitz

CUFI's (Christians United for Israel) Third Annual Washington-Israel Summit in Washington, D.C. will be taking place at the Washington Convention Center from July 21-24, 2008

It promises to be an impressive event, but I remain concerned about certain individuals who are the driving forces behind CUFI. A number of parties have requested brief updates on the situation prior to the CUFI convention. I compiled a two part report:

Part 1 deals with Pastor Hagee’s beliefs and conflicting accounts of his approach to Jewish envangelism. It also brings up some difficult ethical issues and questions.

Part 2 is more disturbing and examines the activities of certain CUFI board members and directors who promote overt missionary activity, bolster the messianic community in Israel, vilify the Orthodox community, and fan the flames of anti-Semitism.

------

The following offers a mere glimpse of the missionary agenda and disturbing activities of certain individuals directing the organization Christians United for Israel (CUFI). This is by no means a conclusive or comprehensive paper.

The work is not aimed at discrediting Christians and their support for Israel, nor is it intended to sabotage positive aspects of Israel’s political and religious alliances. Rather, it is a call to order for Israel and the Diaspora Jewish community. And it will elucidate the need for us to responsibly monitor our relationships, as well as consider the obligations and ethical imperative incumbent upon the nation of Israel to transform any Jewish-Christian undertaking into an honest, accountable and fruitful endeavor.

Overview:
The Israel-Evangelical relationship is a largely unregulated multi-million dollar strategic partnership based on the faulty premise and policy of, ““the evangelicals are our best friends - don’t ask questions.”

As a result of this imprudent approach, fundamentalist Christians now have a political, legislative, economic, cultural, philanthropic, and religious foothold in Israel, as well as property holdings. Missionary activity is running rampant and unchecked in the Jewish state. The spiritual integrity and continuity of the Jewish people is in danger due to a lack of ethical accountability, legislation, and rabbinic guidelines. Israel has – with reckless abandon - embraced impassioned Christian leaders and organizations whose very raison d’etre is and remains evangelism.

Megachurch leaders like Pastor John Hagee had hoped to be able to forge an alliance – “ a match made in heaven” – between “50 million evangelicals joining in common cause with 5 million Jewish people in America on behalf of Israel” (1) Although he sits at the helm of a powerful and purportedly non-proselytizing organization, Hagee simply cannot control the minds, hearts, and agendas of myriads of Christian fundamentalists, nor can he seem to manage the direction of his own executive board members and regional directors — some of whom are promoting a Jewish Messianic (Christian) restoration in Israel, are signing recent statements calling for the conversion of Jews, and are giving air and press time to those accusing the Orthodox Jewish community of violence, church persecution, and religious freedoms violations.

In addition to a brief report on Pastor Hagee’s beliefs and conflicting accounts of his approach to Jewish envangelism, this report will focus the following personalities affiliated with CUFI:
Stephen Strang: CUFI Regional Director
Michael Little: CUFI Executive Board member,
Robert Stearns: CUFI Regional Director
James Hutchins: CUFI Regional Director

John Hagee:
There are conflicting reports as to Hagee’s position on Jewish evangelism. The differing accounts seem to be indicative of Pastor Hagee’s own evolving theology and flip-flopping on this issue. He is personally on public record for opposing organized and targeted proselytizing campaigns directed at the Jewish people, but at the same time he enthusiastically endorses efforts to spread the gospel in Israel.

As far back as 1988, Hagee declared in the Houston Chronicle that, “trying to convert Jews is a ‘waste of time,’”(2) and at that time it seems he had embraced the dual covenant theory. However, after a controversy erupted over press reports expounding on that belief, he backtracked from that stance in March of 2006 and stated in the Jerusalem Post that he does not “believe or teach Dual Covenant.” Theology (3). Hagee added that he had “made it a practice for 25 years not to target Jews for conversion” at any “Night to Honor Israel” events. If Jews “inquire about our faith at a later time, we give them a full scriptural presentation of redemption.”

When the Daystar Television Network first began broadcasting in Israel in 2006, Pastor Hagee declared, “It’s just all I can do to keep from getting up and dancing. It’s a joy and it’s a dream come true. If we are able to preach the gospel without reservation [in Israel]... it’s a major breakthrough.” Hagee noted that the Bible “talks about the gospel going forth from Jerusalem, and if this is in fact the announcement that the gospel can go forth without any limitations, without any editing and so forth... This is a first.”(4)

In February of 2007 a letter from John Hagee Ministries in response to an inquiry stated that,
“ the Jews are God's chosen people, BUT THEY ARE NOT SAVED UNLESS THEY BELIEVE AND ACCEPT JESUS AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR… The same need for the Jews to receive Christ as Savior exists as the need for the gentiles. Pastor believes that witnessing Jesus to the Jewish people ONE ON ONE is the most effective way instead of targeting them as a group or nation. Keep in mind that God has 'blinded the eyes' of the Jews and hardened their hearts for having denied Christ.” (5)

Up until March 2008 John and Diana Hagee’s name appeared as endorsers of the Messianic Ministry, MaozIsrael. The large Tel Aviv Ministry aggressively and openly proselytizes in Israel. Hagee’s name was removed just prior to his visit to Israel in April 2008. It should be noted that CUFI Executive Board Member, Michael Little continues to endorse MaozIsrael (6)
Pastor Hagee is, after all, a devout evangelical Christian and a powerful fire brimstone preacher., It would be dishonest to try and downplay or dismiss his absolute commitment to the gospel, and the role that plays in his aspirations for Israel. John Hagee Ministries posts the principles of belief and the following mission statement on their website. (7)

Mission: "The mission of John Hagee Ministries is to aggressively fulfill the commission that Jesus Christ gave to his followers to go into the world and make disciples of all people. Our purpose is to bring the lost to Jesus Christ and to build up and encourage those who are already believers. We pledge to our viewers & supporters to take The Gospel to all the World and to all Generations."

Pastor John Hagee has incurred the wrath of messianic and other evangelical groups because of his inconsistent and lukewarm approach towards overt Jewish evangelism. His toying with Christian theology caused such an outcry that he was compelled to do a rewrite on his book, “In Defense of Israel.”(8) But not unlike “messianic” congregational leaders, Pastor Hagee does promote a passionate Judeo-Christian agenda heavily infused with a gospel which theologically fuses Jews and Christians together. This should be reason for concern for any Jew or rabbinic leader who feels entrusted with protecting the Jewish faith and maintaining Israel as an independent single faith community. Hagee likes to refer to the “Judeo-Christian faith”, dons a tallit at church and on television, and sees “Christians and Jews coming together to stand together and be together forever."

To emphasize this point, there are messianic/Hebrew Christian banners featured at CUFI events. And the CUFI’s online shop prominently features a messianic T-shirt.

The Menorah (candelabra) represents God’s covenant with the people of Israel and the torah. The fish is a symbol for Yeshua, from the Greek word for fish, icthys, which was used as an acronym for Iosus Cristos, son of God, savior. The star of David, Magen David, literally shield of David, represents Israel and particularly the Davidic kingdom.The original symbol was patterned after emblems found on a number of artifacts believed to have been used by first century Jewish followers of Christ.(9)

The original symbol was patterned after emblems found on a number of artifacts believed to have been used by first century Jewish followers of Christ.(9)

Hagee’s generosity and the unabashed Christian flavor to his donations does present the Jewish people with serious halachic questions:

(Pictured are checks being accepted from "John Hagee Ministries" and "Cornerstone Church")

Under what conditions can funds from Christian organizations be accepted?
a) Can Christian funds be used to build Torah institutions? b) Under what circumstances, if any, can funds which are donated in the name of a church, ministry, Jesus, or Christianity be accepted?
c) Is it appropriate to have publicized ceremonies featuring Jews accepting church funds?

There are disturbing ethical questions, too.

1) Two months ago Pastor Hagee donated $250,000 to the One Family Fund .It was understood at the time that the funds would be allocated towards building a 5000 square meter bombshelter in Sderot. The organization diverted those funds and they are instead being used to reinforce the roofs of a synagogue and a school. Certainly worthy projects, but was Pastor Hagee, or a rabbi for that matter, consulted on the change in plans?

2) Pastor Hagee attempted to donate $25,000 to Mercaz Harav in memory of the terror victims of the yeshiva attack. Mercaz Harav declined the offer. Pastor Hagee then approached the Jerusalem municipality in order to funnel the funds through them for the terror victims. The municipality accepted the contribution and then a decision was made by the New Jerusalem Foundation to use those funds towards the building of a park. Did the mayor inform Pastor Hagee?

3) At the beginning of 2008 a mass mailing to Jewish leadership was organized by the Jewish Republican Coalition – headquartered in Washington,D.C. The contents contained a discomforting mix – a crossing of lines - of American partisan politics, evangelical fervor and Jewish and Israeli interests. The package bore the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) postal permit. Inside the package was a book by CUFI's executive director, David Brog. Also included was a letter from Daniel Ayalon, former Israeli ambassador to Washington, urging Jews to accept an alliance with Christians. The letter endorsed Brog, his book, and CUFI – and included Brog’s email. The letterhead also prominently displayed the name of Nefesh B’Nefesh, as Ayalon is co-chair of that aliyah organization. But Ayalon will be the first to tell you that “Nefesh B’Nefesh is apolitical..." (10) Perhaps the former ambassador should change his letterhead.

Sources:
(1) Jerusalem Post, October 17, 2007Evangelicals raise $8.5 m. for Jewish state
(2) Houston Chronicle April 30, 1988, fundamentalist battles anti-Semitism
(3) Jerusalem Post, March 2, 2006 Hagee, Falwell deny endorsing 'dual covenant'
Jerusalem Post, March 1, 2006 Falwell, Jews can get to Heaven
(4) JTA, Tuesday, July 8, 2006: Israel gets 24/7 evangelical broadcast
Arutz 7, July 23, 2007 Israeli Cable Provider to Cancel Christian TV Network
(5) Email correspondence of February 28, 2007 , from Edward Martinez of John Hagee Ministries
(6) http://www.maozisrael.org/site/PageServer?pagename=iswi_endorsements
(7) John Hagee Ministries Website http://www.jhm.org
(8) http://cufi.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=learn_teachings#special_message
(9) http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer?pagename=donate_BuyProductsfromIsrael
(10) Ayalon: I’m trying to help Obama JTA /politics/2008/01/30/

KNESSET SHENANIGANS

Just in from Matot Arim:
The Knesset is going on vacation in 2 weeks. Olmert's men are doing everything possible to torpedo what is supposed to be this Knesset's crowning seasonal achievement: a law which will force the traditionally leftwing Praklitut (State Prosecutor's office) to close the hundreds of criminal proceedings it initiated against those who protested the Disengagement from Gush Katif. This was discriminatory on the part of the Praklitut. As the former Chairman of the Knesset's Law and Justice Committee, middle-of-the-roader and disengagement proponent MK Micky Eitan pointed out today in Makor Rishon (Hebrew paper), "In students' demonstrations, although tens of thousands of people turned over cars and hurt policemen -- no-one was arrested".
The law is stuck yet again -- again in the Committee of MK Otniel Schneller from Olmert's party, Kadima. This time, as reported in Makor Rishon this morning, MK Schneller has thought of two brand-new excuses why to delay the law just a little more (till the vacation i.e.): First, Knesset Legal Advisor Nurit Elstein (yes -- also leftwing in orientation) has threatened that if (when) the law is challenged in the Bagatz - High Court of Justice -- she might refuse to defend it. Second, says Schneller innocently, isn't it better to simply negotiate with the State Prosecutor's office and reach an amiable agreement that these criminal proceedings be closed?
Please URGENTLY get in touch with MK Schneller (by SMS, fax or phone, whatever's easiest -- see below). He and Olmert MUST begin to understand that nowadays, ordinary citizens like us are clever enough to see through these excuses.
Here's an example fax (FEEL FREE TO DRAFT YOUR OWN!)
Re: Chanina for Katom Demonstrators (translation: clemency for right-wing demonstrators)
Dear Chairman Schneller,
It is shocking that the above law is still held up in the committee that you chair. It is obvious that the Prosecutor's office will never close these files since they have already had 3 years (since 2005) in which to do so. In fact, if you push the law through in the 2 weeks remaining to you, this is actually the only incentive that could possibly persuade the Prosecutor's office to close these cases on their own. Also, with all due respect -- there is little logic in your torpedoing this law now -- for fear that Legal Advisor Nurit Elstein will torpedo it later. Instead, you, Mr. Chairman, must show Adv. Elstein a good example NOW, by getting this law passed IMMEDIATELY, and when and if she fails to follow your good example in the future -- we will do whatever is needed to dissuade her then, just as we are doing whatever is needed to persuade you now! Please write back urgently to tell us that you have PASSED this law successfully from your committee to the next stage which is the Knesset plenary. Thank you so much. (signed) YOUR NAME

How to contact MK Schneller: SMS or phone to 050-2067968; 052-3808733; 054-5550123
* Fax 02-6496742 * Knesset tel no: 02-6408383. *
You can even call him at his home in Maaleh Michmash if you have the number handy
* e-mail oschneller@knesset.gov.il
Note: but SMS is more effective than e-mail.
Here's an example of an SMS to send to the 3 cellphone numbers above: MK Schneller, Chanina for Katom Demonstrators law must pass NOW! (add your name).

Disengaged

Detached

Uninvolved

Removed

yes, Disengaged

That's how I feel here in New York. I rarely get on a computer and don't hear the radio, nor see newspapers, at least not more than once or twice a week at best.

I gave up trying to find news about Israel on TV. Headlines are about Billy Joel's ex-wife the famous model and her very peculiar marriage with her soon to be additional "ex." There's also important news about Madonna and her "admirer."

So, I don't know at all what is going on. I guess I'm presently typical of your typical non-Israeli. News topic among people here concern the price of gas for the car and whether they're voting for Obama or McCain.

And yes, there are some great sales. Lord & Taylor have some things 50%off sales price. With the dollar down, bargains. But why is the dollar down? Nobody seems to know. Probably all the outsourcing.

Next week, G-d willing, I'll be back in the real world, but at present, I'm disengaged.

The Pigu'a and The Parsha

I'm just curious.

Unless I slept through it, the rabbi of the Young Israel of Scarsdale didn't connect this week's Arab terror attack (pigu'a) in Jerusalem to the Torah Portion of the Week (parsha.)

I'm just curious, yes I am.

Did any of you hear a drasha which did connect the two? What was it?

And if you didn't or did if it were up to you to write or give one, what would you say?

At Least He's Dead

Strange things are being published about the terrorist who bulldozed innocent Israelis on Jaffa Street last week. Now, can an Arab drug addict be considered a terrorist? Or is he "just a" sicko?

Now, I'm very sensitive to terror attacks by Arabs on sidewalks labeled "accidents," since I was run over by an Arab terrorist over ten years ago. It was during that Oslo terror time. There had just been a number of Arab terrorist suicide bombers, so the government/police tried to prove that it was "just an accident" that the terrorist had made a sharp right onto the sidewalk/bus stop and then a sharp left over my foot and ended up murdering one and injuring dozens. It was a small car and not a bulldozer.

The Power

One person in Israel seems to hold unbelievable power in Israel. He's not in the media and he's not a politician. This man's decisions have brought down governments and made them.

I don't usually agree with him. He gets his information from his staff.

Can you guess to whom I'm referring?

This headline says it all:

Rabbi Ovadia will Decide Fate of Gov't Wiretap Vote

That's Why!

It has always seemed so incomprehensible to me that World Jewry, American Jewry especially were so quiet and passive and accepting while Nazi Germany kept upgrading increasing the discrimination against Jews which culminated in the systematic murder of six million. On numerous occasions I asked my father how much he, a person who always read the newspaper, knew about what was happening.

I always had trouble believing it, but he insisted that very little news came out.

These past few years, I've been in New York every summer. I read newspapers, get to see the news on TV, and I'm in the dark about what's happening in the world. That's should expose me to more news than people knew about all those decades ago.

When I was growing up, the nascent television had a maximum of 13 channels. Now there are hundreds.

We've just spent two Shabbatot in New York Jewish communities, gone to synagogue, listened to the sermons.

Israel is not a priority.

That's it. Even though there was a terror attack in which Jews were murdered recently, if there were headlines, they were fleeting. The fact that the terrorists continue to attack Sderot and the Negev is considered boring old news, which doesn't sell papers or bring in advertising revenues.

There may be a potential of support for Israel and our rights to live in all of Eretz Yisrael, the Land of Israel, but we can't expect to activate it since they don't know what's really happening.

Hasbara, public relations for Jewish rights needs to go to the people. We keep hearing that we are exposed to so much information and news, but I have a feeling that it's not true at all.

We must work hard to find a way of letting the world know.

Barak's Campaigning for the Center

Just some quick things.
From the JPost headliones, it seems like Ehud Barak of Labor is trying to compete with Bibi for the "center."

Barak orders closure of Gaza crossings
Barak instructs IDF to demolish home of bulldozer terrorist

Of course, that still leaves us without a party on the Right, but I'm glad that he feels that the votes aren't on the Left.

Forgive Me

I've been deleting all of my mail. Here and there I notice something that needs a two word reply, but I'm so seldom online that I can't deal with the overload. I've taken care of notifying re:Kosher Cooking Carnival. Please check out KCC Updates for that, but otherwise I haven't been very polite. Now I have less than 20 minutes in the library.

I'm also not aware of the news.

Why is it that with the over 800 channels, yes 846 if I'm not mistaken, on my parents' tv, not a single easy to find one for news about Israel?

I want to thank my loyal guest-bloggers for their dedication to keeping you informed and entertained, especially "goyish."

On Wells and Borders (Parshat Hukkat)

This coming Shabbat we will read Parshat Hukkat (Bamidbar 19:1 -- 22:1). The subject, in a nutshell, is death, purity and holiness. The end of the parsha contains the song of the well followed by the request of Israel to pass through the territory of Sichon, King of the Emori. What can we learn from the proximity of the two apparently unrelated subjects? The Israelites rejoice in the divine gift of water gushing from a well in the desert after much frustration, much as Yitzhak rejoiced in redigging the wells which the Plishtim (Philistines, a synonym in English for spiritually and culturally insensitive people) repeatedly buried after Avraham originally dug them.
Water is a symbol of both Torah and life. The water purification at the beginning of the portion is about returning the person exposed to death to the land of the living. The desert, too, is a place of death, and within it the isolated place of water and life bursts forth. Song is the form of prophecy, the bursting forth of the special gifts of the Israelite soul, uniquely able to connect with the Divine Presence. Through Torah, Israel can initiate the contact with G-d, rather than merely passively receiving it when it comes.
Following this event Israel asks to cross Emorite territory, making clear that they will pay for all food and provide their own water, not taking from the life-giving waters needed by the local population. But the king refuses. Why? Is it merely distrust, or is it more? The well-song indicates the direction. The idolatrous Emorites are tone-deaf to the divine song of Israel. They can not comprehend it. They cannot live with the proximity of that which is outside their perception. They lash out. Israel goes to war and conquers the land, which they had not planned to do. In similar circumstances against Ammon, Moav and Edom, which they are forbidden to fight, they quietly detour around. This indicates that the action in this case is out of obedience to G-d rather than love of battle.
May we soon merit the outpouring of the Divine Spirit in prophecy in the end of days.