By: Nelson Abdullah
Conscience of a Conservative
Posted on October 16, 2012 by Jerusalem Connection
By Rabbi, Bernhard Rosenberg, ISRAPUNDIT —
This should serve as a wake up call for all Jews and Christians
who express love for America and Israel.
To My Fellow Rabbis:
I write to you at this time of dire trouble for our country and for Israel.
A couple of weeks ago, 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 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 as incapable, or unwilling, to defend our interests and our friends.
On that note, Obama’s policy towards 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’s leaders, should they dare to defend the Jewish State’s very existence, will go it alone. Such signals serve only to embolden Israel’s enemies, who are also America’s enemies…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 month. Meanwhile, he found time to regale on CBS Television’s Late Show with David Letterman 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 actions toward Israel and her Prime Minister, I ask you to reconsider your public support for President Obama in next month’s election. Certainly, Israel deserves America’s full support and respect, not the treatment she has received under the current President.
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 the murder of 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?
Why don’t we rabbis come together and insist that the Obama Administration express — in words and In deeds – its unequivocal support for Israel during this most challenging of times?
And, of utmost importance, why doesn’t President Obama PUT INTO PRACTICE his until-now hollow words – “I have Israel’s back” – by immediately destroying Iran’s nuclear infrastructure?
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 in which the danger to Israel is more paramount than ever. Don’t kid yourselves. We are nearing the 11th hour.
Please join us in our quest to see that America and Israel stay safe from the growing danger that is 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 [email protected].
**Two weeks ago, the Obama Administration notified Congress that it would provide Egypt’s new government an emergency cash infusion of $450 million. Fortunately, Kay Granger (R-TX), the chairwoman of the House appropriations subcommittee which oversees the disbursement of foreign aid, stood up to President Obama and blocked the distribution to Egypt (MSNBC).
*About Rabbi Rosenberg:
Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth-El, Edison, New Jersey.
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.
Rabbi Rosenberg 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 was the recipient of 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.
Rabbi Rosenberg 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
More than 70 rockets and mortars were fired last week from Gaza at southern Israeli communities.
During 2012 more than 610 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip hit Israel, over 150 during the course of October alone, according to the IDF.
RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG
Read more: http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/165066/mitts-big-lead-in-israel/#ixzz2AdozSstz
Lawrence Wilkerson, Former Colin Powell Aide, Blasts Sununu, GOP, As ‘Full Of Racists’ WHAT ABOUT THE ANTI-SEMITES AND TH0SE WHO THREATEND ME. ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE. SEE HUFFINGTON POST FOR RACIST REMARKS REGARDING ME. RABBI ROSENBERG
—–Original Message—–
From: chaimdov
To: chaimdov
Sent: Sat, Oct 27, 2012 12:34 pm
Subject: Fwd: Election Last 10 Days – קרב המאסף של ה”רבנים למען רומני”
—–Original Message—–
From: Nurit Greenger
To: Nurit
Sent: Sat, Oct 27, 2012 2:29 am
Subject: Election Last 10 Days – קרב המאסף של ה”רבנים למען רומני”
Published:
http://www.israelforum.com/blog_article.php?aid=4443080 (To Score)
Election Last 10 Days: Rabbi Harassed, Attacked: http://newsblaze.com/story/20121026142842nurg.nb/topstory.html
http://docstalk.blogspot.com/2012/10/pe-election-last-10-days.html
Rabbi Rosenberg and ‘Rabbis 4 Romney’ last minute appeal to the American people, especially American Jews.
—-
Election Last 10 Days
October 26, 2012
Nurit Greenger
On October 4, 2012, following an interview I held with Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg who heads’ ‘Rabbis 4 Romney’, I published an article I called ‘Obama and the other Jewish vote’ http://docstalk.blogspot.com/2012/10/obama-and-other-jewish-vote.html.
It appears that I was the first one to have interviewed and to have published an article about Rabbi Rosenberg and his rabbis 4 Romney. Since then he has been interviewed and exposed by many media outlets and his fight for some sort of political truth has been publicized.
Today I called up Rabbi Rosenberg to see where he is at, ten days before election. “You have started the snow ball rolling, which has brought me to the frontline of the political maze,” he said.
My main reason for calling Rabbi Rosenberg was along my deep belief that many Jews who have voted for Obama have changed their vote and will in fact vote for Romney this time around. However, I sense they do not speak out, as if they are scared to openly state and share with others their dismay with Obama’s performance thus far and they will not give him a chance to do more damage.
The first thing that came out of Rabbi Rosenberg’s mouth was about the attacks, harassment and threats he has experienced since he went openly in support of Romney. The Huffington Post published the article, ‘Rabbis For Romney’ Founder Isn’t Saying Which Rabbis Are For Romney http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/19/rabbis-for-romney_n_1987278.html. “This article,” he says, “received hundreds of talk back and comments in which I was threatened to the point where I had to go to the police and asked for their protection.”
In my opinion, the bullying tactics the Democrats and their supporters are using should scare every American. Chicago politics has taken the country by Obama storm.
So why will you not give any name? I asked
Rabbi Rosenberg (RR): Because they are literally scared to death to expose themselves and tell the truth. They see what I am going through with the threats and they are scared it will happen to them and thus they prefer to keep their position and opinion to themselves.
NG: Why those who had a change of mind about Obama, and though still democrats will vote for Romney, do not come out publically to declare it? Why do they appear to be simply scared to voice their opinion?
RR: large percentage of Jews, approximately 75%, will be voting for Obama not on the base of values’ rather because of the money trail. They are doing so because they cannot bring themselves to admit that the Democratic party no longer represents the values it once had. More so, they will vote for whoever is in office who will throw federal funds for the social agencies and for federal funded positions. That means if they do not vote on that premise, they will lose their positions and jobs. For that matter, Obama, who believes and acts as if the government is the solution for everything, is their man.
Rabbi Rosenberg is openly challenging the Republican party and the Jewish Republican Coalition (JRC) to support him in the same way the media has done. He wonders why Mr. Sheldon Adelson, who has given Romney’s Super Pac abundance of funds has not dedicated some of those funds to ‘Rabbis 4 Romney,’ who, as Rabbi Rosenberg believes can strengthen their election campaign.
RR: no matter how many times I have asked for the support of the mentioned above bodies I have been either turned down or I was ignored. I believe that exposing me with full page ads in the swing and critical states can still change some people’s mind and bring more votes to Romney.
NG: what do you propose to do now and until election?
RR: I believe that Romney was too nice on the third and last debate. He did not demand an answer or even attacked Obama on what happened in Benghazi. In fact, he literally agreed with Obama on almost everything and thus I see him the loser in this debate. I hereby call for a full answer on the Benghazi cover up! Pretending it is not a cover up and a very serious matter that calls for impeachment is a travesty. If it is was a Republican president he would have been under the political bus already.
“I call upon American Jews to develop strength and prove they have guts,” Rabbi Rosenberg exclaims. “Stop pretending that by being liberals the world will become a better place; it will not! The opposite will occur. More people will be out of a job; Israel will be undermined and our beloved USA be heading toward socialism and our Founding Fathers dream of creating the most creative and free society on earth will be buried in stupidity.”
“I want the people who attacked me to know that with their attacks I only get stronger. I then see the tattooed number on my father’s arm, the remnant of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp where he was detained just because he was a Jew, and I am reminded that I became a rabbi to prevent anti-Semitism, to prevent another Holocaust, to protect Israel and to shout ‘Never Again'”
“I call on the Republican Party to empower me to speak because I am most certain I will empower others to do the very same.”
NG: My question to my colleagues in the conservative movement, why don’t you act on Rabbi Rosenberg’s pleadings and give him the financial support? He may just deliver that very last vote that will tilt in Romney’s favor and will seal his win to be the next president of the United States.