THE JEWISH VOICE AND OPINION Promoting Classical Judaism
November 2011
O
Cheshvan 5772
Occupy Wall Street: Antisemitism Is Part of the Message
ne of the first people to comment on the antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric at the “Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) protest camp in lower Manhattan as well as at several of its clones in cities across the United States and Europe, was Sean Spicer, communications director of the Republican National Committee. In a memorandum dated October 18, Mr. Spicer wondered how Democratic leaders could endorse the OWS movement while remaining silent “in the midst of protesters’ extreme antisemitic, anti-Israel comments.”
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Michael Moore and signs from Occupy Wall Street and Democratic Congressional “Where’s the outrage?” Campaign Committee Chairasked Mr. Spicer, singling out man Rep. Steven Israel (D-NY) President Barack Obama; Rep. for declaring their support for Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Demothe demonstrations. cratic National Committee “Is Steve Israel standing Chairwoman, Rep. Debbie with those calling for the killWasserman Schultz (D-FL);
ing of Jews? Does Debbie Wasserman Schultz agree with the various calls for Jews to be ‘run out of this country’ and to oppose and ‘destroy’ the state of Israel?” said Mr. Spicer. Documenting Antisemitism In fact, in and around the OWS protesters’ general message that rich people need to pay much more in taxes to help spread their wealth and make things “fair,” and that they—the protesters and their allies—need more from the government, are signs that Jews are being targeted.
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Ransoming Israeli Captives Leaves Hamas Joyous and Bereaved Families Desolate and Betrayed
o one in Israel or the civilized world could feel anything but relief on watching Gilad Shalit, 25, and Ilan Grapel, 27, returned to their families. Mr. Shalit spent five years of barbaric captivity at the hands of the Hamas terrorists in Gaza, and Mr. Grapel, an American who also has Israeli citizenship, spent four months in a Cairo prison on what are widely seen as trumped-up charges of spying for Mossad. But the ransom Israel was forced to pay—for Mr. Shalit,
1,027 convicted terrorists, many of them with blood on their hands after carrying out some of the most heinous mass murders in Israel’s history; and for Mr. Grapel, 25 Egyptian prisoners—was, to say the least, controversial. Later this month, a third Israeli citizen, Ouda Tarabin, a Bedouin, will be released from Egypt after spending 11 years in prison on charges that he spied for Israel. To secure Mr. Tarabin’s release, Israel, which maintains Mr. Tara-
Orthodox Jewish Center of Teaneck.. 3 Kol Ami: Good for Israel?............... 4 The Current Crisis.......................... 5 LMS for Credit ............................. 10 A Sukkah at the Jets Game.............. 12 Hazon Yeshaya for Israel’s Poor.. 13
bin’s innocence, will release an additional 60 Egyptian prisoners. While some Israelis on the left tried to portray these releases, especially that of Mr. Shalit, as an occasion for unbridled joy, it was, for most Israelis and their supporters worldwide, at best, bittersweet. For years, the Shalit family, instead of directing their impassioned pleas for their son’s release to the world at large, chose to target the Is-
Inside the Voice
Rothman Speaks Out for Israel.... 21 Many Voice: One Message.......... 23 The Log........................................ 24 School Open Houses.................... 32 New Classes................................. 32 Mazal Tov.................................... 32
raeli government, often saying explicitly that their own government was at fault for not bringing their son’s ordeal to a close. As a result, a huge segment of the Israeli population was involved in pressuring the government, too. “Unpeople” For the Hamas in Gaza, on the other hand, the swap was treated as a major success. The one gripe heard most often from the terrorist organization and its supporters was that the vast
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Chesed Opportunities................... 34 Ess Gezint: Edison Temptations .38 Index of Advertisers . .................. 41 Honor the Professional ............... 43 Letters to the Editor .................... 44 Emunah Dinner............................ 47