November 5, 2008
President Elect Barack Obama
713 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
Dear President Elect Obama,
On behalf of our Board of Directors, our more than 150 member synagogues throughout the United States, and representing over 100,000 Jews across America, I congratulate you on your historic election as President of the United States.
Our 100-year-old organization has long championed the causes of freedom and our members have traditionally been involved in charitable and social causes that benefit people of all races and religions. As Jews, we understand discrimination and unjustified hatred. President Abraham Lincoln issued The Emancipation Proclamation and, at the same time, countermanded General Ulysses S. Grant’s General Order #11, calling for the expulsion of Jews from Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. Discrimination has no racial, religious or ethnic boundaries.
Among our organization’s stated aims and goals is to instill in our youth the tenets of our faith and that our faith is compatible with “good citizenship.” Our members have served in our country’s military, in government and as volunteers. At the same time, our members are Zionists and have a special relationship with the State of Israel.
Israel made great sacrifices for peace when it closed the settlements in Gaza. It was repaid by the bombardment of Sderot. Israeli soldiers have been kidnapped and returned dead. Many of our members have lost relatives to terror and continue to support those who were injured or made homeless.
During your presidency, you will be asked by some to pressure Israel to make concessions. Others will question Israel’s friendship with the United States and/or its strategic importance. At those times, I ask you to remember that during the first Iraq War, Israel withstood Iraqi missile attacks and did not respond, solely because it was asked to refrain from doing so by the United States. Through its inaction, Israel proved that it was more than a mere friend or ally. How many countries in the world can claim they sacrificed their own civilian’s lives to protect the military, strategic and diplomatic goals of the United States?
Our membership also virtually speaks with one voice on behalf of a united Jerusalem. Jerusalem cannot be divided. It is the heart and soul of the Jewish nation. No country or religion has the historic and emotional ties to Jerusalem as does Israel and the Jewish people. The reunification of Jerusalem in 1967 was a miracle. A re-division of Jerusalem would rock the very foundation of the Jewish State and would remove the very soul of our people.
During this campaign, you proved yourself to be a person with a plan for the future of America. You will be entering office during difficult times. We offer you our congratulations, our support and, most importantly, our prayers for your success. May G-d bless you, your family and the United States of America.
Respectfully yours,
Shlomo Z. Mostofsky, President
Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President
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One Response
Hatred? Clearly bacci40 you and the liberals like you have totally missed the boat regarding the legitimate concerns and fears of the Orthodox community.
I do not condone some of the troubling and racially charged comments many have made, however those remarks that I saw directed at various media outlets from the YI were respectful and reasonable.
Below are 2 examples of Mr. Mostofskys letters:
Regarding the Democratic parties hijacking of the Stop Iran rally”
“The National Council of Young Israel urges everyone to attend “The Rally to Stop Iran Now” and to not allow any of these ancillary issues to keep them from participating in an event that is so vitally important to the State of Israel, the United States, and the Jewish nation.”
and the letter to the LA Times regarding the withholding of a video tape depicting an anti Israel gathering.
“Your paper claims that the outcome of civil court proceedings is “immensely important to the public” and that “private court proceedings create public mistrust and suspicion.” These positions are ludicrous in light of your intentionally withholding information of grave concern to members of the public. Surely the outcomes of civil court proceedings pale in comparison to the importance of a presidential election. The failure to publicize the video “creates mistrust and suspicion” among Jewish and pro-Israel voters as to Senator Obama’s record. “The public has the right to know.”
In both cases, it was not only the responsible mission of a community leader like Mr. Mostfosky to articulate his points,it was courageous. What is more troubling was the silence of others in the Jewish community who didn’t make similar respectful protests.
bacci40,there is no shame in doing due diligence and taking a position before supporting a specific candidate, surly when we are dealing with the Presidency of the US. It is within bounds to respectfully and dilgently dig for the truth.In the case of the LA times, even a liberal would agree that their actions are reprehensible.
At this late date and with the election now behind us, I am still unclear as to what Mr. Mostofsky did wrong. The LA Times has still not released the tape. However,the interests of our community, post- election, require the respectful letter that what was sent today by the YI. You and others hide behind your user names
and pounce on organizations and their leaders for their actions not to your liking.How cowardly.
One,Mr. Mostofsky, fearlessly signed his letter to the Times and took a position- how commendable.
The only shame in this conversation is the disrespectful tone of yours- anonymous of course.