| The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee :: E-Newsletter 08/22/14 THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. |
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| This is NOT the time for silence! | |||
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Two days ago, over 300 rockets were fired into Israel’s heartland – and, at the same time, anti-Semitic instances were reported throughout Europe and the United States. During the 1960’s a young writer, Elie Wiesel, introduced the world to the “Jews of Silence.” Wiesel describes the atmosphere of fear and silence that reigned among Soviet Jewry when this book was written. The rulers of the former Soviet Union attempted to force Jews to abandon their faith and identity, and to cut ties with their brothers and sisters in Israel. And then there was the daily disparagement of the State of Israel and the maligning of Zionism by the State Media, (something we see in many countries around the world today). Fast forward to 2014: are we, as American Jews, becoming those silent, acquiescent Jews? The crusade of Jew-hatred is all around us – on the left, on the right, on college campuses, in the media, formulated by Arab propagandists and those European anti-Semites, and American anti-Semites that went “underground” for years. This outward manifestation grows more vicious and irascible by the day. The beheading of James Wright Foley He is then shown being beheaded. Watching the video make me sick – worse than punch to the gut. It was truly one of the most sickening things I have ever seen. And my immediate thought was, “Everyone needs to see this.” After all, if people had sooner seen the atrocities that Hitler and his supporters had perpetrated in the late 30’s and early 40’s, how would the Jewish world have responded or taken action? The reality is, it’s beyond the pale … disgusting and disgraceful. And out of respect to Mr. Foley and his family, it should not be distributed. Other online companies have taken this very approach. YouTube removed or blocked out the graphic scenes in the video. Twitter went as far as temporarily banning anyone who shared any graphic content from the event. To that end, The Jewish Federation will not share such content – but let me be clear – this despicable, horrible act should serve as a wake-up call to each of us, cozy in the sanctity of America. Radical Islam is growing and with it, the sentiment that Jews and Christians need to be converted or eradicated. We cannot and must not remain silent.
What has been the international response? LITTLE or NOTHING. Or worse – blame the victim: Israel, Jews who support Israel, Christians who support Israel, stores which sell Israeli goods. The list goes on …
Friends, it’s time to stop the silence! No monies are needed for this campaign – just your voices. And your fingers on your computer. TAKE ACTION: 1. Write the White House, IMPLORE THEM! Particularly President Obama: Speak out against the despicable anti-Semitic events throughout Europe and here in America – and mention our ‘friends’ Turkey and Qatar in your words – they’re supporting TERRORISTS. Tell it like it is! We stand with the people of Israel! 2. Use Social Media! Attached are 3 items to send out: 3. Help us reach out to friends in the Sarasota-Manatee community: 4. Want to help plan pro-Israel programs and activities? 5. Travel to Israel: And, if you are interested in giving to the Israel Emergency Campaign:
Have other ideas how to help? We at this Jewish Federation remain ever vigilant. We will continue to speak out against ISIS’ brutality and murderous treatment of Americans, Christians and other groups and encourage our Federation readers to take action wherever possible. The **WARNING** Graphic content below
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NEWS:
– Swedish Jewish Woman Savagely Beaten for Wearing Star of David – Temple U. Jewish student punched at pro-Palestinian group’s booth – Facebook: Israel Now’s image series ‘Who’s Next?’
OP-ED:
Christians crucified by ISIS terrorists in Syria in June
READ: Ronald S. Lauder’s op-ed Who Will Stand Up for the Christians?: “The bond between Jews and Christians makes complete sense. We share much more than most religions. We read the same Bible, and share a moral and ethical core. Now, sadly, we share a kind of suffering Christians are dying because of their beliefs, because they are defenseless and because the world is indifferent to their suffering. Good people must join together and stop this revolting wave of violence. It’s not as if we are powerless. I write this as a citizen of the strongest military power on earth. I write this as a Jewish leader who cares about my Christian brothers and sisters.
The Jewish people understand all too well what can happen when the world is silent. This campaign of death must be stopped.”
For more Israel-related information visit: SarasotaLovesIsrael.com *** |
