WIKILEAKS Says US is Behind Egyptian Overthrow. Be Careful What You Wish For!!

B"H

“A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.”

--Thomas Jefferson

Supporting "democracy," is not necessarily a good thing.  

Support for "democracy" in a country with no guarantee (or even the concept of) freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, or the protection of the rights of minorities is just plain stupid.

You can't just declare a "democracy."  There needs to be a structure in place, a constitution, a set of checks and balances, the education of the masses into what "freedom" means, and a leadership committed not just to the rights of the majority, but the rights and freedom of the minority as well.

Right now, I don't believe that Egypt can be considered a place where democracy can exist.  Perhaps democratic reforms can be made slowly and methodically, but "democracy" is an empty word in a place where freedom is as alien to the populace as moon rocks.

The United States does not have a "democratic" government.  We are a Constitutional Republic--a government balanced with a bicameral legislature, checks and balances between the different areas of government--executive, legislative, and judicial, and guaranteed freedoms of expression, the press, and religion. 

Lots of tin-pot dictators, from Yassir Arafat to Castro to Ahmadinejad, all claim they are "democratically elected."  But this means nothing in a place where there is only one candidate, no freedom of expression, the press is government controlled, and there are no secret ballots.  

Before we all jump on the "democracy for Egypt" bandwagon, let us be absolutely clear about what that democracy would represent.  

M

Russia Considers Burying Lenin . . . After 87 Years

B”H

Wow.  This would cause some sort of a halachic quandry, wouldn’t it?  

Lenin never asked for his body to be embalmed and displayed.  It was done without his consent.  So, if he was finally buried, would Lenin be buried as a Jew in a Jewish cemetery?  

If so, who would do it?  Who would pay for it?  Where would be he buried?

Can a Jew be buried after being embalmed for 87 years? 

For what reason would he not be buried as a Jew?  Did anyone ever say Kaddish for Lenin? . . .Could they say Kaddish if he was buried?  Who would be responsible to do this, considering that so much time has passed?

This would be a huge political and religious controversy, no question.  I’m sure there are a lot of issues I am not even considering.

M
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Goodbye Lenin? United Russia Considers Burial
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/goodbye-lenin-united-russia-considers-burial/429441.html
Peter Andrews / Reuters
 

Lenin may be turned out of his tomb if a campaign launched by United Russia members succeeds in closing down his mausoleum on Red Square.

DIPLOMATIC BOMB! GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER REVEALS ISRAEL-PA NEGOTIATION LEAKS OBTAINED FROM AL JAZEERA TV

B"H

The Guardian Newspaper has just released The Palestinian Papers--documents relating to Israel and the PA negotiations that they obtained from Al Jazeera TV.

The documents, which cover thousands of pages, document over ten years of negotiations and may lead to serious repercussions in the Arab world--especially at this delicate time with Tunisia in disarray, Lebanon on the edge, Egypt confirming a Gaza involvement in the Coptic Church bombings, Abbas holding on for his life, and Iran sending warships into the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.

I would not be surprised if this was the information that caused Abbas to pull back from his "Unilateral Palestinian State" proposal in the past few days.

It is clear that these documents may have wide-reaching impact, toppling regimes and destroying the reputations of politicians all over the world.  

There is a reason that diplomatic correspondence is kept confidential.

May G-d watch over us all .  .  . 

M

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Secret papers reveal slow death of Middle East peace process
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jan/23/palestine-papers-expose-peace-concession

The Palestine papers reveal the offer of concessions by Palestinian peace negotiators on areas such as the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount holy sites in Jerusalem.

The biggest leak of confidential documents in the history of the Middle East conflict  has revealed that Palestinian negotiators secretly agreed to accept Israel's annexation of all but one of the settlements built illegally in occupied East Jerusalem.  This unprecedented proposal was one of a string of concessions that will cause shockwaves among Palestinians and in the wider Arab world.

Jewish Gravestones Toppled, Cars Buried by NY Sanitation Workers. Post Says it is "Grave Mistake." I Say it is "Grave Anti-Semitism" trying to Get Back at Jewish Mayor

B"H

Well, the NY Post's headline is not exactly accurate, in my humble opinion.   This was not a "Grave Mistake" it was "Grave Anti-Semitism."  I think the sanitation workers knew EXACTLY what they were doing.  

One of my friends, who lives only a block from the cemetery told me, "They had the road closed off to the public as they did this.  I was coming home at 3 a.m. when I saw all the trucks dumping the snow on the cars.  This street/road is the only one in this part of Brooklyn where there are no residences, so the angry garbage men blocked the street and did this when no one could see."

I don't think it is a coincidence that they dumped the snow on a Jewish cemetery and on cars that they towed to the spot for the purpose of burying them.  I also don't think it is a coincidence that most of the streets around where this dumping occurred weren't cleared.  

These garbage men probably decided they wouldn't clean up the sections of Brooklyn where the Jews live because they could get even with the Jewish mayor and the Jewish city council members through "their people"--even the dead ones.

Would black or Asian communities take this abuse and say it was a "mistake"?  No.  

They would make a stink.  We should too.  If we don't demand justice, we won't get it.  They should all lose their jobs over this. 

M

Katzav Says Guilty Verdict Divine Punishment for Gush Katif Withdrawal

B”H

May all the politicians hear his message and heed it.  

There is a divine punishment for giving Jewish lands to our enemies and putting our people at risk.  There is no “land for peace,” when those you give land to don’t want anything but the peace of the grave for Israel and the Jews.

The US paid with the floods of Katrina, and the people who still stuffer displacement must know that they will not find a place to settle and call home until those who were displaced from Gaza find permanent homes.  They are connected.

Anyone who would give one inch of Jewish land to our enemies spits in the face of G-d.

There is a price for that.

M

Scientists Find Proof of First Modern Humans in (Wait for it ) . . . Israel!

B"H

It always seems that scientists start out saying "HA!  The Torah isn't true!!" and, with a bit more research and time, end up saying . . . "Well, OK, maybe this ONE TIME . . . "  What is funny is how many "one time" discoveries have occurred! 

This article is just another example.  Scientists may have found proof that humanity originated in (* gasp *) Israel!

Imagine that!  That silly old story of Adam and Eve might actually have happened.

Hmmmm.  You don't suppose all that other stuff is true too, do you?  You know, all the laws and such . . . 

I wonder what type of conundrum this will put the strict evolutionists into. I can just imagine:

"No, Johnny, the Bible isn't true . . . well, except that part about how the universe was created suddenly, from nothing; how all matter was created the same moment; how all the planets were created at the same time as the rest of the universe; how light was separated from darkness because the universe was “foggy” with ionized plasma—a type of light that cannot be seen--and how, when the photons were released from that plasma, the universe become transparent as light was separated from darkness . . . well, and, of course there is this whole humanity originating in Israel thing . . . but, believe me, Johnny!  Even though there is no way the author of the Bible could have known this stuff unless the author was G-d, just remember, the Bible isn't true!!"

It seems the more scientific we get, the more we end up proving that Torah is truth--which, of course, is what Maimonides always believed.

But, back to my point.  It looks like we might have found the earliest modern humans, in Israel.

But, of course, for most of us, it was just a matter of time before the scientists caught up with what we already knew to be true.

M

Action Alert: AntiSemitic Newspaper Publishes Blood Libel Against Jews, Zionists

B"H

I don't usually become embroiled in action items, but I felt that this item was of such importance that I wanted to bring it to your attention.

Yesterday, a friend of mine received a "Google Alert" article from an Oregon on-line newspaper called the "Salem News."  I understand that the ADL and the Simon Wiesenthal Center regard this site as a "hate site," and I can understand why!

The article in question was so objectionable, so over-the-top in its Anti-Semitism and its attack on Jewish and Christian Zionists, that she contacted me so that I could get the word out.  

I agreed with her assessment.

I don't want to bring any more traffic to this rag, so I have quoted the article, in its entirety, for the purpose of bringing it to your attention.  If you are as offended as I am, then it is time to act by writing letters to their internet provider, to their advertisers, and, if you live in Europe, you may be able to complain about this site, and some of the "European Correspondents."  If anyone has any other ideas for how to deal with this site (in a legal way, of course), please leave me a comment.

The site is sponsored by Hopone.Net.  You may make a complaint to that provider at this address:  http://www.hopone.net/contacts.php

Here is a list of some of the advertisers on Salem-News, and their e-mail addresses (please leave me a comment if you can find more!):

Auction Masters   allinalldone@hotmail.com

Steels Karate   steelskarate@toast.net 

(They are an affiliate of the Japan Karate Federation of the Northwest, who should be alerted to what Steels Karate is doing.  Contact: admin@JKFNW.com)

Monte’s Auctions   coinguy@wvi.com 

Willamette Queen Sternwheeler    WQsternwheeler@aol.com

Kadels Autobody     Corporate@kadels.com

Of course, all action against this site should be civil and legal.  Please do not threaten anyone or partake in any hate speech yourself. 

M

Nazi's Promised Mufti of Jerusalem Leadership of "Palestine" after Wholesale Slaughter of 350,000 Israeli Jews

B"H

This knowledge has been hidden too long in the name of "politically correctness." It is very significant, obvious, and historically appropriate information that every person needs to know.  The Islamo-Facist-Nazi connection that began in World War II has been alive and present the whole time--even when our sociologists, historians, cultural anthropologists, politicians, and pundits wanted to look the other direction (see this excellent article about the "taboo" of discussing this issue from the Wall Street Journal.)

It starts with our own people, refusing to include this history in the US Holocaust museum and in the material provided for Holocaust education all over the world.  We can't deny a history that exists.  We can't wish it away.  We can't ignore it.  

It is there, it is present, and if we don't acknowledge this very obvious aspect of the Islamist "revolutionary" dream, we will never understand the truth behind their great wish to make Israel a Muslim country.  

Arafat wanted to realize his Uncle's dream to be the supreme ruler of Israel, and he passed that sick dream to Abbas and to Hamas and Hezbullah and all the other poor sucker arabs who call themselves "Palestinians."  They think if they control Israel, they can destroy Judiasm and the Christianity and spread Islam to every corner of the world.

This article shows how the US government has known the murderous intent of the arabs to kill all the Jewish inhabitants of Israel in World War II, and how that murderous intent has not faded in the present day.

It is high time that our own people realize this history.  Once we have acknowledged it, then we can make sure that others understand.

M

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‘Nazism, Islam shared common enemies - the Jews' 
Nazis  promised grand mufti of J'lem Haj Amin al-Husseini leadership of Palestine after slaughter of its Jews, according to US report.
By JORDANA HORN    
12/15/2010 00:54  
http://www.jpost.com/International/Article.aspx?id=199451


 NEW  YORK – A newly released report by the US National Archives details the close collaborative relationship between Nazi leaders and the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, indicating that Nazi authorities planned to use Husseini as their leader after their conquest of Palestine.

Jew Goes Under-Cover as Neo-Nazi, Tricks Notorious Nazi Into Giving Up Evidence for His Conviction

B"H

A big thanks to the American Jew, Mr. Mark Gould, who trapped this horrible, evil man by posing as a neo-nazi and getting the old man to admit his secrets, share his evil diaries, and provide all the evidence needed to convict.

In order to pull this off, this Jewish man of morals and character had to give up his self-respect, risk being shot, and sever ties with his own family and his traditions--all in the name of justice. May the stench of his assumed identity easily wash away, and may Mr. Gould's family know of his sacrifice throughout the generations. May Mr. Gould and those who assisted him be blessed among the Jewish people, and may he write a great book that I would love to read!!

I thought it was especially sweet that Mr. Gould was able to be present when the horrible, evil, despicable nazi, Bernhard Frank, was arrested.  I am so glad that Frank was not allowed to die in peace.  He will die knowing that every cent he made, his home, his savings, his businesses and land holdings--everything he ever touched--will be taken from him and his family forcibly by the courts.

He will die knowing that everything he ever had will be used for the benefit of Jews, and that instead of his assets going to his children and his grandchildren, it will, instead, go to the children and grandchildren of his victims.

Happy Hannukah!

M

ARSON. TERRORIST ARSON. Two Residents of Druze Village Arrested Throwing Malotov Cocktails in Carmel

B”H

I said this from the beginning, other people said it too, and now, finally, after much hemming and hawing and pretending like this was not a terrorist attack against Israel, the police have arrested two men throwing Molotov cocktails.  

I am praying that many more arrests will follow.

Oh, but, of course, it can’t be a terrorist attack, right?

No.  Just friendly arabs wanting to have a little party and forgetting to watch their cooking fire.  Yes, of course.

Pleeeeze.

Anyone from the West Coast of the US can tell you that one man with a cigarette can be a terrorist when the fire danger is high.  In Nevada, people are prosecuted for just that crime—throwing a cigarette out of your car window will get you a prison sentence, and you will be forced to pay for the cost of fighting the fires and repairing the damage.

I am praying that Israel will prosecute those responsible for this fire as the terrorists that they are.

(Which, unfortunately, means that they will be released in five or six weeks when Bibi does his next “good faith” release of dangerous terrorists in order to “make peace.”)

Sickening.  Really, really, sickening.

I think it the judge who decides what to do with these men must hand down the sentence while surrounded by the young children and babies of those lost in this fire.

M

Beit Oren, Nir Etzion Burned After Some Residents Forcibly Evacuated

Before the Fire:  Beit Oren National Forest

Before the Fire:  Nir Etzion

B”H

I know that many may say that the residents of Nir Etzion and Beit Oren should not have returned to their homes and farms against police orders and should not have had to been forcibly evacuated, but I’m sure the independent members of those towns also had very good reason to fight.

The government, by its own admission, has bungled this fire from the start, they don’t have the personnel, the money, or the equipment to fight it. There is a good chance that the people of Nir Etzion and Beit Oren would have been more resolute and more successful in fighting the fires in their community than the government.

In addition, those in Nir Etzion and Beit Oren have a severe mistrust of the government’s motives, as the government hasn’t been especially forthcoming with aid to religious Zionist communities and, frankly, may be less than willing to protect those communities.

It is so sad that, in combination with the hellishness of this fire (which I resolutely will not call a “natural disaster”--unless you think that arab terrorism is “natural”), the people of Israel must also deal with their inherit mistrust of Bibi, Peres, and their thuggish underlings.

Who is to say that the citizens of these burned-out communities won’t find themselves banned from their own property by the government and by arab squatters when they want to return?  Who is protecting these towns from looting and squatting?

After the fall of ash, comes the fallout of pain and suffering that always seems compounded by the actions of the Israeli government.
M

14 Victims Names Released, Funeral Times Set. May Hashm Comfort Their Families and Friends

B”H

As feared, the dead are young, in their late 20s and early 30s.  They had beautiful new lives, spouses, and children, and homes.

This is such a terrible tragedy.  They will need support and love and encouragement in the months and years to follow.
 




May Hashm comfort their families and friends.

M
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Names of Some of 41 Fire Victims and Funeral Times Released 
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/news.aspx/140977


The Carmel fire, Israel's worst natural calamity ever, is not yet under  control, despite the arrival of fire-fighting planes from Bulgaria and other countries. The fire is still threatening the Denya neighborhood in  Haifa.


A fire department spokesman announced a request for all firefighters to  come to relieve the exhausted firefighters of the north, who are refusing to leave the site, but are on the verge of collapse. He announced that the firefighting services are critically short of firefighting materials, complicated by the lack of rain and strong winds.


The names of several of the victims of the Carmel Forest tragic fire were released early on Friday morning:

12 Thousand Evacuated, 40 Dead, 4 Critically Injured in Carmel Fire

B"H

The IDF has been asked to film the fire from above in order to determine where it is heading next, but right now, it is headed toward Denya and the neighborhood is being evacuated at this time.

In addition to the information in this article, there is an update that 36 of the families of the victims have been informed of the deaths, and psychologists, clergy, and officials are meeting with them.

This tragedy has struck the Druze community especially hard, so please keep that community in your prayers as well.

There is a great suspicion that this tragedy is due to the cowardly and destructive terrorist arson of the Carmel forest.  May Hashm bring comfort to the families of those who have perished, and justice to those who perpetrated this crime.

M

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Further evacuations as result of spreading Carmel fire
Areas  of Denya neighborhood of Haifa begin evacuations; police chief orders IDF to film northern forest fire from above; 40 prison guards killed after being trapped in bus; PM to declare day of mourning.
By JPOST.COM STAFF AND YAAKOV LAPPIN  

12/03/2010 01:26
 http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=197785

Northern Israel was in a state of emergency as the worst ever fire in the country's history incinerated a bus carrying forty members of the Israel Prisons Service,  killing everyone on board, destroying thousands upon thousands of dunams of forests on the Carmel Mountain ridge and injuring dozens. Twelve thousand residents from Tirat Carmel and other surrounding communities in the area were evacuated from their homes as a result of the fire.

Police Insp.-Gen. David Cohen was overseeing rescue operations in the Carmel region. Cohen  completed an evaluation meeting and issued instructions to emergency officials for the remainder of the Thursday night and into Friday.

Continuing Coverage of Carmel Fire: More than 40 Dead, Many Injured. Greece, Cyprus Send Firefighting Aircraft

B"H

The continuing coverage of this tragedy. 

At least 40 young IPS cadets were burned alive in a bus, and there is a widespread belief that these fires are due to terrorist arson. 

Currently, Tirat Carmel, Nir Etzion, Ein Hod, Ein Hid and Beit Oren have been evacuated, and other evacultions are under way, the Haifa Chief of Police has been critically injured. 

Greece and Cyprus are sending firefighting airplanes to assist Israel because Israel doesn't have large firefighting airplanes that can drop large quantities of fire-retardant chemicals on the fire. 

Again, may G-d bring comfort to the victims and their families, and justice to the perpetrators.

M

UPDATED! Horrible Tragedy in Carmel Fire Attributed to Terrorist Arson: 40 Burned Alive in Bus

UPDATE:

B"H

Two members of Druze Village have been arrested for Arson at this time.  They apparently were throwing molotov cocktails out of their car and probably were responsible for many of the fires in the north.  The Mt. Carmel fire started from one spot, according to investigators, but they haven't determined whether it was an accident or arson. 

At least SOME of this fire can be attributed to terrorist activity.  I am certain that, when the facts are finally known, the 40 victims on this bus, those who have lost their homes, those who have lost their livelihood and their crops and their orchards are victims of this terrorist act.

Please see the developing story.

May Hashm comfort the families of those so tragically lost in this fire. They were on their way to help the prisoners, to make sure the prisoners were safe. They gave their lives for their charges.


G-d bless them.



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22 Confirmed Dead in Fire, Most were on Prisons Service Bus

by Gil Ronen and Hillel Fendel
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/140968

Dozens of security personnel, many from the Israel Prisons Service, are believed to have perished in the fire that has been raging on the Carmel Mountain all day Thursday. Many of them are said to be IPS cadets. Twenty two people were confirmed dead by 7:00 PM and the total number of dead is estimated at 40.

If the fire was set by Arab arsonists – a likely possibility at this point – this is the deadliest terror attack since Israel's founding.Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Thursday evening that the fire on the Carmel range is "a disaster of a scope that we are not familiar with."M

HAPPY HANUKKAH!!

Thoughts on Hanukkah

http://www.jewishideas.org/angel-shabbat/thoughts-hanukkah

By mdangel

Created 11/29/2010 - 11:25am

The Shabbat of Hanukkah was observed among Sephardim of the Ottoman Empire as "Shabbat Halbashah", the Shabbat of providing clothing for the needy.  Traditionally, the rabbi would deliver a sermon that day on the mitzvah of charity and lovingkindness. Beginning the following day, members of the community would bring clothing to the synagogue and it would be distributed among the poor on Rosh Hodesh Tebet, the sixth day of Hanukkah.

A practical reason for this custom is that Hanukkah occurs just as winter approaches. It is imperative that the community provide clothes for members who lack adequate clothing to keep them warm durning the cold season.  Moreover, Hanukkah celebrates the sense of unity that prevailed among those Jews of antiquity who fought against the Syrian-Greek oppressors, and who re-dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem.  Just as our ancestors recognized their responsibility to each other and to God, so must Jews of each generation recognize our commitment to each other and to God.

Turkey Bans Sale of Land to Israelis and Greeks--Oh, you didn't hear about it? Why am I not surprised??

B”H

Just take a moment to recognize the complete silence that has met this story, and, if you would like to enjoy the sound of silence, just keep your eye on this story.  No foreign news service, no foreign government, no one will EVER comment on this story.  

So, it is another arab country who hates Israel zzzzzzz.  Why would this be news?

However, if the reverse was true, if Israel announced that it would no longer allow the sale of Israeli land to arabs, just imagine what kind of cacophony would greet Israel!  Every news service, every foreign country, every past president would all line up at the microphones to take their turn castigating Israel, calling us everything from “Nazis” to “Racists.”

Just last week, when some rabbis in Safed issued a rabbinic ruling that it was assur to rent to arabs or migrant workers in order to protect the security and sanctity of the city, the entire world had something to say--and most of it was down right horrible.

So, where are those people now?  Why is it OK to disembowel Israel for a few rabbis saying that their flocks should not rent to arabs and foreigners, when there are many, many, many countries in the middle east that won’t allow Christians and Jews to own land at all—even Christians and Jews who are citizens of that country!!  (They also won’t let women own land, but the feminists are too busy protesting against the rabbis separation of men and women on the streets of Mer Sherim during the water-drawing festival to have any time for the rest of the middle east! )

Oh, and of course, there is the whole “arabs are killed for selling land to Jews” thing in Jerusalem, Gaza, and all over Judea and Samaria.

Seriously, I am so sick of this double-standard about Israel that I could spit!

M

Sephardic Hanouka Traditions and Halakhot by Joseph Mosseri

B"H

There are some significant differences in the halakhot of Hanoukah between Sephardim and Ashkenazim, and it is very important for all of us to keep our minhagim clear and consistent--especially when a lot of Sephardic traditions are no longer followed simply because of the ignorance of those in the society in how to follow these traditions.

These are some very important halakhot for Hanoukah, passed down through the generations and carefully recorded by one of the most caring and careful Sephardic scholars of our time, Mr. Joseph Mosseri.

He has also carefully delineated between Sephardi and Ashkenazi traditions, and clarified the customs for Sephardim.

If you need to find out the specific way to light the Hanoukah (not the Hannukiah, Mr. Mosseri points out), which prayers we say and how we say them, then there are instructions below. 

If you want to know under which source we base our traditions, Mr. Mosseri has also included that information.

Hanoukah Tov!

M

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Sephardic Halakhot for the Hagim Festivals
Some customs for the holiday of   Hanoukah
By Joseph Mosseri

1) The custom in Egypt was not to say Sidouq HaDin all 8 days of Hanoukah.

2) The custom amongst all Middle Eastern and North African Jewish communities is to only use pure olive oil for the Hanoukah lights. The reason being that this is considered to be the best way to fulfill the commandment and because the holiday miracle occurred through olive oil.

The Conversion Crisis Must Be Resolved NOW!

The clock is ticking . . .

B"H

This is from the phenomenal website, Jewishideas.org where Rabbi Angel is able to share the wisdom he has gained and the knowledge he possesses about halakha.  

On this website, Rabbi Angel does not hold back, as most of the rabbis today must because of political considerations and the fear that they will be ostracized.  

Rabbi Angel's reputation is solid.  There is nothing that can be done to him.  He is a voice of independence and clarity in the craziness that Judaism has become.

M

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The Conversion Crisis Must Be Resolved NOW!

http://www.jewishideas.org/blog/conversion-crisis-must-be-resolved-now      
 By Rabbi Marc D. Angel

I wrote this article nearly a year ago (it appeared in The Forward, January 8, 2010), and the conversion crisis has only grown more serious in the ensuing months. It has been reported that the Chief Rabbinate in Israel is now calling for a review of the validity of conversions performed in Israel under the auspices of  Israel's military rabbis--going back ten years and more! 

Thousands of lives are affected by this short sighted and extreme position.  The current Hareidi dominated Orthodox rabbinate in Israel is doing a vast disservice not only to converts, but to the State of Israel and the entire Jewish people everywhere.  It is well past time when the Hareidi stranglehold over conversions should be removed, and when the loving, inclusive and compassionate views of mainstream halakha once again are put in place.)  

Rabbi Angel on Thanksgiving

Thoughts for Thanksgiving
http://www.jewishideas.org/angel-shabbat/thoughts-thanksgiving         
 By Rabbi Marc D. Angel
    
President George Washington proclaimed Thursday November 26, 1789 as a day of national thanksgiving to God "for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degreee of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us."