Israel Matzav: If you are in New York, get thee to the rally

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

If you are in New York, get thee to the rally

I received two requests from two different organizations to promote today's rally in New York. The first is from Agudath Israel (which puts the lie to the claim that all Haredim share Neturei Karta's hostility to the State - Hat Tip: Rabbi Eisenman in Passaic, New Jersey) and the second from One Jerusalem:

A MESSAGE FROM AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA

The scheduled visit to New York of the Iranian President - a man who has described the Holocaust as "a myth" and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," a man who pursues destructive nuclear capacity in defiance of the entire world community, a man who sponsors terror and mayhem in the Middle East and beyond - should fill every civilized heart with revulsion.

And it should fill every Jewish heart with something more.

The arrival of this would-be heir to Hitler should remind all Jews how little has truly changed since millions of Jews were last targeted for destruction, r"l. And it should remind us, no less, of the uniquely vulnerable position of Yisroel bein ho'amim, Jewry among the nations, and of the fact that ein lonu al mi lehishoein ela al Avinu She'baShomayim - We can depend on no one but Our Father in Heaven.

Therefore, at this critical time, and during this season of introspection and repentance, we call upon all Jews to return to our sacred heritage, with tefillah and renewed allegiance to Torah, our eternal wellspring of life, the source of our strength to withstand all our enemies.

Along with our supplications, we feel it is our duty as well to express to the world our deep anguish over the presence in our midst of a vicious ruler who threatens genocide against Jews.

A number of Jewish groups are planning to gather outside the United Nations headquarters, at

Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (2nd Avenue and 47th Street in Manhattan)

on Wednesday 27 Elul / September 20 at 12:00 noon

to present a collective Jewish expression of outrage at the General Assembly's hosting of the Iranian leader, of support for Israel's security and soldiers, and of solidarity in the fight against the global scourge of terrorism.

Whatever differences may separate us from some of those groups, we stand united here with all Jews.

Therefore, after consultation with the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah and following the precedent of the previous generation's Gedolim in similar circumstances, we urge all who are able to do so to participate in the planned gathering. We have been assured that a special section will be made available for men and women to gather in separate areas, and we will lift our voices in tefillah to Hashem, secure in the knowledge that

Bechol dor vodor omdim aleinu lechaloseinu veHakodosh Boruch Hu matzileinu miyodom.

In every generation, there are those who stand against us to annihilate us, but Hashem saves us from their hand.

Here's the second announcement:

Dear Friend of Jerusalem,

One Jerusalem has confirmed that the President of the Council on Foreign Relations, a Left-leaning establishment organization in New York, is inviting major civic, business, and political leaders to meet Iran's tyrannical President Ahmadinejad this week, when he is in New York.

Ahmadinejad will be coming to New York from Cuba where he continued his denunciation of the United States.

While tens of thousands are prepared to march against Ahmadinejad at this Wednesday's (Sep. 20) rally in front of the United Nations, the Council on Foreign Relations is trying to play the role of legitimizing Iran's outlaw President and regime.

So what can you do?

1) Let the Council know that you protest their actions. Email the Council now, fax their main office: +1-202-986.2984, or phone them: Tel. +1-202-518.3400.

2) Send around this post to family and friends. Don't be caught sitting on the sidelines. Stand up for the United States, Israel, and the oppressed people of Iran today.

3) Attend Wednesday's rally. See info here. (Listen to our interview with organizer Malcolm Hoenlein.)

Sincerely,

Allen Roth and David Goder
One Jerusalem

P.S. Help spread the word. Please Refer a friend to One Jerusalem.