IF I AM NOT FOR MYSELF: MARILYN PENN
http://politicalmavens.com/
Caving to pressure from 800 alumni of Ramaz, Rabbi Haskel Lookstein, retired principal of the prestigious New York yeshiva, canceled his agreement to deliver a prayer at the Republican National Convention. Many questions arise from both the alumni petition and the rabbi’s decision to withdraw.
Considering that we are living in the most potentially dangerous moment of Israel’s existence, that anti-semitism is rampant throughout Europe, the Middle East and significant institutions in the U.S., and that the Democrat administration has spearheaded a deal with a country openly committed to obliterating Israel, one can only gasp at the lack of concern for these vital issues in the alumni petition. Instead, the former students are primarily incensed at Trump for being racist, misogynistic and daring to suggest that some citizens in this country are “less than others.” For starters, one would hope that any intelligent high school graduate would agree that we should all consider convicted criminals and terrorists as less than others. The language of the petition is as woefully trite as its cliched sentiments: “Rabbi Lookstein, all the good work you’ve done in your life – everything you’ve done for your community, for the plight of Soviet Jews – will be flushed down the toilet for 10 minutes on stage in Cleveland.” Is this the best that the alumni of an outstanding school could pen?
In contrast to the very general objections of the alumni, here are some very direct excerpts from the revised Republican platform: “The U.S. seeks to assist in the establishment of comprenhensive and lasting peace in the Middle East to be negotiated among those living in the region. We oppose any measures intended to impose an agreement or to dictate borders or other terms and call for the immediate termination of all U.S. funding of any entity that attempts to do so….We reject the notion that Israel is an occupier, and specifically recognize that the Boycott, Divest and Sanction Movement (BDS) is anti-semitic in nature and seeks to destroy Israel.” These precepts directly affect us as Jews and Zionists; as an alumna of Ramaz, I consider it essential for us to champion our own causes – particularly when they are opposed by so many others in the community and the world at large. When George Bush spoke to the nation after 9/11 with a Muslim Imam at his side, were the Ramaz alumni as offended as at the idea of Rabbi Lookstein delivering a prayer for the Republican delegates? When the Reverent Wright cursed America in his sermons to his congregation, were Ramaz alumni offended that the Obama family remained in his church and had him officiate at their family’s religious ceremonies? Whether you approve of Donald Trump or not, he will be at the convention because Americans cast their votes for him in a legal and appropriate manner as designated by the rules governing our primaries. The rabbi has a personal connection to Ivanka Trump who converted to Judaism under his guidance and authority. Why wouldn’t the alumni be proud that the candidate’s daughter chose our religion and admires our former principal enough to honor him with this request.
Though I understand Rabbi Lookstein’s rationale not to antagonize members of his congregation or the Ramaz alumni, I regret that he didn’t use this opportunity to speak for that other academic buzzword and urge his followers to prize diversity. Delivering a prayer is not the same as campaigning for a candidate or even voting for him and in fact, the rabbi’s intended prayer was for a “government that would unite us with words of wisdom and acts of compassion; and which will bring peace and harmony, safety and well-being to our beloved America and to all of humankind.” I regret that Jewish students who spent so many years in a positive Jewish environment couldn’t remember the great sage Hillel’s first essential precept of self-interest – “If I am not for myself , who will be for me?” This must come before we can extend those concerns to others and has never been more relevant for Jews than in this election.
Comments are closed.
