Young Israel
Movement Congratulates Obama On Victory
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
Original Link :
http://news.jewkey.com/young-israel-movement-congratulates-obama-on-victory-2/general-frum-news%20/
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