Islamic Speakers Bureau, a blessing to Dallas/ Fort Worth

The Islamic Speakers Bureau of Dallas/ Fort Worth conducted a speaker certification seminar at the East Plano Islamic Center,  I was one of the many participants, and it was a delight to sit in and learn about the program.

First of all, there is a dire need for an Islamic educational institution to recognize the roots of pluralism in Islam, and prioritize it as the need of the day. Unless we are a part of the society, and become participants and contributors in the overall Good of the society we live in, we would remain on the fringe. I am glad ISB has taken up the initiative to facilitate participation.

Secondly, it was a pleasant surprise to see well developed systems in place to build genuine bridges between Muslim Americans and fellow Americans.

The training classes were conducted by Br. Syed Ali and Sr. Alia Salem, with additional instructions from Br. Hazim and a talk by Imam Nadim Bashir. Each one of them was amazing. It is a sea change in Muslim expressions, pluralism in Islam was always there, thank God, it is  organized and presented in Dallas/ Fort Worth Metroplex now. The Islamic Speakers Bureau is an affiliate of ING, and as I understand the ING (Islamic networking group) is doing this work for the last 23 years. You can simply Google Muslim Speaker and find the various offices across the nation.

This organization is built on a strong foundation based on the Religious Liberty Clauses of the First Amendment, “Congress shall make no law establishing religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” and the verse from Quran 49:13, “ O humankind, We created you from a male and a female, and We made you into races and tribes for you to get to know each other. The most noble of you in the sight of God are those of you who are most conscientious. And God is omniscient, fully aware.”

The ISB strictly adheres and lives within the boundaries set by the First Amendment and it's

 vision is a world in which people of all religious backgrounds are understood, respected, and their contributions valued. Its mission is to promote interreligious understanding, tolerance and harmony through dialogue and religious literacy.

This was coming home for me; we have been speaking and writing about Pluralism since 1996, when many did not even know how to pronounce the word. Indeed, the World Muslim Congress, a think tank and a discussion forum with over 1700 members was established in 2003 along with the Foundation for Pluralism to study pluralistic societies and monitor interfaith trends.  Islamic Scholars, Imams and folks like you and I, along with many from Christian, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and other faiths have been a part of this ongoing learning experience. Discussions are open and all opinions are valued.

The driving engine for the organization was the verse from Quraan 49:13. It is a clear guidance to find solutions. The world is fraught with issues and conflicts because we do not know each other, and have built up myths about the other, and when we learn and know each other, conflicts fade and solutions emerge. It is such a coincidence that both the organizations have similar mission and  vision.    

I admired Syed Ali, Alia Salem, Br. Hazim and Imam Nadim Bashir for their non-stop insistence to stick with the approved text and avoid wandering away from it. It was a delight to hear them hammer on the First Amendment; no preaching, absolutely no preaching, not even a hint of preaching. I loved Sister Alia’s humorous threat, “I grade your papers, and if I smell proselytizing, I will cut you off.” NO, she did not say those words, but it was a clear message to remain within the bounds.  It is a new paradigm for some Muslims, and it is a new experience for me to see a Muslim institution take this posture, it’s a dream come true for me and perhaps a majority of Muslims.

The greatest news is the road taken by our esteemed Imams of Dallas/ Fort Worth, who have chosen to go through the rigor of certification process, to deliver a consistent message of goodness; thank God it is happening now.  My first encounter with ISB was when I attended Islam 101 in Plano Masjid as an audit class. I would stand corrected but, I  believe Imam Zia Shaikh, Imam Nadim Bashir and  Imam Yaseen are certified speakers. My first encounter with  ISB and Imam Yaseen was  at Plano Masjid a few months ago. 

The other part of the integrity of the organization was the emphasis they placed on your affiliation, if you are currently involved in any sort of missionary work, you cannot represent ISB, i.e., Islamic Speakers Bureau of ING. I value this and I am wholly invested in the idea. All my work was driven by finding the truth for myself and others, and in essence,  it was conflict mitigation and goodwill nurturing, the bottom line of Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) civic work. 

Pluralism is one of the most mis-understood concepts, and at times shunned believing it to be a compromise, or giving up one’s identity or some sort of mesh mash. It is severely disappointing to see a few Muslims becoming judgmental. On the other hand, Muslims and non-Muslims alike should find the truth before they judge, truth comes from genuine inquiry. 

At the Foundation for Pluralism,  we have defined Pluralism as “respecting the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us.” You will find the roots of it, in Prophet Muhammad’s numerous practices and of course in innumerable verses in Quran. Glad to see the organization list the verses and we have a list as well.

To clarify further, the Parliament of Worlds Religion defined its mission, which is akin to Pluralism as, 

“The Parliament of World's religions is making a world of difference; 
- The council seeks to promote interreligious harmony, rather than unity
- The council fosters convergence, rather than consensus
- The council's work is based on facilitation, rather than formal organizational structures.

Religious and spiritual communities can make a world of difference as they express their identity in relationship to other groups, while acting in service to the common and global good."

On the other hand, pluralism has its origins in all religions, please do not forget, Pluralism is an attitude of respecting the otherness of others, and a reflection of verse 6 of Sura Kafirun,  which in essence is "your faith is dear to you as my faith is dear to me". 

Pluralism is firmly rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ (pbuh) and practices of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). When Jesus embraced the lepers and the prostitutes; the socially rejected groups at that time, he conveyed a strong message that we are all part of the same creation. When Prophet Muhammad initiated the Madinah treaty he respected the otherness of other faiths, and confidently declared the validity of other faiths. Quraan adds in many places the guidance of God, whether you are a Jew, Christian or the other, you need not worry, God knows everything you do and compensates everyone who is good to his neighbors. 

 At the World Muslim congress, we see the role of a Muslim is to be a peace maker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence of humanity. Just about every activity of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was embedded with those two elements. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; Life and Matter.

If you are in Dallas Fort Worth area, I urge you to check out the sitehttp://www.isb-dfw.org/training and take this course, even if you don’t want to be a speaker. On the other hand if you live any other city in the United States, consider initiating an office in your City, it is not already there.  Just Google it.

I am pleased to invite you and your friends to the following event:

8th Annual Unity Day

on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at 11:30 am

at Unity of Dallas, 6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230
details: www.UnitydayUSA.com 

On this Unity Day USA, we, the people of the United States of America of every faith, race and ethnicity, will gather to express our commitment to co-existence, safety, prosperity and the well being of our nation.

As Americans we uphold, protect, defend and celebrate the values enshrined in our constitution. All our faiths reinforce the creed of "One Nation under God, with liberty and justice for all”.

Your presence is a valuable expression of unity. Along with our elected officials, civic, religious and business leaders, you help fulfill our common values and aspirations. Your presence fortifies our commitment to a pluralistic America. Please confirm to confirmattendance@gmail.com.

If you wish to list your organization as a participating organization in the event, please share the name of your organization and the web address atUnityDayUSA@gmail.com.

It is our duty to honor and cherish individuals who have dedicated their lives to dismantle artificial barriers among Americans. On this day, we appreciate and celebrate their contributions towards building a cohesive America, where no one has to live in apprehension, discomfort or fear of the other.

Kindly consider financially supporting this event, and click the following link and do the needful - http://americatogetherfoundation.com/donate/.

For further information, please feel free to contact me.

God Bless America.

Mike Ghouse

Founder of Unity Day USA

(214) 325-1916/ Talk or Text

Email: MikeGhouse@aol.com

Website: www.UnitydayUSA.com

www.AmericaTogetherFoundation.com

www.FoundationforPluralism.com

2665 Villa Creek Dr, Suite 206, Dallas, Texas 75234 (972) 243-7040

Jewish Woman Weds a New Thought Christian Man by a Muslim Officiant

The bride and groom must be admired by one and all, in this divisive world, where people have difficulty in agreeing, and difficulty in getting along – they are setting a new standard, that of respecting each other’s uniqueness.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SpeakerMikeGhouse@gmail.com
  

Jewish Woman Weds a New Thought Christian Man by a Muslim Officiant   Wedding in Dallas on Saturday Aug 25 2012 

Officiant Mike Ghouse with Bride Rebekah and Groom Mark

Dallas, Texas - Not only are two special people being joined together, so are two spiritual traditions, as well. Out of different spiritual paths, they have come together to learn the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences, and confirming their love. So this is not only a joyous occasion, but a holy one, as well.  May they see that their love for each other is truly a gift from God.

The groom spent many years of his younger life in Hawaii so Mark and Rebekah wanted to include a few native rituals from the islands. The Hawaiian word for love is Aloha. Today we’ve come together to celebrate the special Aloha that exists between Mark and Rebekah and their desire to make their Aloha eternal through the commitment of marriage. When two people promise with Aloha in their hearts to share the adventure of life, it is a beautiful moment that they and all of us who are present today will always remember.

Since the bride is Jewish, Rebekah and Mark wanted to use the chuppah (canopy) as a symbol of the home that they will build together. It is open on all sides to welcome people in with unconditional hospitality. All of the attendees are the most important people in their lives, sharing their best and worst days and an irreplaceable part of their yesterdays, their today, and all of their tomorrows.

The couple gives and receives a precious gift from one another. It is the promise that they shall each continue to be deserving of the faith and trust that they place in one another as husband and wife. This responsibility is not taken lightly.

Almost nothing offers a greater possibility for happiness and living life well. When marriage works it justifies all the effort. Life is richer when experience is shared. We are more ourselves when we are responding to the stimulus of others, especially when we are responding to the gift of love. A truly loving relationship brings out the best in each other.

Blessed are life, health, and love, which enable us to enjoy the happiness of this beautiful day.

“May the sun bring you new energy by day.
May the moon softly restore you by night.
May the rain wash away your worries.
And may you live the days of your lives in peace, love, and happiness."

Mike Ghouse is committed to building a Cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.  He is a professional speaker, thinker and a writer on pluralism, politics, civic affairs, Islam, India, Israel, peace and justice. Mike is a frequent guest on Sean Hannity Show on Fox TV, and a commentator on national radio networks, he contributes weekly to the Texas Faith Column at Dallas Morning News and regularly at Huffington post, and several other periodicals across the world. The blog www.TheGhouseDiary.com is updated daily.

2016 Obama’s America - A disgustingly dishonest film

 This is clearly a propaganda movie, the right wing Republicans will buy anything that is anti-Obama, and they probably swallow D’Souza relentless coaxing Obama’s brother to tell him that Obama did not take care of his family. The film title claims Love Him, Hate Him and you don't know him. The producer forgot to show the love him aspect, it is all hate him and lacks intellectual integrity by not presenting another point of view.

 http://smirkingchimp.com/thread/mike-ghouse/45147/2016-obama-s-america-a-disgustingly-dishonest-film

 2016 Obama’s America

Why the future of American Judaism as we know it depends on the survival of the Jewish state? This article is a must read for all those who want to understand Jews and Israel, it is one of the most comprehensive articles I have read and gives an insight into understanding Jews. The story is not only of Jewish people, but most other minorities can relate with this experience:   

I have written my own piece at Huffington post - Who am I to worry about Israelis and Palestinians? What inspires me to be involved in the Israel Palestine conflict? The following is the story of my struggle to see a cohesive world, the story will take you through different emotions but at the end, I hope you feel a sense of completeness of the story. Due to its length, it is a three part article. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/israel-and-palestine-moving-forward_b_1258261.html

Here are some of the most powerful excerpts from the article below.

The following Paragraph is precisely my understanding and reasons for the support of Israel, mind you not at the cost of Justice to Palestinians but with fairness to all the ones in the conflict.  I am baffled with the similarity of my articulation for the last several years and the following piece that has just appeared on August 20. 2012.

“That newfound confidence has historical antecedents, of course: American Jews’ confidence resembles that of the Jews of Cordoba—who were forcibly converted, burned alive at the stake, and summarily expelled in the Spanish Inquisition. The Jews of Berlin in 1930 also believed they had found the ultimate enlightened home, that the dark days of Europe would never return. And in the space of but a few years, German Jewry was erased.”

 “In ways we do not sufficiently recognize, Israel has changed the existential condition of Jews everywhere, even in America. Without the State of Israel, the self-confidence and sense of belonging that American Jews now take for granted would quickly disappear.”

A home is where on drops all the guards and feels a sense of comfort and security. I have expressed the same sentiments in many of my writings including the one at this blog.

“Israel, like it or not, is not just a homeland to Israelis. It is also a “state unto the Diaspora”; the state that, even from afar, secures the life and instills the passions of Jews all over the world.”

Indeed, that is the case with most immigrants, they feel home where they were born and their ancestors came from. Most of the first generation Indians call India their home, like wise it is the same with British, Irish, Italian, German, Japanese, Pakistanis, Arabs, Mexicans, Chinese, Iraqis and others. For the first Generation of Jewish people after Israel was created, even though they were born here, Israel is home to them. It is the second generation and the ones after that whose sense of home is in America, the second generation continues to struggle but for the third generation and up - it is America first, America is home. There will be nothing else in their psyche, other than what would be injected into them. 

“But then, as this thinking goes, if Israel refuses to budge, it is Israel that is responsible for the impasse. Faced with a choice between loyalty to their humanitarian values or to their parents’ Zionism, they have chosen the former.”

I love the above it, "Loyalty to their humanitarian values" - is a profound statement applicable to 2^nd generation of Muslims, Jews, Immigrant Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Buddhists  and other immigrants. This is inherent in all humanity no matter where we live. I consider that an American Value. Unlike all other nations, Americans values are egalitarian, humanitarian and about treating others fairly and equitably. Its part of American psyche and I am blessed to have that sense flow through veins.

“Sensitive to the underdog everywhere, and with a deep-seated belief in fairness, they insisted and continue to insist upon balancing the scales. The Palestinians, they decided, needed a state.”

This is the core value of all religions, but a very passionate value of America. It is the case with all Americans who are born here. Indeed the follow paragraphs also represent Muslims, and other immigrants in America.

“But amazingly, 50 percent of those 35 years old and younger said that Israel’s destruction would not be a personal tragedy.”

“Ours is the first generation in which the centrality of Zion in Jewish dreams is beginning to fade. It is fading rapidly, and we know why. Part of it has to do with the fact that Israel’s supporters have framed the conversation about the Jewish State in terms of the conflict with the Palestinians. Even among knowledgeable and committed Jews, an oral Rorschach test in response to the word “Israel” evokes responses such as “checkpoints,” “occupation,” or “settlements”—as though the conflict were all that Israel is about.”

I hope a day will come in the world, where everyone feels home wherever they are. It is a two sided effort.  I am passionate about justice and freedom and Israel Palestine is an issue that I hope to contribute to bring security to Jews and justice to Palestinians.

Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day - This article is at - http://israel-palestine-dialogue.blogspot.com/2012/08/no-jewish-people-without-israel.html as well as the source below: 

No Jewish People Without Israel

Why the future of American Judaism as we know it depends on the survival of the Jewish state By Daniel Gordis|August 20, 2012 7:00 AM|

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/109429/no-jewish-people-without-israel?all=1

\Why do Jews lie at the Passover Seder? Across the world every year, we Jews recite the famous line: “Next year in Jerusalem.” But how many American Jews actually mean it? The vast majority of them clearly do not plan to live in Israel, which is the liturgy’s obvious meaning. Why, then, proceed with the charade? On this pivotal night, why celebrate freedom by uttering a lie?

Truths come in different forms. “Next year in Jerusalem” is not about a plan, but about a dream. And uttering this phrase has long been the Jewish people’s way of keeping in mind both an ethereal ideal and a common national yearning. Jerusalem served as a compass during prayer, but, more importantly, it made for flights of national fancy. For two millennia, as Jews imagined their people’s future, one place occupied center-stage. That place was Zion.

As is increasingly apparent, however, the times are changing. Ours is the first generation in which the centrality of Zion in Jewish dreams is beginning to fade. It is fading rapidly, and we know why. Part of it has to do with the fact that Israel’s supporters have framed the conversation about the Jewish State in terms of the conflict with the Palestinians. Even among knowledgeable and committed Jews, an oral Rorschach test in response to the word “Israel” evokes responses such as “checkpoints,” “occupation,” or “settlements”—as though the conflict were all that Israel is about.

In response to that, a younger generation for whom war is anathema and occupation is morally unbearable has begun to drift away. Part of that is understandable, but only to an extent. For even when faced with the tragic and interminable conflict with the Palestinians, is it too much to hope that Jews would still find much worth celebrating when they think of Israel? When the revival of Jewish sovereignty in their ancestral land evokes only images of war, and the ingathering of exiles after 2,000 years evokes no awe, when the rebirth of the Jewish language elicits little sense of wonder, Jews have lost sight of the real significance of Israel’s re-creation.

But this is precisely where we find ourselves. Young Jews today, discouraged by Israeli policies that they cannot abide, either explicitly or tacitly join those who condemn the Jewish State. But they do not recognize that the de-legitimization of Israel will affect them, too, that they, too, have a personal stake in Israel, no matter how discomfited they may be by some of its policies. What happens to Israel will affect not only Jews in Beersheva or Tel Aviv, but Jews in New York, Boston, London, and Buenos Aires. Why that is the case has to become part of the Zionist conversation, which can no longer be only about Palestinians and occupation, borders and war.

***

Evidence that a new conversation about the Jewish state is long overdue is everywhere. The distance between Diaspora Jews (mostly, but not exclusively, American Jews) and the Jewish state is painfully apparent. A recent study asked American Jews if the destruction of Israel would be a personal tragedy for them. The study asked about the destruction of Israel, not its gradual disappearance or slow withering away. Eighty percent of Jewish Americans 65 years of age and older said that Israel’s destruction would, indeed, be a personal tragedy for them. But amazingly, 50 percent of those 35 years old and younger said that Israel’s destruction would not be a personal tragedy. Similarly, a 2011 study of American Jews showed that the younger the cohort, the lower their support for Israel.

The same phenomenon began to surface even among young rabbinical students; outside the Orthodox community, increasing numbers of mainstream Zionist rabbinical students reported that expressing support for Israel on their campuses had become a lonely proposition.

In an era in which American Jews can proudly espouse any political position they wish, why are so many young American Jews turning away from Israel? Why has Zion shifted away from the core of their national sensibilities and dreams? The most obvious reason, as stated, is the ongoing conflict with the Palestinians. These young people have no memory of Israel’s past fragility, or of a time before the international community’s endorsement of Palestinian national aspirations. Israel’s re-creation and even the 1967 and 1973 wars, when the Arab nations pledged to “push the Jews into the sea,” are ancient history.

Today, what these young Jews see is a power imbalance. One side is an internationally recognized democracy with nuclear weapons, a world-class army, and a robust economy. The other side has none of these. In what is a radical departure from the mindset of their parents, these young Americans’ earliest memories of Israel are of the Intifada, of heavily armed Israeli soldiers arrayed against young Palestinian boys “only” throwing rocks. Sensitive to the underdog everywhere, and with a deep-seated belief in fairness, they insisted and continue to insist upon balancing the scales. The Palestinians, they decided, needed a state.

Palestinian statehood, however, has been slow in coming. To be sure, some of these young American Jews understand the impasse stems from the Palestinian refusal to recognize Israel and continuing insistence that any political settlement with the Israelis allow for the return of the now-millions of people classified as “refugees” by UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency). Israel, in turn, understands that with the immigration of those original refugees and their descendants the state would cease to be Jewish—which is precisely what the Palestinians intend.

At the same time, these young Jews have also intuited that the Palestinians will not change. Therefore, because they cannot bear a conflict that simply cannot be resolved, they conclude that something has to give—and if the Palestinians will not give, then that something has to be Israel. But then, as this thinking goes, if Israel refuses to budge, it is Israel that is responsible for the impasse. Faced with a choice between loyalty to their humanitarian values or to their parents’ Zionism, they have chosen the former.

That point, of course, is not new. Peter Beinart, former editor of The New Republic and author of the recent book The Crisis of Zionism, has made the point extensively; perhaps the most quoted line from his much-discussed New York Review of Books article was his assertion that “For several decades, the Jewish establishment has asked American Jews to check their liberalism at Zionism’s door, and now, to their horror, they are finding that many young Jews have checked their Zionism instead.”

True though Beinart’s comment may be, what is significant is that something else has changed, too. Many of these younger Jews now also believe they simply do not need Israel any longer. Having matured in the Shoah’s long shadow, their parents and grandparents still perhaps feel marginally vulnerable in America. These young people do not. They feel safe and do not fear anti-Semitism. Why, they therefore ask themselves, express fealty to a country they do not need and that often makes them feel ashamed?

As much as this perspective sounds like a radical shift, it is far more ancient than we might imagine. Indeed, its seeds were sown many centuries earlier, as early as the Bible’s redaction. Confronted by the possibility of losing sovereignty in their ancestral homeland (which is precisely what happened), the creators of the Jewish tradition taught the possibility of a flourishing Diaspora even without autonomous Jewish life in the land of Israel. As Jacob Wright of Emory University write in a much-discussed essay, “A Nation Conceived in Defeat”:

Anticipating the coming doom and destruction, these authors set about the task of their people’s preservation. They did so … by unhinging the concept of “nation” from that of “state.” Hence, while defeat may have destroyed Israel’s state, it came to play a key role in the creation of Israel’s identity as a people.

Wright insightfully points out that while most ancient national narratives were constructed around great victories, Judaism took a different route: “It was not the moments of peace and prosperity, but rather the experiences of catastrophe that produced the strongest impetus for the composition of the magisterial history found in Genesis—Kings and the profound, disturbing messages of the prophets.”

In some significant way, therefore, the Bible’s take on Jewish history was essentially a preparation for exile. Even as the prophets warn the Israelites that their state may be doomed, and the suffering great, they also reassure them that their people will not end. Thepeople of Israel is eternal, as Jeremiah proclaims:

For I will forgive their iniquities and remember their sins no more. Thus said the Lord who established the … laws of moon and stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea into roaring waves. … If these laws should ever be annulled by me—declares the Lord—only then would the offspring of Israel cease to be a nation before Me for all time.

Is it possible, however, that that brilliant move by the redactors of the Bible, which once served a critical purpose, is now undermining Jewish commitment to Jewish sovereignty? In its time, the Bible’s move may well have equipped the Jews for survival throughout their exile. Today, however, the Jews do have a state. And that state is maligned severely and needs the Jews’ support more than ever. Ironically, this ancient biblical strategy has convinced many Jews that the Jews could survive even if the State of Israel does not.

***

In many respects, Zionists have flatly denied that ancient biblical assertion. Zionism’s claim has been that the Jewish nation cannot survive meaningfully without the Jewish state, that the ancient biblical strategy has become counterproductive and dangerous. The Zionists were right.

One cannot understand this, of course, without some historical perspective. Zionism did not emerge out of nowhere. Theodor Herzl did what he did and wrote what he wrote because Jewish life in the Diaspora had become, to use Hobbes’ phrase, “poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” The Jews were Europe’s victims-on-call. Of course, today’s American Jews are confident that they have found a home of an entirely different order. What happened back then, they assert, could not happen today. That newfound confidence has historical antecedents, of course: American Jews’ confidence resembles that of the Jews of Cordoba—who were forcibly converted, burned alive at the stake, and summarily expelled in the Spanish Inquisition. The Jews of Berlin in 1930 also believed they had found the ultimate enlightened home, that the dark days of Europe would never return. And in the space of but a few years, German Jewry was erased.

We cannot know, of course, what will or will not happen in America. But one thing we do know, even if it is not commonly expressed (because anyone who says it must expect to be accused of fear-mongering): The Jewish life that American Jews take for granted is actually dependent on the existence of the same Jewish state from which many young Jews now distance themselves.

This is the point that today’s younger generations of American Jews simply do not understand: American Jewish life as it now exists would not survive the loss of Israel.

There was an era not long ago in which American Jews tiptoed around America, nervously striving to stay beneath the radar. They evoked that image of the spies who reported back to Moses after surveying the Promised Land: “We looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we appeared to them.” The American Jews who believe they could survive the loss of Israel do not remember that era. They take it as entirely natural that thousands of American citizens confidently ascend the steps of the Capitol Hill on the lobbying day at AIPAC’s annual Policy Conference. Do they ever ask themselves why virtually no one ascended those same steps between 1938 and 1945 to demand that the United States do something to save the Jewish people from extinction?

After all, there were millions of Jews in America the United States during that horrific period, and they knew what was happening. But American Jews of that generation lacked the confidence and the sense of belonging in America that this generation of students now takes for granted. When some 400 mostly Orthodox rabbis marched on Washington in the October 1943, President Roosevelt simply refused to meet them and departed the White House via a rear door. There were no mass protests, no caravans of buses to Washington to demand help for their European kin.

Jews today no longer think of themselves as a tiptoeing people. When Soviet Jews awakened and wanted out of their national prison, American Jews supported them, and the State of Israel made their rescue a national project. When an Air France flight filled with Jews was hijacked to Entebbe, the State of Israel rescued them, and American Jews were filled with unprecedented pride. When Ethiopian Jews were caught in the crosshairs of a deadly civil war, the State of Israel whisked them out, and American philanthropists continue to make them a key priority. Much of what fuels American Jewish pride is the existence and the behavior of the State of Israel.

In ways we do not sufficiently recognize, Israel has changed the existential condition of Jews everywhere, even in America. Without the State of Israel, the self-confidence and sense of belonging that American Jews now take for granted would quickly disappear.

This, then, is one of the great ironies of our era: The sense of belonging and security that leads many American Jews to believe that they do not need the State of Israel is itself a product of that very same State of Israel. And in moving away from devotion to the Jewish state, occasionally even opposing or undermining it, they are actually weakening the very source of the confidence that makes their political activism possible.

***

Yet another irony in today’s state of affairs ought to be noted: Even as Israel becomes more controversial among American Jews, Israel remains virtually the sole topic that can arouse the passions of American Jews.

An overlooked but important question is this: Without Israel, what would remain to make Jewishness anything more than some anemic form of ethnic memory long since eroded? About what else in Jewish life, besides Israel, do contemporary Jews feel outrage? Even those who are more critical of Israel react swiftly when Israel is unfairly abused in the international media or when it is attacked. Conversely, many American Jews feel profound shame and even anger when Israel does things they consider inexcusable. What else evokes such immediate passions?

In 2011, a proposed ban on circumcision in San Francisco with clear anti-Semitic overtones did not even near the stir provoked by a naval raid on a flotilla thousands of miles away the year before. Do the discussions of whether or not JCCs should be open on Shabbat arouse nationwide debate? They do not. But the Israeli rabbinate, thousands of miles away, does.

Though many American Jews, especially the younger among them, now believe the loss of Israel would not be tragic, Israel continues to energize them in ways that no other issue does. When Israel’s chief rabbinate or some Israeli political party threatens to declare all Reform and Conservative conversions invalid, American Jews become enraged, even though that policy will affect very, very few of them. Why?

Despite proclamations by some American Jews that Israel is no longer central to their identity, and despite the claim by half of America’s young American Jews that Israel’s destruction would not be a personal tragedy, Israel still rankles them like no other Jewish issue. We ought not dismiss that observation lightly. We can explain it, or we can find it perplexing. But let us not lose sight of this undeniable reality: Without Israel, the primary energizing force in the Jewish world would disappear. And without that energy and passion, there is simply no way that anything remotely resembling Jewish life as we know it could survive.

Israel, like it or not, is not just a homeland to Israelis. It is also a “state unto the Diaspora”; the state that, even from afar, secures the life and instills the passions of Jews all over the world.

***

To all the above, there is a commonly recited response: “If the Jewish people survived in Diaspora without a Jewish State for two thousand years, how likely is it that a mere sixty-something years of sovereignty have eroded our ability to do so again?” To be sure, the argument goes, we do not wish to have to survive without a state, but if we have to, we can and we will.

But with due apologies to Lord Tennyson, it is not always true that it is “better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Often, gaining something and losing it is worse than never having had it at all. And that is true of the re-created sovereignty the Jews have enjoyed for nearly two-thirds of a century. The counter-argument above simply misreads the way Jewish life has developed. Their confidence is misplaced, and it is very dangerous.

One can easily understand why American Jews would wish to declare their existential and emotional independence from the State of Israel. At least at first glance, it simply makes no sense that U.S. Jews should be dependent on an embattled country the size of New Jersey across the ocean, with a culture wholly unlike that which American Jews take for granted. But the dependence is real. The fate of American Judaism is intimately linked to fate of Israel, just as the fate of Israel is linked to and dependent upon the survival and flourishing of American Jews. Ours is the ultimate mutually interdependent relationship.

American Jews thus have an enormous personal stake in the fight against the de-legitimization of Israel. This is true even of young American Jews, even of those liberally inclined Jews who (often legitimately) see much about the Jewish state that bothers them terribly. A successful campaign to delegitimize –and possibly destroy – Israel could undo much more than the Jewish state. It could radically alter American Judaism as we know it.

No one would have to be killed, or exiled, or dismissed from their job. All that would have to happen is that Jews would suffer the second enormous blow to their People in the space of a century. With that, the Jews would become stateless like the Chechnyans, the Tibetans, or the Basques. They would tiptoe around the world once again, like Tibetans and Basques still do, waiting to see what history has in store for them next, with no sense that they can help shape that history. They would tiptoe around America, too, just like that generation of American Jews that could not speak out even as European Jewry was being destroyed.

The loss of Israel would fundamentally alter American Jewry. It would arrest the revival of Jewish life now unfolding in parts of Europe. And Israeli Jewry would be no more. The end of Israel would, in short, end the Jewish people as we know it.

The time has come for a paradigm shift in our conversations about Israel. We need to focus on what Israel represents, on its contribution to Jewish flourishing, on the importance of difference, and the human need for dignity. We need to focus on the ways in which a nation-state addresses the abiding human need to inherit and bequeath culture. Doing so could well convince the international community that it is time not to destroy Israel, but to create more Israels, including one for Palestinians. For Israel is more than a conflict, more than a “mere” country. It is actually a bold human experiment with great significance not only for Israelis and the entire Jewish people, but for freedom-loving human beings everywhere.

Excerpted and adapted from The Promise of Israel: Why Its Seemingly Greatest Weakness Is Actually Its Greatest Strength by Daniel Gordis. Copyright © 2012 by Daniel Gordis. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, John Wiley & Sons. All rights reserved.

Sean Hannity and Mike Ghouse on Israel-Iran drums of war

Today, I was with Sean Hannity and Reza Kahlili (former member of Iranian national guard and under cover CIA operative) today. I was clear - War is not the option, it will screw the Average American more than any one else, and will destroy America besides guaranteeing insecurity for Israel for centuries to come.

On my part, I will do whatever it takes to protest bloody war. The screwed up heads Netanyahu, Obama/Romney and loose mouth Ahmedinejad will be fine - its the average Iranian, Israeli and American that will be screwed.

Has there been a time when CIA and Mossad intelligence was right? 

They have been wrong all the times and so is this time.

I am against war, especially the ones based on falsities, and will do every thing I can to protest it. 

Sean Hannity, Mike Ghouse & Reza Kahlil

About Iran Israel conflict - the drums of war

Wednesday at 5 PM on August 22, 2012Check for local listings - http://www.hannity.com/stations

Mike Ghouse Talking points   

• The war would be disastrous to Israel, Iran and America.
• Even if you don't care about Israel and Iran, we would be the losers.
• More Americans will lose homes, jobs and everything they got.
• The War Monger SOB’s on the other hand will enrich themselves.
• No personal loss to Obama/Romney, Netanyahu, Ahmedinejad and others.
• Ahmedinejad did not say, annihilate Israel, it was cooked up
• The ordinary folks - Israeli, Iranians and Americans will be screwed.
• The information of Mossad and CIA is cooked up to please the big dogs.
• When was the last time CIA and Mossad were right?
• Animals settle scores by locking horns and humans settle through dialogue
• War is evil, and it should not happen.
• Is this an elaborate scheme to weaken America?
• We let America down when Bush went to war, not any more.
• I will stand up against war, it is the patriotic thing to do
• I hope you would aggressively stand up against war

Share your talking points in the comments below

Should we trust Ahmedinejad? Netanyahu?

Nopes!

Both are faking to protect their nations, but will ruin it unless people dump them.

Iran’s defense industry achievements will never be used for conquest: Ahmedinejad

“We do not (seek) the progress of the defense industry for conquest and domination over other countries: Ahmedinejad

“We have to reach the point where the country’s defense capabilities stop all the tyrants and hegemony and even make them back down.”

http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-begins-construction-of-300-million-anti-aircraft-missile-base/

http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-determined-to-attack-iran-before-us-elections-claims-israels-channel-10/

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-defense-officials-consult-with-rabbi-ovadia-yosef-over-iran-strike.premium-1.459547