A Gentle Reminder


For those of us involved in the synagogue world the summer will soon be over. Yes, it is still only July but in Jewish time that means that it will soon be time to begin preparation for the High Holidays. Although Rosh HaShannah comes “late this year,” there is a lot to be done in every congregation to insure that the holidays are welcoming and meaningful for our community. No matter where you will be for the holidays, our congregations and institutions will begin the new year confronting the most challenging environment that we have ever faced. Here in South Florida affiliation rates are among the lowest anywhere. The economy has made those bad numbers even worse. Every congregation has been struggling to do more with less resources and the coming year will not be any better. We are the third largest Jewish population center in America but our institutions will continue to suffer from the economic downturn. That is a reality but all the news is not bad. If you look around you will see that we continue to be a community that offers Jewish experiences, involvement, and education to all ages. Given the difficulty of the task, I would say we are doing a pretty good job!
To my fellow Jewish professionals and those who volunteer their time as members of boards, congregation officers, and community leaders I would like to remind you of some simple facts that we sometimes forget. In the day to day struggle for covering “the bottom-line” we sometimes forget how lucky we are to be engaged in the struggle! I can think of no worthier cause than to strive to serve the Jewish community.
Sometimes we also forget that institutional territorialism can be a very bad thing- yes we all want members, we all want volunteers, we all compete to flourish in a community where there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians, but the basic truth is that we are all on the same side! Despite our various visions for the future of the Jewish people, we are all working for the same goals. That is basic but sometimes we need to remind ourselves.
In the year ahead let’s try to remember these basic truths. We need each other. We need to co-operate with each other. We need to share the resources that we have to educate and serve this wonderful Jewish community. The time has passed to be worried about defending our respective “turf.” In these challenging times we need less competition and more co-operation. We need to feel the bonds of community more than ever on both the personal level and the institutional level.
As I look around at the South Florida Jewish community I see great people creating a great Jewish future. Yes, it may be harder than it used to be, but it is more important than ever. My hope is that this year Rosh HaShannah will bring all of us closer than ever. We can still achieve great things for our community but we can only do it working together.

Betrayed Again


Delta Air has made it clear- although Delta is an American company it believes in making money more than it believes in freedom and the values for which America stands. You may have already heard the story- maybe not. Delta has reached an agreement to include Saudi Arabian Airlines in its “Skyteam.” As of this moment Delta will uphold the Saudi policy that forbids Jews and Israelis from flying to Saudi Arabia. As for Christians, if they bring any religious items to the country (like a Bible, a rosary, or any non-Islamic item) they will be confiscated.
Delta has defended itself by saying that, as a common carrier, it has to respect the laws of the countries it serves. Plainly, the sharia law of Saudia Arabia is more important to the Delta bottom-line than the freedoms of American citizens. This move by Delta will not really affect us- what Jew would want to go to Saudia Arabia- but it does affect those who might have to go there on business. It will certainly effect Christian travelers who will also have their rights and freedom stolen by the tyranny of sharia.
The entire discussion may seem unimportant to you but think about it- an American company has, for the sake of business, turned its back on everything for which our country stands. Would Delta go out of business if they did not fly to Saudia Arabia? What has happened to the idea of an American company running by American values? Is this the future? Will our freedoms continue to shrink to accommodate a world of intolerance and hate?
Would this not be a perfect opportunity for Delta to make a statement? Would it be so hard to reject a partnership with a society that oppresses its own people and all non-Muslims? If such voices will not be heard from this country and its business community than where will such a voice be heard?
Delta has affirmed that Jews and Israelis are subject to laws that do not affect others. Sound familiar? Delta has affirmed that all non-Muslims and all women are second class human beings in the rule of sharia. Is this an association that an American company should have? This is a time to affirm that American companies stand for the values that have allowed them to exist!
I urge you to contact Delta (404-773-0305)- let them know what you think. Don’t be betrayed in silence.