This message runs the gamut this week, from deep concern and protest to laughter and song, from the sublime to the ridiculous. We begin with the sublime:
Today (Thurs.) is Rosh Hodesh Nisan. Happy New Year (in the biblical sense)! We read in the Torah (last Shabbat in fact) the instruction, "HaChodesh HaZeh Lachem..." "This shall be the first of months for you." What a perfect time, in this beginning of the spring month, to, in the words of Isaiah (40:26) "Lift your eyes heavenward and see Who created these..."
Once a month, it is customary to look to the sky, check for the Moon, make sure it is not even partially obscured by clouds, and say Kiddush Levana, the prayer over the new moon. This will be done by many people this Motza'ei Shabbat. Aside from this once a month mitzva, one can and should look at the sky often and be filled with a sense of wonder at God's creation. This might not be a specific mitzva, but it is definitely mitzva-ish in that it can bring a person to a greater appreciation and feeling towards God.
A very special opportunity of this type presents itself tonight. A short time after sunset, low in the western sky (towards the south), we will be treated to a pretty sight - a slender crescent moon, bright "evening star" Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars close enough to each other to be framed by a circle of thumb and pointer held at arm's length.
Or, for a daytime experience of awe, simply lok at the first buds of spring and say the special blessing over them.
The trial of the "Iran 13"(Iranian Jews imprisoned on the pretext of spying
for Israel) is scheduled to begin next week.
As International President of the United Synagogue, I am calling on all
congregations to devote this Sabbath to special prayers, sermons, and other
appropriate programs. The Hebrew names of the 13 individuals are Yaakov ben Mohtarem, Asher ben Sltani, Nasser ben Peeran, Shahroch ben Shhnaz, Faramaz ben Eshrat, Farzad ben Eshrat, Najat ben Nosrat, Farhad ben Hamdam, Daniel ben Soraya, Orech ben Zoleicha, Ornid ben Soraya, Ramin ben Malak, Ramin ben Sarah.
We are also including recommendations for action, which are based on months of ongoing consultations of the Presidents Conference Special Task Force on the Iran 13, leaders of the Iranian Jewish communities in the US and abroad, many experts, and government officials.
This list of activities was developed keeping in mind at all times that our
primary obligation is the well-being of the 13 and of the Iranian Jewish
community. The complexity of the situation imposes certain restraints and
restrictions. We have sought throughout to give Iran a face-saving exit
strategy and to avoid provocations. We continue to believe that mass
demonstrations and protests could be counterproductive, although they may
be called for in the future.
Expectations that the situation would improve after the recent Iranian
elections have not been borne out. If anything, the Khatami government
appears to have adopted a harder line.
This list of suggestions will be updated periodically as developments
dictate.
Public activities will begin in North America and Europe this weekend, and
other communities will be joining thereafter.
DIPLOMATIC AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
1) Contact embassies and consulates of West European countries, Japan,
Muslim nations and other countries to urge continued intercessions with the
government of Iran at the highest level, and ask that they underscore that
the case of the 13 will affect their future relations with Iran.
2) Members of Congress should be urged to support resolutions now
being circulated.
(Texts will be sent separately.)
3) The Administration should be encouraged to continue approaches to
foreign governments, to oppose the World Bank loan to Iran, and to warn
Iran that no further gestures or concessions will be forthcoming until the
13 are free.
4) The United Nations should be urged to continue direct representations. Write to UN ambassadors calling on them to press their governments to act.
5) The UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva should be urged to send a
representative to Iran and to raise the plight of the 13. A resolution regarding human rights in Iran is pending and is due to be introduced on April 18. Urge support for the resolution.
6) Governments with resident ambassadors in Iran should ask that they
request to be observers at the trial.
CONTACTS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
1) Human rights organizations, groups, church bodies and particularly
Muslim organizations should be asked to issue statements, write to the Iranian government, and send representatives to Iran to be observers. Joint
declarations of support for a fair trial, legal representation and freedom
for the 13 are in order.
2) Solicit interfaith participation in vigils, joint statements.
3) Business associations, Chambers of Commerce, and particularly those
having contacts to those doing business in Iran should be enlisted.
SYNAGOGUES AND JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS
4) Devote this Sabbath to special prayers, sermons, and other
appropriate programs. A list of the Hebrew names of the 13 is attached.
5) Special prayer services can also be held on Sunday and during the
week of the trial.
PUBLIC ACTIVITIES
1) We do not believe that street protests and mass demonstrations are
appropriate at this time. However, public vigils with the participation of
Jewish and non-Jewish clergy, governmental leaders, human rights figures,
cultural figures and other personalities are in order. These should be
conducted around the clock (at least throughout the day) at key locations
(e.g., near Iranian diplomatic posts or at central, high profile sites).
2) Press statements and press coverage of vigils are encouraged. Urge
editorials in newspapers and the electronic media.
3) Promote public statements, letters to the editor and interviews
with human rights activists, clergy and political personalities.
4) Secure ads by legal associations, rights groups, etc. (A suggested
text is available.)
5) Events should be scheduled to assure continuous activity during the
3 days before the trial.
THEMES
1. Release of the 13 and, at least, granting the ten bail.
2. The allegations of espionage are groundless.
3. No formal charges have been brought after more than one year of
imprisonment.
4. Allow full legal rights, including the choice of lawyers. This is
in accordance with the Iranian constitution, which provides:
"The parties to a suit have the right to appoint a Lawyer in all courts and
if they are not able to appoint a lawyer, facilities for appointing a
lawyer must be provided to them." Article 35 of the Constitution of the
Islamic Republic, The Single Article Act approved by the Council of Discernments of the Exigencies of the Regime provides:
"All the parties in a litigation have the right to appoint a Lawyer and all
the courts that are established in accordance with law are required to
accept such Lawyers. "
To date, the judge has refused to recognize the attorneys chosen by the
families.
5. An open, fair trial with observers from the UN, legal associations,
the Jewish community, etc.
6. Remind Iran that the case of the 13 is a "barometer" for future
Iran-US relations, as Secretary Albright said; a "test case" of the Khatami
government, as Vice President Gore said, and will affect their standing in
the international community, as declared by many governments.
7. The emphasis must be on humanitarian and human rights and not
attacks or threats against the government of Iran.
We will also post this information on our (USCJ) website. Fact sheets and
materials will be made available.
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These announcements were found in shul newsletters and bulletins. Even spell check wouldn't have helped!...
Don't let worry kill you. Let your synagogue help.
Join us for our Oneg after services. Prayer and medication to follow.
Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our congregation.
For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
We are pleased to announce the birth of David Weiss, the sin of Rabbi and Mrs. Abe Weiss.
Thursday at 5:00PM, there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All women wishing to become Little Mothers, please see the rabbi in his private
study.
The ladies of Haddassah have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the basement on Tuesdays.
A bean supper will be held Wed. even. in the community center. Music will follow.
Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the JCC. Please use the large double door at the side entrance.
Rabbi is on vacation. Massages can be given to his secretary.
Mrs. Goldblum will be entering the hospital this week for testes.
The Men's Club is warmly invited to the Oneg hosted by Hadassah. Refreshments will be served for a nominal feel.
Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Rob, who are preparing for the girth of their first child.
If you enjoy sinning, the choir is looking for you!
The Associate Rabbi unveiled the synagogue's new fundraising campaign slogan this week: "I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours."
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