en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/1882225 Comments by Joel_A_Levitt http://forward.com/articles/217876/rabbis-obama-is-haman-rant-reflects-growing-israel/#IDComment961860745 Many of those commenting here seem to be more in love with their own words and prejudices than they actually care about Israel. The U.S., the UK, France, China, Russia, Switzerland and the Iranian negotiators are trying to make nuclear war less likely. Most of the world is grateful. Netanyahu has said that there will be no Palestinian state while he is in office. Most of the world condemns this. Is this good for Israel? If you want to protect Israel, do something about Netanyahu and his followers. Sat, 4 Apr 2015 09:42:50 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217876/rabbis-obama-is-haman-rant-reflects-growing-israel/#IDComment961860745 http://forward.com/articles/217709/jewish-democrats-ask-president-obama-to-lighten-up/#IDComment960989298 Bibi is not the only obstacle to a cooperative two-state peace, but he and his adherents are the greatest and most immediate obstacle. Their removal from power is necessary if Israel is to prosper and survive. Hopefully, Obama will play hard ball, and, hopefully, this will successfully bring peace and restore Israel's honor. There is something each of us can do -- contribute to OneVoice. Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:39:46 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217709/jewish-democrats-ask-president-obama-to-lighten-up/#IDComment960989298 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/217296/#IDComment959867879 Who is celebrating Netanyahu's victory? Likud, whose adherents want to own all the land between the river and the sea and want all the Palestinians to leave, and Hamas, whose adherents want to destroy Israel and to eliminate most Jews. Who should be mourning and afraid? All Israelis and Palestinians, who want to continue living, to raise their children and to prosper. Thu, 26 Mar 2015 11:57:12 +0000 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/217296/#IDComment959867879 http://forward.com/articles/217216/j-street-cheers-us-rebuke-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#IDComment959052444 Four days ago, I wrote to Israeli President Rivlin: Dear President Rivlin, Please, ask Mr. Herzog to try to form a government. In the near term, the health of Israel's economy depends your request and on Mr. Herzog’s success at complying. If Mr. Netanyahu is allowed to form the new government, most of the world’s nations, perhaps including America, will gradually stop trading with Israel. Long term, Israel's very survival and, perhaps world peace, are at stake, too. If Mr. Netanyahu once again becomes Prime Minister, America will come to realize that it doesn't need Israel, and it will stop its military and political support. If, as a desperate last measure, Israel turns to threatening to use its atomic bombs, it may very well bring on widespread nuclear war. Sincerely, Joel A. Levitt In Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA ********************************************************************************************* If you want to try to prevent tragedy from striking the Israelis and the Palestinians, write to President Rivlin at president@president.gov.il. Sun, 22 Mar 2015 23:27:07 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217216/j-street-cheers-us-rebuke-of-benjamin-netanyahu/#IDComment959052444 http://forward.com/articles/217053/president-obama-presses-benjamin-netanyahu-to-keep/#IDComment958507028 Two days ago, I wrote to Israeli President Rivlin: Dear President Rivlin, Please, ask Mr. Herzog to try to form a government. In the near term, the health of Israel's economy depends your request and on Mr. Herzog’s success at complying. If Mr. Netanyahu is allowed to form the new government, most of the world’s nations, perhaps including America, will gradually stop trading with Israel. Long term, Israel's very survival and, perhaps world peace, are at stake, too. If Mr. Netanyahu once again becomes Prime Minister, America will come to realize that it doesn't need Israel, and it will stop its military and political support. If, as a desperate last measure, Israel turns to threatening to use its atomic bombs, it may very well bring on widespread nuclear war. Sincerely, Joel A. Levitt In Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA If you want to try to prevent tragedy from striking the Israelis and the Palestinians, write to President Rivlin at president@president.gov.il. Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:20:03 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217053/president-obama-presses-benjamin-netanyahu-to-keep/#IDComment958507028 http://forward.com/articles/217121/conservatives-break-jewish-silence-to-denounce-net/#IDComment958506727 Two days ago, I wrote to Israeli President Rivlin: Dear President Rivlin, Please, ask Mr. Herzog to try to form a government. In the near term, the health of Israel's economy depends your request and on Mr. Herzog’s success at complying. If Mr. Netanyahu is allowed to form the new government, most of the world’s nations, perhaps including America, will gradually stop trading with Israel. Long term, Israel's very survival and, perhaps world peace, are at stake, too. If Mr. Netanyahu once again becomes Prime Minister, America will come to realize that it doesn't need Israel, and it will stop its military and political support. If, as a desperate last measure, Israel turns to threatening to use its atomic bombs, it may very well bring on widespread nuclear war. Sincerely, Joel A. Levitt In Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA If you want to try to prevent tragedy from striking the Israelis and the Palestinians, write to President Rivlin at president@president.gov.il. Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:18:05 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217121/conservatives-break-jewish-silence-to-denounce-net/#IDComment958506727 http://forward.com/articles/217047/how-can-we-support-israels-ideals-and-not-bibis/#IDComment958506362 Two days ago, I wrote to Israeli President Rivlin: Dear President Rivlin, Please, ask Mr. Herzog to try to form a government. In the near term, the health of Israel's economy depends your request and on Mr. Herzog’s success at complying. If Mr. Netanyahu is allowed to form the new government, most of the world’s nations, perhaps including America, will gradually stop trading with Israel. Long term, Israel's very survival and, perhaps world peace, are at stake, too. If Mr. Netanyahu once again becomes Prime Minister, America will come to realize that it doesn't need Israel, and it will stop its military and political support. If, as a desperate last measure, Israel turns to threatening to use its atomic bombs, it may very well bring on widespread nuclear war. Sincerely, Joel A. Levitt In Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA If you want to try to prevent tragedy from striking the Israelis and the Palestinians, write to President Rivlin at president@president.gov.il. Fri, 20 Mar 2015 14:16:00 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/217047/how-can-we-support-israels-ideals-and-not-bibis/#IDComment958506362 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/216877/#IDComment958157939 jaredbirns, thanks for unmasking David Hazony. Netanyahu did it for himself. I just wrote to Israeli President Rivlin at president@president.gov.il: "Dear President Rivlin, Please, ask Mr. Herzog to try to form a government. In the near term, the health of Israel's economy depends your request and on Mr. Herzog’s success at complying. If Mr. Netanyahu is allowed to form the new government, most of the world’s nations, perhaps, including America, will gradually stop trading with Israel. Long term, Israel's very survival and, perhaps world peace, are at stake, too. If Mr. Netanyahu once again becomes prime minister, America will come to realize that it doesn't need Israel, and it will stop its military and political support. If, as a desperate last measure, Israel turns to threatening to use its nuclear weapons, it may very well bring on widespread nuclear war. Sincerely, Joel A. Levitt" I urge all who want to help Israel to write to President Rivlin. Thu, 19 Mar 2015 01:18:57 +0000 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/216877/#IDComment958157939 http://forward.com/articles/216914/what-will-netanyahu-victory-mean-for-american-isra/#IDComment958103749 My letter alone won't save Israel. But, 10,000 letters from American Jews may. Wed, 18 Mar 2015 19:50:10 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/216914/what-will-netanyahu-victory-mean-for-american-isra/#IDComment958103749 http://forward.com/articles/214791/denmark-chief-rabbi-pushes-back-against-benjamin-n/#IDComment950781494 If we pursue our traditional and intimately related values of justice, צדק, and charity, צדקה, for all, then our people will be safe in all the world. Sun, 15 Feb 2015 15:13:18 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/214791/denmark-chief-rabbi-pushes-back-against-benjamin-n/#IDComment950781494 http://forward.com/articles/214618/-more-black-lawmakers-plan-to-skip-benjamin-netan/#IDComment949960952 Who's surprised? Once again, Netanyahu, the self-styled prophet, is damaging Israel. Thu, 12 Feb 2015 11:47:24 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/214618/-more-black-lawmakers-plan-to-skip-benjamin-netan/#IDComment949960952 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/212199/#IDComment947366852 Lior, You have already voted by leaving. Tue, 3 Feb 2015 02:49:51 +0000 http://blogs.forward.com/forward-thinking/212199/#IDComment947366852 http://forward.com/articles/213776/should-jews-be-required-to-pay-reparations-for-sla/#IDComment946419547 @CMucius, Vatican II was a fine advance for Catholics. For Jews, hereditary credit and shame are part and parcel of our peoplehood. Let's earn our own admiration for our good works and avoid deserving any more shame. Sat, 31 Jan 2015 03:34:18 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213776/should-jews-be-required-to-pay-reparations-for-sla/#IDComment946419547 http://forward.com/articles/213776/should-jews-be-required-to-pay-reparations-for-sla/#IDComment946354409 Vatican II was a fine advance for Catholics. For Jews, hereditary credit and shame are part and parcel of our peoplehood. Let's earn our own admiration for our good works and avoid deserving any more shame. Fri, 30 Jan 2015 21:30:49 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213776/should-jews-be-required-to-pay-reparations-for-sla/#IDComment946354409 http://forward.com/articles/213377/i-dont-want-to-be-jewish-anymore/#IDComment944973449 I believe that Dr. Nemzoff has the right of this matter, with the addition of suggesting that Straying consider sharing her feelings with her children as well as with her husband. They are all immensely in debt to her. Of course, I don't know the details of her family's interactions, but I think that the odds are that revealing more of herself to all family members would open new channels for love and support. If there is someone who knows her family well and whom she respects, perhaps a rabbi, she might discuss the likely consequences of her possible actions with that person. For me, the measure of Judaism is the extent to which it promotes the welfare of people, all people. Mon, 26 Jan 2015 14:37:51 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213377/i-dont-want-to-be-jewish-anymore/#IDComment944973449 http://forward.com/articles/213264/benjamin-netanyahu-pulls-switch-on-congress-speech/#IDComment943915900 Let's just ignore this stupid invitation and this even more stupid acceptance. Netanyahu's visit will be an excellent chance to catch up on our sleep. Or, for insomniacs, why not carry 'HELP ISRAEL, SNUB NETANYAHU' signs and picket the Capitol Building. Fri, 23 Jan 2015 02:57:20 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213264/benjamin-netanyahu-pulls-switch-on-congress-speech/#IDComment943915900 http://forward.com/articles/213233/did-benjamin-netanyahu-and-the-republicans-just-pu/#IDComment943856801 Goldstein, motivated by Kahane, was the one who mowed down more than 20 Palestinians, who were worshiping at the cave of the Patriarchs. Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:44:36 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213233/did-benjamin-netanyahu-and-the-republicans-just-pu/#IDComment943856801 http://forward.com/articles/213233/did-benjamin-netanyahu-and-the-republicans-just-pu/#IDComment943855925 Unfortunately, Netanyahu is one of Israel's biggest problems. Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:39:57 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213233/did-benjamin-netanyahu-and-the-republicans-just-pu/#IDComment943855925 http://forward.com/articles/213233/did-benjamin-netanyahu-and-the-republicans-just-pu/#IDComment943854936 I am imagining a very positive scene, thousands of Jews picketing the Capitol Building carrying signs reading: HELP ISRAEL, SNUB NETANYAHU. Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:35:17 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213233/did-benjamin-netanyahu-and-the-republicans-just-pu/#IDComment943854936 http://forward.com/articles/213041/the-southern-jews-who-helped-king/#IDComment942876375 I am prepared to celebrate the actions of heroic southern rabbis. I am certainly not prepared to celebrate the "good Germans" who did not speak out during the Nazi era, nor, though I may sympathize with their fears, will I ever celebrate the majority of the silent southern Jewish laity of the Jim Crow period, nor, will I honor the Israelis who are more concerned with their private lives than with the oppression of the Palestinians. Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:35:37 +0000 http://forward.com/articles/213041/the-southern-jews-who-helped-king/#IDComment942876375