Pres. Obama at the UN: Only way to Palestinian statehood is through talks with Israel

US President Barack Obama told the United Nations on Wednesday that the Palestinians deserved a state of their own, but that this would only be achieved through talks with Israel.       

"These facts cannot be denied. The Jewish people have forged a successful state in their historic homeland. Israel deserves recognition. It deserves normal relations with its neighbors. And friends of the Palestinians do them no favors by ignoring this truth, just as friends of Israel must recognize the need to pursue a two state solution with a secure Israel next to an independent Palestine." 

Two funerals scheduled for Monday, September 19: Jewish community

Sorry to report, for Monday, September 19 : 1 pm at the Temple, Celebration of the life of Sheryle Cohen. 3:30pm at Dunn's, funeral of Jack Silverstein, with burial  at Jewish Glendale.  Meal of consolation to follow at the Temple.


[Due to technical problems, this message cannot be transmitted today via e-mail to the entire Jewish community list.  The information, however, is posted on the Jewish Federation's Facebook page, located at http://facebook.com/jewishdesmoines  ]

Statement from Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, 9/13/2001

Statement from the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

 

September 13, 2011

 

Sunday, September 11, 2011 was a unique day in American history.  The date commemorated the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.  Everywhere in the country there were commemorative services with the most important symbol of our county, an American flag.  The diverse programs included memorials to the victim in all forms, including the themes of tolerance and the inclusion of invocations and the reading of religious texts from many traditions. 

 

As a national event, Sunday was a day of unity, as we contemplated the horrific events of  9/11/2001; it was a day to mourn those whose lives were taken and a day to mourn those who lost their lives heroically assisting others.   Any event that touched upon this seminal event in our history, required the display of the symbol of American unity, the possession of every American, the American flag,on this very American day. 

 

In representing the secular Jewish community in Des Moines, the Des Moines Jewish Federation had endorsed an interfaith commemoration of the tenth anniversary of September 11th, organized and directed by the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, in coalition with other organizations.  The commemoration, entitled "Common Ground," was held Sunday afternoon at Drake University's Sheslow Auditorium.  Our Federation's Director of Community Relations, Mark Finkelstein, attended this event to represent the Jewish Federation. Upon entering the auditorium prior to the program's beginning, he noted to the program's coordinator, the absence of an American flag on stage and offered to provide a small flag for display The offer was rejected by the program's coordinator. Considering it inappropriate that the Jewish Federation would endorse a September 11th program without the flag's symbolic presence, the Federation's representative, out of conscience, departed the auditorium. 

 

The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines proudly stands with all Americans in reflecting on September 11, 2011 .  We assert that our American flag is the only appropriate national symbol of our grief and our hope for a better, more tolerant world.  

 

Barbara Hirsch-Giller,  President 

Elaine Steinger, Executive Director 

 

Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

33158 Ute Avenue

Waukee, IA  50263

 

This statement is being distributed by the Jewish Community Relations Commission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines.  For information, contact JCRC at (515) 987-0899 x 212,  jcrc@dmjfed.org

 

 

 

Jacoby lauds Steven Emerson

Jeff Jacoby: Today we should also honor those, like Steven Emerson, who saw the coming jihad & tried so hard to raise an alarm. http://bit.ly/p911Xb

The Legacy of 9-11?

As it effects the Jewish community?

 

"Jews and Jewish institutions remain a principal target for Muslim extremists."

 

Jewish Federation: Stand with Israel against contractors of terrorism

Statement from The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines      August 18, 2011

 

The Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines condemns the multiple cross border attacks by Arab terrorists today on southern Israel from the Sinai.  We join with the people of Israel in mourning those whose lives were taken by the terrorists, including the two children ages 4 and 6.

 

We stand with Israel as it seeks to protect its citizens from further attacks. 

 

 Israel is committed to negotiating peace with the Palestinians.  It is prepared to make hard concessions to provide for a two state resolution, recognizing Palestine as the state of the Palestinian people.

 But to do so, the Palestinian leadership must speak with one voice for peace, for acceptance of Israel as the Jewish homeland and for a permanent end to the conflict.  

 

Make no mistake about it: Such attacks as the ones today are intended to encourage others to weaken and eliminate Israel -- in this case, by establishing a southern front, once secured by the peace treaty with Egypt.  There is already a northern front, threatened by Hizballah.  There is the western front, threatened by Hamas.  And there is an overall threat by both alQaeda and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary regime.  None of the above named bodies -- under any conditions, no matter what conciliatory policy Israel adopts in the West Bank-- accepts the concept of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.   The attacks on Israel, including attacks on its civilians  from Gaza or Sinai are designed to displace Israel, not change its policies.

 

It is important, therefore, that Americans stand with Israel against the contractors of terrorism and that Americans demand that the Palestinian leadership speak with one voice for peace.

 

Mark S. Finkelstein

Director of Community Relations

Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

33158 Ute Avenue

Waukee, IA  50263

 

Send comments to jcrc@dmjfed.org

 

cc:  Barbara Hirsch-Giller, President

       Elaine Steinger,  Executive Director

       Steven Schoenebaum,  JCRC Chair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding UN bias against Israel

A way disproportionate obsession in the UN about the Israeli-Arab conflict -- to the virtual exclusion of most of the world's deadliest conflicts and worst human rights abuses is a tip off that bias against Israel is at work.



For continuing coverage of  Jewish current events, please join  http://facebook.com/JewishCurrentEvents