Jewish Leaders Initiate International Effort to Keep the Jewish Capital Secure, Intact and United
NEW YORK, NY (October 24, 2007) – We are proud to announce today the formation and launch of The Coordinating Council on Jerusalem, for the purpose of uniting American Jewish organizations on behalf of a secure and unified Jerusalem. Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, founded the initiative as a united public front of Jewish American organizations towards the principle of keeping Jerusalem united. It has been endorsed by hundreds of Jewish leaders in the Diaspora and Israel.
Recently, in preparation for next month’s Annapolis summit with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, ministers of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government put forth their view that Jerusalem was negotiable and opened the door to concessions of parts of Jerusalem, including the Temple Mount, world Judaism’s holiest and most revered site. Following his ministers’ remarks, Olmert himself questioned the value of maintaining Jewish sovereignty over certain Jerusalem neighborhoods. As a result, Jewish leaders around the world are coalescing around a simple bottom-line position: World Jewry opposes Israeli negotiations which would include any discussion of ceding sovereignty over part or all of Jerusalem.
Realizing the historic breach and potentially tragic significance of these ministers’ position, as well as the pivotal role being played by the US Secretary of State, Rabbi Pesach Lerner, a well-known leader of numerous Israel-related campaigns, immediately recruited Jeffrey Ballabon, a nationally known strategist with expertise in issue campaigns, crisis management and government relations (www.ballabongroup.com) to recommend and execute a broad-based international strategy to ensure continued Jewish sovereignty over all of Jerusalem. As a first step, the two called for the creation of a body to coordinate and leverage efforts in Israel and the Diaspora to secure Jewish interests in Jerusalem’s future.
The formation of the Coordinating Council marks the first time since the establishment of the State of Israel that a significant group of American Jewish organizations have created a broad united front to pursue a policy directly involving Israel that is based on an explicit principle that supersedes deference to the sitting Israeli government. Notably, many of the organizations on the Coordinating Council are among the State of Israel’s most loyal and active supporters.
Within hours of the announcement of their intent to create the Coordinating Council, Lerner and Ballabon were contacted by dozens of Israeli groups which also have decided to coordinate their efforts with the Council.
“Jerusalem has been the epicenter of the Jewish People for 3,000 years. It is the inheritance of Jews everywhere and for every generation. Even the suggestion that Jerusalem could be divided is appalling to a majority of Israelis and the global Jewish community,” said Rabbi Lerner. “The Coordinating Council on Jerusalem is an unprecedented display of unity. Every organization is setting aside other priorities and agendas and differences to unify around the future of Jerusalem. We are committed to helping each other to ensure that all of Jerusalem remains the capital of the Jewish People.
“Preserving an undivided Jerusalem is a paramount issue not only for Israelis, but for the worldwide Jewish Community. This is not a decision any Israeli government can make unilaterally. Jerusalem belongs to all Jews, even those not living in Israel, and their opinion matters.”
Adds Ballabon, “We are gratified by the overwhelmingly positive response to the creation of the Coordinating Council on Jerusalem. Each organization on the Coordinating Council is a responsible national or international organization and each is exercising crucial leadership for their constituencies on the issue of the preservation of Jerusalem. The threat is grave and what is at stake for all Jews is incalculable and irreplaceable. By uniting and coordinating, members of the Coordinating Council are sending a message of unmistakable unity, unshakable commitment and a determination to succeed.”
Leaders of the Coordinating Council on Jerusalem have scheduled meetings with members of Congress and White House officials in the coming weeks, as well as with Israeli government officials and members of Knesset.
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The Coordinating Council on Jerusalem, currently in formation, includes Americans for a Safe Israel, Association for Jewish Outreach Programs, Emunah of America, Hineni, Jerusalem Reclamation Project, National Conference of Synagogue Youth, National Council of Young Israel, One Israel Fund, Poalei Agudath Israel of America, Rabbinic Alliance to Save Jerusalem, Rabbinical Alliance of America, Rabbinical Council of America, Religious Zionists of America, Russian Jewish Community Foundation, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations (OU), Unity Coalition for Israel, Young Israel Council of Rabbis, and Zionist Organization of America.
I saw Elvis last week in the old city, but he had long hair and there seemed to be a Halo over is head!
Shalom Ted,
Ref the Manny Winston posted comment;
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In defeat they will receive a little help, and many will join them insincerely
DANIEL 12:34
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American Jewish leadership has told us that ‘Peace is possible with the Muslims’ without having a clue as to what drives Islamic fundamentalists.
This fallacy is propagated by those Jews who have ‘made it’ in America and don’t want their dreams of well-being disturbed by reality.
Emanual Winston, “Transmitting The Message Of Hate”, THE JEWISH PRESS 10 Sep 99
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What are the requirements to be designated a “Jewish organization” ? In the Congress Daily AM (related to Congressional Quarterly pubs) are featured names such as “Progressive Jewish Alliance”. Is it a Jewish organization?
What are the requirements and application procedures to become a “Jewish leader” ?
“World Jewry” is an umbrella term like “Christianity”. Think of the recent Northern Ireland. “World Jewry” conveys little meaning but Middle America does listen to those deemed “Jewish leaders” and “World Jewry”.
Note that US Senator Diane Feinstein is considered a Jewish political leader although per Halacha, she is not Jewish. Yet, the American body politic considers her a Jewish leader. They know that her husband, Richard Blum, is Jewish. They know this because at the political meetings in Virginia, the Senator’s shoveling Defense Department contracts to her husband’s companies, is being discussed.
Are the Black Hebrew congregations Jewish? Is Rabbi Michael Lerner’s San Francisco congregation Jewish?
The above MUST be answered and acted upon before wasting money on motel reservations at Nashville – although Judaism would be enhanced by continuing on Interstate 40 to Memphis and visiting Elvis Presley’s home. He helped the local Jews more than some local Jews did.
PM Olmert DOES have the power to institute powerful public opinion molding statements. So do others. James Baker and Brent Scrowcroft cannot withstand the scrutny of the Christian Zionists. Yet, the “Jewish” Bo-Wash corridor is allied on the side antagonistic to a Jewish Jerusalem. To continue; they are antagonistic to Israel, although they disguise this position.
I sincerely believe the General Assembly of the United Jewish Communities is not united.
Her majesty Queen Rania is honest.
A visit to Elvis Presley’s Memphis home can help save Jerusalem more than a visit to Nashville’s Grand Ol’ Opry.
Nashville equates to another Masada.
Kol tuv,
Does it mean that if they get to keep Jerusalem, it’s OK to give away other land?
That conference must not be allowed to happen in the first place.
William R. Koenig “Eye to Eye: Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel”
from Amazon.com
Book Description
What do these major record-setting events have in common?
• The ten costliest insurance events in U.S. history • The twelve costliest hurricanes in U.S. history • Three of the four largest tornado outbreaks in U.S. history • The two largest terrorism events in U.S. history
All of these major catastrophes and many others occurred or began on the very same day or within 24-hours of U.S. presidents Bush, Clinton and Bush applying pressure on Israel to trade her land for promises of “peace and security,” sponsoring major “land for peace” meetings, making major public statements pertaining to Israel’s covenant land and /or calling for a Palestinian state.
Are each one of these major record-setting events just a coincidence or awe-inspiring signs that God is actively involved in the affairs of Israel?
In this book, Bill Koenig provides undeniable facts and conclusive evidence showing that indeed the leaders of the United States and the world are on a collision course with God over Israel’s covenant land.
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem” (Zechariah 12:9)
From the Publisher
Eye to Eye – Facing the Consequences of Dividing Israel has been revised and updated as of July 1, 2006.
The book has been reformatted, re-edited, and has forty-percent new content in seven new chapters.
The book has a copy of the letter that was delivered to President Bush three days after Hurricane Katrina along with a White House response. The book also has maps and tables.
Below are the new chapters:
Chapter 1: Historical Basis for Israel’s Right to Its Land (including maps) Chapter 2: The Error of Replacement Theology (names, organizations and statements) Chapter 7: U.S. Catastrophes and Events: 2005 U.S. Administration: President George W. Bush (Hurricanes Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Wilma and their connection to Israel) Chapter 8: Major U.S. Catastrophes & Events in Perspective (from 1991 to the present) Chapter 13: U.S. Presidents & Middle East Leaders Involved in “Peace” Process and the Consequences (U.S. Presidents from Woodrow Wilson to George W. Bush) Chapter 14: Strange Parallels to Rabin and Sharon’s Political Endings Chapter 15: Israel’s New Leader: Ehud Olmert
We will need to fight for Hevron first.
by Emanuel A. Winston, Mid East Analyst & Commentator
Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive VP of the National Council of Young Israel, has founded the Coordinating Council on Jerusalem to unite American Jewish organizations on behalf of a secure and united Jerusalem. As you will read below, it has been endorsed by hundreds of Jewish leaders in the Diaspora and Israel.
Our comments: We hope your recent assembly of Jewish organizations to stop the dis-assembly of Jerusalem has not come too late. Rice, Bush and Olmert have been pushing for this “solution” for a long time. I respectfully suggest you make this an emergency crisis alert so the Annapolis Conference does not allow the issue to be raised, voted upon and to thereby become an “international mandate” designed to force Israel to comply.
There is a great deal of information which your members must see IF they are to fully appreciate this issue with knowledge and a sense of critical immediacy in order to combat this upcoming international Kangaroo Court.
Dear Rabbi Lerner and all the Coordinating Council on Jerusalem:
In these desperate times, it is vital the Jews coalesce IF we are to survive both as a people and as a Jewish nation. In legal terms, “time is of the essence” which usually means we are on the threshold of running out of time. For example:
President Bush, Secretary of State Rice and former Secretary of State James Baker are pushing for a statement from Israel’s Prime Minister Olmert to the effect that he, as a Prime Minister is ready to even talk about dividing Jerusalem, abandoning the Jordan Valley, surrendering Judea and Samaria, and finally abandoning Golan Heights to Syria’s hostile control. Each of these areas have been our national memory which are imprinted on us as Jews. Equally or more important is their military defensive value!
Rich, Bush and the State Department already have established ground rules that Israel should/must dismember herself for the “good of all”. Read that to mean that they will try to placate the Arab Muslim world to enhance their oil position, lower the hostility – particularly of “sleeper” cells, absorb Muslim immigrants with a remaining loyalty to their originating country – not, their host country, that is America, Europe or wherever a critical mass is forming.
Since appeasement is unlikely to work in practice, this does not stop the Administration from making their attempt to pacify the Muslim and Arab world. The coming Annapolis Conference has been custom designed to set in motion international forces who will press Israel to abandon the territories mentioned above.
All they needed was a statement from PM Olmert that he, personally, will commit to abandoning (all) these precious areas. Once he said it, irrespective of his Cabinet, the Knesset or the nation, the world’s countries will demand compliance – as if Olmert owned the territory of the Jewish State of Israel. The penalties the international community will demand will be embargoes and unremitting pressures – as happened to South Africa for entirely different reasons.
Olmert doesn’t have the power to give away what G-d gave to the Jewish people in perpetuity. A Yemeni oriental pizza maker in Safed told me this summer: “The Torah begins with Bereshit: G-d created the Land so He can give to whoever He wants!” No one else can order the Jewish people to divorce themselves from their Land or their G-d.
In Israel, the people have brought avoidance to the high state of art. Somehow the wishful thinking that nothing will happen dominates their thinking. Until the Kassam Rockets are falling on Jerusalem and/or Tel Aviv, the government under Olmert will continue to restrain the military as is happening in Gaza and Ashkelon.
Bush and Rice are desperate for an historic legacy and they are willing to offer Israel up as an appeasement. Their advisors slightly behind the scene are James Baker and Brent Scowcroft, both hostile to Israel.
Hopefully, your efforts will advance at a very rapid pace. There are two Conferences you may be able to influence. One is the General Assembly of United Jewish Communities being held in Nashville from November 13 to 15. If you and your partners are very active during that annual Conference of some 4,000 to 5,000 good Jews from all over the world, you may gather some very good allies and Public Relations. The other will be the Annapolis International Conference now slated for the end of November. You must be ready before Annapolis with concentrated public opinion, both Jews and Christians.
The Bush Administration is lobbying actively with as much pressure as they can bring to bear so you are not able to interfere with their plans to re-partition Israel which will be orchestrated and manipulated before, during and after the Annapolis “Peace” Conference led by Secretary of State Rice. Every nation hostile to Israel has been invited: the U.N., the E.U., the Quartet, Russia, the Arab League, all the Arab and Muslim nations around the world – and more – including the International Media.
As we saw in one media snippet: On CNN at 4:32 CDT Queen Rania of Jordan says we have a good chance to find a “Final Solution” to the Palestinian/Israeli crisis. Nothing much has been done for the past 7 years. HUH?!! [What about the evacuation of 10,000 Jewish men, women and children from Gush Katif/Gaza?]
Why is it that we Jews ignore the rolling horizons of danger until it is too late to save ourselves?