God is Doing Well in the Polls These Days”: Over 1000 Watch Senator Joseph Lieberman Deliver 6th Annual Gershon Jacobson Lecture

"God is Doing Well in the Polls These Days": Over 1000 Watch Senator Joseph Lieberman Deliver 6^th Annual Gershon Jacobson Lecture

New York - Senator Joseph Lieberman was warmly welcomed by over 1000 people as the featured speaker at the Sixth Annual Gershon Jacobson Lecture, held on October 3^rd in Manhattan's famed Park East Synagogue. Sponsored by Shefa Yamim, Senator Lieberman's historic lecture on "the two subjects banned from most families' dinner tables" – Religion and Politics – was hosted by the Gershon Jacobson Foundation and The Algemeiner.

Lieberman opened his speech with glowing praise for The Algemeiner and the GJCF, pointing out that these entities serve as the "independent truth telling advocates for the Jewish people and Israel" and bridge builders to bring the "wisdom of Jewish tradition to the modern world." He   noted especially the paper's use of modern media to reach algemeiner – everyone.

 

Lieberman's talk went on to combine the best of an exhorting sermon, an exciting rally, and an extraordinary commencement speech.

 

Emphasizing throughout his lecture America's founding fathers' cornerstone dream of national religious freedom and acceptance, Lieberman asserted passionately that America defines itself by "its values and its purposes," and was, from its beginning, an "initiative" based on faith. "Elected officials are not polling well ," the Senator quipped, "but God continues to do very well in America." The Senator attributes God's "edge in the polls" to the Declaration of Independence, where America's founders expressed the fundamental right to personal religious freedom – and the national freedom from establishment of an official religion. By guaranteeing this level of freedom, the Senator said, they founded a nation that lives by what President Lincoln termed "a kind of civic religion… (where) people of all religions are welcomed and given their pla ce in the public square."

And for that, the Senator said, "God Bless America," going on to note that in 5772 years of Jewish history, Jews have had more freedom, success and opportunity in America than anywhere except Israel. In the Senator's opinion, the only stumbling block to Jewish success in America is the limitations Jews place on themselves: "Fear of anti-Semitism among Jews is much greater than the reality of anti-Semitism among Christians," he said. When a hand lettered sign reading "Viva Chutzpa" appeared at an Hispanic presidential rally, said the Senator, it represented to him the "basic sense of opportunity that America provided…a ticket with a Jewish American got a half million votes more than the other ticket – an objective indicator of the religious tolerance that was the dream of our founders."

Commenting on the upcoming 2012 Presidential election, Lieberman said he "does not share the anxiety about candidates' open professions of faith…Jews get nervous, remembering that such discussions are often a precursor to bad times," he said, but quickly advised, "Keep in mind the extraordinary history of religious freedom, tolerance and acceptance, and the constitutional framework that protects us." Further, said the legislator, we are living in a "remarkable time when the relationship between Christians and Jews is at an unprecedented good level." He gave special recognition to the "great movement of change" among Christian Evangelicals.

Lieberman warned that the 2012 campaign "will be partisan, bitter, and personal." Clearly stating that he was "not endorsing any candidate," he noted that, should one of the two Mormon candidates in the Republican be nominated, "it will break a barrier – the first time a Mormon will be running. I hope the Jewish community is…in the lead to make sure they are judged in the American way – based on qualities and not based on their faith."

"It's a tough time in American life," Senator Lieberman acknowledged as he wrapped up his speech. "Hundreds of millions of Americans are pessimistic about America's future. I don't buy this pessimism. This century will be another great century for America. Don't ever sell such a nation short!"

GJCF/Algemeiner

This annual lecture is a program of the Gershon Jacobson Jewish Continuity Foundation (GJCF), established in 2005 after the death of Gershon Jacobson, the long-time editor and publisher of the The Algemeiner. Jacobson, one of the most respected and influential Jewish journalists of recent history, was described by Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel as a "warrior for truth." He served as a courageous, independent advocate for the most important issues facing the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

The GJCF, which bears Jacobson's name, is dedicated to perpetuate his pioneering spirit by serving as a valiant media voice addressing the most compelling issues of our time, with vision, integrity and moral clarity, informed by the power of 4000 years of Jewish experience and wisdom. The organization is directed by Simon Jacobson and Dovid Efune, and is overseen by a highly prestigious tribute committee. The GJCF is responsible for publishing the weekly Algemeiner and has recently been referred to by Fox News as the fastest growing Jewish newspaper in America. For a comprehensive description of Algemeiner and GJCF activities, please visit www.gjcf.com or www.algemeiner.com.

The Ultimate Jewish New Year Greeting

The Ultimate New Year Greeting

By Dovid Efune

For many Jews this time of year provides an opportunity, not just for personal renewal, but for the revival of thinning bonds and the reestablishment of relationships that have withered. A pervasive mood of collectivism descends upon Jewish communities around the world and a numerous variety of well-wishing expressions are mutually exchanged.

Among the shared sentiments are the usual suspects of health, wealth, success and any number of cliché greetings. Although well-meaning, most are superficial and at some point develop an aura of monotony. So I found myself considering, what in truth would be the most meaningful blessing one could impart on a good friend, a significant other, a family member or colleague. What would I wish most for myself?

 

I came across inspiration last weekend while working my way through the epic two volume biography of Vladimir Jabotinsky entitled 'Lone Wolf,' which was authored by famed historian Shmuel Katz over a period of seven years. Jabotinsky, as a very young man, before he had been introduced to Zionism, enjoyed tremendous popularity as a writer. In fact Katz points out that the writer and dramatist Ansky was quoted as saying, "there isn't a beautiful woman in the world who enjoys as much adulation as did Jabotinsky in his young days in Odessa." Then something occurred that changed his life forever. It didn't happen to him but to others, yet it affected him so deeply that his life's focus and purpose radically shifted. From the sixth to the eighth of April 1903 a pogrom took place in the Russian city Kishinev, during which fifty Jews were killed, hundreds more injured and many women raped. Katz writes that "Jabotinsky went to Kishi nev to distribute food and clothing. He visited hospitals talked to eyewitnesses and burrowed through the ruins." From that point on, he adopted the cause of Zionism with all his being, championing it as a path to preserving Jewish pride, dignity and life.

 

One can't help but wonder what it was about Jabotinsky that compelled him to give up a life of comfort, renown and achievement to focus all his efforts and talents on attempting to actualize a distant dream which had a small chance of succeeding. How many people do you know who are that sensitive to the needs of others, who care deeply enough to uproot themselves from their set path of comfort and routine for the sake of the greater good?

 

The tragedy of Kishinev took place one hundred and eight years ago and the furor that it and other similar horrors provoked ultimately led to the rebirth of Jewish independent sovereignty. There is no question that to some degree the goal of Zionism has been achieved and Jews around the world are safer now than they have been throughout the last millennium. But one could argue that as long as Jewish lives are at risk on a day to day basis anywhere in the world Zionism has failed to deliver on all of its promises, necessitating that we establish for ourselves new goals and set about compiling a manifesto that will chart the course to their realization.

 

Modern day manifestations of Jewish persecution live on. On Friday Asher Palmer and his one year old son Yehonatan were killed in a terror attack. Did even an act as horrific as the Fogel family murder change anybody's life so significantly as to fuel a movement whose goals where designed to forever prevent it's repetition? I know in New York, most shook their heads, attended a memorial service and went about their daily lives.

 

It seems that the most profound New Year wish is one that calls for not only a better future for the recipient but on their capacity to create a better future for others. One that challenges their apathetic and indifferent status quo and calls upon them - in the words of Holocaust Survivor Elie Wiesel in a recent Algemeiner interview– to 'think higher and feel deeper.' To actually care.

 

British statesman Benjamin Disraeli said it best, "Life is too short to be little. Man is never so manly as when he feels deeply, acts boldly, and expresses himself with frankness and with fervor." 

The Author is the director of the Algemeiner Journal and the GJCF and can be e-mailed at defune@gjcf.com. Please visit www.algemeiner.com for more information.