On Passover - Pharoah and Iran

Recently, I returned for a series of meetings in Washington concerning the Israel’s security. The concern that Iran is coming very close to manufacturing a nuclear bomb is very real. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) estimates that Iran now has over 2000 pounds of low enriched uranium and close to 6,000 centrifuges to refine that amount. The IAEA estimates that Iran will very shortly have enough enriched uranium to make a nuke. In February, Iran launched a satellite into orbit.

At the same time, Iranian TV puts on a show with university “professors” saying that Harry Potter is a “Jewish Zionist” plot. I mention this because is shows the nature of the intellect that concerns those of us who love Israel. DS- help rewrite this sentence)

While in Washington, Phil Segal and I met with our two senators and several NC congressmen or their legislative assistants. We asked each of the elected representatives to make a statement on the floor of the House and the Senate on this issue.

There is great fear that with the economic troubles and the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Iran issue will be pushed to the back burner. Maybe the Iranians are actually hoping for this. The Israelis are very concerned.

Much more political advocacy is needed on this in the coming months. Hopefully a combination of engagement and sanctions will be effective in persuading Iran not to take this very dangerous path. In addition, the low price of oil is also making things more difficult for the Iranian government.

I am happy to report that the Greensboro Jewish Foundation has divested from all companies doing more than 20 million dollars of business per year in the Iranian oil and natural gas sectors. (More than 80% of Iran’s foreign income comes from these oil and natural gas.) 10 out of 12 of the most populous states have now done the same with their state employee pension funds. Legislation in Congress would protect fund managers from suits regarding such divestment. Unfortunately, North Carolina has yet to divest from these companies, but I am hopeful that we as a Jewish community will begin to raise this issue with our state legislators.

Three thousand two hundred years ago, a wicked Pharaoh imperiled our future. Each year, we are commanded to “see ourselves as though we had actually been in Egypt” and experienced this miraculous liberation.

Perhaps this year, the real meaning of Passover is that once again Jewish life and freedom are imperiled. Many in Israel feel that the need for advocacy has never been greater. I am convinced that our ability as American Jews to respond has also never been greater.

We should not forget! It has now been more than 1000 days of captivity for Gilad Shalit who is being held by the Iranian client Hamas. This Passover, say a special prayer for his liberation at your Seder.

Finally, this month I will be attending my ninth March of the Living in Poland and Israel. There will be 22 of us from Greensboro, 12 from Temple Emanuel, 8 from Beth David and 2 from AHA. Joining us once again will be my colleague and friend Rabbi Eli Havivi. In our travel group of 62, there will be four survivors.

The story that we will tell and teach is also a story of Exodus. This time the exodus is from the darkness of Europe to the freedom of Israel.

Let us never take Israel for granted and let us never become so preoccupied with other problems that we as American Jews cease to be concerned about Israel’s security.

Hag Pesach Sameach! Happy Psssover to you and your family!