Where They Failed Here, They Hope to Succeed in the US

25 Marcheshvan 5784 

They failed to bring Jews and Christians together in a large "national" gathering here in Israel, will they succeed in America?  On Rosh Chodesh Kislev???

Make History With Us:

March for Israel on November 14, 2023

[Contributed by Geula Girl of The Key to Redemption blog.]

The following is from an email sent out by The International Christian Embassy on November 7th (the day after the failed "National Day of  Prayer" event at Jerusalem's Great Synagogue).

On October 6, 1943, 400 Jewish rabbis marched alone in Washington, DC in order to bring attention to the atrocities happening against the Jewish people in Europe. Let's show the Jewish community that today things have changed!

Calling All Christians to Washington, DC Rally

The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations is hosting a rally at the National Mall in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. They are seeking Christian support and participation in this historical gathering to speak with a unified voice on behalf of the hostages and for continued US support for Israel as it continues to battle Hamas to rid Gaza of this terrorist network for the sake of Israel and the people of Gaza. 

A Weekend of Prayer for Zion’s Sake

Following the rally, the partnership between our two communities will continue with a weekend of prayer from November 17-19. Congregations across the United States and around the world will cry out to God on behalf of Israel and the release of the more than 240 hostages still being held by Hamas. Don’t miss this unprecedented moment in history to stand with and for our Jewish friends in prayer. Commit your congregation for a time of prayer for Israel and the release of the hostages according to Isaiah 62:1, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold my peace.” 

Your presence in Washington, DC, our nation's capital, and your prayers on the weekend of prayer will show the world, and our God, that WE SUPPORT ISRAEL.

Susan Michael

ICEJ USA Director

***

National Jewish groups put out the call for a massive ‘March for Israel’ in DC on Nov. 14

By Ron Kampas | November 7, 2023

WASHINGTON (JTA) — National Jewish organizations are calling on Jews from around the country to travel to Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14 for a mass pro-Israel rally they hope will rival major Jewish demonstrations in 2002 and 1987 in size and impact.

The March for Israel has three goals, according to Eric Fingerhut, CEO of Jewish Federations of North America, which is organizing the rally jointly with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Participants will be demanding the return of the estimated 240 hostages Hamas terrorists abducted during its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Fingerhut said. They will also be calling for efforts to combat antisemitism, which has spiked worldwide since the attack. And they will be demonstrating their support for the unabashed backing Israel has so far received from both parties in Congress and the Biden administration.

“All three elements are important to all of our communities,” Fingerhut said. “We’re proud of what our government has done to support Israel but we want them to know how much support there is not only for what they’ve done, but also for the continued efforts that are going to be needed as this long conflict continues.”

The rally, which will take place just over five weeks after Hamas’ deadly assault on Israel, was formally announced on Monday night. But efforts to fill buses and planes were already breaking into public view over the weekend.

“All classes for Yeshiva University undergraduate schools and high schools for Tuesday November 14 are canceled,” Rabbi Ari Berman posted on social media on Sunday. “We are going to Washington to stand with Israel.”

It’s the kind of move that Fingerhut and William Daroff of the Conference of Presidents said in a joint interview they were asking of affiliated groups, including Jewish community centers, day schools and other Jewish organizations. So far, they said, the response has been enthusiastic.

...Fingerhut and Daroff said they were encouraging Jewish community centers and Jewish day schools to shut down for the day and send their students to Washington. Some had already taken up the call: North Shore Hebrew Academy on Long Island, for example, said it would bus students to D.C. for the day, and the Detroit Jewish federation on Monday invited locals to reserve spots on a chartered flight.

Ronald Halber, the director of the Greater Washington D.C. Jewish Community relations Council, said he expected all 10 campuses in the D.C. area to empty their buildings on the day.

“We have an obligation with a 300,000-strong Jewish community to bring a substantial number of people,” Halber said.

Two surprising orgs. asked constituents to rally in support of Israel

Story by By Zvika Klein

Two very different Jewish-American groups have called upon their constituents to participate in next weeks' mega pro-Israel rally in Washington DC: Both the ultra-Orthodox Agudath Israel of America and the leftwing Americans for Peace Now, have sent an invitation to their mailing lists and asked for their supporters to join the rally.

These examples exemplify the huge support for Israel among American Jewry, even those who would be your average participant at similar rallies in the past.

A broad coalition of American communities will gather for the “March for Israel” rally on November 14 at the National Mall in Washington.

The event, which will take place under tight security, is expected to be a display of unanimous support for Israel, as well as flagging the surge in antisemitic events in the US since the Hamas massacre on October 7. "In light of the ongoing life-threatening danger confronting Israeli soldiers and all of our dear brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisroel [the Land of Israel] and with great concern about the extremely volatile political climate here in the United States, we feel it is important... that there be a large turnout at this event," a message from Agudath Israel on Tuesday read.

"Accordingly, and in consultation with our rabbinic leadership, we are circulating to our friends and constituents information about the rally," they concluded. Agudath Israel didn't support Zionism in it's early stages, now it does, in it's own special way.

In addition, Hadar Susskind, president and CEO of the left-wing American Friends for Peace Now, also sent out an email blast on Tuesday.

"Thousands of American Jews, along with friends and allies, will gather for a rally on Washington’s National Mall-- and we will be there," Susskind wrote.

"There will be progressive Jews and conservative Jews. There will be observant Jews and secular Jews," he wrote, adding that "Together with our colleagues at like-minded groups we are organizing a Peace Bloc, and will be there in solidarity. In solidarity with the people of Israel, in solidarity with the hostages held in Gaza and with their families, and in solidarity against the alarming rise in global antisemitism.

Susskind added that although they encouraged participation in the rally, organized by the Jewish Federations of North America and Conference of Presidents, "We are not co-sponsoring the event, nor will we be among the speakers. And yes, it is nearly certain that some speakers at the rally will say things that we disagree with, and they will certainly not say everything that we believe needs to be said. But we will not cede this ground to those with whom we disagree. We will stand together as a community alongside other Jewish organizations in our Peace Bloc and yes, alongside those who do not share our views."

Why is this so dramatic? Agudath Israel acts as a principal organization for Haredi Jews in the US, encompassing most yeshiva adherents and numerous Hasidic sects, despite some, like the anti-Zionist Satmar, not aligning due to differing views on Israel.

(Passages: Christians Stand With Israel)

*** 

[GG]  I find it interesting that their weekend of prayer will take place on Parashat Toldot which speaks of Esav's hatred of Ya'aqov and Hashem's hatred of Edom.

"Now Esau harbored hatred toward Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him."  (Bereishit 27:42)

The Haftarah speaks of Hashem's hatred of Esav and the ultimate destruction of Edom...

"...I loved you, said the Lord, and you said,  'How have You loved us?'  Was not Esau a brother to Jacob? says the Lord.  And I loved Jacob.  And I hated Esau, and I made his mountains desolate and his heritage into [a habitat for] the jackals of the desert.  Should Edom say, 'We were poor, but we will return and build the ruins'?  So said the Lord of Hosts: They shall build, but I will demolish; and they shall be called the border of wickedness and the people whom the Lord has damned forever.  And your eyes shall see, and you shall say, "The Lord is great beyond the border of Israel." (Malachi 1:2-5)

Other organizations promoting the rally:

• International Christian Embassy Jerusalem - USA Branch (ICEJ USA) 
  
• Pastor John Hagee/Christians United for Israel (CUFI) [Has 10 million members.]
  
• Yeshiva University [Cancelling classes to go.]
  
• The Orthodox Union (OU)
  
• The Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
  
• The Jewish Theological Seminary [Canceling classes to attend.]
  
• B'nai Brith International
  
• Central Conference of American Rabbis (Reform)
  
• Various Others

A Facebook group has been opened in Hebrew and English for help with transportation and places to stay.

"Jews, Israelis and supporters of Israel of all faiths are coming together for an unprecedented event on Tuesday, November 14th on the National Mall, Washington DC.

The events of October 7th were an unprecedented event in Israel, in the war for awareness and public opinion we must not lose!

Standing by Israel strengthens the fight against rising anti-Semitism - on the street, in the media, in the education system and in universities."

 ***

What most concerns me [Devorah Chayah] is the target they will present to our enemies - Jews en masse - in the open - men, women and children.  If it could happen here...  Hashem yerachem!!

My advice to American Jews - STAY HOME!!!!!  And pray!!!  Then, open a tik to make aliyah!!!