Ahmadinejad blames Zionists for cartoon insult
to the Prophet Muhammad in a Swedish newspaper
TEHRAN (Press Release)—Iran’s hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has again spoken out against Israel and Jews. He accused “Zionists” of sowing conflict, publishing offensive cartoons and "lying about being Jewish."
At a news conference in the Iranian capital Tehran, Ahmadinejad said: "Zionists are people without any religion. They are lying about being Jewish because religion means brotherhood, friendship and respecting other divine religions." He also claimed that "Zionists" were behind a cartoon in a Swedish newspaper depicting the head of the Prophet Muhammad on a dog’s body that sparked an official protest by Tehran to Stockholm.
"They do not want the Swedish government to be a friend of other nations. I strongly believe they are behind it [the cartoon]. They thrive on conflict and war. They are an organized minority who have infiltrated the world. They are not even a 10,000-strong organization," he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. "Anywhere they are found there is war. Anywhere where there is war they are behind it," Ahmadinejad added.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign ministry summoned a Swedish diplomat to protest against the cartoon, which was published in a local newspaper in Sweden. Echoing previous predictions about Israel’s doomed future, the president said: "If the world is calm, people, Europeans, Germans even, will uproot them."
The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress
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BERLIN (Press Release)—The Chabad orthodox Jewish movement is to open the first new privately funded Jewish center in Germany since the Shoah. The center, which includes Germany’s largest synagogue as well as a library, a kosher restaurant, a tourist information center and a lecture hall, will open in Berlin this week. The center’s director, Chabad rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, said: "Everyone is welcome to come in and learn about Jewish life. Knowledge breeds tolerance. We want to send a message that Jewish life is here and thriving."
The Jewish community in Germany is one of the fastest growing in the world, with about 110,000 members thanks to an influx of immigrants from the countries of the former Soviet Union. The US$ 8.3 million center is run by the orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch movement. Rabbi Teichtal, a New York native, said the funding for the Berlin centre had come largely from donations, 70 per cent of which were small contributions by individuals. German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, ambassadors and about 30 rabbis from across Europe and Israel are expected for the opening ceremony. A street fair and an open-air concert is to follow in the afternoon.
The preceding story was
provided by the World Jewish Congress
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NJDC accuses Republicans of double standard
in dealing with homosexual and heterosexual offenders
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– The Senate Republican leadership yesterday stripped Senator Larry Craig (Republican, Idaho) of his committee assignments after it was revealed that Sen. Craig pled guilty in June to disorderly conduct in an airport restroom. Craig allegedly solicited a homosexual sexual tryst.
Meanwhile, the GOP Senate Leadership declined to take similar punitive action against Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) who admitted to committing a “very serious sin” when his name showed up on the notorious “DC Madam’s” list of prostitution clients.
Today, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) released the following statement from NJDC Vice Chairman Marc R. Stanley:
“Regardless of whether one believes that either Senator Craig or Senator Vitter should have received punitive action by the GOP leadership, to punish one and not the other is gross hypocrisy. The party which attempted to write discrimination against gays and lesbians into the U.S. Constitution; the party which opposes protections against gays and lesbians at the work place; and the party which has a history of opposing legislation protecting gays and lesbians from hate crimes, has once again shown its true colors.”
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ADL and CAIR engage in a war of words
NEW YORK, N.Y.— The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), in response to an "open letter" from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) suggesting that their organization has "acted numerous times … to condemn terrorism," today released a photograph of CAIR's executive director speaking at a podium next to a known anti-Semite and the flag of the terrorist group Hezbollah.
Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, National Director, issued the following statement:
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has once again squandered an opportunity to unequivocally condemn terrorists – such as Hezbollah and Hamas – by name and to address its past affiliation with the Islamic Association for Palestine, whose ideology is rooted in virulent anti-Semitism.
The August 29, 2007, "Open Letter from CAIR to ADL" is yet another weary tactic by CAIR's leadership to divert attention from its troubling roots and disingenuous record. CAIR Chairman Parvez Ahmed and Executive Director Nihad Awad continue to willfully ignore legitimate questions. Attacking ADL will not make the real issues go away.
An organization that purportedly seeks to enter into dialogue with ADL should firmly denounce the anti-Semitic rhetoric and support for terror organizations that regularly occur at rallies, instead of sponsoring and joining them.ADL's 94-year history supporting the civil rights of all in this country, including Muslims, and our record of teaching respect for all religions through interfaith and diversity education programs is unparalleled. Unfortunately, CAIR has shown that it is not a legitimate partner in this vital work.
In the attached photo released by ADL, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad is shown delivering a speech under a Hezbollah flag during a rally on April 20, 2002 in Washington, DC. To his right stands Imam Abdul Alim Musa, the anti-Semitic head of Masjid Al Islam mosque.
The preceding story was provided by the Anti-Defamation League
●Text of CAIR's Open Letter to the ADL
Editor's Note: The following letter was sent to Glen Lewy and Abraham Foxman, respectively national chair and national director of the Anti-Defamation League, by Parvez Ahmed, Ph.D.
Chairman, and Nihad Awad, executive, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
On August 14 and 21, the Anti Defamation League (ADL) issued press releases that repeat its past defamatory assertions about the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), smearing the good name of an organization with a proud history of standing for justice and mutual understanding.
It is unfortunate that the ADL would employ rhetorical tactics that are used routinely by anti-Semites. These tactics raise questions about the sincerity of the ADL's stated mission to "secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike."
How can the ADL ensure fair treatment of fellow Americans if it demonizes and smears one of the leading Muslim organizations advocating for equal rights in our society? How can the ADL assure justice when it attempts to muzzle the First Amendment rights of American Muslims by smearing them for simply seeking to ensure that a leading Muslim charity receives a fair trial?
Your August 21, 2007, press release stated: "If CAIR truly repudiates acts of terror and murder, we would welcome a simple declaratory statement that no cause, no matter how just it may be, justifies the use of suicide killers, rockets or other means to target civilians."
Long before your demands for such a statement, CAIR had acted numerous times out of the convictions of our faith to condemn terrorism. Our condemnations against terrorism pre-date September 11, 2001.
A little research would have revealed a CAIR-coordinated 2005 fatwa, or Islamic juristic opinion, that states in part: "All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians."
Also, our 2004 " Not in the Name of Islam" online petition states: "No injustice done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam." (Jump to continuation)
SANTA BÁRBARA, Peru (Press Release)—It is early morning in Santa Bárbara, a small and impoverished village two hours south of Lima. Life here is just a shadow of its former existence, before the August 15th earthquake ravaged some of the poorest parts of Peru, destroying nearly 40,000 houses, wounding nearly 1,100 people, and killing 500.
Santa Bárbara is one of two towns where the Peruvian Jewish community has sent a truck convoy containing 18 tons of materials, clothing, and food donated by the members of the Community themselves or purchased with emergency funds raised and channeled through JDC.
On this particular day, members of the Peruvian Jewish community's Emergency Committee as well as a local rabbi and a JDC representative are delivering medicines and other equipment purchased by the Community to support a group of Israeli physicians and paramedics who are working in Santa Bárbara.
The panorama is devastating: almost all of the houses, built in adobe and mud, are completely destroyed or severely damaged. In the town’s sole square, only the school building remained intact. Otherwise all that remains are small tents, made mostly of plastic and cardboard, that have been put up by the families that remain in Santa Bárbara—newly homeless. They are 133 families-585 people who have been sleeping and living in a sea of plastic and boards, in absolute scarcity; fearing another earthquake; impacted by the profoundness of their losses, yet somehow organized as a community to support and assist one another, together.
Pablo, a sweet and outgoing boy of not more than 8 years old, expresses the fear and uncertainty he felt during the quake. He describes the terrible noise of the earth when it started moving, the noise of collapsing houses, one after the other, and how all of the air was replaced with dust. He says proudly that no one died in his town, and only five people were injured because most families had already left their homes for Mass at the town church when the earthquake hit.
"You know...the earthquake started just ten or twelve minutes before I started to ring the bell to call the population to Mass," reflected Father Alfredo, the priest of the destroyed Santa Bárbara Church, which made newspaper headlines because its dome collapsed in such close proximity to Mass time. "Can you imagine what would have happened if everyone would have been inside the church when the tremor occurred?"
After a moment he adds: "I believe this was a genuine miracle because it saved the population, and in spite of everything, here God’s hand was present…"
The tour continues.
"Do you want to see where I am living now?" little Pablito asks, heading to the sole tent that is not well pitched and has just fallen down. There Pablo’s father is taking care of their only asset—a worn mattress they received yesterday. His wife and Pablito's six brothers and sisters are with the Israeli doctors.
"Do you think it would be possible to get another mattress?" Pablito asks ingenuously. "Not for me but for the rest of my family because I am already grown up and can continue to sleep on the ground…" He says sleeping on dirt is not so terrible, but the cold is very bad…
As the queue forms for the soup kitchen, Pablito is given one of the relief bags with much-needed supplies from the Jewish community. His face lights up as when opens it. Flashing his contagious smile, he tells his father that the bag is filled with "tasty things," and they are both so grateful.
People in the town are thankful for the visitors; they want to display the little that is left of their homes and tell their story. One gentleman, Don Pedro, shares that some days before the earthquake he had invested money in buying bricks and wood to rebuild his house; now even those materials are lost because the place where he had stored them collapsed in the tremor.
As the jeeps leave Santa Bárbara for Chincha to make the next delivery, the town's gratitude is evident. And the value in bettering even one life is epitomized by one small set of hands-Pablito's-feverishly waving goodbye, beaming, running after the Jewish community delegation.
But Pablito and his family will be visited again. In these weeks, JDC staff is assessing the devastated areas to identify possible longer-term reconstruction projects.
SYDNEY (Press Release)—The Australian airline Quantas has announced that it will launch an inquiry into an alleged anti-Semitic incident witnessed by a Jewish passenger, the AJN news service reports.
Daniel Moses was flying first class from Singapore to Sydney earlier this month when a flight attendant made a number of anti-Jewish remarks. He lodged a series of complaints with the airline soon after and after two weeks of inaction, Quantas said it would investigate the in-flight incident and the poor response Moses initially received from the airline. Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon also telephoned Moses to personally apologize for the incident.
Moses was on his way back home from the Maldives when he overheard a flight attendant speaking to a female passenger. After settling the woman’s issue, the flight attendant allegedly turned to Moses and said, “Jews." When Moses, a businessman from Sydney, asked her what she meant, she replied, “That’s what you get when you deal with Jews.”
Even after Moses revealed that he himself was Jewish, the flight attendant continued her slur. “Well, you better go and tell her [the other passenger] that she is letting your team down,” before adding that South African Jews were the “worst." In his complaint, Moses wrote, “In 35 years, I have never been subjected to such racist comments, and not only of an anti-Semitic nature. I mean about any race or religion.”
The preceding story was provided by the World Jewish Congress
The Jews 'Down Under'
By Garry
Fabian
MELBOURNE—Jewish community concerns about the Federal Government's citizenship test have been watered-down after some newer members of the community and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) examined the draft questions.
Labor member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby remained unhappy with the concept of a citizenship test, saying it might have deterred some of the immigrants who have gone on to make this country great.
Immigration Ministyer Kevin Andrews released 20 sample questions, together with a 40-page resource book earlier this week. The book outlines Australia's history, aspects of culture and includes a comprehensive section on values and will be required reading for potential citizens attempting the 20-question test.
A quick study of the resource book revealed that the only Jewish reference in the draft is to World War 1 general Sir John Monash. Grahame Leonard, president of the ECAJ, said that on a brief glance the Jewish community should feel comfortable with the draft citizen test, which is expected to pass through the Senate at the next sitting
of parliament.
"At a glance, the test seems quite innocuous" Leonard said, but added that the ECAJ is not in favor of a citizenship test and would prefer the government to provide for support for new migrants instead.Nevertheless he was satisfied that the content of the resource book and test appeared to be neutral and fair.
●Jewish leaders slam outspoken Bethlehem Mayor
SYDNEY —Jewish groups and Israeli representatives have slammed the mayor of Bethlehem, Dr. Victor Batarseh, for politicising his trip to Australia, which was supposed to be a goodwill mission to formalise Bethlehem's twin-city relationship with the Sydney city of Marrickville.
New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Vic Alhadeff said that within hours of his arrival, Jewish groups had been proven correct in their fears that Dr. Batarseh would politicise his visit.
"His falsehoods such as the security barrier is mostly a concrete wall, when more then 90 per cent is a fence whose sole purpose is to keep out suicide bombers, makes a mockery of the claims of Marrickville Council that the visit would be all about peace and harmony.”
Added Israeli embassy spokesman Dor Shapira, "It is really upsetting that the mayor of Bethlehem, which is such and important city to Christians, is taking advantage of his trip to attack Israel instead of promoting solutions between Israel and the Palestinians.”
Dr. Batarseh insisted, that contrary to press reports, he was not attacking Israel, but attacking occupation. "We have the right to live like other human beings, the right to self determination. We want to establish a state on our historic Palestine, without
humiliation day and night by the Israeli occupation.”
A spokesperson for the Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said that while Dr Batarseh had met the criteria for a visa, any comments made that would cause offence to the wider Australian community would be noted.
"It is disappointing if anybody who comes to Australia makes comments or behaves in a way that causes offense. They can be reported to the minister and will be recorded for any future application that will be made."
The Jewish Grapevine  |
CYBER-REFERRALS—
●Dan Bloom in Taiwan: A YouTube video and accompanying lyrics of "Rosh Hashanah Girl" Michelle Citrin. Here's the link:
●Israel's Consulate General: British MP Claire Short rhetorically blasted the security fence dividing Israel from the Palestinian Authority, calling it an apartheid wall. She told a special United Nations conference on the Middle East that it was time to boycott Israel even as South Africa had been boycotted. Monitors from the European B'nai B'rith conference said it was another "hate Israel" event organized by the U.N. Here is a link to a story on YNET.
●Hillel Mazansky: A YouTube clip below of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich telling an audience that in America's confrontation with Islamists, "We don't have a peace process, we have a surrender process.".... Also, a power point presentation of a photo exhibit by Dror Davidman, "Israel Through My Lens." Here is the link.
● United Jewish Communities: What was formerly Germany's biggest synagogue on Ryestrasse in Berlin is scheduled to reopen on Friday. Here is the link.
JEWISH PUBLIC OFFICIALS—
● U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (Democrat, California) says she has won Defense Department support for legislation to make any service person who died in captivity eligible for a purple heart, regardless of whether the cause of death was from an instrument of war or otherwise. “General George Washington wrote that we should honor with the Purple Heart, ‘not only instances of unusual gallantry but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service,’" said Boxer. "Those brave Americans who paid the ultimate sacrifice as prisoners of war should be eligible for this honor. I hope the President will act swiftly on the Defense Department’s recommendation—the families of our fallen POWs deserve no less.”
●U.S. Rep. Eliot Engel (Democrat, New York) expressed support for the decision by The Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue a Notice of Violation against Entergy, the operator of Indian Point nuclear power plant The company tried, once again to flaunt regulations by claiming the sirens were installed before the third deadline of August 24th. "Entergy has already been fined $130,000 by the NRC, which cited 'insufficient management attention at [Entergy’s] senior levels.' But this is what happens when senior management fails to do their job: the rules are skirted and Entergy pretends everything is fine," Engel said.
● U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (Democrat, New York) welcomed an announcement by the U.S. Justice Department's Inspector General's office that it would investigate whether soon-to-retire Attorney General Alberto Gonzales deliberately gave false or misleading testimony to the Congress during several appearances before committees. "This is a welcome step to restore our national confidence in the Justice Department," Nadler said. "It is long overdue. However, the departure of Attorney General Gonzales does not signify the end of our efforts to restore the rule of law. Even without Gonzales, the Bush Administration will likely continue its ongoing campaign to evade, ignore and undermine the Constitution. I will remain vigilant in my efforts to hold the White House accountable for its actions. I believe it is still in the nation’s best interests for a Special Prosecutor to be appointed to investigate the Attorney General’s false statements to Congress and to investigate the apparent criminal violations of law by Attorney General Gonzales and others, including President Bush."
●U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (Democrat, California), chairman of the House Oversight and Governmental Reform Committee, sent a request to the White House Counsel Fred Fielding for information by Sept. 10 on reports that millions of emails may have been lost from White House computers.
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Exhibit on Holocaust survival coupled with klezmer concert to tour 3 county libraries
By Ellen Zyroff
JULIAN, California (Press Release)—San Diego County Library’s Julian, Rancho San Diego and Vista Branches will take turns hosting a traveling multimedia exhibit of photographs and videotaped and audiotaped oral histories and testimonies that illuminate the path from the Holocaust to survival of 10 families, the majority from San Diego.
Produced in Fall 2006 by the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, the installation is called, “Davka, The Survival of a People.” The focus is not a retelling of the Holocaust, but what happened to survivors themselves and their families once they survived. The Hebrew word “davka” connotes paradox; its meaning in the exhibition title is: “Despite all odds, the Jewish people survive.”
All three libraries are also hosting public receptions featuring not only the Davka exhibit, but also gala klezmer concerts with virtuoso musician Alexander Gourevitch.
Classically trained in Russia, Alexander Gourevitch is one of the world’s top klezmer clarinetists. A third-generation klezmer performer, he expresses the soul of klezmer music with his whole body, as he plays rousing dances and soul-stirring Hasidic melodies.
Jewish law and tradition teach that saving one life is equivalent to saving the whole world. This overriding emphasis on the sanctity and preciousness of life and the personal and collective mandate for all humanity to protect and save lives is implicit in the Davka exhibit, which documents the outcome for individuals, families, communities, and the world of the survival of a single human life.
Although the Nazis and their collaborators in various countries systematically tried to annihilate the Jewish people and did murder two-thirds of Europe’s Jews (a third of the world’s Jews), like a burned or chopped-down tree whose roots are saved, the Jewish people, despite all odds, not only survived, but thrived and have made countless contributions to the people of the world in all areas of human endeavor.
DAVKA, The Survival of a People explores the toll that has been taken on surviving generations and what has grown out of their unique experience. Viewers leave the exhibit inspired, with an understanding of the impacts – both good and bad - that the Holocaust has had on families of Nazi victims and on the survivors. For some, coming from such a family has left indelible scars. For others, coming from such a family has spurred them to be more creative, to be more giving, and to have more impact on the life of others than they might otherwise have had: a second chance for life; a lesson to cherish life and make every moment count.
“The installation evokes universal questions and, at least partially, suggests answers about the human spirit,” says Heather Maio of the JCC Committee that created the exhibit: “How can survivors of genocide take such profound trauma and loss and move on with their lives? How can one ever smile again? How can one regain any faith is his fellow man? How does one fall in love again? How does one choose to give life to a new generation? What wells of the human spirit can be plumbed?”
People from all backgrounds are reminded that they can survive and achieve success, despite terrible adversity. DAVKA, The Survival of a People, in celebrating the lives of survivors and their families, offers an understanding of the past and inspiration to protect our collective future.
The DAVKA traveling installation was created for the 2006 San Diego Jewish Book Fair under a grant from Bank of America, The Private Bank and Sempra Energy, and under the auspices of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture of the Lawrence Family JCC, Jacobs Campus.
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JULIAN LIBRARY. 1850 Highway 78, Julian 92036. (760) 765-0370. • Julian Library Davka Exhibit: Friday, Sept. 7 through Wednesday, September 19. Exhibit available during open hours: Tuesday, noon-8:00 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. • Julian Library Davka Reception, Alexander Gourevitch Klezmer Concert, and “Eyewitness to the Holocaust” talk by Ramona resident Erwin Levy. Sunday, September 16 at 1 p.m. More information is available from Ellen Zyroff, San Diego County Library Principal Librarian for Public Affairs, at (858) 694-2484 or Jackie Gmach, Jewish Community Center Program Director, at (858) 457-3030. |
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RANCHO SAN DIEGO LIBRARY. 11555 Via Rancho San Diego, El Cajon 92019. (619) 660-5370. • Rancho San Diego Library - Davka Exhibit: Friday, September 21 through Tuesday, October 2. Exhibit available during Rancho San Diego Library open hours: Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 1-5 p.m • Rancho San Diego Library Davka Tuesday, October 2, 6:30 p.m. Rancho San Diego Library Davka reception, Heather Maio and Jackie Gmach of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center will show a DVD and talk about the Davka exhibit. The Alexander Gourevitch klezmer concert will follow at 8 p.m. More information is available from Ellen Zyroff, San Diego County Library Principal Librarian for Public Affairs, at (858) 694-2484 or Jackie Gmach, Jewish Community Center Program Director, at (858) 457-3030.
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VISTA LIBRARY. 700 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista. 92084. (760) 643-5100. • Vista Library Davka Exhibit. Thursday, October 4-Wednesday, October 17 Exhibit available during open hours: Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. • Vista Library Reception and Alexander Gourevitch Klezmer Concert: Sunday, October 7 at 5:30 p.m.
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Israel's junior judo team meets with Olmert
JERUSALEM (Press Release)—Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met this morning with Israel's Junior National Judo Team, which did very well at last month's Youth Olympics in Belgrade.
Culture, Science and Sports Minister Raleb Majedele, Israeli judoka Arik Ze'evi and Israel Judo Association Director-General Shlomi Nimrovski also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Olmert awarded certificates to the young athletes who won medals at the Youth Olympics and the recent European championships and praised their achievements.
Olympic medal winner Ze'evi thanked Prime Minister Olmert for hosting the young athletes.
The preceding story was provided by the office of Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
{Marc Kligman, who combines being a sports agent with his life as an observant Jew, invites you to listen. Click on the ad above for more information}
 People
of the Books |
Do powerful people become sexy, or vice versa?
How to Become President of the United States (a novel) by Eugene Telser (Portland: Inkwater Press, 2007), 354 pages, $24.95
Reviewed by Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO—Eugene Telser, an active member of the Humanistic Jewish Congregation of San Diego, has written a book that challenges at least two popular sayings about power.
The first: that power comes from the end of a gun.
The second: that power is an aphrodisiac.
In Telser's view—at least to the extent that he has the protagonist of this novel, George Levy, espouse and actualize the theory—is that power comes not from a gun but from virility, especially male virility. Furthermore, it isn't being powerful that makes you sexy; it's being sexy that makes you powerful.
This is an interesting theory, which perhaps finds its counterpart in real life in the form of the former "Mr. Universe," California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. But the theory did not translate well into a novel because Telser never really got beyond this basic premise.
Levy is a stud, constantly in a state of obvious arousal, which prompts a seemingly endless number of women and men to offer themselves to him for sex. Levy good-naturedly accepts any and all of them. As he also has an interest in politics, eventually he meets and beds people active in that realm. The wider and better connected his circle of casual partners, the more powerful he becomes.
Although the story takes 354 pages to tell, that is essentially it. Most of the pages are filled with sexual fantasy, with Levy the passive partner. There is no real character development; just meaningless, mechanical sex. For any adult with a healthy sex life of his or her own, all this will soon become quite boring.
Although Levy is Jewish, Telser does not really explore that aspect of his hero's identity. Traditional Jewish practices are not part of Levy's lifestyle; he is addicted to bacon as a breakfast food. Overall, there are few references in the novel to how Judaism or being part of the Jewish people might have impacted Levy, and none of them are particularly insightful.
Many people will be offended by this book, some people may like it, and a few may even wonder if there is merit to the Telser/ Levy doctrine, or is it simply a cockamamie idea?
Council on American-Islamic Relations...
(Continued from above)
We have consistently and persistently distanced Islam and American Muslims from terrorism and religious extremism. But the ADL has chosen to ignore all of our previous statements, choosing instead to make spurious claims about our motives and intent.
The ADL has profound misconceptions about CAIR. This is not surprising, given that ADL leaders have not met any of our national officers, nor have they had any interaction with our many local offices.
Contrary to the ADL's false assertions, CAIR is a mainstream American Muslim institution made up of ordinary people who serve our nation each day with distinction and pride.
Among our diverse leadership you will find doctors, engineers, teachers, businesspeople, homemakers, and public officials. Among our staff, you will find many whose families have called America home for generations. CAIR is rooted in the American experience of pluralism and is respected by the American Muslim community.
We ask that you visit our national office or a CAIR chapter, or spend time with us at any one of our many public events. Interact in a positive way with our officers, volunteers and supporters, and then judge what CAIR is all about. Use facts, not the propaganda or guilt by association that is so prevalent on the numerous Islamophobic websites that are anathema to our civilized society.
Read on our website a document titled "Demystifying the Urban Legends About CAIR" ( http://www.cair.com/urbanlegends.pdf) to find our answers to the many myths propagated by Muslim-bashers, many of whom profit from their insidious propaganda.
The ADL's press releases make a preposterous assertion that CAIR "can never be fully accepted in the Jewish community." CAIR is proud of its work and associations with many in the Jewish community and with many American Jewish organizations.
After speaking at a CAIR dinner, Shalom Center Director Rabbi Arthur Waskow (described by the Jewish Forward as one of the fifty most influential American Jews today) wrote: "Far from showing irreparable conflict between the Jewish community and CAIR, in fact the dinner showed that a seriously peace-committed part of the Jewish community can work with a seriously peace-committed part of the Muslim community, despite the existence of some violence-supportive people in both communities. That is the truthful and the important story."
Rabbi Jeff Sultar of Mishkan Shalom in Pennsylvania said: "We are inspired by the interfaith work that CAIR does, which serves to make all communities of faith stronger, and helps to address a serious gap in the understanding of Islam in the United States. As co-descendants of the legacy of Abraham, we fully support CAIR in its efforts to bring our shared values to the wider community... CAIR is doing the same kind of civil rights work and public education that Jewish communities had to do in the United States when the first wave of immigrants faced ignorance, intolerance and discrimination, and so we understand and support their efforts."
In the past, the ADL has been chastised by a federal judge for unfairly accusing others of anti-Semitism and settled a lawsuit for spying on Arab-Americans.
These are serious indiscretions on the part of the ADL. But that is not all; we have several other concerns and questions about the ADL, which we hope you will take the time to answer, much the same way we responded to your questions:
1. Ayaan Hirsi Ali has made polemical attacks against the teachings of Islam and the noble personality of Prophet Muhammad. Her writings and views reflect extreme ignorance about Islam, which is quite natural given her lack of scholarship about the faith. What was the motive behind and purpose of the ADL hosting such a personality?
2. Has the ADL ever issued a statement criticizing illegal settlement activities by Israel or condemning the results of Israel's brutal occupation policies so well documented in President Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid"?
3. Why did the ADL not criticize Israel's deliberate destruction of the civilian infrastructure in Lebanon or the killing of hundreds of Lebanese civilians using American weapons paid for with American taxpayer dollars?
4. Why, unlike CAIR, did the ADL not call for a cease-fire in Lebanon that would have prevented death and destruction on both sides?
If the ADL stops promoting noted Islamophobes and affirms the right of Americans to criticize the policies of any foreign country, including but not limited to Israel, without being demonized, then CAIR will welcome any opportunity to enter into dialogue. Such a move would allow us to explore ways in which we can work together to end discrimination and secure justice for all Americans.
The holy months of Ramadan and Tishrei will once again coincide this year. Let us use the holiness of these sacred months to enter into dialogue intended to raise Jewish and Muslim voices in America for the cause of peace and justice in the Middle East for all people of the region.
The preceding letter was provided by the Council on American-Islamic Affairs