JCRC: Do not criticize Islam; We will ask that such signs be taken down

JRT sources:
JCRC writes on its website:

Former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami will speak at Harvard University on the issue of “ethics of tolerance” in an age of violence.

President Khatami called the Hezbollah terrorist group, a “shining sun that illuminates and warms the hearts of all Muslims and supporters of freedom in the world.”

A coalition of student groups will gather to counter the Iranian support for terror and drive for nuclear weapons.

  Join us
Sunday, September 10 at 3 pm (TIME CHANGE)
Kennedy School  of Government at the Institute of Politics JFK Dr.
Our messages will be:

Stop Supporting Terror

No Iranian Nukes

Please bring American flags, and signs (do not attach them to sticks). Feel free to make your own but please no signs or graphics offensive to any racial or ethnic group including but not limited to Iranians or Islam. We will ask that such signs be taken down. Ours is not a message of intolerance, but of peace.
Of course, we are a pro-Israel organization, but this will not be a rally for Israel or by Jews, but rather against a state sponsor of terror by a coalition of concerned groups and citizens.  It is critical that we maintain a coherent peaceful message as a contrast to the extremist positions of Iran. [link]

Wow, that strict? They will ask us to take the signs down not to offend the Islamists? These are our representatives? These linguini-spine libs claim the role of protectors of the Jewish people?
Here are a few questions by our friend Seva Brodsky:

As much as I appreciate the efforts by the JCRC in countering His Fascist Excellency Khatemi, saying that "this will not be a rally for Israel or by Jews" does NOT do us any good, because by merely stating that the rally is "against a state sponsor of terror by a coalition of concerned groups and citizens" you include by default the simple fact that Israel is Iran's primary target and that the Jews of conscience will rise up against such an affront. Stating otherwise is disingenuous, to say the least, and can even be viewed as cowardice by some (to call a spade by its proper name).

This is a protest by ALL concerned citizens, including Jews and others, and it is against the government of Iran and in support of the governments of Israel and of the U.S., although the latter made an incredible error of judgment in issuing this Islamo-fascist his American visa.

As you can easily imagine, JCRC is NOT the only entity organizing this protest -- there are quite a few of us out there, both individuals and groups, including other organizations -- ad hoc, grassroots, and otherwise -- as well as media outlets, who have been involved in organizing this protest as soon as the news hit the streets. You do NOT have a monopoly on this action, so please try not to appear so self-righteous and bossy as it only detracts from our common goal and effort.

For example, we will have signs and banners against Islamism and Islamo-fascism, as well as against terrorism and the gov't of Iran. This will mean singling out a religious group (or sub-group, if you prefer) -- Islam -- and if you decide to "ask that such signs be taken down" you can easily imagine what kind of reaction you are going to get in response. So please save us all the unnecessary trouble and aggravation, and save yourself some embarrassment by not playing the "Big Brother", as we are adult, mature, and intelligent enough to know what is appropriate or not, as we will exercise our own discretion in such matters.

Please keep any and all such misguided attempts at political correctness within the confines of your own politically correct organizations. Just how do you interpret the word "democracy" anyway?

BTW, did you manage to convince any of those Muslim groups that you've been engaging in inter-faith dialogues for some years now to join us in this protest?

We are looking forward to seeing you on the barricades on Sunday.

And some more questions from Seva:

Where are the messages about Harvard President's and KSOG Dean's deplorable decision to honor His Fascist Excellency Khatami by inviting him to the foremost educational and research institution of this country and hence the world?

Where are the messages decrying the despicable decision by our own State Dept. to allow this monster into our country?

Where are the messages accusing Mayor Menino of aiding and abetting the enemy by providing him with police protection at our expense?

You may also consider thanking Governor Romney for his firm and moral stance on this issue for refusing to provide such protection by state troopers.

Let us make a political prediction here at JRT --when we hold our first democratic elections for the position of the Executive Director of JCRC, our friend Seva will handily beat Nancy Kaufman. Khatami could teach the Jewish community of Boston about democratic process-- Khatami was elected President of Iran and served from 1997 to 2005. Nancy Kaufman has been serving as JCRC's Executive Director for the past fifteen years. She never stood for elections and (as far we know) does not plan to. Do you get the point? Perhaps Khatami is qualified to teach us about democracy.

We will end this post by seconding Seva's question: Will we see Ms. Kaufman's pluralism sisters tomorrow at the demonstration? She invested so much effort and our money into building bridges.  Stay tuned. We will be there to report.

posted by: jrtelegraph

Comments

[Seva Brodsky]

Dear Boris,

I totally agree with you. I just wanted to make a few things clear for the record:

1. All the signs (and I mean ALL) -- and there were at least a couple hundred of us out there -- were appropriate, or at least all the ones I saw, and I took many photos of those signs.

So I was quite correct in my assessment of us as responsible and intelligent adults.

2. JCRC needs to be admonished when they do something bad, and praised and congratulated when they do something good -- this is a way children are brought up, and this carrot-and-stick approach should work as well on those immature (for how else could one explain their autocratic tendencies?) bureaucrats.

3. "But the times, the are a-changing" -- what with our taking the initiative into our own (Russian Jewish) hands, instead of trying to rely on those impotent and politically correct funcitonaries, and with the local weekly, The Jewish Advocate, finally getting a sane editor recently, we have been making some progress over the last several years.

They can no longer ignore us. Take a look at the following compendium of URLs and see for yourself. But first, a few relevant quotes from Menachem Begin:

"No foreigner, however friendly he may be, can claim for a nation more than its own official representatives demand." -- From Menachem Begin, "The Revolt. Story of the Irgun", Steimatzky, 2003, p. 306.

"The decisive blunders of the Zionist leaders did not arise from ill-will, but from wishful thinking and illusions." M.Begin, The Revolt, Ch. XXV, p. 325.

"Unlike the official Jewish institutions, we could not accuse ourselves [the Irgun] of negligence. ... The official Jewish institutions had enormous sums [of money] at their disposal. ... [W]hat a toll in lives could have been saved, and what invaluable parts of the country could have been regained had it not been for the complacency in the days of 'preparation' -- negligence which sprang directly from a pitiable lack of political vision?" pp. 338-9 of The Revolt.

"Citizens of the Hebrew State, soldiers of Israel, we are in the midst of battles. Difficult days lie ahead of us. ... We cannot buy peace from our enemies with appeasement. There is only one kind of 'peace' that can be bought -- the peace of the graveyard, the peace of Treblinki. Be brave of spirit and ready for more trials. We shall withstand them." From the Irgun radio broadcast of 15 May 1948 -- p. 376 of "The Revolt"

The following is in a more-or-less chronological order:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110007236 -- The Russians Are Coming. The newest Jewish immigrants vote Republican -- Alex Koifman tells Larry Lowenthal of AJC what he thinks of political correctness.

http://www.jrtelegraph.com/2005/09/wall_street_jou.html -- Wall Street Journal, Jewish Russian Telegraph, and the Fight for the Soul of the American Jewish Community -- the way Russian Jews change the American Jewish community: the same posting as above in JRT plus feedback from Jim Kaufman (no relation of Nancy's).

http://www.jcpa.org/phas/phas-brodsky-05.htm -- The Battle for Divestment from Israeli Securities in Somerville -- my 2005 JCPA summer internship article.

www.jrtelegraph.com/2006/07/seva_brodsky_on.html -- Seva Brodsky on Fox News -- link to my Hannity and Colmes FOX TV interview (w/feedback below).

www.solomonia.com/blog/archives/008799.shtml -- Mayhem at the Defend Hizballah Rally! -- the first Boston incident (w/tons of interesting and revealing feedback).

A copycat? OK, cool! Sunday, July 30, 2006: http://hourglass1941.blogspot.com/2006/07/cair-council-on-american-islamic_30.html -- CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) Rally Against Israeli War on Lebanon and Palestine -- a report by ciaospirit from COLUMBUS, OHIO -- the movement spreads ... Read the comments -- a brave woman indeed!

www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51375 -- the Muslim American Society held a rally last month during which a Jewish activist was physically assaulted and threatened.

www.solomonia.com/blog/archives/008897.shtml -- Gobbed by the Peaceniks -- Report from the "Support Lebanon" Rally -- the second installment (w/tons of interesting and revealing feedback).

I missed one Friday demonstration, on 4 August 2006, as I went to see my friends in NYC that week -- this is why the numbering system is different in our accounts vs. "theirs".

http://rule19.org/resources/z-spies.htm -- Zionist lies, spies, and provocateurs - Boston area -- the enemy is getting restless.

http://bridgenews.org/news/082006/thugmedia -- Thug media claim “frenzy of violence” at peaceful Hub rally -- the enemy's account of events (parallel virtual reality).

www.jrtelegraph.com/2006/07/seva_brodsky_wr.html -- Seva Brodsky writes to Jewish Leaders -- I am getting restless (w/feedback below).

www.solomonia.com/blog/archives/009000.shtml -- Old Enemies, New Friends -- Another 'Justice' for Lebanon Counter-Protest -- the third installment, low key.

http://boston.indymedia.org/newswire/display/186905/index.php -- 4th Boston Justice for Lebanon Rally -- this is how the leftist media describes the same events.

http://capedmaskedandarmed.com/photoblog/?m=200608 -- 4TH BOSTON JUSTICE FOR LEBANON RALLY -- this is how the leftist photographer sees it -- notice the selective vision, not a trace of counter-protesters there.

http://boston.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/187010 -- my response to the report by Sofia Jarrin and Jonathan McIntosh (4th Boston Justice for Lebanon Rally).

www.jrtelegraph.com/2006/08/jewish_advocate.html (by way of http://http//www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/editorial/?content_id=1620) -- Russian Jews have succeeded (Jewish Advocate about Russian Jews: Many are fearless and get the job done) -- before I returned from Israel.

http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/news/?content_id=1689 -- Russian Jews do battle with Israel foes at Boston rallies -- The Jewish press begins to take notice.

http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/editorial/?content_id=1679 -- All Jews must work together -- the Jewish press is trying to make excuses.

http://www.townonline.com/somerville/opinion/view.bg?articleid=548654 -- Kolb: Propaganda vs. belief and both sides of the issue -- using my ordeal to attack Chomsky.

http://www.townonline.com/somerville/opinion/view.bg?articleid=557373 -- Letter: Stop the madness -- I chime in on Chomsky.

http://www.sfweekly.com/Issues/2006-08-09/news/feature.html -- Disturbing the Peace -- The local conversation between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian activists is getting less civil every day. And Lee Kaplan's tactics aren't helping.

http://www.solomonia.com/blog/archives/008963.shtml -- Pest of Zion: Lee Kaplan -- follow-up by Sol.

http://www.zombietime.com -- Photographs taken by zombie at events in the San Francisco Bay Area; The zombie Hall of Shame -- a compilation of the most shocking photos and sought-after images from the zombie collection; Major Demonstrations; Lectures and Other Events; Small Rallies; Investigative Reports; Leftovers.

http://brain-terminal.com -- a good source of similar material.

http://canadiancoalition.com -- another good source.

http://www.solomonia.com/blog/archives/009066.shtml -- ADL, Camp IF & Islam -- a response to Andrew Tarsy of the New England Chapter of the ADL -- followed by Elaine's response.

http://www.jrtelegraph.com/2006/08/seva_brodksky_t.html -- Seva Brodsky to ADL's Tarsy: Do we really want to be the willing dupes and "useful idiots" for Islamists?

http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/opinions/?content_id=1745 -- Camp’s deep influences -- Another professional kumbayologist who completely missed the point -- please show me a bucket to throw up into.

http://www.thejewishadvocate.com/this_weeks_issue/letters_to_the_editor/?content_id=1748 -- Editorial Hits It On The Head -- letters to the editor with my open letter to ADL/Tarsy.

http://www.jrtelegraph.com/2006/09/jcrc_do_not_cri.html -- JCRC: Do not criticize Islam; We will ask that such signs be taken down -- the Big Brother wants us to be politically correct, but they can kiss our collective you-know-what. Good feedback, too.

[Boris Gorbis]

WE CANNOT IGNORE THE JCRC BUT MAYBE WE CAN SUBVERT IT!

Jewish Community Relations Councils (JCRC'S) have an important yet largely unfulfilled role - to be the main trunk lines between the (organized) Jewish community and the public at large. Because of their Janus-formated face they feel responsiblity to prevent attacks going from within the Jewish world to the outside and react to outside attacks upon the Jews. For obvious reasons these organizations are much more efective with the first task - to filter and tone down un-muzzled outporing of Jewish emotions.

Thus, they tried to stifle and undermine many activist groups for Soviet Jewry taking to the streets at the first sign of a Soviet ship or ballet troupe approaching American shores. They labelled these activist efforts as "exteremely counterproductive" and the activists as "fringe groups, not representative of the Jewish mainstream." Not much has changed. Maybe the time for change is now.

The JCRC's laudible agenda of outreach to the outside seldom extends to new or dissenting voices within our own community. This may well be an opportunity to encourage this particular JCRC to rethink its kultur-politik approach and tone of voice. On the other hand, its appeal to avoid tasteless and ill-serving attacks upon an ethnic group or denomination (e.g. the famous "Shiite Happens!} represent more than an attempt at censorship. It is actually a challenge to us to think out of the box and to come up with message-bites and programs that are truly effective and not just patently offensive.

One can argue that in a propaganda offensive all effective means are used and dehumanizing and demonizing an enemy is a time-proven method. However, there is no evidence that sufficient resources exist for such and out-and-out offensive or that a critical mass exists which would make it possible.

What is desperately needed is an all-out effort to undermine the radical use of the fundamental ideas of Islamist ideology - its notions of "infidels' as subjects of conversion or death, its hatred of our 'immodesty', of 'spiritual and sacred uncleanliness'of the infidels, of the notions of 'waqf', or land dedication to Allah which land the infidels may not step on or use, the concept of death as fullfilment of spiritual obedience. In this battle we cannot claim a monopoly on suffering from the Islamic arsenal of these powerful ideas.

So it is with the "This is not just a Jewish affair" stance of the JCRC. It sounds wrong but it is a fair and reasonable restatement of reality. The Islamic jihad against the great-Satan America, its attacks on Christianity, the subjugation and discrimaination of religious minorities, such as the Bahais, the intolerance of the Shiite-Iranian brand of Islam towards Sunni Moslims (presently measured by triple-digit body count) and much more are legitimite strands in the unwelcoming carpet to be rolled before the ex-President Khatami.

JCRC resources in co-opting and bringing forward and together groups affected by Islam ideology should be used, not ignored. This is an opportunity to establish a nexus, enter into strategic partnerships with evangelical groups, with anti-nuclear activists, in short to widen the base of response, not limit it to shrill pro-Israeli signs.

Yes, it is our responsibility to learn how to increase JCRC openness to new and sustainable forms of action, without giving it an opportunity to dismiss us as a "fringe group" or simply "loose cannons". I really hate this silly metaphor.

Respectfully,
Boris Gorbis, Los Angeles

[Ilia Sokolinski]

By the way, where were thouse JCRC officials during the demonstration?

I did not see Nancy or Alan Ronkin or anybody else from JCRC over there.