Hasbara For Israel - 613: MAJOR RALLY : New York City, April 29th 100 SHOFARS

100 SHOFARS Mort Klein, Richard Allen, Helen Freedman

100 SHOFARS Laurie Ragen, Dr Paul Brody, Rob Muchnick

Maxine Dovere (JNS) and Russian TV were photographing and interviewing protestors. 100 + stalwarts stood proud, shofrot sounding. We were energized as we repeatedly chanted NO BDS IN OUR PARADE.

MORT KLEIN pointed out that New Israel Fund gives millions to B'Tselem and the palestinian supporting group Adalah. "Say NO to Mr Ruskay, UJA/FEDERATION, Mr Miller, head of JCRC which is supported by UJA/FEDERATION. If you support or condone BDS, you can't march in our parade. Support of BDS against is a part of the long, dark history of anti-Semitism. Ruskay, by giving these groups money, wants them to grow." Gesturing to the entrance of UJA/FEDERATION headquarters, RICHARD ALLEN, who has nurtured our protests with long hours of work cried, "SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. We want to make sure our Jewish Charitable dollars are not misused." RABBI ALGAZE opened his remarks with a shofar blast.

"There is no room for those who boycott Israel. Organize your own parade. And the crowd chanted:

NO ROOM

You want to be democratic? Why don't you ask the Jews who support you. We question Kerry. You are wrong. You should apologize.

STEP DOWN KERRY

...

THE PARADE IS FOR FRIENDS OF ISRAEL

HELEN FREEDMAN - spoke with passion. "For those who have questions, there is no room. We supported UJA and JCRC years ago and they have terribly disappointed us. How could Kerry under the influence of Barack Obama, have said that Israel is an Apartheid State. He's in effect giving a green light to our enemies as they join with Fetah and Hamas. IF THERE WAS AN APPLICATION OF SOVEREIGNTY IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA we would be able to assert our rights. RIGHT NOW, ON HAR HARBEIT WE ARE NOT SOVERIGN. ON YOM HAATZMAUT G-D WILLING, WE (THE AFSI CHIZUK MISSION) ARE GOING TO BE IN ISRAEL TO CELEBRATE ISRAEL'S 66^th (MODERN) BIRTHDAY. THIS ISRAEL IS OURS. WE ARE NOT GIVING IT AWAY TO THESE PHONEY ORGANIZATIONS."

RICHARD ALLEN again took the mic. Referencing John Ruskay, Allen noted that the short lived CONAME, one of a number of Liberal-Anti-Zionist organizations that sprung up in the aftermath of the Vietnam War where Ruskay worked with Noam Chomsky (1974.) With the help of John Ruskay and Rabbi Arnold Wolf it morphed into Breira. (For a thorough overview of the various organizations: Torn at the Roots: The Crisis of Jewish Liberalism in Postwar America By Michael E. Staub). "John Ruskay and his group in UJA uses Jewish money to push their agenda. We hope our shofars today will open their hearts so we get a resolution."

LAURI REGAN, Endowment for Middle East Peace, spoke of the parable of the Little Kosher Pigs whose first houses were made of straw, houses that were quickly blown away. Regan continued, the Jews of UJA and JCRC build a big tent, but the JEWS OF ISRAEL BUILD A HOUSES OF BRICK. The future of the organized Jewish community in the United States is at stake. All the Jewish leaders who have come out in support of J Street accepting J Street's support of John Kerry and a two state solution including Hamas. "What does it mean to be pro Israel. DISBAND THE BIG TENT. Surely, if we don't learn from the lessons of history we are bound to repeat them."

DR PAUL BRODY: Vice President of the Great Neck-based Jewish Political Education Foundation (JPEF) discussed Talmudic law;, proclaimed that during this time of Sfira, when 24,000 Jewish scholars died because they did not treat each other with proper respect, we are protesting out loud against a major Jewish organization. This is because although according to Jewish law it is forbidden to talk ill of another person, if the situation involves a potential union of two individuals (a "Shidduch"), and a third party knows of a defect in one of the parties that would harm the second party, it is permissible to notify the party of that defect. "We are hereby notifying the UJA-Federation that a union of the Celebrate Israel Parade and the 3 BDS groups it proposes to allow to march, is a DANGEROUS and DESTRUCTIVE union for the State of Israel. We are, therefore, permitted to proclaim that this union MUST BE DISSOLVED immediately and that no BDS groups shall be allowed to march with Israel supporters!" He concluded in leading us in singing Hatikvah. It was a powerful moment.

ROBIN TICKER, blogger and Israel activist, acknowledged the tremendous work and support of Mattot Arim for the anti-BDS movement and this rally, in particular. Mattot Arim is an Israeli grassroots organization working to educate the public on topics of national interest for the Jewish people. Susie Dym is the spokesperson for Mattot Arim. Their semi-annual report grades MK's on Knesset activity pertaining to National interests. The report, breaks down the legislative, lobbying, and media activity of the MKs - from bills preventing the boycott of products made in the settlements, to media interviews and then puts it in a report card form.

ROB MUCHNICK, staunch supporter of a whole Israel and early supporter of Moishe Feiglin, was the final speaker. He led the crowd of ANTI-BDS WARRIORS IN CHANTING-

2-4-6-8 ISRAEL IS A JEWISH STATE

1-3-5-9 THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS PALESTINE

2-4-6-8 ISRAEL IS A JEWISH STATE

1-3-5-9 THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS PALESTINE

2-4-6-8 ISRAEL IS A JEWISH STATE

1-3-5-9 THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS PALESTINE

...

The excited band of Zionists had one more amazing revelation to digest. Richard Allen quoted the president of the New Israel Fund as saying, "Why should I worry when the heads of UJA/FEDERATION and JCRC support us." After which he roared: "This is not the end, this is only the beginning," He means it. Stay tuned for our next rally.