Jewish leaders protest Temple Emanuel’s cancellation of Dershowitz

This letter was sent to Rabbi Davidson of Temple Emanuel. Please circulate.

We are a group of Zionist Jews from across North America, joined together by our concern about the global rise of Jew-hatred.  We are, therefore, shocked and bewildered by Temple Emanu-el’s decision to ban Alan Dershowitz from further association.

    This attempt to silence a well respected, pro-Israel, and influential fellow Jew smacks of censorship and appeasement with those who don’t agree with Mr. Dershowitz’s politics.  This was made clear by the Board’s refusal to hear his defense against groundless accusations which were already proven false. This action fuels disunity and schism within the Jewish community, rather than uniting us when we are again being attacked in the media, college campuses, and international opinion.  Excluding Alan Dershowitz and hosting anti-Zionist Peter Beinart is hypocritical and divisive.  

    Jews shutting up other Jews is dangerous and odious.  As we so tragically have learned, it is not necessary to kill Jews by killing us per se; it begins by repressing us and in the case of Mr. Dershowitz, by pitting Jew against Jew to mollify those who seek to destroy us.  

    We urge the Board to renounce its decision and acknowledge the immeasurable contribution Mr. Dershowitz makes in reinforcing Jewish pride and education—the best way to combat Jew-hatred and the relentless assault against us.  Please share this letter with the Board.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Armand and Rzzie Bendersky, Highland Park, IL

Andrew Gluck, Cary, NC; RET/SLEO; NC Team Leader, Challenge Jewish

       Leadership

Elise Feuerstein Karras, LMSW; New York, NY

Rabbi Cary Kozberg, MAHL, DD; Columbus, OH

Michele Lavon, Columbus, OH

Lauren Law, Virginia; Chosen to Speak Up

Lorraine Meehan, Calabash, NC; NC Team Leader, Challenge Jewish Leadership

Bruce Newman, M.B.A.; Raleigh, NC

Susan Newman, M.A., CCC, LSP; Raleigh, NC

Josh Ravitz, Chapel Hill, NC; Co-Founder, North Carolina Coalition for Israel

Amy Rosenthal, MD; Chapel Hill, NC; Co-Founder North Carolina Coalition

      For Israel

Phoenix Amerston, Flandreau, SD

Adrienne Skolnick, Florida; The New Jewish Exodus Project, Conference of

      Jewish Affairs, Challenge Jewish Leadership

Andria Spindel, MSW, Toronto, On; Executive Director, Candian Antisemitism        

      Education Foundation

Susan and Arnie Servais, Chestnut Hill, PA

Nathan Levin, Needham, MA

Linda Pravda, Houston, TX

Martin Sklar, MS, Mansfield, MA

Heidi Sokol, Fresh Meadows, NY