If you're anti-Israel, please read with an open mind.
Christians United For Israel and local Jewish organizations got together last night. Guest speakers included Zack Bodner, Akiva Tor, and Dennis Prager.
Mr Bodner is AIPAC's NW Regional Director and works with communities organizing the political and grass-roots efforts of pro-Israel activists.
Mr Tor is Israel Consul General to the Pacific Northwest. He has wide experience in promoting pro-Israel organizations and activities.
Dennis Prager. Well-known syndicated radio talk show host, columnist, author, ethicist and public speaker. Those of you who listen to his talk show need no further information. His latest book "Happiness Is A Serious Problem" is published by HarperCollins. His website is www.pragerradio.com. Locally he can be heard on KTKZ AM 1380.
During the introductory part of the presentation someone blew the shofar. Oh my goodness! I get a thrill-chill-goosebumps every time I hear it. And the last note was held and held and held, with a triumphant whoop at the end. If you've never heard the shofar--well, you've missed a thrilling experience.
On to Mr Prager's speech, and what a speaker he is! He cited a lot of stuff, the details of which I can't remember. Wish I'd had the foresight to take pencil and paper. One thing I remember, because I've heard it from other sources, is that the UN has condemned Israel more times than it ever has condemned terrorism, human rights violations, human trafficking, genocide and malicious dictatorship. Combined!
Just think about it: That little strip of land that was "given" by the UN to be called Israel is about the size of New Jersey. Yet Israel's enemies want even that little strip divided into another state supported by the Arab world, and most of the rest of the world. Think about it: That little State of Israel is beset on all sides by enemies. Take a look at a map, and see what I'm talking about.
Further, think of what you've read in the papers about the daily rockets sent into Israel from Gaza and Lebanon. Daily! Yet when Israel has had enough and retaliates, the media go crazy condemning Israel as aggressor. The arms shipments from Egypt through a tunnel to Gaza. Yet when Israel Air Force blows up the tunnels--Oh Dear! Some innocent civilians got hurt.
Mr. Prager asks why are Jews so hated? It seems to be our destiny. Individually and generally. The world has to have some symbol to hate, and that symbol seems to be Jews. (My personal comment here:) I've seen cartoons showing a Jewish money lender the likes of Shylock. Not an accurate depiction at all. Do you know anyone who gives loans with no interest? If I were to go, as a Jew, to another Jew and ask for a loan, and he is able to grant that loan, he would give the money to me, with the understanding that when I paid back the loan, it would be for the loan amount only. No interest charges. (End of personal comment.)
Another point made by Mr Prager: Why do people refer to a Jewish person, when we don't refer to a Christian person, or a German person? He says that even Jews have trouble with the word Jew. "'I am Jewish.' Not 'I am a Jew.'" The word Jew is an appellation of odium in much of the world, and we Jews (Jewish persons?) seem to have been poisoned by that attitude.
As for technology, more has come from Israel than any other country in the world, including the United States. Mr Prager mentioned at least a dozen recent inventions that benefit the world. Israel has dozens of techie patents. Again, I wish I had had pencil and paper last night. Cell phone. Israel. At the moment, I wish I could sit with others who were there, who can recall some of the things Mr Prager mentioned. At this point "cell phone" is all I can remember.
I have something filed away, but I can't find it at the moment. It shows all the Nobel Prizes awarded, and Israel's list is a page long. Palestinians have maybe six awards. When I get done here, I'll Google Nobel, and see if I can come up with the list, and SAVE it this time where I can find it!
There was good music between speeches. The PA system was much too loud for my ears, but they gradually adjusted so the sound wasn't painful. I'm hard of hearing, but I find PA systems generally are far too loud. How come hearing people don't complain? The last piece of music played was Shalom Aleichem, and I bid all. . .
Peace To You.