A Jewish Perspective with Shelomo Alfassa

The Origins of the Non-Jewish Custom Of 'Shlissel Challah' (Key Bread)

2011-12-02T03:55:00.002-05:00

by Shelomo Alfassa

Introduction

Every year Jewish women, young and old, partake in the Ashkenazi custom to place a key (such as a door key to a home), inside the dough of a loaf of bread that they bake. This custom is known as shlissel challah -- shlissel from the German language shlüssel (key) and challah or hallah from the Hebrew for bread. While a metal key is often baked within the bread, some form the bread itself into the shape of a key or even arrange sesame seeds on top in the form of a key. Often times, these women gather in celebratory groups with the common belief that baking the shlissel challah will bring blessing into their homes, and specifically, the blessing of increased fiscal livelihood. There is also a seemingly new 'custom' of baking shlissel challah in the "merit" of a sick person, as a way of helping them recover from physical disease or trauma. A poll on the popular Orthodox Jewish website imamother.com asked participants: "How do you make your schlissel [sic] challah?" The 88 respondants reported: In the shape of a key 13% [12]; With a key baked in it 61% [54]; Neither, I don't do this 17% [15]; Other 7% [7].

Non-Jewish Origins

The baking of a key inside a bread is a non-Jewish custom which has its foundation in Christian, and possibly even earlier, pagan culture. At least one old Irish source tells how at times when a town was under attack, the men said, "let our women-folk be instructed in the art of baking cakes containing keys." [continued]

READ THE FULL PAPER HERE: http://www.alfassa.com/bread.html

Jews Deifying the Non-Jewish English Word ‘God,’ by Spelling it ‘G-d’

2011-12-02T03:52:00.001-05:00

For about the last 90 years, it has become common practice for persons from English-speaking countries (of varying religions) to write the word God when they want to discuss or refer to The Almighty. Among Orthodox Jews (as well as increasingly among religious Christians), the usage of the word God with the center letter struck out is common. From the young student to the rabbinic scholar, G-d or even Gd, are common ways most Orthodox Jews write this word. Similarly, the English word Lord is often written as L-rd.

In theory and with intrinsic intentions, the Orthodox Jewish approach is to keep the holy name of The Almighty outside of daily use as to not make it profane. Further, observant Jews avoid writing any name of God casually because of the risk that the written name might later be defaced, obliterated or destroyed accidentally or by one who does not know better. Orthodox Jews feel by replacing a letter with a dash, they are then not writing a name of The Almighty, in a situation where it might be taken as being "in vain." That said, the word God itself is of non-Jewish origin and it is not a holy name of The Almighty....

READ THE FULL PAPER HERE: http://www.alfassa.com/god-vs-g-d.html

"Kabbalist" Elazar Abuhatzeira MURDERED

2011-07-28T22:09:00.001-04:00

* * BREAKING NEWS * *

"Kabbalist" Elazar Abuhatzeira MURDERED in Israel. He was stabbed to death by a man who came "for a blessing. In the past, Abuhatzeira was suspected of defrauding many - Abuhatzeira was investigated by NY and in Israel for suspected fraud and in the past was indited for several incidents of corruption.

Background stories: http://www.alfassa.com/kabbalah-warning.html

News: http://goo.gl/Q2sez

The Myth of Praying at Amuka for a Spouse (ben Uziel)

2011-06-29T16:12:00.001-04:00

The Myth of Praying at Amuka for a Spouse

By Shelomo Alfassa / June 29, 2011

Background

There is an annual practice of Jewish people traveling to the town of Amuka in Safed, Israel, to the traditional location of the tomb of the scholar Yonatan ben Uziel. He was Tanna of the Mishnah and was considered the greatest student of Hillel (died c.10 CE).(1) It is at the tomb of Yonatan ben Uziel where people recently have been going to pray to find a spouse. Those who cannot go to Amuka, choose instead to pay others who offer the service of "praying for them."

The Legend(s)

The traditional story is that Yonatan ben Uziel was never married and apparently regretted it. The story says that before he died he promised that if someone looking for their beshert (intended), prayed at his grave, their prayers would be answered. There are many websites that promote tourism to Israel based upon various versions of this legend:

"Tradition has it that Rabbi Yonatan Ben Uzziel gave a blessing to all those who are unmarried that if they visited his resting place they would merit to meet their soul mates and marry within the period of one year. This blessing has worked for all these centuries..." (2)

"He was so dedicated to Torah study that he never married, claiming that Torah was his only occupation. But before passing away, he announced that anyone coming to his tomb to pray in order to find their soulmate in marriage would be answered. Tradition has it that they are answered within a year." (3)

"In the ruins of Amuka is the tomb of Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel, which has become the preferred place to pray for a successful marital match and to become pregnant." (4)

"The grave of Yonatan Ben Uzi'el, a visit to which is thought to guarantee very good chances for marriage and fertility." (5)

"It is said of Rabbi Yonathan ben Uziel that since he never married, he has a special merit to intercede on behalf of the earnest prayers of single men and women." (6)

"Single people from all over Israel and the world come to pray at the tomb of Rabbi Yonatan ben Uziel in Amuka, an unpopulated area north of Tsefat. Tradition has it that those without spouses or children have found their salvation as a result of heartfelt prayers said at the tomb of the great Talmudic Sage." (7)

The mythical stories of Yonatan ben Uziel "blessing" people with meeting their soul mate have now evolved to also include fertility and pregnancy.

Some Facts

In the century following the death of Hai Gaon, the last Babylonian leader, there was an academy established in Palestine.(8) The Gaon there in 1094 was Abiathar ben Eliyahu Ha-Kohen (1040-1110), who was involved in a fierce political battle on who would represent the Jews of the Holy Land, challenged by the Exilarch in Cairo. As part of his claim to represent the land, Abiathar wrote a scroll (which Solomon Schechter located in the Cairo genizah and later named it " Megillat Abiathar"). Among the prose of the scroll, were claims that his family's ancestors had presided over the Tiberian academy of Jerusalem.(9) It's in this scroll that the burial place of Yonatan ben Uziel is purportedly claimed to be in Amuka. However, in translating and reading the Megillat Abiathar, Schechter writes that Abiathar's reasoning was "never convincing" and that his quotes were "inaccurate" and his interpretation of them "faulty."(10)

In the scroll, it says the location of the town of Daltun or Dalata (which Prof. Moshe Gil has never been able to locate in either Jewish or Arab sources), was the location where the father of Abiathar, the Gaon Eliyahu HaKohen is buried. It said he was buried on top of a mountain, together with R. Yose HaGelili and around him Yonatan ben Uziel, and Hillel, and Shammai, etc. This begs the question--where was the town of Daltun? How did Amuka and Daltun get associated, as there is no known connection? Even more intriguing, is that the historic record says Uziel and the others were buried on top of a mountain, yet it's known that the location of the alleged tomb is deep within a valley.(10a) The word "Amuka" itself does not mean mountain, but means "deep!"

And while the location of Amuka is mentioned by several rabbis and travelers over the centuries, nowhere in these sources are we told that Amuka is a special place to pray for marriage.

The Problems

While the Megillat Abiathar may claim that the burial place of Yonatan ben Uziel is in Amuka, there is no actual proof of this;
Nowhere is it written that Yonatan ben Uziel said people should pray at his grave;
Nowhere is it written that Yonatan ben Uziel was 'studying Torah' his whole life or other fable relating to this myth;
Nowhere is it written that ben Uziel was never married and "apparently regretted it."
Nowhere is it written that prayer at the grave of Yonatan ben Uziel would bring about fertility or pregnancy;
Finally, while it is told that it is an 'ancient tradition' to pray at the grave of Yonatan ben Uziel, the location of the alleged grave was never known until the Megillat Abiathar was first discovered in the late 19th century by Schechter(11) in the Cairo genizah.(12) Thus, there could never have been an 'ancient tradition' to pray there.
Amuka Grows - Tourism!

The idea of 'Amuka' and 'marriage' has become a massively lucrative exploit over the last 20 years, and a campaign to raise funds continues to thrive based upon mis-information and religious ignorance. In the mid 1980's, the area of Amuka was desolate with few visitors. However, in the past couple decades, the area has taken on a carnival like atmosphere. A road was built by the Jewish National Fund through the forest to provide access. A parking lot was built complete with drinking fountains and vendor shops where you can buy overpriced ice cream and sodas. There are people hawking amulets, red strings, hamsas and other trinkets. They sell candles, candle holders, incense, cigarettes, music CD's and kiddush cups. There, poor beggars compete with barbecue meat vendors and those that sell bottled waters to the hundreds that stream by each day.

Financial Exploitation

The worship of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Meir Baal HaNess, and other Jewish men have become multi-million dollar businesses for those who campaign in their name each year. This now includes Yonatan ben Uziel who seemingly been added to this list. Annualy, there are many campaigns where you can 'pay someone' to pray at the tomb in Amuka for you. In Brooklyn, NY and throughout Israel, posters are placed each year on telephone poles, usually including a photo of a crying woman or baby, and of course the obligatory white-bearded black-hatted rabbi, with a claim asking for $180 or similar amount which in exchange you will get yeshiva students (or a rabbi), to "pray for you" at the grave of one of these men.

Discussion

The idea of Jewish saint (saddakim/tzaddakim) worship is increasing. It is a direct emulation of the Catholic religion where a man can intercede between 'you' and God.(13) Yet, this is NOT allowed in Judaism. The rush by newly-religious Jews who often are looking for a spiritual "quick-fix" and not desiring to fully understand the principles of Judaism, is further clouded by those who were raised in a religious home, but in an atmosphere based on emotion and ritual, and not fully understanding-or being willing to take the time to understand, Jewish law (halakha). The actions of these people remains more consistent with the Catholic religion than the Jewish religion.

All our prayers should be directed towards God; nothing else should even be considered." Yet, everyday, hundreds of people arrive at the grave of these men, asking them for one thing or another. HaRambam writes, "There is a Being, perfect in every possible way, who is the ultimate cause of all existence. All existence depends on God and is derived from God." He tells us, "God is the only one we may serve and praise...There are no intermediaries between us and God."

Original posting with notes: http://www.alfassa.com/amuka.html

Jihad & Nakba: Two Words - Two Lies

2011-05-23T10:24:00.001-04:00

Jihad & Nakba: Two Words - Two Lies

by Shelomo Alfassa

For Ami Magazine / June 2011 Edition

Two previously unfamiliar Arabic words have become common to the English listener's ear in the last decade. These two words-which are chock full of distortions and deceit-are 'Jihad' and 'Nakba.' To the uneducated or to the person who does not elect to fully investigate, research, and comprehend the true meaning and significance of these words, it's easy to fall for the lies associated with them. The former is a word often told to the media and the public to mean an 'internal strife' or 'inner battle.' Yet, in its most classic sense, it is a word which means nothing less than 'war.' The latter is the Arabic word for 'tragedy,' a term used by Palestinian Arabs in reference to the 1948 war of Israel's independence and the vicissitude they experienced during the period.

The truth is that jihad is really combative warfare. This is clearly defined by both Hamas and the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), two of Israel's most notorious terror groups. In 1988, a self-declared charter identified Hamas as Muslims who "fear God and raise the banner of Jihad in the face of the oppressors." The Palestine Islamic Jihad's official logo has a depiction of the country of Israel in red, surrounded by clenched fists and guns-need they be more clear about their intent?

Yet, of these two words, it is 'Nakba' (tragedy) which is the most deliberately misleading. There is a truth which crosses all cultural and linguistic boundaries: If you tell someone something often enough, they will eventually believe it. This includes repeating an outright lie, and it makes no difference how preposterous, outlandish, or how hateful it is. Further, if you repeat dishonest canards to young children, they will carry them as beliefs into adulthood, and you will raise a generation that only understands distortions of history. Such is the hatred the Arabs possess for the Jews, based on a foundation complete with virulent inciting remarks written in the 'Koran' and the 'Hadith' (the Islamic version of the Talmud), and centuries of historic inaccuracies that target the Jewish people. This, of course, includes the paradigm created by Hitler in partnership with the Arab-Nazi Amin Al-Husseini, leader of the Arabs in Palestine and the Middle East during and after WWII.

Some 700,000 Arabs are said to have been displaced during the 1948 war, when Israel was fighting for its Independence (and survival). It's well known that a large percentage of the Arabs fled on the advice of their leaders, including on order of Amin Al-Husseini, who told them that after all the Jews were killed they could safely return. The so-called Arab Liberation Army, headquartered in Damascus, enticed urban and rural Arabs to flee Palestine in order to facilitate warfare against the Jews. This is well-documented both in Jewish and Arab literature, but has been strategically overlooked by Palestinian Arabs in their desire to play the victim: "We brought destruction upon the refugees, by calling on them to leave their homes," said Khaled al-Azam, Syrian Prime Minister in 1949. This departure and non-return to land inside what is today the modern State of Israel, is what the Palestinian Arabs term 'Nakba.' Still, as they shed tears on television, they continually fail to admit that their departure from the land of Israel was not only supported but encouraged by their brothers throughout the Arab world.

Further, if the Arabs had respected and accepted the United Nations two-state solution of 1947, there most likely would have been no war, and today there would be a country for them. But this didn't happen; instead, the Arabs-seething in hatred for the Jews-attacked, and lost. This loss to a Jewish army, as well as subsequent losses in wars (such as in 1968), have left the Arabs embarrassed and humiliated, and they remain so over 60 years later. The Arabs living in modern Israel continue to blame the Jews-and continue to attack and kill them-even though it was the decisions of their own failed leadership of 1947-48 which put them in this position. Errors of the Arab leadership, and their own counter-intuitive choices, combined with countries such as Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia continuing to use Palestinian Arabs as political weapons against Israel, keeps them in the same stagnant place in which they have been and will remain.

Instead of accepting responsibility, the Arabs annually bring the dramatics of Nakba-theatre to the world stage and cry, throw stones, and make political statements as if they were some sort of deserving, wounded victims. They turn away from responsibility and push toward delusion instead of admitting the truth and accepting their own culpability. Sabri Jiryis, a prominent Palestinian Arab researcher at the Institute for Palestinian Studies in Beirut, once said: "While it is estimated that 700,000 Arabs fled the 1948 war…Arabs caused the expulsion of just as many Jews from Arab states...whose properties were taken over...a population and property exchange occurred and each side must bear the consequences." While the United Nations tells us that 700,000 Arabs were victims of the Arab-Israeli conflict, what is often not discussed is that since 1948, 856,000 Jewish refugees have been dispossessed from the lands of their birth in Arab and Muslim countries-where they had dwelled for centuries even before Islam came about. These Jews left everything behind, including communal and personal property valued at some $300 billion by today's standards. Not only did they physically lose everything they owned, these Jews lost their unique and beloved living cultures in over 10 different countries. And today, in 2011, while the idea of 'Right of Return'--that Arabs could go to "Palestine" and Jews back to the Muslim countries of their birth--is bandied around by the Arab media, research has demonstrated this to be a myth. Nearly all Arab and Muslim countries either have clauses in their constitutions that expressly forbid Jews from living in their countries today, or have passed laws which would make them inhospitable to returning Jews.

Since 1948, hundreds of billions of dollars have been spent by the international community, as well as by the United Nations and member countries, to provide relief and assistance to Palestinian Arab refugees. During that same period, no such international financial support was ever provided to improve the plight of Jewish refugees. Where is the real Nakba?

Original: www.alfassa.com/nakba.html

Ironically, French Muslims Don Symbolic Star of Persecution

2011-04-11T12:23:00.001-04:00

Ironically, French Muslims Don Symbolic Star of Persecution in Response to Headscarf Ban

By Shelomo Alfassa

(New York, NY) April 11, 2011 - In all of Europe, the country with the most numerous Muslim population is France. In response to many native Frenchman's fears that their national culture is being subverted by a growing Islamic influx, as well as security concerns, the government of France overwhelmingly placed a ban on wearing full-face veils in public. In response to this, several protests were instituted by various Islamic groups in the streets of Paris.

These protests included the distribution of 'green stars,' which were to be worn by Muslims as a sign of symbolic persecution. On April 11, 2011, the day the headscarf ban took effect, French and international television reports showed Muslims distributing these five pointed green stars. Abderahmane Dahmane, the French President's former "diversity adviser," called on Muslims to wear the green star (the declared color of Islam) a move deliberately reminiscent of the yellow stars forced on the Jews by the Germans, Bulgarians and others during the era of the Holocaust.

One would think that the French Muslim leadership would be more urbane than to compare the banning of the headscarf to the mass murder and torture of six million innocent people. Yet, these sorts of protests are not original. In 1994, Muslims in France sported yellow crescents on their arms while marching with the slogan, "When is it our turn?" an explicit allusion to the Holocaust and the yellow stars the Jews were mandated to wear during WWII.

Nonetheless, there is something ironic about all of this 'stars' business, for it was not Hitler who mandated the yellow star, but the leaders of the Islamic religion some 1200 years earlier. With the Pact of Umar, a 9th century set of guidelines between conquering Muslims and conquered non-Muslims, both Jews and Christians could gain their safety by complying with the wearing of a distinct yellow indicator of their non-Islamic status. Subsequent to this, Muslims mandated Jews wore distinct clothing, often yellow, and/or stars, from Islamic Spain to Iraq and out as far as Persia.

Some might agree that this unsophisticated route Islamic leadership in France has elected to take as a form of protest at the banning of the headscarf, is not only hypocrisy at the highest level, but demonstrates a lack of understanding of the history of their own religion.

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Muslim US Congressman Needs a Lesson in Islamic History

2011-03-13T03:52:00.002-04:00

Muslim US Congressman Needs a Lesson in Islamic History

By Shelomo Alfassa / NYC

(March 13, 2011) - Appearing March 11, 2011 on HBO's political television show 'Real Time with Bill Maher,' Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, a convert to Islam, defended that Islam is not a terrorist religion. Ellison had been in the news lately because he was outspoken and opposed to the March 2011 Congressional hearings which examined the radicalization of Muslims in America.

During the interview, Bill Maher candidly called the Koran a "hate filled holy book" to which the Congressman responded by (incorrectly) attempting to quote the Koran: "Why don't you read the part [Bill] where it says 'anyone who takes a life, is as he killed the whole world' and 'anyone who saves a life is as he saved the whole world.'"

The Koranic passage the Congressman meant to quote was both wrong and taken out of context. It actually reads:

"…We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men…" [Koran 5:32]

Yet, while he incorrectly quoted a passage from his own holy book, it begs the question to wonder if this Member of the US House of Representatives realizes that the root of this passage is just one of many quotes, concepts, and practices that were taken from Judaism and placed in the Koran. The original and actual saying found in Orthodox Jewish scripture states:

"…Whoever destroys a single soul of Israel [a Jew], scripture imputes to him as though he had destroyed a complete world; and who preserves a single soul of Israel, scripture ascribes to him as though he had preserved a complete world."

This JEWISH teaching was written in a book called the 'Mishnah,' by a rabbi who is known to history as 'Judah the Prince,' who lived near Jerusalem around the year 170 CE. The Mishnah was completed and first published-many centuries prior to the advent of Islam or its Koran. Thus, if the Koran is a holy book which is claimed to be the word of Allah (God), then why did Allah quote a Jewish man's statement from several hundred years earlier? With all due respect to the Congressman and Muslims everywhere, it begs the question, why would a Second Century human being's statement be repeated almost word-for-word in the Koran and then be attributed as the holy word from God?

Further, Congressman Ellison added that Islam has no idea of compulsion, saying the Koran tells, "Let there be no compulsion in religion." Yet, while the Congressman may be correct-technically-saying there is no compulsion (al-ikrash) in Islam, we must remember that the very word 'Islam' is Arabic for 'submission.' And what happens to those who refuse to submit, the Koran makes it clear: "And let not those who disbelieve think they will escape…" (8:59); "And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah…" (8:60)

While today, Christians, Hindus and others are feeling the increasing resonance of violent Islam, the Jews of the desert city of 'Yathrib'--now called the "holy" city of 'Medina' in modern Saudi Arabia, were first to have experienced it, brutally, when they refused to submit to Muhammad's newly invented religion about 1400 years ago. This Koran-misquoting American Muslim Congressman, who was on television complaining that investigative hearings on radical Islam in America is "contrary to American values," should remember that it's our 'American values' that allow him to be a Congressman, for he is allowed to enter into all American cities--unlike the once former Jewish city of Medina, where in 2011, if a Jew, Christian or other non-Muslim enters, they will be arrested for commiting a crime against the state.

FROM ALFASSA.COM

Hatip: Mediaite.com

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LADINO SPEAKING JEWS--SEPHARDIC HOLOCAUST VICTIMS!!

2011-02-25T16:25:00.002-05:00

LADINO SPEAKING JEWS: SPEAK UP FOR THE JUDEO-SPANISH JEWS OF MONASTIR AND OTHERS FROM THRACE AND MACEDONIA WHO WERE DEPORTED BY BULGARIA AND WHO ENDED UP BEING KILLED AT TREBLINIKA. SO MANY IN THIS COMMUNITY WERE KILLED - 98%, THAT TODAY THERE IS BARELY NO ONE LEFT TO SPEAK FOR THEM. THESE WERE JEWS DESCENDANT FROM GREECE AND OTTOMAN TURKEY.

Note: A public program on the questionable truthfulness of the Bulgarian government and its interaction with Jews during the era of the Holocaust will take place on March 1, 2011 at 7pm, (exactly 70 years to-the-day, of the pact uniting Bulgaria with Germany as Axis partners, March 1, 1941). The event will be held at ‘The Sephardic Temple’ (775 Branch Blvd. Cedarhurst, NY 11516).

"...From the trains deporting the Jews who would soon be killed in the Treblinka death camp, could be heard the cry in Judeo-Spanish: “Ayudo, Agua!” (Help, Water!)."

See this link for details and photos: http://www.alfassa.com/bulgaria.html

JEWS: BULGARIA, TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT THE 13,000 YOU DEPORTED TO TREBLINKA

2011-02-25T16:10:00.002-05:00

International Jewish committee calls on Bulgaria to clarify their role in the deportation and subsequent murder of 13,000 Jews in Treblinka.

A public program will be held on March 1, 2011 in New York, on the Bulgarian government and its interaction with Jews during the Holocaust. The Bulgarian government will be presented with a list of “Suggested Redress” in regard to the deportation of 13,000 Jews to the Nazi concentration camp of Treblinka.

NEW YORK, NY (February 25, 2011) A public program on the questionable truthfulness of the Bulgarian government and its interaction with Jews during the era of the Holocaust, will take place on March 1, 2011 at 7pm, (exactly 70 years to-the-day, of the pact uniting Bulgaria with Germany as Axis partners, March 1, 1941). The event will be held at ‘The Sephardic Temple’ (775 Branch Blvd. Cedarhurst, NY 11516), before an audience of community members, activists, scholars and Holocaust survivors. Media and members of the press are encouraged to participate in a pre-event press conference which will take place at 6pm.

The Hon. Radoslav Totchev, Consul General of the Consulate General of Bulgaria in New York City is among the list of invitees. The Consul General will be presented by the ‘International Committee for Bulgarian Holocaust-Era Truth’ with a document entitled: “Suggested Redress for the Republic of Bulgaria” which has been submitted to 'The Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme,' a project of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

On this day, the program’s Keynote Speaker, Sephardic historian, author and independent scholar, Shelomo Alfassa, will issue a Special Report documenting how during WWII, the Bulgarian government was complicit in the dispossession, deportation and eventual murder of thousands of Jews. Mr. Alfassa will also give thanks to the citizens of Bulgaria and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church for their assistance in convincing the government of Bulgaria not to deport some 50,000 Jews during WWII.

While it is frequently retold that the Bulgarian government elected not to deport some 50,000 Jews from Bulgaria to German concentration camps in Poland, what is generally not revealed, is that Bulgaria was complicit in the deportation and eventual murder of some 13,000 other Jews from their lands of Bulgarian Thrace and Macedonia--mostly, Judeo-Spanish (Ladino) speaking Jews of Greek and Ottoman-Turkish descent.

Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos, President of the ‘Association of Friends of Greek Jewry’ said, "These 13,000 Jews, which have been too often overlooked by history, suffered and was tortured with the direct participation and knowledge of the Bulgarian government in their alliance and volunteer partnership with the Nazis-it is time for Bulgaria to set the record straight."

The March 1, 2011 event will be subsequently followed by a Northeast Regional Colloquium, that will discuss final remedies to the Republic of Bulgaria's overlooking of their direct role in the deportation of some 13,000 Jews. The summer 2011 colloquium, entitled: "Ending 70 Years of Inaccuracies: the Bulgarian Government and its Interaction with Jews During the Holocaust," will have as its Keynote speaker, internationally acclaimed author and Holocaust researcher Edwin Black.

Mr. Alfassa said, "The Bulgarian government continues to promote the fact that they "saved" (did not deport) one group of Jews (50,000), while not openly disclosing the fact they indeed deported another group of Jews (13,000). The latter group was sent to Treblinka where they were murdered, a subject which is historically well documented by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Yad Vashem in Israel.”

There is no charge for this program, sponsored by the ‘International Committee for Bulgarian Holocaust-Era Truth,’ in cooperation with the ‘Association of Friends of Greek Jewry,’ ‘National Association of Jewish Child Holocaust Survivors,’ ‘Fondo de Holocausto de los Judíos de Macedonia (The Holocaust Fund of the Jews from Macedonia),’ ‘Kahal Kedosha Janina,’ ‘The Sephardic Temple’ and the ‘International Sephardic Leadership Council.’

More information can be found at: www.alfassa.com/bulgaria.html

Jewish community calls on the government of Bulgaria to tell the truth

2011-02-09T22:57:00.006-05:00

Prominent U.S. scholars, activists and members of the Jewish community will gather to call on the government of Bulgaria to halt their continued whitewashing of the truth relating to their interaction with Jews during the era of the Holocaust.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: (646) 470-3499

NEW YORK, NY (February 9, 2011) An address on the continued erroneous honesty of the Bulgarian government and its interaction with Jews during the era of the Holocaust, will take place on March 1, 2011 at 7pm, (exactly 70 years to-the-day, of the pact uniting Bulgaria with Germany as Axis partners, March 1, 1941). The program will be held at The Sephardic Temple (775 Branch Blvd. Cedarhurst, NY 11516), before an audience of community members, activists, scholars and Holocaust survivors. Media and members of the press are encouraged to participate in a pre-event press conference which will take place at 6pm. Svetlana Stoycheva-Etropolski, Charge d'affaires of the Bulgarian Consulate General in New York City is among the list of invitees.

On this day, a Special Report will be released to the public by Sephardic historian, author and independent scholar, Shelomo Alfassa, who has documented how during WWII, the Bulgarian government was complicit in the dispossession, torture and murder of thousands of Jews-and-how the Bulgarian government continues to whitewash this fact.

While it is frequently retold that the Bulgarian government elected not to deport some 50,000 Jews from Bulgaria to German death camps in Poland--what is generally not revealed, is that Bulgaria was directly complicit in the murder of some 13,000 other Jews from their lands of Bulgarian Thrace and Macedonia--mostly, Judeo-Spanish speaking Jews of Greek and Ottoman-Turkish descent.

Mr. Alfassa said, "The Bulgarian government continues to pompously promote the fact that they "saved" (did not deport) one group of Jews (50,000), while not disclosing the fact they indeed deported another group of Jews (13,000). The latter group was sent to their deaths at Treblinka, a subject which is historically well documented."

The March 1, 2011 event will launch a campaign, which will be subsequently followed by a Northeast Regional Colloquium, that will be convened to discuss remedies to the Republic of Bulgaria's continued historic whitewashing of their direct role in the murder of some 13,000 Jews. The colloquium, expected to be held in June 2011, will be entitled, "Ending 70 Years of Whitewashing and Inaccuracies: the Bulgarian Government and its Treatment of Jews During the Holocaust."

Marcia Haddad Ikonomopoulos, President of the Association of Friends of Greek Jewry said, "These 13,000 Jews, which have been too often overlooked by history, suffered horrible deaths with the direct participation and knowledge of the Bulgarian government in their alliance and volunteer partnership with the Nazis-it is time for Bulgaria to set the record straight."

This program is sponsored by the International Committee for Bulgarian Holocaust-Era Truth, in cooporation with the Association of Friends of Greek Jewry, National Association of Jewish Child Holocaust Survivors, Kahal Kedosha Janina, The Sephardic Temple and the International Sephardic Leadership Council.

Zakhor! The Christmas Tree as a Reminder of Jewish Tragedy

2010-12-24T02:31:00.004-05:00

Zakhor! The Christmas Tree as a Reminder of Jewish Tragedy

By Shelomo Alfassa [LINK]

One of the origins of what modern society knows as a 'Christmas tree' dates back to the Middle Ages in Germany where trees dressed with hanging apples were used during December as props in theatrical plays which were put on to educate the illiterate masses on Biblical history. The tradition of an adorned tree then moved to England and later elsewhere. This period, when the trees were being celebrated, corresponded to a period when the Jews of Europe, the early Ashkenazi Jews, were facing massive persecutions and some of the most brutal experiences Jews ever faced.

Long before there ever were Jews in Poland or other more eastwardly European countries, the Jews had a growing and vibrant population in France and Germany. During this period, preaching by the Roman Catholic Pope brought about the first 'Crusade,' which subsequently brought about an inspired outbreak of anti-Jewish hatred by the populations of most non-Jews in Europe. In parts of France and Germany, Jews were perceived as just as the enemy for it was told that they were responsible for crucifying the leader of the Christian religion many centuries earlier.

"...that tree is symbolical of a religion hostile to ours, and every leaf is red with the blood and wet with the tears of our martyrs, due to its hostility...."

Jews in Europe were killed outright by the Christian Crusaders as well as their local supporters. Thousands of Jews in France and Germany were tortured, their possessions taken, and their goods were sold for ridiculously small sums. Sometimes the Christians burned the dead bodies to obtain the coins which they believed these people had swallowed or hid about their bodies. An account of 1096 discusses one example of the tragedy the Jews of Ashkenaz suffered:

---Through the cities of the Rhine and the Main and also the Danube, they either utterly destroyed the execrable race of the Jews wherever they found them or forced them into the bosom of the Church…They rose in a spirit of cruelty against the Jewish people scattered throughout these cities and slaughtered them without mercy, especially in the Kingdom of Lorraine, asserting it to be the beginning of their expedition and their duty against the enemies of the Christian faith. This slaughter of Jews was done first by citizens of Cologne; they destroyed the houses and synagogues of the Jews and divided among themselves a very large amount of money… Breaking the bolts and doors, they killed the Jews, about seven hundred in number, who in vain resisted the force and attack of so many thousands. They killed the women, also, and with their swords pierced tender children of whatever age and sex. The Jews, seeing that their Christian enemies were attacking them and their children, and that they were sparing no age, likewise fell upon one another, brother, children, wives, and sisters, and thus they perished at each other's hands. Horrible to say, mothers cut the throats of nursing children with knives and stabbed others, preferring them to perish thus by their own hands rather than to be killed by the weapons of the uncircumcised. From this cruel slaughter of the Jews a few escaped; and a few because of fear, rather than because of love of the Christian faith, were baptized.---

Another account of the period recalls further horrors:

---Not a congregation within their reach did the inflexible Crusaders spare…In one short day it was wiped out of history, and the few crowded streets in which generation after generation of men had lived, hoped, pined and died, was a wreck of masonry piled with mangled corpses. 'The Rhine,'[river]…was thick with the corpses of murdered Jews. All the cities of the Danube, of Austria and Hungary resounded with the cries and swam with the blood of Jews, the vast number of them scornfully rejecting all terms fairly spitting and cursing the images and crucifixes held up to them for idolatrous adoration. "The Lord is our God" [the Shema] was in one their answer and their dying utterance for they were immediately hacked to pieces or severed piece-meal. Sad indeed is the story of the Jews, breathing in one the most frightful horrors and the most unflinching heroism…Town after town was visited and the same scenes of blood repeated. Jews were ripped open, disemboweled alive, torn asunder by wild horses driven in opposite directions, their flesh scraped off their bones, sawn in halves.---

Hanukah often falls during the period of the Christian holiday of Christmas. And while many people view the Christmas tree as the most glorious and best-loved symbol of the Christmas season, many Jews see the tree and are reminded of the period of early Jewish destruction in Europe. To the educated and knowledgeable Jew, the tree is interpreted as a symbol of two thousand years of virulent persecution by Christians against his people.

Dr. Henry Pereira Mendes was rabbi and rabbi emeritus from 1877-1937 of Congregation Shearith Israel (the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue of New York) at a period when Christmas was becoming a national holiday in America. He was one of the most influential and respected religious leaders of his time. It was during his lifetime that that many of the rich and socially prominent Jews were flocking to the newly formed 'Reform' movement as did many synagogues that had been in existence for some time. These congregations and people surrendered the traditions of their Torah in order to better proclaim their American character. During this period Dr. Mendes was vehemently outspoken about Jewish assimilation, and in response to Jews starting to keep Christmas trees in their home, the rabbi wrote, "To have that tree in a Jewish home stamps the father a traitor and the mother a traitoress to our religion, to duty and to God." Dr. Mendes was the founder of the Orthodox Union (OU) and was president of it during the first 16 years of its existence. He was also a co-founder of the Jewish Theological Seminary (which was originally Orthodox) with a fellow Sephardic Jew. Dr. Mendes wrote in his book Ruach Hayim, "Allow no Christmas tree in the home. From the viewpoint of history, that tree is symbolical of a religion hostile to ours, and every leaf is red with the blood and wet with the tears of our martyrs, due to its hostility."

Christmas trees are a time-honored symbol of the Christian religion and insomuch should be appreciated and cherished by Christians, not Jews. There is nothing Jewish about bringing a tree into a Jewish home. The tree has no happy memories for Kelal Yisrael (the Jewish people) and should in reality be a reminder that we are different, we are people of the Torah and the Torah exhorts us to remember our past-even the sad parts. The people of Israel have given their soul over the years in order to maintain the values of the Torah of Israel and the Jewish identity. Jews should continue to follow this path of the Jewish people's tradition and not give in to place non-Jewish symbols in their homes.

In Defense of the Mosque That Should Not Be Built at Ground Zero

2010-10-04T23:49:00.002-04:00

'In Defense of the Mosque That Should Not Be Built at Ground Zero'

by Shelomo Alfassa*

(October 4, 2010)

Many people started to question the use of the 'Jewish star' in the building's design, after the 'Cordoba Institute' issued a photo-an architectural representation-of what the proposed Islamic center and mosque would look like. And while there are many serious reasons to question the building of this mosque, there should be no reason to question the 'look' of the proposed building.

This type of architecture is known as Mudejar. It is representative of a period of decoration and art which saw fruition from the 12th to the 16th century, in the Islamic portions of the Iberian peninsula (in what is today modern Spain). Elements of this ornate architecture includes elaborate and complex shapes and repetitive symbols.

One of these oft-repeated symbols is the hexagram or what Jews call the 'Magen David' (Shield of David). This star, made up of two intersecting triangles, has been included among the preponderance of Jewish symbols for hundreds of years. This star has been seen not only in architecture from Islamic Spain, but also in North Africa, predominantly in Morocco, where it has been used as a common design motif for at least 1,000 years. In both Spain and Morocco, the hexagram has been included as a decorative motive not only on mosques, but also on synagogues. Mudejar architecture was cherished not only by Arabs in Spain and Morocco, but also by the large Jewish communities which once existed there.

The star has come to represent the State of Israel, after it was selected to be used on the flag of the country during the mid-20th century. The actual origins of the hexagram as a 'Jewish' star, or 'Star of David' remain unclear. The star is not mentioned in the Torah or the Talmud (bodies of Jewish religious law), and the great 12th century medieval Jewish scholar, Maimonides, never mentioned it, nor did the Zohar, the renowned 13th century master book of kabbalah. However, the symbol itself has been found on Jewish tombstones and other objects since at least the 3rd century CE. In actuality, it seems this star was not a Jewish symbol at all, but was one of many universally accepted 'magical' symbols that the Jewish people adopted in the 19th century.

Link: http://www.alfassa.com/star.html

###

The author is a scholar of Judaic life in Islamic Spain and is the former U.S. Director of 'Justice for Jews from Arab Countries.' He was also a rescue worker at Ground Zero. He has recently established a Congressional Exploratory Committee to run for the US House of Representatives as a Congressman from New York.

Shelomo Alfassa (NY-I) today announced the formation of a Congressional Exploratory Committee for New York's 9th District delegate

2010-09-29T16:50:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: (646) 470-3499

NEW YORK - (September 29, 2010) Brooklyn born native Shelomo Alfassa today announced the formation of a Congressional Exploratory Committee to seek the 2012 nomination to represent New York's 9th Congressional District as an Independent. During the upcoming year, Mr. Alfassa hopes to measure voter interest for his candidacy as well plans to receive input from members of the 9th District constituency.

Like all concerned Americans, Mr. Alfassa is disturbed with the issues that U.S. citizens are having to address such as the economy, health care and foreign policy. And inasmuch as these are all areas which need addressing, it is the matter of the weakened economy which he would first plan to focus on. "I feel our District and all of the communities it represents, needs an independent effective voice in Washington. While I possess tremendous respect for both the Republicans and Democrats who have served New Yorkers well, I feel they have gotten off track. The economy is in bad shape, and an intrinsic reason why, has been the de-industrialization of America compounded by outsourcing of American jobs, we need to reverse this if we are going to make any real change-anything less is just talk," said Alfassa.

New York's 9th Congressional District is home to a majority of Middle-Class families with a large population of Jews from Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Bukharia and Russia. The District also boasts a large and strong Chinese community, as well as Italian and Irish families. The District includes parts of southern Brooklyn and south central Queens. The Brooklyn area encompasses Flatlands, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park, Midwood, Mill Basin and Sheepshead Bay. In Queens, the 9th District includes the neighborhoods of Maspeth, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Howard Beach, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Middle Village, Forest Hills, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Rockaway Beach, and Woodhaven.

Mr. Alfassa was born in 1969 in what is today the 9th District and has since had an opportunity to live and observe other cities in the United States such as Los Angeles, Denver and Orlando. He is a fourth-generation New Yorker and is the grandson of Jewish immigrants from Europe and the Former Turkish Ottoman Empire. He spent his first career in the Emergency Medical Services culminating with an Emergency Management executive leadership position in the federal government, where he trained and worked with the US Army and the US Marine Corps. He comes from a family of patriots including his great-grandfather who served in WWI, his grandfather in WWII, his uncle who served in both the Marine Corps and the Army, and his brother who is a Gunnery Sergeant on active duty in the US Marines.

Today, Shelomo Alfassa is an author, historian and curator for a Jewish non-profit cultural organization. Visit www.AlfassaForCongress.com to learn more.

'Released by the 'Shelomo Alfassa Congressional Exploratory Committee.'

The Fake Kabbalist Crisis Among the Orthodox Jewish World

2010-09-07T07:38:00.002-04:00

The Fake Kabbalist Crisis Among the Orthodox Jewish World

By Shelomo Alfassa*

(NEW YORK, NY) September 7, 2010 - Jewish communities in the United States are being plagued by a rash of phony ‘kabbalists’ and ‘rabbis’ that are taking various superstitious practices and masking them behind the guise of ‘spiritual’ or ‘kabbalistic’ Judaism. These men, often members of the Orthodox Jewish community, do this seeking power for themselves and to gain financial profit. Among people of their own community, they often use the Hebrew title of ‘mekubal’ (kabbalist), in their pursuit of knowingly and deliberately deceiving people out of money in exchange for the promise of various miracles, financial success, good marriage, etc.

Kabbalah is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the mystical aspect of Judaism. It is a set of esoteric teachings meant to explain the relationship between God and His creations. It is a religious set of ideas and practices which are part of the Jewish religion - and not a separate or distinct religion as is often reported. While there has been a spiritual awakening in recent decades among Jews that are drawn to spirituality, this ‘spirituality’ is often represented as ‘kabbalah.’ However, folk religion and superstition as well as artful trickery is being passed off under the guise of real kabbalah—and, for profit.

These con men often exploit the good name of influential rabbis that have died and can no longer defend themselves from the lies said in their name. The ‘kabbalists’ use photos, names, alleged associations and reputations of past rabbis to justify their supposed magical powers and extra-earthly abilities.

Utilizing a clever ruse, they will put fear into people by saying things such as they are going to examine the ‘health’ of a person by ‘reading the lines on the forehead’ (a medieval non-Jewish custom); or by telling the person, “You are the reincarnation of ___________” (insert a famous Jewish person); or very often advising the person, “you have the evil eye on you and I will have to remove it.” Of course all of these examinations come with a hefty price tag, often in the several hundreds if not thousands of dollars. The phony ‘kabbalists’ and ‘rabbis’ and their deceptive behavior has caused tremendous harm to people who were trusting of them, especially the newly religious Jews who are promised miracles in the area of shidduchim (potential marriage), or those who innocently sought the promise of a ‘pidyon nefesh,’ the idea of exchanging one’s suffering in redemption for money.

The Talmud (in tractate Shabbat 156a), is clear about the attempts to influence mazal (luck). It states, “Ain Mazal L'Yisrael,” meaning that these things have no control over the Jewish people as Jews are governed by hashgaha pratit (Divine providence) and not mere luck.

Nightly, from Los Angeles to Brooklyn, people are being duped into standing in line to see ‘kabbalists’ for their brakhot (blessings) as they peddle these blessings for money and for their own egocentric gratification. Their duplicitous behavior is nothing short of fraud and cunning. These men either live in a community and put the ‘word on the street’ that they are ‘kabbalists’ or they visit outside communities for a few days where a host will set them up with evening parlor visits. There, persons visiting the ‘kabbalists’ will be expected to make a donation, and sometimes are strongly hounded for that donation upon leaving—usually not by the ‘kabbalist’ but by the host. Some of these deceitful men post signs with a ‘minimum donation’ which is required the obtain ‘blessings from the rabbi.’

Often these ‘kabbalists’ develop a loyal following, a court around them of generally innocent persons who see the influential and powerful ‘holy man’ in a grand light, up on the proverbial pedestal. This following of the ‘kabbalist’ sets off a snowball effect, where other members of the Jewish community now see the self-declared ‘kabbalist’ with a following and thus his reputation builds on nothing more than that—and that is good enough to get both men and women lined up for hours to see him, give him money, and hope to obtain a blessing for what ails them. These ‘kabbalists’ are visited by Jewish men and women who are not fully educated in the breadth and depth of halakha (Jewish law). They are often followed and visited by very well-meaning but overly emotional Jews who just want to ‘keep the peace’ and who, out of fear, would never challenge these men.

While the Attorney General of several states are investigating these peddlers of deception for tax fraud and other crimes, it is the Jewish community itself which should be standing up and running these men out of town. However, in the Orthodox community no other ‘rabbi’ will ever act against another ‘rabbi’ - even when he knows his colleague is clearly desecrating Jewish law and the Torah (Bible) itself. Sadly, real rabbis are first and foremost worried only about losing their own position and will not risk their position by speaking out against these swindlers--even when these ‘kabbalists’ prey on the vulnerable, the naive, and the unsuspecting.

True mekubalim (kabbalists) through the ages have condemned the practice of ‘selling’ spiritual remedies. This includes such great rabbis as Hakham Yishak Kaduri (1899-2006) and Hakham Yisrael Abuhatzeira (the Baba Sali 1890-1984), who never sought monetary reward for any advice, discussions or prayers with a person. These men strove to hold by every word (usually in the strictest manner) of the Shulhan Aruh (Code of Jewish Law). Therefore anyone who seeks monetary gain through hocus pocus which the Shulhan Aruh says does not affect the Jewish people is by all means a charlatan.

The Talmud tells the Jewish people that over 2,000 years ago, Rabbi Hanina Ben Dosa was said to perform great miracles. He was able to tell sick people if they would live or die. Yet, it is written that his wife used to complain that there was nothing to eat in the house. Unlike all the so-called 'kabbalists' that are rampant today, the much venerated Rabbi Hanina Ben Dosa did not take a cent for his deeds.

These men, whether or not they are real rabbis, will never truly stand for the Torah or the honor of the Almighty. What they seek is quick money, a quick reward, and a quick visit with a gullible victim. They use the Torah for gain and profit and insomuch are committing one of the most heinous crimes one can in the Jewish religion.

Visit http://www.alfassa.com/kabbalah-warning.html to learn more.

The author is an historian of the Jewish world and is an international advocate for Sephardic Jewry.

KIMMEL: ANOTHER KABBALIST SCAM FRAUD IN BROOKLYN

2010-09-01T15:01:00.002-04:00

Yitzchak (Isaac) Kimmel has been reported to the New York State Attorney General Consumer Frauds Bureau, part of the Economic Justice Division, which prosecutes businesses and individuals engaged in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or illegal trade practices.

Contact: Dinah Ribakoff (Thanks for sending this to me)

NEW YORK, NY (August 31, 2010) ‘Rabbi’ Yitzchak Kimmel who runs the organization “Derech Dovid” located at 909 E 29th St. 6F, Brooklyn, NY claims he is a “Mekubal” (Kabbalist), and on his fancy website he promises to help in all the problems of life “Sholom Bayis, Infertility, Health, Parnassah, etc. He says he can provide you with ‘segulos and tikunim’ -- however, Kimmel is a fraud.

Kimmel claims he is a student of the late Rabbi Eliyahu Elfassi (of Ramat Shelomo in Jerusalem) who was a close disciple and Gabbai of the famous Moroccan rabbi, Hakham Yisrael Abuchatzeira (the Baba Sali). Kimmel uses this line of ‘educational ancestry’ to get people to come to him, pay him, and make him a rich man. These are lies.

INVESTIGATION

A religious woman from New York we shall call “Rachel,” telephoned Rabbi Elfassi's widow in August of 2010. Rebbetzin Elfassi denied ever knowing or meeting a “Rabbi Kimmel” from New York. She also was very upset to learn that Kimmel is claiming he earned semicha (was ordained) by Rabbi Elfassi--because the rabbi had a yeshiva with 10 students and this yeshiva did NOT teach kabbalah.

Rabbi Elfassi's assistant (of 25 years), told Rachel that Kimmel visited Rabbi Elfassi only once for an hour and after that only 20 minutes any other visit. A woman in Baltimore that runs the American charity account for Rabbi Elfassi was also contacted by Rachel, she said never heard of Rabbi Kimmel.

If Kimmel did obtain ordination from Rabbi Elfassi, a copy of the certificate should be on the Internet and made public, but there never was semicha—so there is no certificate. Kimmel is just a fraud.

TRUTHS

*
(1) Kimmel was never a student of Rabbi Eliyahu Elfassi!
*
(2) Kimmel only saw him a few times and now that that Rabbi Elfassi is dead, Kimmel uses his photo to lure unsuspecting people (mostly women) to his office.
*
(3) Kimmel has posted a sign on his wall indicating there is a minimum $175 charge for a 20 minute meeting. (Rabbi Eliyahu Elfassi never charged, gave you as much time as you needed to talk with him, he never did theses ‘tikuns’ and never taught kabbalah to anyone.)
*
(4) Kimmel offers various Fasts that will "help you" but then says if you donate money you do not have to Fast.

SUMMARY

Kimmel is exploiting the good name of the late Rabbi Elfassi.

Kimmel takes advantage of young religious frum men and women by saying he is a kabbalist.

Kimmel is one of the many fraudulent people who prey on the vulnerability of others.

Kimmel has no “special powers” or anything else. He just known how to sweet-talk people away from their money through fraud and unethical lies.

Murdered Missionary Medical Team Hides "Jesus" From Their Website as Taliban Killers Accuse Them of Being Missionaries

2010-08-08T05:08:00.002-04:00

Murdered Missionary Medical Team Hides "Jesus" From Their Website
as Taliban Killers Accuse Them of Being Missionaries

Exclusive by Shelomo Alfassa (www.alfassa.com)

NEW YORK, NY (August 8, 2010) It was widely reported that ten members of the 'International Assistance Mission' were killed in northern Afghanistan last week. The Associated Press quoted Taliban soldier Zabiullah Mujahid as saying the Taliban claimed responsibility for the murders, claiming they had killed the people because they were “spying for the Americans” and “preaching Christianity.”

It is widely known (but rarely reported) that many "aid workers" are also Christian missionaries, which teach, among other things, that if you don't accept a belief in "Jesus" then you will not go to heaven. The U.S. Government does not usually mind missionaries in a war zone, because part of warfare is to "win the hearts and minds" of the enemy--and that is, in part, what happens when you remove people (in this case) from their native-born religion.

The 'International Assistance Mission' was no different than any other self-declared Medical assistance group which also act as "Christian" missionaries--except in this case, they are denying it, probably because it is not politically correct (nor is it legal) for them to be proselytizing Christianity to Muslims. A search of the Internet will quickly establish that 'International Assistance Mission' certainly is a missionary organization. By way of example, here is a paragraph from a story written in 2007 which mentions the missionary activity of 'International Assistance Mission':

I was a self-supporting missionary as a teacher. In a few years, we had over 70 Christian tentmakers in Afghanistan. After we had been there for 15 years, the government allowed medical doctors, nurses and teachers of the blind to enter the country as regular missionaries with the skills needed to help their people. Today the International Assistance Mission has over 100 workers from 28 different agencies and 13 countries in that nation. [or Afghanistan] Here we see the fruit [converts] of cooperation between tentmakers and mission agencies.(1)

Further, in 2001 several members of 'International Assistance Mission' were expelled from Afghanistan after being arrested, with other Christian NGO personnel, for proselytizing toward Muslims.(2) Fellow missionary organizations which preach about "Jesus" such as the Christian Science Monitor have call the 'International Assistance Mission' a "Christian medical team at well.(3)

The free world is fighting an enemy who's guide to warfare and foundation is their Bible--the Qu'ran. If educated people think they are not putting their lives in risk by going to lawless Afghanistan and attempting to take the enemy's religion from them, they are fooling themselves. These people took the ultimate risk and lost. While it is a sickening tragedy that these people were murdered by the enemy, we still need to ask, why did the International Assistance Mission do the following:

--1) Denied they were missionaries when the whole world knows what they do (in addition to their medical work)?

--2) Quickly remove the reference to "Jesus" off of their Website when news of the murders went public?

PHOTO EVIDENCE CAN BE SEEN HERE: http://www.alfassa.com/missionaries_killed.html

New Judaic studies group formed in New York City

2010-08-04T01:00:00.001-04:00

New Judaic studies group formed in New York City

The 'Jewish History Salon' aims to bring together like-minded
individuals that share a passion for exploring the world of Jewish history

Contact: Shelomo Alfassa shelomo(at)alfassa.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, NY (August 4, 2010) The Jewish History Salon, a new discussion group that will meet on a monthly basis in New York City, aims to draw together intellectually oriented persons that seek the scholarly advancement of Judaic studies. The group will come together to focus on any and all aspects of Jewish history, which may include the ancient, medieval and/or modern periods; discussions on secular as well as religious topics are also welcome, this may include discussions on Biblical criticism, exploring traditional perspectives on Judaism, books, language, rabbinics, Jewish law, etc.

The Salon will be a place where one can discuss and share their own current research or projects, exchange ideas with like-minded people, receive and give constructive criticism, read samples of their own works and hear the works and ideas of other participants.

Shelomo Alfassa, founder of The Jewish History Salon said, "The Salon will be open to anyone with a true interest in exploring Jewish history and furthering the cause of Jewish studies, both lay persons and professionals are encouraged to participate."

The initial meeting will be held on Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 2pm at Barnes and Noble (East 17th and Broadway at Union Square) on the 3rd floor. Participants are welcome to bring their intellectually curious minds or even a sample of a essay/book, etc. that they are working on or reading. Membership is informal and there is no charge. The Jewish History Salon will be a great place to socialize, network and to make new like-minded friends and colleagues.

NAACP EXCLUDES WHITE JEWISH FOUNDER FROM THEIR WEBSITE

2010-07-19T01:47:00.003-04:00

NAACP EXCLUDES WHITE JEWISH FOUNDER FROM THEIR WEBSITE

EXCLUSIVE OP/ED

by Shelomo Alfassa / www.alfassa.com

Contact: salfassa@gmail.com

New York, NY (July 19, 2010) It is a sad state of affairs that Henry Moskowitz, Ph.D., one of the original co-founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has been excluded from the list of prominent "People" under the History heading of the new NAACP Website. Of all the founders of the NAACP, it is only Dr. Moskowitz (1879-1936) which is missing, leaving a gaping hole in the history of the organization.

Dr. Henry Moskowitz was a Romanian-born Jew that was involved with social work in New York City during the early 20th century. He was active in city politics under the administration of New York City Mayor John Purroy Mitchel; and he was the Associate Leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture which often looked out for the rights of new immigrants on New York City's Lower East Side. He is credited as being one of the original founders of the NAACP which was created in a tiny New York apartment on February 12, 1909.

While Dr. Moskowitz' name is fleetingly mentioned in small print on a non-primary page of the NAACP Website, it is a sad commentary that the organization has not added him, his background information, his photo, and his name to the list of prominent people in their encyclopedic alphabetical index, which includes past and present NAACP leaders. Of all the NAACP founders, only Dr. Moskowitz, one of the original eight, has been marginalized from the history portion of the official NAACP Website.

Further, and even more interesting to note, is that other early NAACP supporters and founders included: Lillian Wald, Rabbi Emil G. Hirsh, and Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, all of them are missing from the NAACP Website where past leaders and promint persons are listed. Who is listed? People such as such as Harry Belafonte, Rodney King, Oprah Winfrey and Preisdent Obama are included.

------------------

"A handful of Blacks and Whites--including Mary White Ovington, W.E.B. DuBois, Mary Church Terrell, Henry Moskowitz and William English--founded the NAACP." -- Ebony Magazine July 1989 p.126

Dear Mr. President, Your Name 'Hussein' Does Not Scare Us, Your Policies Do

2010-07-11T13:40:00.003-04:00

July 11, 2010

The President
Mr. Barack Hussein Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500-0004

Dear Mr. President,

It was widely reported that on July 8, 2010, you mentioned that your middle name was ‘Hussein’ and that this made Israelis nervous about your commitment to the Jewish state. “Some of it may just be the fact that my middle name is ‘Hussein,’ and that creates suspicion,” you told a reporter.

Mr. President, in today’s world, the name ‘Hussein’ is not exclusive to Muslims nor is it foreign to Jews or Christians that come from or live in Arab countries.

Fully one thousand years before the advent of Islam, Jews in substantial numbers resided in what are today Arab countries-this includes Mecca and Medina which were home to Jewish communities. As of 1948, the year Israel became a State, there were 856,000 Jews living in Arab countries, today, there are less than 5,000. Over the last 62 years, dispossessed by Arab governments, Jewish communities were turned into refugees.

A majority of these Jews from Arab countries relocated to Israel, where they became the majority of the population. Thus, to the majority of Israelis today, the name ‘Hussein’ would not fall on alarmist ears. Jews have the name ‘Hussein,’ as do their fathers and grandfathers. There are Jews in Israel and across the world-including the United States, that possess the name ‘Hussein.’

Mr. President, you told Israel’s Channel 2 TV that apprehension about your name could be eased if Israelis checked the roster of your top aides. You said, “My top political adviser (David Axelrod) is somebody who is a descendant of Holocaust survivors.” Mr. President, indicating that you employ a man who is descendant from a Holocaust survivor is no way to curry favor with Jews. Actually, it is less than sophisticated and devalues your response.

Mr. President, not all Jews come from Europe.

It should be remembered that the Holocaust effected Jews in Arab countries both across North African and in the Middle East. The Holocaust is erroneously thought to have only occurred in Europe-but it did not. The Germans in their attempt to kill all Jews, the world over, murdered Jews in Morocco and other Muslim countries. It is an established fact that Jews from Arab countries ended up in Auschwitz as well as transit and labor camps. During the Holocaust era, the Grand Mufti of the Arab world worked hand-in-hand with Hitler to establish plans to kill Jews, some which were successful.

Mr. President, it is not your given name of ‘Hussein’ that scares people, nor is it you having a descendant of Holocaust survivors on your staff that will win the Jews over. What will win the Jews over is when you support the Jewish people in their right for national self-defense, against an enemy that calls Jews ‘occupiers’ and often repeats the old canard that they should ‘go home’ to where they come from, 'Europe.'

Yours truly,

Shelomo Alfassa

Former US Director
Justice for Jews from Arab Countries

SEPHARDIC JEWISH SPEAKING TOUR

2010-06-28T13:23:00.001-04:00

SEPHARDIC JEWISH SPEAKING TOUR

LAUNCHED FOR SUMMER 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / Contact shelomo@alfassa.com

NEW YORK (June 28, 2010) With the current release of his most recent book: THE SEPHARDIC ANOUSIM, Shelomo Alfassa, recognized expert on the history and plight of the Sephardic Jews of both Spain and the Ottoman Empire, is currently scheduling dates to speak on the topic of Sephardic Jews (past or present).

His latest book, THE SEPHARDIC ANOUSIM, was written to fill a void in the subject of the anousim, in the past known as marranos. The anousim (Hebrew for 'coerced') are descendants of the forcibly converted Jews of Spain and Portugal who in the 14th and 15th century converted by the tens of thousands. They did this fearing violence and religious intimidation—however, many of these Jews secretly concealed their Judaic observances while acting like they were newly baptized Catholics.

Today, descendants of those converted Jews are increasingly ‘coming out’ only to find themselves lost in a sea of complicated Jewish laws; getting deceived by missionaries; and are frustrated in seeking to fully understand the history of their own people.

Mr. Alfassa is available to discuss both the history of forced conversions in Spain, as well as the Inquisition and subsequent expulsion from Spain in 1492. He can provide first-hand accounts of the worst trials and tribulations the Jewish people suffered prior to the Holocaust. He can discuss 'crypto-Jews' and an interesting controversy related to crypto-Jews. Mr. Alfassa focuses on issues important to the anousim such as halakha (Jewish law), conversion or return, missionary interference and he highlights the opinions (responsa) of rabbinical leaders over past several centuries in regard to forcibly converted Jews.

Mr. Alfassa has previously spoken at universities, historic sites, synagogues and the National Press Club. If you would like to discuss the possibility of having Mr. Alfassa speak at your congregation or organization, please call 718-530-2317.

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Shelomo Alfassa oversees Special Projects for the American Sephardi Federation in New York City. Previous to this, he was U.S. Director of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC). Mr. Alfassa has worked as advisor for Sephardic organization in the United States, France, Turkey and Israel. Well known as an international advocate for Sephardic Jewry, Mr. Alfassa’s efforts with the U.S. Congress have led to historic and legal advancement for Sephardic Jews in the United States as well as around the world. His exhibition “Jerusalem and the Jews of Spain: Longing and Reality,” is currently on display at the Center for Jewish History in New York City. Mr. Alfassa is the author and editor of several books including: A Window Into Old Jerusalem; Ethnic Sephardic Jews in the Medical Literature; Reference Guide to the Nazis and Arabs During the Holocaust; The Palm Tree of Deborah and The Sephardic Anousim.

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Why do Sephardi Children go to Ashkenazi Schools in Israel?

2010-06-18T19:19:00.002-04:00

Why do Sephardi Children go to Ashkenazi Schools in Israel?

By Shelomo Alfassa

Shelomo Alfassa is a Sephardic historian
and was the former
U.S. Director of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries

(June 18, 2010) In 1945 there were approximately 850,000 Jews living in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf region. Today, there are less than 7,000 in these 10 Arab countries, with many migrating to Israel. The current Sephardi students are from families which are mostly poor. Their parents and grandparents were uprooted and dispossessed from large old Jewish communities across North Africa and the Middle East, leaving behind all of their (often great) wealth. By the time they came to Israel, and by the time they found decent housing, which was not in governmental established tent farms, religious schools had, for the most part, already been established.

The children were sent to these established 'Ashkenazi' schools because the families did not have the fiscal fortitude or the Western world organizational skills to construct new schools from scratch. A first generation result of this can be seen by the Sephardic Jewish men wearing the long black coat and black hat of the haredi Ashkenazim. And while some Sephardim wear this clothing on the outside, they have attempted to retain their method of prayer and tradition as it was in their country of origin.

The old Sephardic establishment in Israel with allegiance and firsthand knowledge of the old Sephardic traditions and daily ways of life started to fall apart when many young men had to geographically flee for fear of being drafted into the Ottoman Army during WWI. The Sephardic establishment painfully eroded in the late 1940's when the main surviving school for rabbinical students in Jerusalem (Yeshiva Porat Yosef) was destroyed by the Arabs during the start of the Israel War of Independence.

Yeshiva Porat Yosef employed teachers which knew the old Sephardi pedagogy, one that existed from the time of the Jews in Spain and as practiced throughout the Ottoman Empire. Back then, the instructors hailed from Sephardic lands, such as Rabbi Shelomo Laniado whose family came from Spain via Turkey then Syria before arriving in Jerusalem. The rabbis educated Sephardic young men in the ways of Jewish law and tradition in the traditional Sephardic manner, this included a great emphasis on Bible and ethical studies (Tanakh) over concentrated legal arguments (Gemara) which the Ashkenazim favored. Another death knell was borne in the 1950's with the passing of one of the last of the original Sephardic leaders, Chief Rabbi Ben-Zion Meir Uziel, a descendant of the Jews of Spain and a master of the 'Sephardic tradition.'

Today, the generation of Sephardic leaders, both retired and still active, often dress/look like Ashkenazim. This is often for political reasons and due to the fact that they feel they are apparently perceived as elevated and given equal status as rabbinical leaders when dressed like the majority. Why Sephardic yeshivot (schools) are scarce, is because of population--there are just many more yeshivot in the world educating the majority--Ashkenazi young men; and of course during WWII, the Germans destroyed all of the yeshivot, synagogues and libraries of the Jews from Salonika, Bosnia, Sarajevo, Monastir, Rhodes, Gallipoli, and other places which once had uniquely rich and vibrant old-world Sephardic Jewish communities.

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Ashkenazi Against Sephardi Racism Lives

2010-06-18T19:04:00.002-04:00

Ashkenazi Against Sephardi Racism Lives

By Shelomo Alfassa

Shelomo Alfassa is a Sephardic historian
and was the former
U.S. Director of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries

(June 18, 2010) Some 100,000 Hasidic haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Ashkenazi Jews staged a massive rally to show support to fellow parents within their communities that were sent to prison to serve two-week sentences. The parents were found to be in contempt of court for failing to send their children to school alongside Sephardi children.

The haredim were found guilty by the Israeli High Court of Justice of racism. Evidence of their crime can easily be seen by the fact that schools were constructed with separate entrances and separate classrooms for Ashkenazi and Sephardi Jews. The Ashkenazi parents say they need to keep the classrooms segregated because the families of the Sephardi girls "aren't religious enough." The arguments and actions of the haredi communities are similar to those which took place in the early and mid 20th century United States under the Jim Crow laws which separated blacks and whites.

After the recent decision by the Israeli court to put a halt to the discrimination, the haredi Ashkenazi students' parents decided to boycott the court order by keeping their children home. Education Ministry inspectors soon discovered that physical separators had been removed, but that the Sephardic girls were the only ones in class.

Hassidic haredi Jews initially arrived in Palestine from Europe and Russia in the late 19th century. Ever since their arrival, they have been criticized by their fellow Jews for always being on the margin and not working together toward intra-religious harmony. The Holy Land was represented by one rabbi for hundreds of years, which was always a Sephardi rabbi. The last single-representative was Chief Rabbi Jacob Meir (1856-1939), a Spanish Sephardi rabbi. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935) was brought in from Europe to be the Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi, thus the co-chief rabbi of British Mandate Palestine. Upon taking office, Rabbi Kook asked the Hasidic haredi Ashkenazim to work together with him, after all, he too was a Hasidic Ashkenazi Jew!--but they outright rejected his notion of being part of a central chief rabbinate nor working in any fashion with the secular Zionist leadership. The haredim of yesteryear marginalized themselves; they blindly followed their leaders known as "rebbes," as they continue to do today. Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, expressed his deep anger about this when he wrote a scathing commentary of the haredim:

The enslavement of the[ir] intelligence and its stupefaction result from certain influences, and the more 'holy' the influences, the greater the damage done, amounting to the corruption of prophecy in God's name, actions of wickedness and impurity, idol worship and abomination. Thus when the attempt to stupefy the intelligence is presented in the name of faith, of fear of Heaven, or diligence in Torah and fulfilling of mitzvot, it becomes a terrible lie and a filthy impurity. Then the holy ones of the Most High, God's pure servants, must go forth to redeem the world and Israel, the Torah, and all that is holy to the Lord from these destroyers.(1)

The contemporary battle in Israel stems from the fact haredi Ashkenazi Jews demand that the Sephardi children (in this case we are speaking of children of Jews from Muslim countries) pray in the Ashkenazi manner both at home and at school. Further, the haredim have demanded the Sephardi children dress like they do-in fashion which originated from Central and Eastern Europe, that of the black clergical uniform consisting of a long coat and black hat.

But it gets even worse than that. The haredim in Israel have established separation fences in the school's courtyards, and setup different recess times for Ashkenazi and Sephardi students to keep them apart. The Ashkenazi school placed signs on the walls indicating physical separation. All of this discrimination and racism smacks of the 1970's when it was not uncommon for Sephardi Jews to be called 'niggers.'

The parents of the haredim insist that they were acting out of religious conviction and rejected charges of racism. However, constructing a wall to separate children whose grandparents come from Morocco, Egypt or Iraq versus whose grandparents come from Poland, Ukraine or Russia, needs no explanation. The opinions and outlook of the Hasidic haredim in Israel are no different today than they were was in the past. We can now see why Rabbi Kook, the first Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi, issued stern criticism of them in the early 20th century. He said the haredim were:

Fur-cloaked deceivers, weak of spirit and small of mind, whose own intellectual light has been obstructed, their feelings dulled, and their imagination coarsened, who purposefully and thoroughly trample down the reality before them, their own faith enrooted in mere fables of faith... And thus souls stumble and fall, and human beings live the lives of beasts, degradation without knowledge or understanding, without human honor, that most basic element in recognizing the honour of Heaven that fills the world, that gives life to all, and animates spirit and soul.

Xenophobia relates to their bitter and unjust hatred of the Sephardim. This revulsion by this group of haredi Ashkenazim against Jews that were displaced from Muslim countries goes along with their desire to secure a presumed Ashkenazi purity of religion. Yet, this is ironic, as it's the Sephardi Jews that made up the indigenous Jewish population in the Holy Land. And while these Hassidic haredim follow a version of the Jewish religion that was founded in 18th century Ukraine by Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, under halakha (binding Jewish religious law) it is the customs and traditions of the Sephardi Jews which are the customs of the Land of Israel and legally should be the dominant way of life in Israel.

The racism and segregation being experienced upon Sephardi children in Israel today is shameful, but it is nothing new. This not a simple issue of minhag (tradition) or different mesorah (tradition), this is about the blatant hatred of the Sephardi Jews by the Hasidic haredi Ashkenazim, a very well known situation that exists in parts of Israel today. Jews should be moving forward not backward. The fear, ignorance and emotional response being elicited by the Hasidic haredi Ashkenazim is a disgrace to all Jews on the highest level. It's a true crying shame.

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The ‘Cordoba Institute’ Desires to Symbolize Jihad in America

2010-06-17T08:30:00.000-04:00

The ‘Cordoba Institute’ Desires to Symbolize Jihad in America

A Lesson for All Americans on Islam

By Shelomo Alfassa

Shelomo Alfassa is a scholar of Judaic life in Islamic and Christian Spain
and was the former U.S. Director of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries

(June 17, 2010) Forget the political correctness and all the people who will not come out and directly say it: the New York based Arab-Islamic organization known as “The Cordoba Institute” wants to build a mosque at the site of the 9/11 attacks in order to establish a symbolic victory marker in the battle of jihad (holy war) against the United States. The name of their organization reveals their intention.

The historic city of Cordoba, Spain was originally Christian, but was overtaken by Islamic marauders and turned into an Islamic stronghold in the 8th century CE. The Islamic seizure of Cordoba began in the year 711 CE by Berber tribesmen who had recently converted to Islam. They crossed the 14 mile stretch of ocean between North Africa and Europe into what was then called Al-Andalus, which is now modern day Spain.

Grand Cordoba became home to what was known as the “Caliphate,” an Islamic political paradigm wherein the leader is regarded as a direct successor of the founder of Islam, Muhammad (570 - 632 CE). Emir Abd ar-Rahman I--who arrived from Damascus, Syria--took control of Al-Andalus. It was under the rule of he and his descendants that the Caliphate reached its peak based at Cordoba. Under various successors, there was always a part of Spain which remained under Islamic control until the year 1492.

To radical Muslims of today, few symbols are as resonant as the downfall of the Caliphate at Cordoba, Al-Andalus. In the same way that Americans remember their defeat at the Alamo and use its name as a rallying cry in battle; Cordoba, Al-Andalus is a rallying cry for Islam.

Upon the coalition bombing of Afghanistan in October of 2001, Osama Bin-Laden released a video stating: "Let the whole world know that we shall never accept that the tragedy of Andalusia would be repeated in Palestine...." Bin-Laden's chief deputy, al-Zawahiri, later swore that "the tragedy of Al-Andalus" must not be repeated. References to the once-Muslim empire of Al-Andalus are common among Islamic terrorists because one of the goals of radical Islam is the stated desire to control the entire world; specifically and firstly, the lands they lost on the battlefield, including cities such as Cordoba.

If you follow Al-Qaeda, you learn that what they desire is a "Great Islamic Caliphate" that would stretch across the world. According to Islamic religious belief, there are only two conditions in which society exists: Dar Al-Islam and Dar Al-Harb:

Dar al-Harb (the world of war) refers to the territory under the supremacy of unbelievers (non- Muslims), this includes countries such as the United States.

Dar Al-Islam (world of Islam) refers to the lands and people under Islamic control --or that will soon be under Islamic control.

For Muslims that seek Dar Al-Islam, the only way to get there is through the use of jihad—war.

The New York based ‘Cordoba Initiative’ that is demanding to build an Islamic center and mosque at the site of the attacks on New York City has the word ‘Cordoba’ in its name not because it is striving to revive some romantic mythological tolerance which allegedly existed in Spain among Muslims, Christians and Jews, but because they want to demonstrate victory over the United States. The ‘Cordoba Initiative’ recalls an ‘Islamic Alamo’ and an ideological victory over the United States. The location of their desired mosque is the same location where 19 faithful Muslim hijackers fulfilled their jihad mission by murdering 3,000 innocent civilians.

No matter how the construction of a mosque at ‘Ground Zero’ may be perceived by the Mayor of New York, the City Council or any other well-meaning Americans, the construction of a mosque on the spot where Islam brought jihad to the United States will incontestably symbolize an initial conquest of the USA to the worldwide forces of Radical Islam.

This is not a time for political correctness, on the contrary, we should speak up and do everything we can to stop it.

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Confronted over Mosque at Ground Zero, Mayor Explodes

2010-06-15T21:54:00.003-04:00

Confronted over Mosque at Ground Zero, Mayor Explodes

By Shelomo Alfassa / June 15, 2010

While attending the June 15, 2010 annual invitation-only Jewish Heritage Dinner at Gracie Mansion, the New York City mayor's symbolic home, this writer had an astonishing and unforeseen run-in with Mayor Michael Bloomberg regarding the proposed controversial mosque at Ground Zero.

New York's Jewish establishment gathered for a pleasant kosher barbecue held on the lush back lawn of the mayor's graceful 19th century mansion on New York's Upper East Side. When the dinner and program ended, I walked over to the west side of the stage, along with a dozen or so others which were hoping to get a photo of the mayor. As the mayor came off the stage, both uniformed and plainclothes policemen demanded that everyone step back. A short elderly woman with white cottony hair rushed the security line and begged the mayor for a photo. Surrendering to her calls for a photo and much to the chagrin of his security detail, the mayor stopped. He gathered a small group and said "just one picture." -"Ok everyone, look into the camera, look into the camera," the mayor said with a rushed smile.

At that moment, I clicked my iPhone camera shutter and simultaneously exclaimed in a serious but gentle voice, "MR. MAYOR, NO MOSQUE AT GROUND ZERO!" The mayor's face immediately became somber. He quickly disregarded his elderly constituent and in a serious tone, while staring me directly in the eye, leaned forward, pointed to my face and said matter-of-factly, "If we don't let them build a mosque, we won't be able to build a temple!" Some in the crowd gasped. I quickly responded, "But we don't need a temple-that's not the issue, a mosque is a symbol of jihad victory." While still standing in the crowd and amongst his staffers, which attempted to shuffle him away, the mayor suddenly lurched forward, walked right up to me and with a perturbed voice and stern eyes, said what sounded like "we need to allow it." "But mayor, this is my field of study, and I am telling you, they are building it as a symbol of victory over us." At that time the mayor's staff shuffled him away but not before the mayor looked back at me, obviously annoyed that I raised the subject with him in public. His staffer also asked me to "just drop it" as the mayor was whisked away.

I was in emergency management for 15 years. For several years I was a deputy commander of a federal emergency response team which existed to respond to terrorist attacks. I was also one of the rescue workers at Ground Zero. Today, I am an historian and my field of study includes life in Islamic Spain. What the mayor does not understand, is that a practice associated with conquering Islamic armies was the construction of a mosque at the location where their triumphant battle was won.

There is a New York based Islamic organization seeking to build a mosque at the site of the 9/11 attack-an attack which was carried out by 19 Muslim hijackers who considered their mission holy war. A Muslim house of prayer, cemented in the ashes of catastrophe at the foot of New York's lost Twin Towers, would be a symbolic victory flag for Muslims who seek the destruction of America. The mayor needs to realize that no matter how the construction of a mosque at 'Ground Zero' may be perceived by well-meaning Americans, the construction of a mosque on the spot where Al-Qaeda brought jihad to the United States will unquestionably represent victory to the worldwide forces of Radical Islam.

###

Note: This entire incident was witnessed by many people including the media staff of Yeshiva World News.

Read: Mosque at 9/11 Site Would be Jihad Victory Symbol in the USA by Shelomo Alfassa

Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu (1929-2010) - Former Chief Rabbi of Israel

2010-06-07T10:25:00.002-04:00

Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu (1929-2010) ZS”L

Former Chief Rabbi of Israel

by Shelomo Alfassa

June 7, 2010

The State of Israel lost a powerful voice of political reason and religious rationality on June 7, 2010 (7 Sivan 5770) when Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu, former Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel, succumbed to advancing health problems he had been suffering for the past two years.

Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu served as Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel from 1982 to 1993 and was member of the Bet Din Harabani Hagadol (Supreme Rabbinical Court) based in Jerusalem. He was considered one of the leading Zionist rabbis and certainly one of the most popular and charismatic rabbinical leaders in all of Israel for many decades.

The rabbi was born in the ‘Old City’ of Jerusalem in British-occupied Palestine during the dark year of 1929 when Arabs attacked, killed and maimed over 100 Jews throughout Hebron, Jaffa, Safed and other towns. A consequence of these sad events was an increased growth in Jewish nationalism and intensification of Jewish self-determination for Jews all over the holy land.

Hakham Eliyahu's upbringing was one imbibed with a rigorous love of the land of Israel which helped him become a staunch defender of such, first inspired by his father, the Iraqi-born rabbi, Hakham Salman Eliyahu (1878-1940). His father was not only considered a respected rabbi and mekubal (kabbalist) of Jerusalem, but he also had been secularly educated in London. As a result of his Western education, he later served as personal secretary of the British High Commissioner of the Palestine British Mandate, Lord Herbert L. Samuel (1870-1963) -- the first Jew to govern the historic land of Israel in 2,000 years.

Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu's early religious education was conducted by his father, who died when he was still a young boy. The young man continued to study under the prominent Syrian-born rabbi, Hakham Ezra Attia (1885-1970), the head of the Porat Yosef Yeshiva in Jerusalem, as well as Askkenazi rabbis such as Avraham Karelitz (1878-1953), author of the well know book, 'Hazon Ish.' His commitment to the Torah was displayed when as a youth, the young Mordehai joined an underground group that struggled for a Torah-directed government in Israel and was involved in at least one attempt at pressuring the government by means that were considered, by some, to be illegal. Mordehai would later graduate with honors from the Institute of Rabbis and Religious Judges, under the direction of (former Sephardic Chief Rabbi) Hakham Yishak Nissim (1896-1981). Mordehai later was elected as the youngest person in Israel to ever hold the post of dayan (Judge).

The rabbi continued as a dayan in the religious court of Beer Sheva for four years before transferring to Jerusalem where he was elected to the Supreme Religious Court. In Beer Sheva, people learned of his good grace and outgoing manners that were coupled with his vast knowledge of the Torah. The general public grew to trust him as a reliable source to solve problems and answer intricate questions. Soon after, he was elected as Rishon LeSion, Chief Sephardic Rabbi of Israel. As with the previous Sephardic chief rabbis, Mordehai was inaugurated into the rabbinate in a ceremony held at the famous Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakai (Kal Grande) synagogue in the Old City of Jerusalem. Immediately he became known as an eminent poseq (decider) of Jewish legal issues and his conduct added prestige to the office of the Chief Rabbi.

In the religious world, Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu worked for the preservation of the tradition of his father, the Iraqi Jewish nusah (rite) and the opinions of Hakham Yosef Hayyim, author of the book Ben Ish Hai. Mordehai Eliyahu did not desire a uniform "Israeli Sephardi" rite based on the Shulkhan Aruh (Code of Jewish Law), as other Sephardic rabbis have called for. His opinions were his own, and they were elaborated in a siddur (prayer book) known as Kol Eliyahu.

Hakham Eliyahu authored several books on Jewish religious law and interpretations of the law, some which remain very popular. In his person-to-person conduct, the rabbi was often swamped by people from all walks of life, who wanted to get a blessing or seek his advice. In recent years, his capacity as a kabbalist became more public, but he discouraged any reference to this aspect of his Torah knowledge or practice.

As chief rabbi, he sought to give the non-religious public a better understanding of Jewish traditions and the importance of the Torah. He lectured at secular communities and kibbutzim, as well as non-religious public schools. He also traveled extensively throughout the world, teaching Jewish communities the importance of fighting assimilation, increase Shabbat observance, educating children, observing family purity and the need to immigrate to Israel.

The rabbi was a much sought after expert for his knowledge of Torah and halakha (Jewish law), and for his great piety. His best testimonial remains; it can be seen by the intense love that people of all backgrounds have for him. The rabbi grew up firmly planted with a love of all Jewish people, secular and religious, and the desire for those people to live free-and-be free in their own land. Fearless, he developed into one of the most frank and honest rabbinical leaders of Israel, a man not scared to issue statements which reflected his passionate religious values in reference to international political events.

After the attacks by Arab terrorists against the United States on September 11, 2001, the rabbi essentially called for President Bush to take up arms against Arab terrorist enemies, not just issue empty words:

"---My heartfelt sorrow at the immense tragedy that has been perpetrated upon the American people by wicked evildoers, so utterly devoid of conscience and compassion, that it is difficult for the lips to utter and words are simply inadequate to express…I would also like to extend from Jerusalem heartiest condolences to the bereaved families in their hour of grief. "May no further sorrow befall you." (Jeremiah 31:12). And for those who have been injured may 'The Almighty send them His message of healing and relief.' (Psalms 107:20)…I would like to offer you my praise and my support for your plan to convene a world alliance of nations to work together to fight terror -- not only in words but also in deeds.---"

The rabbi remained well known for his outspoken position on the Israeli government's decision to give land away to the Palestinian Arabs. When he stepped down from his formal position, he became automatically the accepted rabbinic leader of the Religious Zionist camp in Israel and abroad. He fought against the Oslo Agreements to such an extent, that the Attorney General saw fit to warn him that as a civil servant, he could not be perceived as supporting opposition to government policies.

He was one of the very few senior rabbinic personalities who joined the inhabitants of Gush Qatif in a day of fasting and prayer against their uprooting and expulsion. He could not conceive that any Jewish government in its right mind could undertake such a dastardly operation against Jews. Addressing the many thousands of people in the town square of Neve Dekalim, he exclaimed, "It cannot and will not happen" ("Hayo lo tihye")! After this, he remained outspoken in his strong opposition to the dismantling of Jewish villages in Judea and Samaria.

Outraged after seeing the terror attacks that originated from Gaza which killed and maimed hundreds of Israeli citizens, the rabbi wrote a letter to President George W. Bush who was arriving in Israel on his first official visit in January of 2008. Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu desired to make sure the President was aware of the popular public opinion which does not call for wanting to establish a larger Palestinian self-governing area; he said:

The Jewish nation is eternal, and forever remembers those that have aided it throughout history, as well as those that have done it harm. Please let your name go down in history as a President who aided the Jewish nation, who worked alongside God and not against Him.

The rabbi was spiritual adviser and one of the strongest advocates for Jonathan Pollard had. Pollard, a Jewish man serving a life sentence in the U.S., remains a controversial figure because his punishment has been widely regarded as being excessive, solely for political reasons. Pollard received a life sentence for spying for an ally (Israel), when the maximum sentence today for such an offense is 10 years-and the median sentence for such an offense is only 2 to 4 years.

Pollard has spent 25 years in prison, 7 of which were in solitary confinement, in the harshest prison in the federal U.S. system. On many occasions, Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu has visited Pollard in prison, and frequently wrote letters and appeals on his behalf. Following heart surgery and in his hospital bed, the rabbi wrote President Bush a letter which was hand-delivered to him in Israel. This letter reminded the President that Pollard has languished in American prisons for over 20 years, he pleaded:

"---I urge you to release Jonathan Pollard and to send him home to Jerusalem…I would like to point out that I am willing to act as Jonathan Pollard's guarantor, to take him into my custody and to accept full responsibility for him. I have visited Jonathan in prison on numerous occasions. He is a dignified man, a man of noble sensitivities who is deserving of special consideration.---"

Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu and his wife had four adult children. Their daughter teaches at a religious school for girls. Their oldest son is a rabbi and attorney that works for the Israeli government; their second son is the Chief Rabbi of the city of Safed, and their youngest son is the head of a religious school in Jerusalem. Hakham Eliyahu was one of the voices of reason which remains severely needed to continually counterbalance the growing haredi influence which has been encroaching upon the culture of the office of the Chief Rabbi. The office that Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu once held has morphed into something it was never intended to be, one that forces its opinion based on a paradigm which at one time existed only within the haredi world, and was never part of Torah observant classical Judaism.

Hakham Mordehai Eliyahu will forever be remembered as a shining example of a man who loved and respected the land of Israel, and a man who understood how Jews could live both as part of the modern world and yet remain loyal to the Torah.

Shelomo Alfassa is a scholar of Sephardic Jewry and coordinates Special Projects for the American Sephardi Federation

Mosque at 9/11 Site Would be Jihad Victory Symbol in the USA

2010-05-28T18:42:00.000-04:00

Mosque at 9/11 Site Would be Jihad Victory Symbol in the USA

by Shelomo Alfassa

New York, NY (May 28, 2010) The world should know that the ‘Cordoba Initiative,’ the New York City based organization desiring to construct a massive Islamic house of prayer at ‘Ground Zero,’ has posted on its website, a peculiar and disingenuous statement indicating the desire to bring back the atmosphere of, “interfaith tolerance and respect that we have longed for since Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in harmony and prosperity eight hundred years ago.”

I point this out because contemporary scholarship has clearly demonstrated that there was no ‘harmony’ or ‘prosperity’ for non-Muslims in Islamic Spain. The Cordoba Initiative is attempting to revisit some sort of mythical “tolerance and respect” which never existed.

What is irrefutable is that living under Islam, the non-Muslim population was always mandated to submit to Islam, accept discriminatory laws, and make payment of a mandatory Quranic tax imposed upon every non-Muslim. For a period of about 800 years, most of Spain was ruled by Muslims and this area was known as ‘Al-Andalus.’ Islamic rule ended in 1492, when the city of Granada, the last Muslim kingdom in Western Europe, capitulated to the Spanish Catholics.

The Cordoba Initiative is an organization whose very name makes reference to what was, 1,000 years ago, one of the world’s most advanced cities, Cordoba, Al-Andalus (Spain). This was a city that was politically and religiously dominated by Islam, and a city that was conquered by jihad (holy war). Today, there are Islamic groups such as Al-Qaeda that have a dream of seeing a pan-Islamic world that would extend from old Al-Andalus (Spain). This is based upon Islam’s principle of dar-al-Islam, which means a world where Islamic sovereignty prevails over the citizenry. Dar-al-Islam is attained through jihad and the media is replete with Al- Qaeda’s calls for jihad and their claims to Al-Andalus and its major cities such as Cordoba.

Clearly, Islamic Cordoba was once a city where a number of intellectual Muslims such as Averroes (Ibn-Rushd), influenced European thought with Arab philosophy related to the scientific teachings of Aristotle. In mathematics, the Arabs built upon the foundations of Greek mathematicians. At one point there were dozens of free schools in Cordoba for the education of poor Arabs and at some point there existed some 600 mosques. However, even with all of this scholastic and societal grandeur, the route to get to such a point of magnificence was through violent warfare.

Not only were successive battles for Spanish cities bloody, but desiring more than Spain--the Arabs declared a jihad against France, then crossed the Pyrenees, and in successive swarms spread over the southern regions of the French countryside, slaughtering the Christians by thousands, and burning their churches to the ground before being halted.

We must remember that a practice associated with conquering Islamic armies was the construction of a mosque at the location where their triumphant battle was won. Thus, this modern Islamic organization is seeking to build a mosque at the site of 9/11 attack—an attack which was carried out by 19 Muslim hijackers who considered their mission holy war.

Insomuch, it is this man's opinion that a Muslim house of prayer that would be cemented in the ashes of catastrophe at the foot of New York's lost Twin Towers would be a symbolic victory flag for Muslims who seek the destruction of America. Further, it is my honest opinion that no matter how the construction of a mosque at ‘Ground Zero’ may be perceived by well-meaning Americans, the construction of a mosque on the spot where Al-Qaeda brought jihad to the United States will unquestionably represent victory to the worldwide forces of Radical Islam.

Shelomo Alfassa is a scholar of Judaic life in Islamic and Christian Spain and was
the former U.S. Director of Justice for Jews from Arab Countries