Adventures at AIPAC in DC and an Invite to Come Along Next Time

      One of the things I liked best about my recent AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) experience was the unifying impact it had.  I was with fellow Conservative Jews from across the nation (the largest movement represented as usual), plus wonderful Reform, Reconstructionist and Orthodox colleagues and congregants, Democrats, Reputlicans, even supportive Christians from various denomiations.The time I spent with Adas Kodesch leadership was particularly enjoyable -- especially my colleague, friend and dance partners, Orthodox-ordained Rabbi Steven Saks, and his lovely wife, Anne.
     During our day of lobbying on the Hill, I found our Congressional delegation (Carney-Carper-Coons) was well-informed and very supportive of the three points we were advocating for:
1. Israeli's foreign aid package (including the Iron Dome missile defense system which has already saved lives),
2. More effective and enforced sanctions to create a peaceful means to stop Iran from creating nuclear bombs, and
3. Saying no to an un-reformed Hamas joining the Palestinian Authority while simultaneously calling for immediate direct peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis, as opposed to an attempt to by-pass difficult negotiations with a unilateral declaration of Palestinian Statehood at the United Nations as part of a larger plan to delegitimize Israel.  To each of our Senators and Congressman, I personally stressed the need for serious US government -funded education initatives to create a climate for peace among both Israeli and Palestinian populations, with a special emphasis to reduce incitement among the Palestinians, and for each side to better understand and appreciate the narrative of the other side at all levels of society, but especially among the young -- the future.    
     As a result of my time at AIPAC, Rep. John Carney, Beth Shalom's neighbor, has already enthusiastically agreed to come to our synagogue as a first-time speaker and share his recent Israel experiences with us during Shabbat services.  We are working on a time now.
     I loved our Beth Shalom team who came this year: Seth Bloom, Marla Cooper, Jerry and Renee Covin, Nicole, Stuart and Suzy Grant, Ken Kamm, Jeff Metz and Michael Sigman.  Who was I missing? YOU!  So please take a moment to read Marla Cooper's email. There is a deadline by the end of this week which takes almost half off the regisration price for next year's March 4-6, AIPAC Policy Conference 2012. If you are interested in joining me and Marla and most of this year's delegation, just follow Marla's email links below and you can be registered in a few minutes.  This experience is so worth your while until we can go back to Israel on another synagogue trip.
     Please also take time to read the transcript of Prime Minister Netanyahu's address to the joint session of the House and Senate, paying particular attention to his references to President Obama's speech.  I am convinced that AIPAC provided an opportunity for both men to find harmony in language which helped narrow the gap between them -- a gap which detractors of the US-Israel relationship would only seek to exploit.  As they said repeatedly at our conference: US and Israel: Better Together.
    Warmly,
    Rabbi Michael
(read on!)

Dear friends,

Although I was tempted to send this email to every Jewish person I know, I opted instead to send it to those friends I know have a particularly strong connection to Israel, an unyielding commitment to ensuring her safety and security and the desire to help us impact future US policy towards Israel.   I just returned from the 2011 Policy Conference in Washington D.C. and I can honestly say it was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.  The last time you probably heard me say this was upon my return from Israel and this experience was right up there.

There are many reasons attending this conference was a profound experience.  I won’t go into all those reasons here but I will share the most important reason…I, along with other members of our delegation lobbied members of congress from the state of Delaware.  We educated them on how important it is to support Israel and the specific ways their support will keep Israel safe and secure.  Our delegation, after being briefed by AIPAC officials and provided Talking Points, met with  Senator Carper, Senator Coons and Representative Carney to “lobby” them on specific issues asking for their support by co-sponsoring legislation/resolutions under consideration in the house and senate.  We got commitments from all three. 

A most rewarding aspect of this experience was that we were able to educate and inform them regarding aspects of the current situation they were not aware of.  This information will undoubtedly strengthen their resolve and commitment to supporting Israel now and in the future. 

Before this conference I had no idea how important AIPAC is to the US/Israel relationship.  AIPAC is the single most important organization in ensuring this relationship stays strong.  There is no more impactful thing you can do to show your support for this relationship than to support AIPAC.  Supporting AIPAC is not simply about giving money.  It is about doing something.  That something can start by attending the 2012 Policy Conference and joining our delegation to lobby members of congress.

Please, please, please join me and others from our synagogue for next year’s conference (if you sign up now it’s only $299 instead of $500).   This year our delegation was 25 individuals from Delaware, up 50%+ from the year before.  Our senators and congressmen took notice of our numbers and it had real impact….they said so.  We need to increase those numbers again for next year.  Please help us and help Israel.

We lobbied members of congress immediately following PM Netanyahu’s speech to congress…here it is http://ironicsurrealism.blogivists.com/2011/05/24/transcript-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-speech-joint-meeting-of-u-s-congress-may-24-2011/

To learn about this year’s Policy Conference: http://www.aipac.org/pc/

Please consider joining us next March for the 2012 Policy Conference by registering at : https://aipac.secure.force.com/ddp_publiceventregistration?event=EV000004

Thank you. 

P.S.  Please share this.

Marla