Reform Jewish leader asks Lutherans not to `demonize' Israel

AP ^ | 8/11/5 | RACHEL ZOLL

[SmithL]

ORLANDO -- The leader of the largest branch of American Judaism, speaking at a time of heightened tension between Protestants and Jews over Israeli policy toward the Palestinians, urged a national Lutheran meeting Thursday not to ``demonize'' the Jewish state.

Rabbi Eric Yoffie told delegates from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that his Union for Reform Judaism shared Protestants' desire for an end to Palestinian suffering. But despite any mistakes Israel has made, the nation still had a right to defend itself against ``the indiscriminate killing of her civilians,'' he said.

``Others will not always see the conflict as we see it,'' Yoffie said. ``But what we have asked of our many friends in the Christian world is simply this: please do not minimize the impact of terror and do not demonize or isolate Israel, as if, somehow, she alone were responsible for the current conflict.''

Several Protestant groups around the world have outraged Jewish leaders by discussing divestment from companies that profit from Israeli policy in the Palestinian territories.

[SmithL]

Well, Rabbi Yoffie, ELCA leadership has shown no interest in listening to either the Bible or those of us in the pews. Good luck in getting them to listen to you.

[polymuser]

The first Jew to ever address the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, he was invited to help the denomination honor the 350th anniversary of Jewish settlement in the United States.

And the last.

[hinckley buzzard]

Some months back "The Lutheran" published an article highlighting Michael Lerner, the socialist secular "Jew" who hates Israel and perhaps Jewry itself, on the Middle East issues. This is the kind of Jew the Lutheran oligarchy wants to hear from. Not from anyone normal, and certainly not from a Jew who actually has religious leanings.

[hlmencken3]

...urged a national Lutheran meeting Thursday not to ``demonize'' the Jewish state...

TOO LATE! Revelations 3:9 "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews..."

[claudiustg]

The ELCA should be collectively ashamed of itself. During the Holocaust many Lutheran ministers wore pins on their vestments signifying Nazi party membership. That a Jew should have to come to a Lutheran conference now and beg them not to demonize Israel is outrageous and shameful.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..........................................

[rmlew]

TOO LATE! Revelations 3:9 "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews...
Any reason why you cute the quote short?
you forgot "ND ARE NOT, BUT DO LIE,".

[hlmencken3]

Demonizing Jews was the subject. That was the first of several New Testament passages identifying Jews to Satan that came to mind.

The quote in its context is pretty clear: Pharisaic Jews are satanic.

Mincha soon.

[rmlew]

1. You are saying that current Pharasaic/Rabbinic Jews (99%) are Satanic?
2. Does this only apply to Perushim or does it also apply to Saducees and their successors the Karaites?

[hlmencken3]

LOL

You'd have to ask a Christian.

Noch a yid hier!

[APRPEH]

who is Yoffie to say this. only reform jews get can have an opinion. the mainstream christian church organizations are antijew for their opinions, thinking israel is south africa. however, they have a right to be stupid just as much as the reform movement does to be inconsistent and illogical. they have helped bring this on.

http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:FwLTnY89-0AJ:www.btvshalom.org/actionalerts/aa08-04.shtml+The+Reform+Movement+urged+%22the+American+government+to+stay+actively+involved+in+moving+the+peace+process+and+negotiations+forward+toward+a+two-state+solution.&hl=en