A Miami synagogue is the center of controversy this week for canceling an appearance by Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chair of the Democratic National Committee. The president of Temple Israel there said the invitation for her to speak after Friday night services was cancelled due to “security concerns.” But, as the Miami Herald reports, it’s no secret the real reason is that a prominent member of the synagogue had resigned because he was told there would be no equal time on the program for a Republican.
Wasserman Schultz and the Democrats are representing this as an attempt to prevent her voice from being heard and an instance of Republicans injecting politics into the situation. But the truth is just the opposite. As the congresswoman says, constituents should be able to hear their representative, but the Reform synagogue is not in her district. Even if it was, inviting an intensely partisan figure such as the DNC chair to speak at a religious service during an election year is inappropriate. Sabbath services should not be turned into rallies for the Democratic Party or President Obama or occasions for trashing the GOP, because we all know all too well that is what happens every time DWS opens her mouth. The same principle would apply were it House Majority Leader Eric Cantor being imposed on the congregation.
Religious institutions with tax-exempt status are forbidden from conducting partisan activities, but this is a rule that is often observed in the breach in some communities, especially where one party predominates. The use of inner city African-American churches as platforms for Democratic politicians seeking to mobilize voters is a tradition that few question. The same is true in some evangelical churches for conservatives. That predominantly liberal American Jewish institutions would be tempted to play the same game is hardly surprising. But though Republicans are a minority in most Jewish communities, they still exist. In the case of Temple Israel, 85-year-old philanthropist Stanley Tate, the co-chair of the Romney campaign in Miami-Dade county is, or was, a member and asked to be able to respond to Wasserman Schultz’s remarks. When he was told that he couldn’t, he quite understandably resigned from the synagogue. Faced with the choice of losing a cherished and generous member, or an appearance by DWS, the temple discovered a “security problem” that forced their cancellation of the congresswoman’s visit.
Tate will be criticized for throwing his weight around and so will the temple leadership (the president is a prominent Democrat) for caving in to him. But Tate should never have been put in that position to begin with. Synagogues and churches should stay away from allowing their services to be commandeered by partisans, especially during a presidential election in which the considerable Jewish vote in Florida may be up for grabs.
The problem here though is not just poor judgment on the part of Temple Israel but the assumption on the part of many liberal Jews that there is no difference between their faith and their political party. Though the old joke persists that Reform Jews define Judaism as the Democratic Party platform with holidays thrown in, Republican and independent members of Reform synagogues are rightly under the impression that they are there to practice their faith, not cheer for the Democrats. While we don’t blame Wasserman Schultz for seeking any opportunity to address an audience, Temple Israel owes Tate an apology. Other religious institutions similarly tempted to play politics in this manner should take a lesson from their embarrassment and resolve to keep partisanship out of the sanctuary at least until November.
I remember a few years back when Palestinian spokespeople were invited to be guests on news programs and took every opportunity to spin like Whirling Dervishes. Their strident and uncompromising propaganda soon wore out its welcome … yet the Democrats have styled their messaging in the exact same manner. And while the devotees of the faith will cheer their spokespeople, most Americans see through the obvious dis-ingenuousness. n nThe popular Leftist notion that everything is propaganda is a lie. Propaganda seeks to take the truth and try to convince people that the opposite is true. Obama claims government spending is down! WOW! How stupid does he think we are?
We resigned from our Temple because of the partisan nature of ou rabbinate. When we told them in our resignation letter why we are leaving, the Rabbi's response was simply that his activities were a reflection of his upbringing (he is a member of JStreet). You are right that Jews confuse their religion and politics, especially the Reform movement. It was a very hard decision to make, leaving our Temple, but ultimately i think self-respect is more important.
good for you , j street is anti jewish anti israel and anti zionism, if there was another Holocaust ngod forbid, they would not be spared because they opposed Israel. nthese short sighted rabbis need to give their heads a shake. n n n
As one who daily worries about Israel's very survival, I'm thrilled that the egregious Chair of the DNC was barred from speaking in a Temple. She and another Florida Congressmember, Robert Wexler, did incalcuable harm in 2008 by marathon campaigning for Obama in heavily Jewish neighborhoods and condos throughout the state, in other states with significant Jewish populations and on TV and radio shows. They had the temerity to say Obama would be a staunch supporter of Israel when even then it was obvious he'd be no such person. n I find it disgraceful that they and other Jewish Senators and Congressmembers have betrayed Israel time and again by their strict adherance to the Democrat line that Obama is a friend of Israel. What a lie.
LOL! n nIt never ceases to amaze me how many members of the Jewish faith continue to support a Democratic Party that has long since been fundamentally transformed into the clearly antisemitic progressive party…. n nOy vey
I agree… I have no reason why a person of Jewish decent would vote for any democrat? it's puzzling to me and would seem that the GOP would be better suited…
It was after all the DIMS who announced a few years ago that if Conservative Pastors preached about political issues in the lead-up to an election that a FELONY was committed. In spite of the FIRST AMENDMENT being a double guarantee of their right to Protected Speech, regarding Govt activities, etc. And in spite of Dim politicians flooding to Liberal Black Church pulpits all through that time! nOne of these days, the Dim Marxist Liberals will walk into a church and go to the pulpit and experience ACTS 5. NONE TOO SOON!
Disgraceful behavior by all. Un American, contrary to Freedom of Speech, AND contrary to Jewish Values AND the Values of Temple Israel. 13 billion dollars will be spent electing a President, regardless of who wins, can either candidate act i dependently, and not be beholden to anyone. The congregation is fully able to viice disagreement. Mr. Tate's money won out. Just another little Jewish reminder of the threat to our liberty by the Citizens United Decision! n nWe will not loose our Freedom, we will sell it!………As an aside, I support Romney! Shame! n
What is Un-American? That they would not allow a member to represent the opposing side? Or, not allowing Wasserman-Schultz, the epitome of a hatemonger, to spew her hate? Please, be specific…..You have the right to speak, but I believe you are not to give "political" speeches in a house of worship….of course, that ethical rule was broken decades by the likes of Rev. Wright. Or, do you oppose it because you are a hyper partisan?
Disgraceful behavior by all. Un American
Because Romney never spoke at Liberty University, and the GOP never uses religious institutions to push their agenda, huh? LOL
Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a hack and I think it's funny that Obama is also ready to get ride of her as well as she seems to fallen in disfavor lately.
The American Community has been, on the whole, terribly mismanaged for many decades. For example, in Los Angeles, The Jewish Federation is quick to layoff Jewish employees in good standing while keeping African American and Latino employees in place.It is shocking actually, but not altogether surprising that Jewish American organizations discriminate against Jews. What is more, many programs implemented with donations from people’s wills designed to help low income Jewish Americans, find their way into the hands of the general community. How would you feel if after a long life you left millions of dollars to an organization designed to help low income Jewish seniors pay their utility bills only to end up funding an army of drooling anti semites, with your hard earned money. What a disgrace, what degenerates and they promote intermarriage too. The Community is nearly destroyed at this point. Democrat or Republican, who cares. Get Obama out as soon as possible and get Obama Lite with Romney. If he Picks Rice for his VP choice I will puke.
The "American Community"? Huh?
Is it true, as reported in some versions of this story, that the barring of Mr, Tate from speaking came at the impetus of the Democratic Party? n nIn the mean time, a Jewish Federation in Ohio sponsored a talk by a Democratic judge sharing her impressions, as a female African American Christian, of her recent trip to Israel. Apart from a gratuitous slam at Orthodox Judaism, the impressions were largely favorable. But she made sure to tell the crowd that Israelis told her that they view Obama as the best friend they have had in the White House in years, and not to believe wreports to the contrary in the US press.
the left will not keep partisanship out of the sanctuary.
I belong to an Orthodox synagogue and politicians show up every Friday night before the election.
I’ve been accused — in synagogue — for being an enemy of the Jewish people because I don’t toe the right wing extremist line on settlements. Those who claim to object to synagogues being used for political purposes need also to object to the current use of many as organization arms for the Israeli Right.