We Support Our Troops
June 11 , 2007
Our synagogue recently witnessed the convergence of two independent but related events. A well-known Jewish organization had asked our synagogue to promote a documentary that portrayed Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib as innocent victims, undeserving of being in prison, and the American military as a malevolent organization that encouraged the torture of prisoners.
At the same time, one of our members, Aaron Ross, requested permission to actively promote a charity drive for soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rabbi Lobel's response was direct and immediate. During the Sabbath services, he strongly promoted the charity drive. America , he said, “is a country built on Hesed.” It is our obligation, he continued, to support the troops who protect our freedoms through their sacrifice.
At the same time, Rabbi Lobel made clear to the Jewish organization that he would not participate in any activity that could harm American soldiers on the field of battle. For those who wondered how a documentary could harm American soldiers, he reminded them that Newsweek's fabricated story of American soldiers at Guantanamo Bay flushing a Koran down the toilet had sparked fatal worldwide riots.
We are proud to support our troops. In both word and deed, we support our troops.
If you would like to support our troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, we recommend you visit the American Recreational Military Services at www.supportarms.org.
- editor
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