Religious Action Center (RAC) of Union of Reform Judaism highlights NO NUKES FOR IRAN

And Who Said I Could Not Change the World?

Danielle B. Flaum is a junior at Millburn High School, NJ. She is a L'Taken Seminar graduate and an Eisner Camp alumna who loves studying Government and History.

"What you're doing is a mitzvah."

Ambassador Michael Oren's words echoed in my head as he addressed the crowd at the United Jewish Appeal of Metowest's annual Super Sunday fund-raiser phone-a-thon. Israeli Ambassador Oren spoke to the crowd at Super Sunday while holding the NO NUKES FOR IRAN car magnet created by our Teen Advocacy Program (TAP), which is dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about the threat of an Iran with nuclear weapons.

Ambassador Oren not only held the magnet, he endorsed it! He spoke about the imminent threat of an Iran with nuclear weapons, but more importantly to me, he spoke about how essential it is to educate the public with a campaign to stop the Iranians nuclear weapons program now, distributing magnets for cars and raising banners at synagogues to keep awareness going. I was awestruck that something I created was being acknowledged, admired and touted by a national figure.

At the Super Sunday, TAP hosted a table, where we provided facts sheets on our cause, encouraged people to send electronic action alerts to their elected representatives and sold NO NUKES FOR IRAN car magnets. Our group continued to echo its message that the threat of nuclear weapons in the hands of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the number one issue facing Jews in Israel and around the world. We educated attendees that Iran's nuclear weapons program, now known to be active, is a real and serious threat to seven million Jews living in Israel. We stated that the Iranian regime would not hesitate to threaten her neighbors, particularly Israel, with destruction if the program is successful. We reminded people that Iran's regime has made it clear that Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth.

During the morning we met several political figures including Assemblymen, Senators, and local representatives, handing each of them our magnet and describing our project, a majority responding with enthusiasm. In the afternoon, there was a hustle and bustle around the floor as the Governor of New Jersey and the Ambassador from Israel were to arrive shortly. My task was to introduce them to our project and provide them with our NO NUKES FOR IRAN car magnet representing our cause.

Although I was nervous to meet Governor Corzine as he arrived, I took a deep breath and walked through a crowd of people and right up to him, introduced myself and handed him our magnet. He accepted politely and thanked me. I then provided the Governor with some information about our project and he listened attentively, wishing me good luck at the end of our conversation. I really couldn't believe what I had just done, advising Governor Corzine that Iran must be stopped from obtaining nuclear weapons.

I was then made aware that Ambassador Oren was arriving. At first I felt would be rude to just walk up to the Ambassador, especially while UJA board members were waiting to greet him. Yet something told me not to think about that. I watched Ambassador Oren walk through the doorway and, as I focused on the Ambassador, a force inside me simply said 'GO'. I wasn't nervous, I just walked right up to him, shook his hand, and handed him our magnet as I did with every other dignitary. In my wildest dreams I did not expect what happened directly after I introduced myself to Ambassador Oren and handed him that magnet.

The Ambassador's face was suddenly filled with excitement. He was thrilled there was a NO NUKES FOR IRAN car magnet that was part of an educational and awareness campaign against Nuclear Enrichment. As I continued to explain the project, he became more enthralled. I was floored that he was spending his valuable time speaking to a high school student about a global issue. It was evident that we struck a chord with Ambassador Oren.

Then Ambassador Oren took the podium, held up his newest weapon against a Nuclear Enrichment Program and described how this NO NUKES FOR IRAN magnet was exactly what he was looking for. He iterated the importance of other current issues, however, he emphasized the need to make this project, to Stop Iran, the focus of our efforts now! His voice continued to reverberate in my ear as he proclaimed "THIS MADE MY DAY!"

We had a very successful and memorable Super Sunday. We sold and distributed over 170 car magnets at the event. Many dignitaries attended the fund-raiser, making phone calls to raise money for the Jewish community and networking with community members.

But most memorable to me was my encounter with the Ambassador from Israel and to him I say: Ambassador Oren, you made my day.

Posted by Religious Action Center on December 30, 2009 1:10 PM | Permalink

Current events in Iran! Disclaimer - some photos are graphic!

Dear Friends:

If this is how the Islamic Republic of Iran deals with its citizens who peacefully disagree with its policies, then only Lord could help us when Ahmadinejad  has a nuclear weapon in his arsenal and we disagree with him!!! See below photos.

Islamic Republic of Iran provided material support in the U.S. Marine Barracks bombing in Lebanon Killing 241 U.S.  Serviceman as well as Khobar Saudi Arabia’s who killed another 19 U.S. Servicemen,  only to name a few of its terrorist acts.

Nuclear Non Proliferation negotiations with Iran will fail if not already.  People of Iran are no longer protesting voter  irregularities, they want REGIME CHANGE!

Are we wise enough to help ourselves, by helping Iranians to succeed or  we would rather negotiate with Ahmadinejad?

People of Iran need secure communication gear, and stronger international support. They are paying with flesh and blood for Liberty, but  are we willing to help them bring down the largest sponsor of international  terrorism?

Check the below photos and see power of Freedom and Liberty!

Hossein Khorram

 

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AIPAC Keeps us updated on the latest news!

Ahmadinejad Dismisses U.S. Deadline for Nuke Deal

Iran is pressing ahead with its efforts to enrich uranium.

Iran's president this week dismissed a year-end deadline set by the Obama administration and the West for Tehran to accept a U.N.-drafted deal to swap enriched uranium for nuclear fuel, and claimed his government is now "10 times stronger" than a year ago, the Associated Press reported. The international community can give Iran "as many deadlines as they want, we don't care," Ahmadinejad said in a speech to thousands of supporters. President Barack Obama has set a rough deadline of the end of this year for Iran to respond to an offer of dialogue and show that it will allay fears of weapons development. Washington and its allies are warning of new, tougher sanctions on Iran if it doesn't respond. Learn more about the importance of Iran sanctions.

House Votes 412-12 to Pass Major Iran Sanctions Bill

Iran is vulnerable to sanctions on refined petroleum.

By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 412-12, the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act (IRPSA), which strengthens the president's authority to tell anyone who sells, ships or insures refined petroleum to Iran that they cannot do business in the United States. Iran is one of the largest oil exporters in the world, but because the theocratic regime in Tehran has grossly mismanaged the country's economy, Iran must import refined petroleum-gasoline for cars, etc. IRPSA targets this vulnerability. The House vote comes after Iran has repeatedly spurned President Obama's diplomatic overtures, instead choosing to press ahead with its efforts to enrich uranium-a key step toward building an atomic bomb.

The Senate is also moving ahead with its Iran sanctions bill. On Oct. 29, by a vote of 23 to 0, the Senate Banking Committee passed the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act (S. 2799), which includes the IRPSA (H.R. 2194) provisions. The bill awaits a vote by the full Senate.

Iran Making Advanced Centrifuges for Nuke Program

Iran continues its uranium enrichment program.

The head of Iran's nuclear program on Friday said the country is developing more efficient models of centrifuges to enrich uranium, the Associated Pressreported. "We are currently producing [a] new generation of centrifuges named IR3 and IR4," said Vice President Ali Akbar Salehi. "We hope to use them by early 2011 after resolving problems and defects." The move reflects Iran's ongoing defiance of the international community and its determination to advance its nuclear program despite repeated U.N. Security Council resolutions to halt its uranium enrichment, the key step required in producing nuclear weapons. The announcement comes just days after the House of Representatives passed the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act, major legislation aimed at limiting Iran's ability to import and produce refined petroleum products.

An Informative Letter

Iran: Statements by Israeli leaders - Dec 2009 15 Dec 2009 We see that the Russians are aligning themselves with the position of the United States and the European countries regarding sanctions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon in Asharq Alawsat oped - "An Open Letter to the Arab World" (15 Dec 2009): For the first time in many years, we find ourselves on the same side in seeking to quell and defeat the forces of extremism and destruction in our region. While many see the threat from Iran directed solely at Israel, we in the region know differently. Together, we understand the menace that emanates from the extremist regime in Tehran. A regime that seeks to export its extremist ideology across the region and beyond, while arming terrorist groups that seek to destabilize moderate Sunni regimes and aiming for hegemonic control of the Middle East and far beyond. The Iranian regime has many tentacles spread out across the region sowing destruction and despair amongst the people. The enemy of the people of Lebanon is not Israel, but Hizbullah. The enemy of the Palestinian people is not Israel, but Hamas. The enemy of the Egyptian people is not Israel, but militant Islamist opposition groups. All of these groups, and many others, receive their commands from Iran, who wish to control and suppress any aspirations the region has towards freedom and advancement. Iran seeks to hold an entire region, including its own people, to ransom and keep it engaged in conflicts orchestrated and directed from Tehran. Whether it is in Morocco, Iraq or Yemen, Iran is constantly interfering with Arab sovereignty for their own nefarious gain. Israel and its Sunni neighbors alike are in the sights of Khameini, Ahmadinejad and their minions. If Iran is able to attain nuclear weapons, the situation becomes inexplicably and inexorably worse. The Iranian regime has demonstrated that if feels unrestricted in its ability to dominate our region, a nuclear umbrella will only embolden its acolytes to act unrestrained to the detriment of us all. Only together can we face this threat and remove it. FM Liberman interview on Reka Radio (11 Dec 2009): We cannot ignore Iran’s devil-may-care attitude toward international opinion. The solution will be implemented, irrespective of Israel's fears or Israel's attitude towards Iran. I think that countries in the "five plus one" format (i.e., five permanent UN members plus Germany) cannot afford to be ignored. In recent months there have been changes in Russia. In Italy, we heard President Medvedev speak during his meeting with Berlusconi. Medvedev repeated that Russia would be ready to take sanctions against Iran, if Iran refuses to accept suggestions that were formulated during the Geneva talks. What would the result of these sanctions be? The atmosphere in Iran is not quiet and not stable. Recently we've seen repeated protests and rallies. Sanctions of this kind can obviously accelerate the process of the internal change-over in Iran. Now, the dissatisfaction with Ahmadinejad's regime has reached its peak. We've seen it now and we saw it after the elections. One more push is needed, that will provide the right impetus. I think that such sanctions will produce a social shock, which will prevent warfare. The Ayatollah's regime will simply crash, and normal and sane political leaders will replace that. FM Liberman interview on Israel Radio (2 Dec 2009): I think that today there is a clear understanding in Russia about Iranian policy, as Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov told me at our meeting yesterday. But besides that, what we see in Russia is that they are once again disappointed by the Iranian position, and they are not hiding their pessimism about the possibility of reaching some kind of arrangement with Iran. We see that the Russians are aligning themselves with the position of the United States and the European countries regarding sanctions. The format of 5+1 represents a uniform stance and we also saw President Obama and President Medvedev at their joint appearance, having the exact same position regarding engagement with the Iranians. Also on the subject of the Russian missiles, they are delaying them and not supplying the missiles, as we understand from the Iranian announcements. They did not supply the missiles to the Iranians and today the Russian position is much closer to that of the United States than ever before, at least since I have been dealing with the issue of Iran. I did not hear anything concrete from the Russians regarding sanctions against Iran, but we heard disappointment and a fair amount of pessimism. It is clear that the decision will be made in the next two weeks at the meeting of the 5+1 - the five permanent Security Council countries plus Germany. This is disturbing to everyone; I wish to reemphasize that everyone was talking about Iran at all the meetings with leaders of all the countries. I think there is awareness not just in the European countries, but among all who attended the OSCE conference in Athens, and there were also many Asian countries there, and the United States and Canada. Absolutely everyone is concerned and aware of the dangers of the Iranian issue; everyone is waiting for the international community's response, for it to adopt an uncompromising position. Ahmadinejad's speech yesterday was considered a kind of slap in the face to the entire international community, and it will be very interesting to see what the reaction will be. Interview with President Peres on BBC "Hard Talk" in Persian (1 Dec 2009): Correspondent: I would like to move on to the Iranian nuclear issue. You say, and many Israeli statesmen say, repeatedly, that the Iranian nuclear program is a threat to the world. Iran and many others in the region have the same sentiments about the Israeli nuclear capability. Would you be prepared to commit Israel to a nuclear-free Middle East? Pres. Peres: It should be free from threat and free from war, and then it can be free from nuclear capacities too. But the problem with Iran is not just its nuclear capacity. It is the only member of the United Nations that openly threatened to destroy another member of the United Nations, Israel. It is against the charter and it is against peace. The issue is this combination of nuclear weapons, terroristic activity, support of terroristic activities elsewhere, supply of arms, and the threat to destroy another country. Do you know any country that Israel threatens to destroy or to harm? We don't consider anybody as our enemy. Iran is not our enemy. Islam is not our enemy. The enemies are only the violent, extremist, fanatic people like Ahmadinejad. What sort of person is he that he denies the Holocaust? Does he know? Has he been there? It is totally irresponsible, aggressive, unthinking. It is a shame. And I am sure many Iranian people are ashamed of this combination of the denial of the Holocaust, the call to destroy a country, the supply of arms to Hamas and the supply of arms to Hizbullah. It's a combination. So it's not enriched uranium - it is enriched violence. And also, one watches the situation in Iran itself - the discrimination of women, the unemployment. We know Iran as a culture. Persia is a story in history. Look at what he did to it. He put a great culture to shame. He converted Iran into a worry instead of a model. Even the government admitted that there were 15 million people in Iran who voted against this terrible system. So the problem is not Iran, even not just the nuclear attempt, but the overall picture of violence, of extremism, of hatred, of threats. They cannot be separated. Correspondent: Mr. President, many of the issues that you touched upon about Iran, are of course domestic issues of Iran, but in terms of regional issues, if we look at Iran's record, Iran has not invaded or attacked any of its neighbors in the past 200 years. Now if we remove the rhetoric, and I am not trying to defend the rhetoric at all, but if the rhetoric is removed do you still think that Iran should be a priority as a security concern for the world? Pres. Peres: Not Iran, Ahmadinejad. There were different governments during the 200 years. We are not fighting the Iranian people, we are fighting a most unusual phenomena. You won't find any other system, and a leader who is so outspokenly negative, insulting and inconsiderate in the world. And it's not only us; most of the Arab world is concerned about it. It is not a matter of 200 years: It is 10 years, 15 years, that's it. And I am sure that the Iranian people will judge him. And I agree that this is a decision for the Iranian people to make. Why waste energy on hatred? Why waste resources in vain? Let's invest it in the future of our children, not in the future of missiles or of enriched uranium. They don't have a future. The world will not have a single solution that results from a nuclear option. Israel Amb Shalev to the UN General Assembly (1 Dec 2009): We must also confront the most dangerous threat to peace in our region, namely Iran. Iran continues to export violence, hatred, and terrorism to our region and beyond; the 360 tons of weapons aboard the Francop are merely a drop in the ocean. Iran funds, trains, and supports global terrorism, including Hamas' and Hizbullah's relentless attacks against Israeli men, women and children. Iran must be stopped.

AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION!

TAKE ACTION:

URGE YOUR CONGRESSMAN TO ACT QUICKLY AND ENSURE THE PASSAGE OF IRAN SACTIONS BILL

The House of Representatives is likely to vote on the Iran Refined Petroleum Sanctions Act – IRPSA, (H.R. 2194) before departing for their December Break. This important action comes at a time when Iran is refusing to seriously engage with the United States and other world powers and suspend its uranium enrichment program. Last week, Iran rejected the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors resolution calling on Iran to suspend its nuclear activities, and vowed to build ten additional enrichment plants.

The legislation contains sanctions curtailing Iran’s ability to import and produce refined petroleum, measures which could be implemented if Iran rejects U.S. overtures and continues to enrich uranium in defiance of five U.N. Security Council resolutions. Since Iran must import up to 40 percent of its refined petroleum, curtailing its access to gasoline and diesel fuel could have a severe impact on the Iranian economy, forcing the regime to confront a real choice: continue its illicit nuclear program and risk economic ruin OR suspend the program and open the door to relief from sanctions. As President Obama said, “If Iran does not take steps in the near future to live up to its obligations, then the United States will not continue to negotiate indefinitely, and we are prepared to move towards increased pressure.”

As we celebrate the Jewish holiday of Chanukah approaches, perhaps the most important message of the celebration is found in the meaning of its name - dedication. When Jews have joined together through faith and action and dedicated themselves to a cause, we have prevailed. At this critical juncture in history, we must sustain our dedication to thwarting an Iranian nuclear weapons program. A nuclear weapon in the hands of the Iranian regime poses a grave threat to world peace.

Urge Congressmen to Act Quickly and Ensure the Passage of Iran Sanctions Bill 

The House of Representatives is likely to vote on IRPSA before departing for their December break. This legislation contains sanctions curtailing Iran’s ability to import and produce refined petroleum. The important action comes at a time when Iran rejected the IAEA resolution calling on Iran to suspend its nuclear activities, and vowed to build ten additional enrichment plants.

Send an advocacy letter to your Representative.

Please go to the link below, submit you zip code and then send a letter to your congressman.  It will take less than 60 seconds!

http://engage.jewishpublicaffairs.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1370

Israeli Ambassador Oren holds the NO NUKES FOR IRAN magnet as he states this made my day!

NO NUKES FOR IRAN Teen Advocacy Program (TAP) gets Ambassador Oren's Endorsement

Oren: ‘I believe in your mitzva’

Back home in the community where he was raised, Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, greeted Super Sunday volunteers with a warning about the high stakes facing supporters of Israel.

He framed his brief remarks by holding up a “No Nukes for Iran” car magnet distributed at the event by members of the Teen Advocacy Program of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Essex County Section.

“I was particularly gratified to walk in and be greeted by three wonderful young people who gave me this. This just made my day,” said Oren, who said he would like to see such advocacy become a priority at every American-Jewish institution.

“Why don’t we have banners like this on our JCCs?” he said. “I’m very gratified to see there are often banners on Hillels and Jewish community centers that say, ‘End the genocide in Darfur’ or ‘End the plague of AIDS in Africa.’ All of that is important and it’s important that we as Jews stand up for that.

“But where are the stickers, where are the banners that say, ‘Stop the Iranian bomb’?” he continued. “This represents a threat to a country of seven million people — seven million people in the State of Israel whose future safety and security are jeopardized by a regime that threatens to wipe us off the map and is assiduously working to acquire the nuclear military capability for doing that.”

On a lighter note, Oren joked about the state where he was raised: “I spend more of my time defending New Jersey than defending Israel.”

The ambassador was introduced by his former rabbi, Stanley Asekoff of B’nai Shalom in West Orange. The audience included Oren’s wife, Sally, and his parents, Marilyn and Lester Bornstein, who still reside in West Orange.

Local politicians came out to show their support and make phone calls, including Freeholder-at-large Pat Sebold, who comes every year but skipped 2008 because she was hospitalized. Fully recovered, she said, “I’m happy to be back.”

Gov. Jon Corzine arrived around noon and praised the local Jewish community for its commitment to philanthropy.

“It’s something that’s inspiring to those of us who care deeply about public life and about having a better world to live in. I believe in your mitzva,” he said, “and I believe what you are doing is for the right and benefit of all of us.”

Corzine, who relinquishes the governorship to Republican Chris Christie next month, thanked the community for working so closely with him on issues like Darfur and promised, “I will be back.”

Other dignitaries who attended Super Sunday were Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen; State Sen. Tom Kean, Jr.; Assembly members Mila Jasey, Jon Bramnick, and Tom Giblin; Freeholder Jack Shrier; Mayors Victor Deluca of Maplewood, Sandra Haimoff of Millburn, Joseph Tempesta Jr. of West Caldwell, and V. Nelson Vaughan III of Chatham; Council members Tim Smith of Roxbury and Gary Schneiderman of Livingston; Deputy Mayor Arlene Johnson of Livingston; and Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontura.

— JOHANNA GINSBERG

Super Sunday (12/6/09)

Anna Lieberman, Assemblyman Bramnick, Nina Yaverbaum, Danielle Flaum, Chair of TAP

Anna Lieberman, Danielle Flaum, Nina Yaverbaum, Jim Daniels

Senator Tom Kean Jr., Anna Lieberman, Danielle Flaum and Nina Yaverbaum

Nina Yaverbaum, Danielle Flaum, Anna Lieberman

Danielle, Anna and Governor Corzine

Danielle Flaum, Melisa Rayvid, Anna Lieberman discussing why Iran cannot have nuclear weapons!

Anna, Danielle meeting Israeli Ambassador Oren

Danielle Flaum presenting Ambassador Oren the NO NUKES FOR IRAN CAR MAGNET

Melisa, Danielle and Ambassador Oren, look at his face!

Anna, Melisa and Danielle listen to the Ambassador state, "you made my day, this project is amazing!"

Nancy Kislin Flaum, advisor of TAP, thanking Ambassador Oren for his endorsement of the project!

NO NUKES FOR IRAN Teen Advocacy Program (TAP) sells Magnets

No Nukes for Iran Magnets for your car.

Each magnet is just  $3.

Buy 10 magnets for just $28

Need a great new fundraiser for your Youth Group contact us for a discount bulk rate on NO NUKES FOR IRAN magnets.

No Nukes for Iran Teen Advocacy Campaign Kickoff Meeting with Jim Daniels