Rabbi Lawrence Groffman, Temple Sholom, Cedar Grove, NJ highlights NO NUKES FOR IRAN at Shabbat Services on March 19, 2010

Two of my most powerful memories are of my parents coming home from Yom Kippur services in 1973, when I was seven years old, tearfully reporting that Israel had been attacked, and eighteen years later, feeling profound fear when Iraqi SCUD missiles landed in Tel Aviv.

Both of those moments made me feel that Israel was facing an existential threat. Although as a seven year old, I could not articulate it that way, I certainly could as a twenty-five year old. And I most certainly can now, especially when I consider the threat that Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon poses to the security of the United States and Israel.

Possession of a nuclear weapon will only embolden Iran to continue its heinous acts—supporting terrorists, including those who have killed American soldiers (recall the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983, for example), denying human and political rights to its own people, financing and training of Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad and the list goes on.

Nothing good can possibly come from Iran’s attaining a nuclear weapon. Even if it never intends to use it, the bomb will only make it feel more able to pursue its nefarious agenda. And it would not be surprising if Iran gave nuclear weapons to terrorists who might try to smuggle them into our country.

I do not believe that we can afford to minimize the risk of a nuclear weapon in the hands of Iran. I hope that our government and other governments impose tough sanctions on Iran and that businesses will divest from Iran.

We can all do our part: go to www.nonukesforiran.org to learn more about how you can get involved and go to www.uani.com to send messages to companies encouraging them to divest.

Now is the time.

Rabbi Laurence W. Groffman

Temple Sholom of West Essex

Cedar Grove, NJ 07009

Danielle and Amit stand with the NO NUKES FOR IRAN products at the Evangelical Church Conference!

Lots of magnets and buttons were sold at the Conference!  Thank you Eagle's Wings.  

Danielle and Israeli exchange student Amit stand up for NO NUKES FOR IRAN at Eagles' Wings Evangelical Church Conference!

Eagles' Wings brought together 2,000 people for a weekend conference.  Danielle addressed a crowd regarding the critical issue of NO NUKES FOR IRAN.

Rabbi Jack Moline, Director of Policy, The Rabbinical Assembly states, "Feel the pride in these young people who have taken on the task of awakening a consciousness in their peers and others to the unacceptability of a nuclear Iran."

Earlier this year, I participated in a panel at the Jewish Educators Assembly convention.  I was there to discuss public advocacy, and I was asked what the most important issue of the day was.  This issue – preventing a nuclear Iran – was the one I chose.  But it may be that my reasons are not the same as yours, so I appreciate your willingness to read a little more.

Of course, we should be concerned that a government with mortal hostility toward Israel has the potential and proximity to cause a genocidal disaster.  In and of itself, this reason is enough to raise an outcry and take deterrent action.

But there are those who argue that the risks to Iran of a nuclear attack on Israel are much greater than the benefits.  No bomb is “smart” enough to select its victims; not only Israelis and not only Jews would be the victims of such an attack – if it were even successful in reaching Israel.  Retaliation would be certain.  Perhaps that would deter Iran.

I can’t pretend to know the mind of Iran’s leaders.  But we have plenty of evidence that the availability of weapons is a virtual guarantee that they will wind up in the hands of terrorists, pirates and profiteers.  Israel, but not only Israel, would be the target of murderous attacks by groups and individuals funded and armed by the Iranians.  We know it already!  The existing weapons in the Middle East are in the hands of Hezbollah, Hamas, the Islamic Brotherhood and others, with much evidence pointing to Iran’s involvement.  Other terrorist groups, on the left and the right, willing to disrupt Western countries and cultures, are already in the market for advanced weaponry and ready to “shop” in Tehran.

A nuclear bomb in the hands of Iran adds an unacceptable level of anxiety to Israel’s security concerns.  But the ability to build, sell and distribute nuclear weapons is a direct threat to Israel and to any nation unwilling to ally itself with the goals of Iranian extremism.

Feel the pride in these young people who have taken on the task of awakening a consciousness in their peers and others to the unacceptability of a nuclear Iran.  Follow their lead in building a consensus among Americans and people of good will around the world to isolate and frustrate Iranian nuclear aspirations.  Hard work with them now will help to secure a more peaceful world for all of us later.

Rabbi Jack Moline, Director of Public Policy, The Rabbinical Assembly

Ambassador thanks the teens for their dedication and enthusiasm!

Rich Flaum, Sally Oren, Michelle Bauer, Marisa Blackburn, Ambassador Oren, 

Danielle Flaum, Nancy Kislin Flaum

NO NUKES FOR IRAN presents Israeli Ambassador Oren a banner!

Michelle, Marisa, Israeli Ambassador Oren, Danielle Flaum

Ambassador Michael Oren meets with NO NUKES FOR IRAN teens in his study at the Israeli Embassy

Ambassador Oren, Sally Oren, Rich Flaum, Michelle Bauer, Marisa Blackburn, Danielle Flaum

Teens present to Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of Religious Action, Israeli Foreign Consulates and Ambassador Oren

                     Standing left to right, Rabbi Saperstein, Ambassador Oren, Michelle Bauer, Marisa Blackburn, Danielle Flaum

NO NUKES FOR IRAN goes to Washington D.C.

                
We, the youth of America, will not be silent.  We will stand together, mobilize and energize our generation to declare no nuclear weapons for Iran.

Lobbying on Capital Hill

Nancy Kislin, Michelle Bauer, Robert Marcus, Staff Member for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Marisa Blackburn, Jonathan Moore, Legislative Asst. for N.J. Congressman Steven Rothman

Special meeting with AIPAC Leadership Development experts!

Ben Sack, Director of National Initiatives and State Government Relations, Danielle Flaum, Marisa Blackburn and Michelle Bauer prior to a meeting with Jonathan Kessler, Director of Leadership Development, AIPAC.

Danielle Challenges 400 Jewish Teens to Stand Up and Speak Out demanding NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN

NO NUKES FOR IRAN buttons were distributed to all of the teens.  They went home with the charge to bring this program to your synagogue and to your schools.

NO NUKES FOR IRAN joins L'Taken Seminar, Religious Action Center, URJ for Shabbat Services

Michelle Bauer, Liz Piper-Goldberg, RAC, Danielle Flaum, Marisa Blackburn 

NO NUKES FOR IRAN meets with Rachel Hillman from BBYO!

NO NUKES FOR IRAN Goes to Washington D.C.

    
by Danielle Bari Flaum, Chair and Founder of NO NUKES FOR IRAN

On Friday, March 5, 2010 members of the NO NUKES FOR IRAN teens travel to Washington D.C.
      First stop of the day was a private meeting with Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren at the Israeli Embassy.  After going through intense security checks we were welcomed by Mrs. Sally Oren, wife of the Ambassador.
      In Ambassador Oren's study we discussed our successes and our struggles.   The Ambassador thanked us for our brave and passionate efforts.  He praised our abilities to create excitement as we bring together many Jewish and non-Jewish groups.  He stressed that a nuclear Iran poses a monumental security threat to Israel.  He reflected on his memories of growing up after the Holocaust.  He recalled the promises that his generation made never to let a Holocaust happen again.  He said that the fear of Iran gaining nuclear weapons causes him to have many sleepless nights.
      We presented Oren with a NO NUKES FOR IRAN banner and a NO NUKES FOR IRAN lapel pin.
He loved them!
      We had the privilege to meet with Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center, Union of Reform Judaism and Israeli Consulates from around the country who were gathered for a policy conference at the Embassy.  After we presented our project, distributed our magnets and buttons, the Ambassador asked them to take this project back to their communities.
      Thank you Ambassador Oren and Ben Sack, Director of National Initiatives and State Government Relations for an amazing morning!!!

      We quickly left the Embassy heading for the Rayburn Building on Capital Hill to meet with Robert Marcus, Staff member for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Marcus gave us a crash course in Government and Politics!  It was very interesting. The Iran Petroleum Sanctions Act was passed by both the House and the Senate.  According to the government process the two bills must be reconciled.  Mr. Marcus stated that the reconciliation committee has not convened (despite overwhelming support for the bills in the House and Senate) because U.S. is waiting for the United Nations to vote on sanctions against Iran.  We also had the privilege to meet in the committee's meeting room - check out our photo.

      In addition, we met with Jonathan Moore, Legislative Asst. for Congressman Steven R. Rothman, New Jersey.  We informed both Mr. Marcus and Mr. Moore about our mission and our position.

      Next stop was AIPAC,  American Israel Public Affairs Committee!  We met with Jonathan Kessler, Leadership Development Director and Suzie Goldenkranz, National Field Organizer, to learn firsthand from some of the experts on strategies on foreign policy lobbying.  It truly was an inspiring and challenging meeting.

     Next, we met with Rachel Hillman, B'nai Birth Youth Organization to discuss how we can tap into BBYO's energy and influence them to join on the mission of no nuclear weapons for Iran.  It was a very energizing and productive meeting, we can't wait to work with BBYO.

     The last stop of the day was to join the L'taken seminar of the Religious Action Center of the Union of Reform Judaism gathering of 400 teens for a lively Shabbat service.   I had the honor to deliver our message!  I loved looking out at the many faces of my peers and challenging them to stand up, speak out and declare that this generation of youth wants to live in a world free of terrorists threatening Israel and our safety.

     I challenge you, the reader, to join in.  Go to www.nonukesforiran.org.  Ask your synagogue, school, youth group to join in this effort.   Download the toolkit on Iran, look at some suggestions to bring to your community and let us know how we can help you.  I challenge you, the youth of America to stand up for peace and human rights.