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