June 11, 2010
Dear Friends:
This past week during his radio program Rabbi Yitzchak Wyne of Young Israel Aish Ha Torah in Las Vegas stood idly by and laughed as the co-host of the show and past president of his congregation, Peter Dubowski, called the Conservative Movement a breeding ground for Jews for Jesus. Rabbi Wyne sat in silence as Mr. Dubowski informed his radio audience that Conservative Jews are, by and large, ignorant and devoid of spirituality because they have removed God from their congregations. (Please click here to access the audio clip.) As Conservative Jews, and for the sake of Klal Yisrael, we cannot allow this type of divisive speech to flourish. This is an example of baseless hatred disguised under the cloak of leadership in the Jewish community. At a time when Israel is being attacked from all sides and when anti-Semitism is rampant in the world, these two individuals chose to attack other Jews with lies and misinformation in order to advance their own agenda. Leadership in the Jewish community belongs to those capable of rising above differences in order to advance the ideals of God, Torah and Israel, which can make both our community and the world a better place. At such a crucial time in the history of the Jewish People, Rabbi Wyne and Mr. Dubowski chose to devote their efforts to dividing our people instead of bringing us together.
It is time to speak out about what this type of irresponsible "leadership" can do to our community. If we want to build a community where God will dwell among us there is no place for venomous and reckless speech. If you know anyone who is a member of Young Israel Aish Torah please ask them if they agree with their Rabbi. While Rabbi Wyne did not speak these words himself the Talmud teaches us Shtikah K'hoda'ah Dami! - Silence is equal to agreement!
Sincerely,
  
Rabbi Felipe Goodman Rabbi Adam Watstein Rabbi Bradley Tecktiel
Temple Beth Sholom. Temple Beth Sholom. Midbar Kodesh Temple.
Assistant Rabbi.
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