POWER RANGER versus POWER CLIMBER

Muslims in Saudi Arabia are “outraged” because a Power Ranger toy in a McDonald’s Happy Meal “mocks” the prophet Muhammad.  His name is printed along the base of the toy, and the power Ranger’s foot is on it!

Subsequently, Saudi Muslims have launched several campaigns against McDonalds in “response to the SAVAGE attacks on the noble Prophet,” under banners that read “Help Your Prophet!” and “Together in support of the Prophet.” They are demanding the “STRONGEST possible punishment for the restaurant.”  Those of us who keep up with news via the internet know “the STRONGEST possible punishment” according to Saudi Muslims could be pretty gruesome.

Meanwhile, as the Saudi meltdown continues over Power Rangers, Nadav Ben-Yehuda, an Israeli mountain-climber who trained for two years to climb Mount Everest, gave up his dream in order to save the life of a Turkish mountain-climber, 46 year old Aydin Irmak who was lying unconscious in the snow.  Ben-Yehuda was only 300 meters from the peak of the mountain, but he says the decision to save Aydin’s life was automatic.

“He had no gloves, no oxygen, no crampons, no cover……he was waiting for the end,” Nadav told Israeli news. He tied Irmak to his harness and carried him to the nearest camp which took eight hours! Both men suffered frostbite and may lose some fingers.

Ben-Yehuda attributes his decision in part to his military training in Israel. “You never leave a friend in the field,” he says. “A person’s life, any person’s life, is more valuable than anything.  I knew that I might lose my fingers, but that wasn’t something I could worry about because that would be immoral.”

Nadav is reportedly interested in making the ascent again. Irmak has also announced he would like to repeat the climb, only this time with Nadav!  In an interview with The Jerusalem Post, Irmak said, “I don’t know what the hell is going on between the two countries.  I don’t care about that.  I talked to his (Nadav’s ) family today, and I told them you have another family in Turkey and America.”

“I would have died on that mountain. It was a miracle!” Irmak said. “I remember falling down. I woke up with Nadav standing over me and shouting my name. He did a great thing! He built a bridge between Turkey and Israel. Our leaders can learn a lot from him.  I MAY HAVE MISSED THE SUMMIT BUT I GAINED A BROTHER!”

In Genesis chapter 28, Jacob (Israel) has an encounter with Yaweh in a dream. In addition to promising him the land where he was lying, the G-d of Israel tells him:

ALL PEOPLE ON EARTH WILL BE BLESSED THROUGH YOU AND THROUGH YOUR OFFSPRING.

What an interesting contrast, threatening lives over a plastic toy and laying one’s life down for a stranger……..THAT’S WORTH THINKING ABOUT!

Empire State Building to Shine Blue and White for Israel Parade

 

The Empire State Building in NYC will be lit up in blue and white, in honor of the Israeli flag, to mark the June 3rd Israel Day Parade.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

First Publish: 5/30/2012, 8:42 AM

                      

 

The Empire State Building in New York City will be lit up in blue and white in honor of the Israeli flag to mark the June 3 Israel Day Parade, as hundreds of thousands celebrate and take pride in the 64^th anniversary of the modern State of Israel.
More than 200 groups from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Israel will march down Fifth Avenue in the momentous event, organized by the Community Relations Council of New York, in conjunction with the City of New York, the Israeli Consulate in New York and Israel’s Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to follow the event and cheer on the approximated 35,000 participants and 29 floats.
The event will be attended by an Israeli delegation including Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs Yuli Edelstein and Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom.
“We are proud to be the major supporter of what is the largest annual pro-Israel event outside the Jewish State itself,” said John S. Ruskay, Executive Vice President of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York.
The parade will be televised live in the New York metropolitan area for the second consecutive year.

BIG DEAL JERUSALEM

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT JERUSALEM?

WE DON’T SEE THE WORLD FIGHTING OVER BANGKOK OR SYDNEY…….PARIS OR COPENHAGEN?

                                       

WHY DOES EVERYONE THINK IT’S THEIRS AND THEY HAVE SOME SPECIAL CLAIM TO IT?

                                                    

WHY DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD FEEL THEY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE ITS STATUS AND DESTINY?

                              
                                                              

WHY DOES JERUSALEM MEAN “CITY OF PEACE” WHEN EVERYONE FIGHTS OVER IT?

                                                                               

EVER ASK YOURSELF ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS?

                                              

 IF YOU SPEND ANY TIME AT ALL READING OR LISTENING TO CURRENT EVENTS, YOU HAVE TO WONDER A BIT ABOUT JERUSALEM. IT’S A HOT TOPIC!

                                                         

I CAN THINK OF A FEW THINGS THAT MAKE IT SPECIAL RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.                                                   

                                                               
                                
FIRST, THE PROPHET EZEKIEL TELLS US THE LORD SAYS, “THIS IS JERUSALEM, WHICH I HAVE SET IN THE CENTER OF THE NATIONS.”  (Ezekiel 5:5)  SO THAT WOULD MAKE JERUSALEM THE CENTER OF THE WORLD MAP! IS THAT WHAT MAKES IT SO ATTRACTIVE?

                                                                                                                                                  

KING DAVID COMMANDS US IN PSALM 122:6-9 TO PRAY FOR JERUSALEM’S PEACE. IF WE DO, WE WILL BE SECURE. SO MUCH  FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION TO PROVIDE SECURITY! WHICH NATIONS ARE FOLLOWING THIS MODEL?

                                                                    

ACCORDING TO THE PSALMIST IN PSALM 137:5-6, IF WE FORGET JERUSALEM, OUR RIGHT HAND WILL FORGET ITS SKILL AND OUR TONGUES CLING TO THE ROOF OF OUR MOUTHS! YIKES! SCARY TO THINK WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE! BUT NO ONE IS FORGETTING JERUSALEM. SHE IS THE FOCUS OF INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION SO THIS IS CURRENTLY NOT AN ISSUE. I GUESS IF WE KEEP OUR EYES OPEN WE WILL NOTICE WHEN IT’S A PROBLEM. J

                                                               

IN FACT, WE ARE TO CONSIDER JERUSALEM OUR HIGHEST JOY! (PSALM 137:6) MORE THAN POWER? MONEY? FAME? MAYBE ALL WORLD LEADERS ARE REALLY COMPETING FOR JOY?  THAT’S WORTH INVESTIGATION.

                                          

WE MUST NOT REST OR LET THE LORD REST UNTIL HE ESTABLISHES JERUSALEM AND MAKES HER A PRAISE IN ALL THE EARTH. (ISAIAH 62:7) MAYBE PEACE AND REST WILL COME IF WE JUST FOCUS ON MAKING JERUSALEM A PRAISE  IN ALL THE EARTH INSTEAD OF A POLITICAL PRIZE!

                                                     

ADONAI SAYS HE HAS CHOSEN JERUSALEM! (1 KINGS 11:13 AND EZRA 1:3). ANYONE WANT TO QUESTION G-D?

                                                           

THE PROPHET ISAIAH SAYS THE WORD OF THE LORD GOES OUT FROM JERUSALEM (ISAIAH 2:3). THAT IS CONFIRMATION - THE LORD IS IN JERUSALEM!

                                                                  

THE LORD PUT HIS NAME IN JERUSALEM (2 KINGS 21:4). DOES THAT MAKE IT HIS?

                                                        

IN FACT  ACCORDING TO THE PSALMIST IN PSALM 102:21, THE LORD'S NAME AND PRAISES ARE TO BE DECLARED IN JERUSALEM. THAT’S THE LORD, YAWEH, I AM THAT I AM!  ANY QUESTIONS?

                                                            

DAVID SAYS THE LORD DWELLS IN JERUSALEM FOREVER. I GUESS THERE’S NOT A NATION WHO CAN SUCESSFULLY KICK HIM OUT NO MATTER HOW HARD THEY MAY TRY. (1 CHRONICLES 23:25)

                                       

THE LORD SAYS THROUGH ISAIAH TO BE GLAD AND REJOICE FOREVER IN WHAT HE WILL CREATE. HE WILL CREATE JERUSALEM TO BE A DELIGHT! HE WILL REJOICE OVER HER! (ISAIAH 65:18-19) SO DESPITE ALL THE COMPETITION, YAWEH IS JERUSALEM’S BIGGEST FAN!

                                                                           

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST:

THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH SAYS ON THE DAY ALL THE NATIONS ON EARTH GATHER AGAINST JERUSALEM, THE LORD WILL MAKE HER AN IMMOVABLE ROCK! ALL WHO TRY TO MOVE HER WILL INJURE THEMSELVES…..HMMMMM THAT IS WORTH CONSIDERING!

George Washington Attacked Bigotry in Letter to Jewish Community

President Obama has often referred to “America’s Muslim history.” The 2 posts below challenge his “historical perspective.” Clearly, the Jewish people have played a significant role in shaping America, and are an important part of the nation’s foundations.

By Rachel Hirshfeld

First Publish: 5/14/2012, 12:17 PM

                                                                              George Washington

Reuters

A letter written by George Washington to the Jewish community and which has been locked away for a decade will be the centerpiece of an exhibit dedicated to America's early roots in religious freedom, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The 337-word document sent to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island in August 1790 was addressed to "the children of the stock of Abraham" and poetically quoted the Old Testament, vowing that the new government "gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance."

The National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, where the letter will be displayed, calls the text a defining statement of religious liberty in the new United States.

“I would say the letter is the most important letter Washington ever wrote, particularly because it’s not an official document, like the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence, but personally from the president,” museum director Ivy Barsky told the Times.

The exhibit, titled "To Bigotry No Sanction: George Washington and Religious Freedom," opens on the July Fourth weekend and runs through September. It includes Washington's correspondence to Quaker communities and other Jewish congregations, as well as a Gilbert Stuart portrait of Washington circa 1800.

A number of prominent libraries and museums have requested to display the document, including the Library of Congress and the National Archives, but have been denied by the organization that owns the letter.

“I’ve gotten congratulatory emails from colleagues and institutions across the country that know the importance of this letter and have tried over the years to get access to it,” Barsky said. “The entire cultural and historical community is thrilled for us and for Americans that will have a chance to see this in the flesh.”

In 1949, New York philanthropist Morris Morgenstern purchased the document and gave title to a personal charity, the Morris Morgenstern Foundation in Ventura.

In 1957 the organization loaned the letter to a museum in Washington, D.C., where it was on display until 2002.

In response to why the foundation selected the National Museum of American Jewish History, Barsky says, “It’s a little bit of a mystery even to me.”

Richard Morgenstern, the letter's custodian, “gave us a call one day after us making maybe several dozens attempts,” she says. “He was very reluctant in the beginning and was very concerned about the safety of the object … . Honestly, I don’t know -- the planets aligned and he made the decision he did.”

“The letter [will be] in dialogue and conversation with Independence Hall 30 steps from us and the Liberty Bell and the places where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed,” Barsky said.

More History Corrections

When Barak Obama visited Cairo Egypt in 2009 he said, “I know too, that Islam has always been part of America’s story.” President Obama’s take on American history is far from accurate. We can go back to a post I wrote November 15, 2011 in which I referred to the roles of Muslims and Jews in American history.

Yes, Islam played a part in our early history, but not a part that helped build our godly foundations.  In the early 1800’s, Muslim pirates invaded American ships off the coast of North Africa.  When the United States became independent from Great Britain she no longer had the British paying exorbitant amounts to protect her ships. This began the first war America was to engage in overseas. At the time, Americans just wanted to pass through the sea and trade fairly with other nations! Kidnapping murder and bribery were preventing that from happening. Jefferson had concluded that the war was easier to fight than paying $1 million in bribes every year. After an 8 year war, in 1815, our military victories forced the Muslim pirates to sign a treaty ending all “nonmuslim tax payments” by the United States.” So, yes, Muslims did play a part in American history. Our first battle overseas was against them which inspired the Marine hymn that includes the words, “from the shores of Tripoli”.

                                                 

In direct contrast to this is there were Jews in the early history of America who made great positive contributions to the nation’s success. Haym Salomon was a Jewish man born in Poland in 1740. His parents were refugees who had fled from Portugal to escape religious persecution. As a young man, he traveled through Europe for 10 years learning about finance. He ended up in England where he  earned enough money to pay for his passage to America and sailed in August, 1772 arriving in New York City that winter.

Haym became an active member of the Sons of Liberty in NY: however NY fell to the British in Sept. of 1776. Days later, large portions of the British compound and surrounding areas caught on fire, and The Sons of Liberty were targeted by the British as the culprits. 

                                 

However there was no evidence to support their  verdict.  George Washington reportedly said: "Providence, or some good honest fellow, has done more for us than we were disposed to do for ourselves". But before the British and the citizens of New York City had put out all the fires, all known members of the Sons of Liberty found themselves in jail! Among them Haym Salomon.

While in maximum security, haym became a member of the American espionage ring. It is believed that Salomon was responsible for encouraging more than 500 Hessian solders to desert to the American side!  The British paroled him, not knowing of his other activities. However, two years later, he was again arrested, and this time taken to a prison called "Congress Hill". On August 11th, 1778, he was convicted of several capitol charges, all relating to his activities as a spy. He was sentenced to be hanged by the neck until dead, the next morning. He was returned to his cell to await his fate.   Salomon had planned on this possibility and had hidden some gold coins in his clothes. With them, he bribed a guard, escaped and made his way to Philadelphia and safety.

Over time, he was appointed by Congress as postmaster to the French Army and Navy and to the Ambassadors of Spain, France and Holland.  He prospered and soon accumulated significant wealth.  Salomon began handling transactions for Congress helping the American cause for independence with no salary. In fact, he made numerous personal loans to the new government which helped make it possible for many of the congressmen to stay in Philadelphia.  These were  loans from Haym’s personal wealth. He was not repaid or reimbursed.

                                                     

In the summer of 1781, George Washington along with Count de Rochambeau and the French army, were prepared to deliver the final blow to General Cornwallis. Sadly, there was no money in the war funding or in Congress to supply the $20,000 needed to finance the battle.  Washington gave a simple order, “Send for Haym Salomon.”  Salomon came through with the $20,000 and funded the final battle at Yorktown in the Revolutionary War!

                                                

The newly established country still faced financial trials. Haym Salomon time and again raised the finances to bail the government out of debt.

Prior to the adoption of the Constitution in 1789, Congress did not have the power to levee taxes, other then collect duty on imported goods. The overwhelming debt owed by the fledgling Nation far exceeded that of its meager income. Among the indebtedness obligating Congress was the need to provide pensions for those officers and soldiers who had been wounded while serving in the Continental army. This was their first priority. Repaying vast sums to creditors like Salomon, was outweighed by the number of disabled veterans  accept a settlement of $100,000 - - but, Congress simply didn't have the money.  Salomon’s widow and children were left in poverty when he died prematurely from Tuberculosis.

                                            

On December 15th, 1941, the City of Chicago erected the statue of George Washington, flanked by Haym Salomon and Robert Morris. It stands today at the intersection of Wabash and Wacker Drive. Under the image of Salomon it says "Haym Salomon - Gentlemen, Scholar, Patriot. A banker whose only interest was the interest of his Country. "

                                        
On March 25th, 1975, in time for the bicentennial, the United States Post Office issued a commemorative postage stamp which honored him as a Revolutionary War hero. It depicted him seated at a desk. On the front side of the stamp are the words "Financial Hero". And, for only the second time in 143 years of U.S. stamps, a message appeared on the back of this stamp, reading:
"Businessman and broker Haym Salomon was responsible for raising most of the money needed to finance the American Revolution and later to save the new nation from collapse. "

                                                                
This Jewish man is a true American hero. His contribution to American history is worthy to be honored.

10 Reasons Arabs Should Celebrate Israel

Dear Israel,

We, Muslims and Arabs of the world, would like to send you greetings and warm wishes on the occasion of your 64th Independence Day. Mazal tov. Along with other world leaders and countries who rightfully congratulate you on this special day, we too would like to finally take this opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments and highlight some of your contributions to the Arab and Muslim worlds:

                                                        

1. Being at the forefront of efforts to stop Iran's drive for a nuclear weapon. We recognize the dangers a nuclear Iran would pose for the world and especially for the Middle East. We are also fearful of increasing Shiite influence in the region. We prefer not to speak out openly against Iran, so as not to lose face among fellow Muslims or confront the Iranians ourselves – so we thank you, Israel, for stepping up to do what we in the Sunni world secretly want but will not say publicly: "To cut off the head of the snake."

                                      

2. Releasing hundreds of Arab prisoners for just one Israeli. In contrast to the U.S., other Western nations, and even some countries in the Arab world who refuse to negotiate with terrorists, choosing instead to abandon their citizens, you, Israel, were willing to release so many of our people -- an astounding 1,027 Palestinian prisoners -- in return for one of your own: Gilad Schalit. In doing so, you showed us how a country that really cares about its citizens acts. One of our own, a Syrian citizen, noted this last year when he tweeted: "Israel exchanged 1000 Palestinian prisoners for 1 Israeli. I just envy their govt because it cares for its citizens. Their govt is prepared to pay the ultimate price for one citizen, while our govt kills us like we are animals and our Arab neighbors say that it's an internal matter."             
                             

                                         

3. Sending humanitarian aid, even to hostile countries. Israel, you were the first country to offer humanitarian assistance to Turkey after a large earthquake claimed the lives of more than 400 people there. Even though Turkey initially rejected the offer, you responded immediately when Turkey finally decided to accept. Over the years, your people have also offered or sent humanitarian aid to several other Arab or Muslim countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia and Iraq, and most recently, your foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, offered to send aid to war-torn Syria.
                                 

                                           
                                            
                                                  

4. Providing a safe haven for refugees. Israel has taken in thousands of Muslim refugees from Sudan, Eritrea, Ivory Coast, other African countries, and even some from Bosnia during the ethnic war there. While Egyptian security forces have beaten or killed African refugees seeking asylum, Israel has provided them with safety and even granted many of them citizenship.
                          

5. Providing medical treatment to children – and families of terrorists. In addition to your extensive humanitarian work, when our children in the Palestinian Authority, Iraq, Jordan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and other Arab and Muslim countries needed advanced cardiac treatment, you, Israel, provided it, free of charge, thus saving hundreds of children's lives. Not only that, but just a few months ago your kindness reached new heights when you provided medical treatment in Tel Aviv for the wife of one of the most notorious Palestinian terrorists – Abu Daoud, the mastermind behind the massacre at the Munich Olympic games in 1972.

                              

6. Arabs live longer in Israel. We have to admit, Israeli Arabs enjoy one of the highest life expectancies in the Middle East – they even live longer than Americans – and also reproduce more than Arabs in several of Israel's neighboring countries, including Jordan, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon.

                                       

7. Boosting trade and strengthening economies. Israel, your (official and unofficial) commercial trade relations with many Muslim and Arab countries, some of whom refuse to have diplomatic relations with you, have enabled them to increase their exports and have given them tariff-free access to U.S. markets. Just to give some examples, your Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) agreement with Egypt gave the country's textile industry a new lease on life and brought Egypt a staggering $1.3 billion in revenues in 2011. In Jordan, textile exports to the U.S. increased from $15 million in 1997 to $1 billion in 2004, and Jordanian officials estimate that more than 40,000 jobs were created thanks to QIZ factories. Your trade transactions with Indonesia – which does not formally recognize you – have seen millions of dollars enter the Southeast Asian country. An Israel-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce was even set up in Israel to promote and facilitate business ties between the two countries.

                                          

8. Water. The Middle East and North Africa region is the most water-scarce region in the world. In the face of this challenge, Israel has agreed to sell water to Jordan to help cover its shortage, and, with the construction of a new desalination plant in Ashdod, it hopes to be able to sell more water to its neighbors in 2013.

                                     

9. High-tech and medical equipment. Many Arab Gulf states, and Muslim states such as Malaysia and Indonesia, use your technology, especially for internal security purposes. Last year, a bank in Malaysia used an Israeli remote banking fraud solution that stopped 51 confirmed cases of fraud within the first month of its installation. Several Israeli firms also export medical supplies to Arab countries, among them Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf states.

                                       

10. Agricultural know-how. As the old saying goes, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Israel, your agricultural companies have helped farmers across the Middle East and Africa lower their dependence on rain, increase their crop yield and improve nutrition. One of these companies, agricultural consultants AgroProject, has benefitted countries such as Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, the UAE, Tunisia and many others in the Middle East. AgroProject's co-director has said his staff often has to travel to our countries using foreign passports, which they say is unpleasant, but they have been willing to put this aside because "the people under the government officials appreciate our help so much. Improving their farming communities improves their lives directly. It’s about people helping people."

                                       

As you can see, Israel, you have had a positive impact on the Muslim and Arab worlds, even though we may not always recognize or admit this. So instead of blaming you for all the ills of the Middle East and repeatedly questioning your right to exist, today we'd like to give credit where credit is due. Here's to you Israel, on your 64th birthday.

Sincerely,

The Arab and Muslim worlds

The writer is the Blogs and Opinion editor of Israel Hayom’s English edition. www.michaltoiba.com