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Comment on Human Rights Council

The U.S. decision to seek a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council should be met with a qualified welcome. The Human Rights Council was created in March 2006 to replace the discredited Commission on Human Rights, but, if anything, it has performed worse than its predecessor. The Council has only one specific country -- Israel -- on its permanent agenda. It devotes a disproportionate share of its time and resources to one-sided attacks on Israel that willfully ignore Palestinian provocations and violations. And it routinely fails to hold the worst human rights violators, such as North Korea, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, to account.

Our country's candidacy for a seat on the Human Rights Council is meaningful only if it includes an explicit commitment to push the Council onto a fundamentally different path. Success will mean that the Human Rights Council will do what it is supposed to do. But if the Council refuses to change direction, then the U.S. will have to reconsider whether it wants to be part of a body which, rather than promoting human rights, degrades them.

Kenneth Peskin
President, American Jewish Committee Metro N.J.
Millburn

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'Buyer beware' when looking to study Kabbalah

I am writing in response to an article written by Rabbi Ron Isaacs in the March 13, 2009 edition (Ask the Rabbi). Rabbi Isaacs wrote about places where one can learn Kabbalah. He suggested a place being run by a Rabbi Phillip Berg, called the "Kabbalah Center." If one were to go to legitimate organizations such as Jews for Judiasm, Rick Ross, and Steven Alan Hassan, they would find out that this organization is classified as a destructive cult.

This organization has been known to con people in giving them lots of money. They have also been known to sell things exorbitantly overpriced, such as bottled water and various books. One should beware and ask those involved with real Yiddishkeit as to where to look into mystical Judiasm. As we are aware, in studying Kabbalah, one should have a good base in the laws of Judaism and of Torah. People who want to investigate an organization such as the Kabbalah Center think they can skip the basics of Yiddishkeit and move on to a higher level. This is extremely dangerous. They should approach rabbis who are learned and ask about finding Judaism in an appropriate format.

I want to warn people that this organization should be kept clear away from. It has been known to ruin many individuals' lives. I am speaking from personal experience. Like I said, investigate in appropriate channels. I am including links that show other stories and information regarding this organization. Please read them and pass them along to others. Have a kosher and happy Pesach!

Freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/groups/k/kabbalah/; Rickross.com/groups/kabbalah.html; Jews for Judaism hotline (800) 477-663 or Judaism Hot Line: (800) 477-6631.

Baruch W.
Middlesex County

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An open letter to God

At this very moment, the G20 Summit is underway in London. Tens of thousands are protesting because they are financially suffering. I know you're busy and I hate bothering you, but my congregants are very upset and confused. People make millions while others starve. My parents always told me life is not fair, but this is absolutely absurd. We humans pay taxes so that banks, insurance companies, and the auto industry can be bailed out. Our tax dollars are used to give millions in bonuses to executives and then we are taxed again by the state and local governments because these CEOs caused the United States to lose trillions of dollars. In addition, many are losing their jobs every day while the select few receive multi-million dollar golden parachutes. Thousands at this very minute are worried about losing their jobs. I don't want to be disrespectful, but what's up?

Why can't entertainers who receive millions donate two performances a year to help those who cannot afford food, clothing, and rent. I am certain there are religious groups led by your representatives on earth who could distribute the funds. Why can't doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, clergyman, policemen, firemen, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, hair dressers, seamstresses, tailors, construction companies, roofers, restaurant owners, gas station owners donate their services for two days out of the year? The elderly and the poor need their help desperately. Why can't the government give the poor and middle class two free passes a year to use public transportation? Teachers, professors, state workers and, yes, politicians need to consider paying 20 percent of their medical premiums. Most people do not get full medical coverage and some, not at all.

Dear God, it would not be so bad if universities canceled classes for two days a year so that students and professors can volunteer their services to help the elderly in hospitals, child care centers, nursing homes, and shelters. God, if only we could find it in our hearts to give up one vacation a year and donate these fund to students in non-public schools and universities to help the needy.

A certain gentlemen was being taken on a tour of the other world. On reaching the location for sinners, he was greatly surprised to find people all seated at a banquet table, laden with appetizing food. On the wall was a sign listing the one law of the place, which was strictly enforced. Everyone must use the knives, spoons, and forks provided by the management, but the utensils had such long handles that no one could get a morsel of food near his mouth. They were all starving to death and that was hell. In the heavenly city, where the man visited next, he also found the people seated at a banquet table laden with the same delicious food and holding the long-handled forks, but they were having a delightful time for each person was feeding his neighbor across the table -- this was heaven.

Oh Lord, our creator, if only we, your creatures, could create a God Squad to help those in desperate need, please hear our prayer.

Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg
Congregation Beth El, Edison