The problem with democracy is the people. If only people would vote the right way everything would be alright. Unfortunately, they often don't so things are not right. What is the right way to vote? Well, whatever you think is right, right? In America, if you're conservative then right is right. If you're liberal then right is left, but make no mistake, it is right.
In Egypt it turns out that right may be a lot more to the right than many of the ostensibly right-minded protestors in Tahrir Square, who started the recent democratic revolution, think is right. It also seems to be a lot more to the right than is right for the United States or Israel. The Muslim Brotherhood appears to have taken 40% of the vote in the first round of elections for the new Egyptian Parliament. As if that wasn't right enough, Salafi parties may have taken an additional quarter of the vote. That is not alright. Salafists are ultra-conservative, right wing Islamists who oppose women's rights and want the state to follow strict Islamic law. If those two groups join together to form a government,Egypt could easily pursue policies that tilt strongly to the Islamic right, including a foreign policy that opposes the U.S. and undermines the Camp David Peace Treaty. That would not be alright at all.
In conclusion, democracy may be right but people are often not right, so things are not alright. It's too bad, too. For years most Americans have believed that if only the rest of the world would embrace democracy then everything would be alright. At the moment it appears we may have been wrong.
Oh, and one more thing: If you don’t think I’m right or even if you do, I would welcome your comments on my blog: rabbimillstein.blogspot.com.
In the meantime, one thing I know is right for us as Jews is to support the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. This Friday night, December 2nd, our Temple, along with many, many others is celebrating the vital role our Federation plays in supporting the Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world. Carol Silberstein will share a brief talk entitled, “Super Sunday – It’s Not About Football.” Carol is Vice-President (and Past-President) of Temple Sinai, as well as the current Campaign Chair of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (formerly known as the UJA of Northern New Jersey). She recently chaired the Israel and Overseas Allocations Committee of the JFNNJ. Carol and her husband, Alan, have been members of Temple Sinai for over 30 years.
Please come to our services at 7:30 p.m. on Friday to listen to Carol and worship with us. Then on Sunday, which is the Jewish Federation’s “Super Sunday,” please answer the call that comes to your home from the JFNNJ and support the Jewish community!
L’shalom.
Jordan
p.s. And don’t forget to “get trivial” with the Brotherhood on Saturday night. This Saturday night is the always fun “Brotherhood Trivia Night” at 7:30 p.m. Please rsvp to the Temple Office at 201-568-3035 or email brotherhood@templesinaibc.org. See below for more details.
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In the meantime, one thing I know is right for us as Jews is to support the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. This Friday night, December 2nd, our Temple, along with many, many others is celebrating the vital role our Federation plays in supporting the Jewish community locally, in Israel and around the world. Carol Silberstein will share a brief talk entitled, “Super Sunday – It’s Not About Football.” Carol is Vice-President (and Past-President) of Temple Sinai, as well as the current Campaign Chair of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (formerly known as the UJA of Northern New Jersey). She recently chaired the Israel and Overseas Allocations Committee of the JFNNJ. Carol and her husband, Alan, have been members of Temple Sinai for over 30 years.
Please come to our services at 7:30 p.m. on Friday to listen to Carol and worship with us. Then on Sunday, which is the Jewish Federation’s “Super Sunday,” please answer the call that comes to your home from the JFNNJ and support the Jewish community!
L’shalom.
Jordan
p.s. And don’t forget to “get trivial” with the Brotherhood on Saturday night. This Saturday night is the always fun “Brotherhood Trivia Night” at 7:30 p.m. Please rsvp to the Temple Office at 201-568-3035 or email brotherhood@templesinaibc.org. See below for more details.
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