Shalom My Gantseh Megillah Family and Friends,

The end of the Democratic Party’s primary process is rapidly approaching. Pundits and odds makers say it is already over. Hillary Clinton’s courageous fight for the nomination hasn’t persuaded most party members from believing that Barack Obama will be the party’s standard bearer in the coming presidential election. This is a tremendous accomplishment for both candidates.

For the first time in history, both a woman, and a black man, became leading contenders for the Presidency of the United States of America. Despite a history of racial intolerance and gender bias, America is showing its true values and positive evolution by nominating either candidate.

Sadly, it has become apparent that factions of the right-wing are trying to influence Jewish voters away from Barack Obama. Smear campaigns loaded with falsehoods and innuendo, permeate the Internet, and the mainstream media. They question Obama’s support of the Jewish people in general, and Israel in particular.

I am sure you have received, as have I, many forwarded messages accusing Obama of being a secret Muslim. This is supposed to scare us from voting for him, because we are led to be frightened into believing that “Muslim” is an evil word. In the same way that “Osama” was morphed into “Sadaam,” we are expected to blend the religion of Islam into the image of terrorism. Regardless of the manufactured manipulation, Mr. Obama is not a Muslim. He is, in fact, a Christian. It would be absurd to write to the Jewish community trying to frighten us by claiming a candidate is Christian, but claim they are Muslim, and all hell breaks loose.

The slime merchants even made a sick parody of themselves when I received a typo laden missive claiming that the “secret Muslim” candidate had been “brainwashed” by Pastor Jeremiah Wright into hating America. It went on to describe a twisted conspiracy that made the plot of “The Manchurian Candidate” sound like an episode of Sanford and Son.

The Obama is anti-Semitic and anti-Israel accusation stems from his reluctance to spread the already existing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan into Iran. The right-wing believes that it is urgent that we bomb Iran in order to protect Israel. Mr. Obama believes that military action is the LAST resort, not the first, and only, option. He has stated unequivocally that Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East, and the he would never tolerate any attack on that country. He simply works on the principle that it is easy to talk with friends, but necessary, and vitally important, to speak with enemies as well, if we are ever to end the hatred and violence that has spread around the globe.

Judaism proclaims peace and Tikkun Olum; making the world a better place. Why is negotiating with an enemy, and trying to reach an understanding and peaceful settlement, a sign of weakness? Is it not really a sign of great strength to confront one’s enemies, face-to-face, and try to reach an understanding with them, and thus change them into a friend? That is what Begin and Sadat did.

War is always an option, but it is a destructive option. Negotiation is a peaceful option, and only when, and if, those attempts fail, and our security is at risk, should we consider military action. We have learned all to well, with the current war in Iraq, how putting military might first, wreaks nothing but death, destruction, and increased hatred.

I urge all of my Megillah family to vote for the candidate you consider to be the best leader. Please do not permit yourselves to be influenced by forwarded email messages from hatemongering fear groups. Do your own research. Ask questions. Get the facts, and then make your informed and intelligent decision. How you vote for is your right and privilege. Please do so intelligently, and not out of false fear.

Much love to all of you,
Michael