Last week we alerted you to the inspiring statement of outrage from a collection of US rabbis on the carnage in Gaza. A day later the statement's website was down. Today the site reads:
January 26, 2006
Attempts by a group of rabbis to create a joint rabbinic statement
critical of Israel's military actions in December, 2008 to January,
2009 have failed.
Any versions which may have been distributed on other web sites or
emails were draft copies which were never finalized or ultimately
approved by any list of signatories.
We are sorry for any confusion this has created. We are disappointed
that we were not able to create such a document that could meaningfully
pull together more than a handful of rabbis.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Brant Rosen, Evanston, IL
Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Philadelphia, PA
Clearly there is story here, we'll try to get to the bottom of it. At a time when leadership is needed within the Jewish community to speak to the moral issue of our time, this is a sad turn of events. (Adam Horowitz)
Update from Rabbi Brant Rosen (from Mondo's comments section):
There is a story here, and that is essentially that the core group
of rabbis could not agree on a final wording of the statement that
would allow us all to participate as signers. It is deeply saddening to
us all, particularly to Rabbi Gluskin and me. I know for a fact that
there are many brave rabbis out there who have opposed this Israel's
outrageous war in Gaza, as well as their destructive policies toward
the Palestinians.
Please bear with us. Despite all evidence to the contrary, we are finding our voice. You haven't heard the last of us…
Thank you for your work Rabbi Rosen. There are many people standing behind you.