April 20, 2006
By Pinchas Baram

What a relief to read Janet Tassel! She literally cuts through all the politically correct nonsense which left-wing Jews, always spouting “tikkun olam” regardless of the cause, have helped to foist on this country. But notice how after she adroitly makes mincemeat of their arguments, they then play the innocent and cry foul. Exhibit A: Keshet (the gay, lesbian, queer outfit) kvetched recently in the Advocate that Tassel was unfair and demeaning relative to Keshet and its merely indirect connection to House Bill 1641 ­ the sneakily pro-gay sex-education bill which, if passed, will affect kids K to 12. Yet Jewish gays and their supporters are very publicly involved in pushing this bill. And indeed, it’s fair to say that Combined Jewish Philanthropies is a tacit sponsor of this miserable bill, given that CJP is the major financial support of Keshet. I recall months ago when I objected to Keshet’s being laundered and accepted as kosher, Barry Shrage, CJP’s head, told me CJP provides “a big tent” and Keshet is part of it. (Why not Jews for J? Or Kahane Chai? No, they’re beyond the pale.)

Exhibit B: As for the recent letter critical of Tassel from the pious-sounding Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the only point the letter makes is that the organization supports peace and peace-feelers to moderate Palestinians. How innocuous! Yet nothing is written about its nefarious core goals, which I here quote from its national (Chicago) newsletter of September 2005: “Gaza First cannot be allowed to become Gaza Last; Settlement growth must be frozen... further withdrawal from West Bank settlements is vital.”

By the way, the Boston chapter became the first Brit Tzedek chapter invited by director Nancy Kaufman to be on the Jewish Community Relations Council board and the JCRC’s Israel Roundtable Forum. So thanks Barry and thanks Nancy ­ for nothing. And Janet, keep exposing all these artists of deception.

PINCHAS BARAM
Brookline