Rabbi Arthur Weiner

Earlier this week, I received an invitation to a fundraiser for Senator Bill Cassidy. The invitation came from NORPAC, an organization that hosts fundraising events for pro-Israel congressmen and senators. Founded in 1994, NORPAC has held thousands of such events, building relationships with elected officials that have proven tremendously beneficial to the Jewish and pro-Israel communities in America. While I am not a member of NORPAC, I am a supporter. I admire their goals, laud their efforts, and am grateful for their successes. The list of individuals they have endorsed is both extensive and significant, underscoring the importance of their work. Regular readers of my Shabbat messages may recall that about two months ago, I wrote critically about Senator Cassidy, particularly regarding his support for Bobby Kennedy as Secretary of Health and Human Services. I believed then—and continue to believe—that his support for this deeply flawed choice was a complete abdication of his re...

I receive emails and updates from dozens of Jewish organizations and Israel related groups every single day. I'm not saying I receive more email than anyone else, but I'll match my inbox with anyone's. I receive at least 200 - 250 emails every single day and must prioritize the important ones from the less important ones. The truth is that they are all important. Yet some are of more immediate concern than others. I received an email from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) yesterday that I want to bring to the attention of the community. I want to share its contents with you for a variety of reasons, among them to explain how spending priorities in Washington directly affect Jewish communities and synagogues just like ours throughout the country. Jewish organizations administer a variety of government funds and grants that pay for all types of programs and activities. These grants fund social service projects administered by agencies like our local Jewish Federation of No...

Last week Senator Andrew Kim, our new junior senator from the State of New Jersey voted in support of two resolutions aiming to block $8.8 billion in arms sales to Israel. While these two resolutions failed by a wide margin, it was a terrible disappointment to see Senator Kim vote in support of them. In response, over 170 Rabbi’s endorsed a letter criticizing him for failing Israel and our community. I want our congregation to see the letter and the wide support it garnered among Conservative, Orthodox and Reform Rabbis throughout New Jersey. This letter received a great deal of media attention. I was proud to be among the Rabbis who signed it.   You also can express your concern to Senator Kim and protest his vote to limit Israel’s ability to defend itself against regional enemies bent on its destruction. Many Jewish organizations, including our Jewish Federation of Northen New Jersey are encouraging every member of the community to do so.   Please click th...