Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
your visit to Arafats tomb is beyond the pale. To me, its no different than were you to travel to
Germany to pay your respects at Adolf Hitlers tomb, if one existed. Somehow your priorities
have become completely perverted. Apparently you dont seem to understand that your place is
with the victims of his murderous actions. Not with the murderer himself.
Dont misunderstand me. You are free to do as you please. Your politics are your own business.
And you have every right, as an American, to make common cause with the Palestinians and to
pay homage at the tomb of Yasser Arafat. But you are not free from the consequences of your
actions. You are the Rabbi to an entire congregation, not to just some faction that agrees with
your personal politics. And to be absolutely clear, the problem here is not the politics of your
Palestinian tour destinations. Whats at issue here is what is in your head and what is in your
heart. You have revealed yourself to be a man of poor judgment and little common sense.
Sadly, your moral compass is completely broken.
Paying homage at the tomb of Yasser Arafat while touring Israel on a CAA affiliated tour,
disqualifies you completely and absolutely from being the moral and spiritual leader of a
Conservative congregation of Jews.
Let me repeat myself. As the leader of our community, your place is with the victims of his
murderous actions. Your place is most definitely NOT with the murderer.
I believe that we have come to an impasse. I cannot understand nor can I condone whatever
thought process has led you to believe that its a good idea for you to pay homage to this mass
murderer of Jews. The harsh truth is that there is no reason to wait until you actually visit his
tomb. The fact that you believe that its reasonable for you to do so, is enough. Its more than
enough.
You are entitled to your own politics. But this is a bridge too far.
Its time for you to resign. Depart and let us be done with you. In name of G-d, go!
Signed
Richard Brook
CC: Caroline Legatt (by email)
Enclosed: Agudas Trip Itinerary