Ok, I admit it. This radio show host with all the talking I do, does not like to make phone calls. It makes me nervous calling official places, but what would I say to HaShem when I face Him in Heaven when I die, (until 120 in good health and happiness please ;-) ) and G-d says t o me, "Tamar, you prayed for the release of Jonathan Pollard every morning in your prayers", (yes, I do this) "but when an opportunity came for you to actually ACT on what you pray for, you didn't do it for the 'fear' of calling these 'dens of power'. Who do you fear more, these politicians serving the public, or Me, G-d?" What would I say? And since it is a coming New Year, and we shall all be judged, and we all want to see this last year as one of some growth, of conquering our fears, I decided I MUST do this (really, faxes are soooooo much easier for me. ) Well, I did it. I called the White House and I called the senators, and really, each call was so short and so easy, about thirty seconds each. They both asked me what city I was calling from and what my message was to them. It took me less than a minute to do and I felt really good, not just about what I did, but I felt good about myself, that i GREW and did something that scared me, and something that I would normally not do, as it is 'not my personality' to do things like this. Well, I did it, and I am happy i did, and am kind of proud of myself for it. It may not be a big thing for others to do, but only I know how hard it was for me. And I did it! I hope you will too. Perhaps this simple and quick act will also free Jonathan Pollard. And you will be responsible for doing so!
Please read below that i received, and please pass this on to others in your community.
Jonathan Pollard and Israel's Prognosis for the New Year 5767 By HaRav Shlomo Aviner - September 17, 2006*As the Jewish People prepare to usher in the New Year 5767 we all pray for a good, healthy, peaceful, prosperous and happy new year. For many of us, our prayers may include a request for the release of our brother, Jonathan Pollard, who will shortly enter his 22nd year of a life sentence for his activities on behalf of the security of Israel. Yet how many of us realize how significant Pollard's fate is to the fate of us all?Our tradition teaches that the souls of all Israel are indelibly linked (chaverim kol Yisrael) and that we are all responsible for each other (kol Yisrael arevim zeh lih zeh.) Thus, whether one is aware of it or not, the plight of our brother, Jonathan, has a direct impact on our prognosis for the New Year 5767, both individually and as a nation.
Ponder the following.Did you know that Jonathan Pollard is in an American prison because he spied for the benefit of Israel, and is slowly bleeding to death before our very eyes, and no one knows how much time remains, and that every single day that he is there, we are, everyone of us, liable for the sin of "Al ta'amod al dam re'eycha. Do not stand idly by your brother's blood."? Did you know that Jonathan Pollard did not do damage to the United States, but rather gave us information about Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan and Syrian nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare capabilities - all being developed for use against Israel; and information on ballistic missile development by these countries; as well as information on up-coming terrorist attacks planned against Israeli civilian targets.
This was information which should have been supplied to Israel according to official US policy at the time, but which was being illegally withheld.Because Pollard relayed the information to us, he saved thousands of lives. Did you know that every single day that he remains in prison, we are liable for the sin of: ""If you refrain from rescuing those who are taken to death and those on the verge of being slain---and you will claim "But, we did not know about this."? (Mishlei [Proverbs] Ch 24: Vs 11)
Here is what to do:From: VegiBud@aol.comDate: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:12:06 EDTSubject: PLEASE DON'T STOP NOW!!!PLEASE DON'T STOP NOW!!!Please call 202-456-1111 and demand that President Bush free Jonathan Pollard, who will soon begin his 22nd year in prison for helping save thousands of Jewish lives! And, call Senator Frank Lautenberg, who is opposed to his release, at: 202-224-3224. Thank you very much!! BuddyUPDATE:This afternoon, one of the staffers in Senator Lautenberg's office (NJ) told me that during the past few days, the staff has received 200 - 300 phone calls regarding Jonathan Pollard!!!
Senator Lautenberg is re-visiting the case and will issue a statement when he makes his determination. The tremendous number of calls is clearly having an impact.
It is CRUCIAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO CALL SENATOR LAUTENBERG'S OFFICE
(202-224-3224), AND URGE EVERYONE ON OUR LISTS TO DO THE SAME.
Senator Lautenberg has been vehemently against the release of Jonathan Pollard. If he were to change his view upon his examination of new information*, it would make a huge impact; most likely, opening up a public discussion about Jonathan's release. Another extremely influential figure in the Jonathan Pollard case is Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT).
PLEASE, PLEASE - CALL SENATOR LIEBERMAN (202-224-4041), AND/OR EMAIL HIM, AT:
casework@lieberman.senate.gov, and strongly urge the Senator to call publicly and loudly for the immediate release of Jonathan Pollard.
*During my conversation with Senator Lautenberg's staffer this afternoon, I provided him with the link to a transcript of a recent speech made by Esther Pollard, Jonathan's wife (
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=30852). I am certain that Senator Lautenberg was not privy to all of the information contained in her speech, because "Jonathan and I have never before breathed a word about our meeting with Israel's State Comptroller, Judge Micha Lindenstrauss. Tonight [September 6, 2006] we would like to share that experience with you." This new information can only HELP Jonathan's cause!
TO ALL ISRAELIS: PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL, TODAY, TO JUDGE LINDENSTRAUSS
mailto:mevaker@mevaker.gov.il,
feedback@mevaker.gov.il), CALLING FOR HIM TO ORDER AN OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE POLLARD AFFAIR, SO THAT RIGHT AND JUSTICE WILL FINALLY PREVAIL.
Two additional excerpts from Esther Pollard's speech:"We do not expect you to secure Jonathan's release, but your investigation may be an important part of the process of bringing it about. Your public report has the potential to shine a light on this case that has never been shone, and in that way to be a catalyst for Jonathan's freedom. But, even if your report results in no direct advantage for Jonathan, it must be written in order to ensure that what happened to Jonathan never ever again happens to anyone else who serves the State of Israel." "As long as we allow Jonathan to continue to rot in prison, and we act as if his fate is of no consequence to us, the poison will continue to seep into our national consciousness and continue to destroy the fabric of our society as a moral and just People, as a Light unto the Nations. "As long as we do not rectify the problem at its root by bringing Jonathan home, this culture of abandonment will continue its relentless march onward, as the government openly plans for the next round of uprooting, betrayal and abandonment of its loyal citizens and communities."Thank you so much for taking immediate and continued action -- moral efforts that may result in the release of Jonathan Pollard after 21 years of captivity!
Love you All,
May you all have a Happy New Year filled with health, happiness and growth,
Tamar