June 21, 2009

The rabbi to one of the largest Iranian Jewish congregations in the world spoke directly to some 1200 congregants on Saturday morning from the pulpit, saying the events unfolding in Iran echo the Biblical promise of freedom.

“The people marching on the streets of Iran have seen a vision of freedom,” said David Wolpe from the pulpit of Sinai Temple at Sabbath morningservices

Sinai is home to hundreds of Ianian Jewish families.  Most arrived in Los Angeles following the Islamic Revolution 30 years ago, and settled in the West Los Angeles neighborhoods around Sinai.

On Saturday morning, it was a largely Persian Jewish crowd that filled the pews.

“We all know that 50 percnt, 70 percent of Iran’s population is under 30 years old,” said Wolpe. “They do not know what it’s like to be free.  But they have heard.  They have seen. They have the vision of freedom, and that’s why they are marching.”

Wolpe echoed the beliefs of many of his congregants when he cautioned against over-optimism, even if the protesters get their way. Most Iranian Jews maintain that Iran will likely still remain a theocracy at odds with the United States and Israel no matter who is in power. 

But still, the rabbi said, the protests are hopeful sign that freedom is stirring and that Israel’s example of democracy in the Middle East may spread elsewhere.

Wolpe is a Conservative rabbi and author who was named as the top rabbi in America in a Newsweek magazine-published tory.

Two months ago, Wolpe and his congregation hosted New York Times columnist Roger Cohen after Cohen published a series of columns from Iran that Wolpe’s Iranian-bon congregants underestimated the cruelty and rigidity of the current regime. An outpouring of letters prompted Cohen to appear before the congregation to defend his views in a vigorous debate (click here for a video of the confrontation).

During the current post-election unrest, Cohen, reporting from Iran, has admitted his columns promoting the idea of a more democratic Iran were mistaken.

For more on Rabbi David Wolpe, click here.

Millions of Iranians are marching for the democratic freedoms we take for granted. Their government is suppressing their protests with brutality and violence. The whole world is watching.

This is your moment.

This is your moment to lead the world and teach timid leaders this lesson: There’s a lot more to global diplomacy than “mutual respect and mutual interests.”

There’s also human values.

Like the freedom to speak your mind, practice your religion, protest peacefully and have your vote count.

Where’s the only place in the Middle East where you can enjoy all those freedoms? 

That’s right, Israel: a Jewish country that provides more freedom for Arabs and Muslims than any Arab or Muslim country.

Why are you not getting on the airwaves to trumpet your country’s heroic championing of those universal values?

Why are you not expressing unabashed support for the millions of courageous Iranians who are risking their lives for the freedoms that Israel stands for?

This is not a time for realpolitik or clever calculations. This is a time of revolution; a time when great leaders are made. Let Obama obsess over his carefully calibrated responses. You can act like Churchill and light up the world with your courageous truth. History will remember that you supported the forces of freedom.

Who cares if the brutal and deceitful Mullahs will try to exploit your support for their gain. Don’t let their conniving ways stop you from taking a principled stand. Have faith, like your ancestors, in the ultimate power of truth and justice.

If the only country that represents freedom and democracy in the Middle East won’t take a stand in its own neighborhood, then who will? Egypt, where they imprison gays? Jordan, where they imprison poets? Saudi Arabia, where they stone women?

We’re always complaining about Israel’s terrible PR—how the world is obsessed with the Palestinian conflict and ignores all of Israel’s virtues. Well, here’s your chance to finally change the subject. 

The whole world—and history—is watching.

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