Boruch Dayan HaEmes

Chabad-Lubavitch Mourns Senior Chabad Representative to Nashville

LUBAVITCH HEADQUARTERS -- (October 23, 2007)
E. Davidson

The international Chabad-Lubavitch community mourns the passing Tuesday, of Mrs. Risya (Didi) Posner of Nashville, TN.

Mrs. Posner, 80, a senior Chabad representative—one of the first Shluchim—was the daughter of one of the leading figures of the Chabad movement in the U.S., Rabbi Shlomo Aron Kazarnovsky, and the granddaughter of a renowned Chasidic personality, Rabbi Asher Grossman of Nikolayev.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Mrs. Posner settled with her husband, the noted author and translator of Chabad Chasidic classics, Rabbi Zalman Posner in Nashville, where he had gone prior to his wedding to take up a rabbinical position on the instructions of Rabbi Joseph I. Schneersohn, the sixth Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe.

Dedicating herself entirely to the values of Chabad, Mrs. Posner was a pioneer for Jewish education in Nashville, establishing the Akiva Academy Hebrew Day School in the 1950s, which continues to serve the community to this day. She later opened a Chabad preschool, and led it until just about two years ago, when her health began to fail.

“My mother-in-law was truly a woman worthy of emulating,” Chaya Posner, her daughter-in-law, Chabad representative to Rancho Mirage, CA, told Lubavitch.com.

Described as being both genuinely modest and remarkably driven so that even in her late 70s, she taught herself to use the computer, Mrs. Posner was “representative of historical Chabad and yet was so contemporary.”

Mrs. Posner had the distinction of being one of the few Chasidim of recent times who recalled meeting the sixth Rebbe in her childhood, and possessed a historical perspective on many of the milestones within the Chabad-Lubavitch movement.

“She was an amazingly brilliant woman,” said her son-in-law Rabbi Yonasan Denebeim, Chabad representative to Palm Springs, CA. “She had invaluable insights to the Chabad Chasidic worldview as well as matters pertaining to the world at large.”

Mrs. Posner is survived by her husband, Rabbi Zalman, and her children: Shifra Deren of Stamford CT; Menachem Mendel Posner of Atlanta, GA; Sussi Denebeim of Palm Springs, CA; Mimi Liberov of Puerto Allegra, Brazil; and Shimon Hillel Posner of Rancho Mirage, CA. She is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Riba Sharfstein of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Compounding the sadness is the passing of Mrs. Posner’s brother, Rabbi Moshe Kazarnovsky, several hours later, on Tuesday, following a long illness.

Condolences to the Posner family may be emailed to posnash@gmail.com.

Jerusalem, the Eternal Capital

Knesset Majority: ‘Don’t Divide Jerusalem!’

by Hana Levi Julian
7 Cheshvan 5768, October 19, '07

(IsraelNN.com) More than half of Knesset Members from both the opposition and the coalition factions have signed a petition against plans to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority.

The document rejects plans to relinquish Israel’s sovereignty over holy sites in the Old City and the City of David, just outside the Old City walls, as well as possible intentions to give eastern Jerusalem’s Arab neighborhoods to the PA.

Likud MK Yisrael Katz and other Likud MKs spearheaded the drive, and they were quickly joined by nearly 30 coalition MKs, including thirteen members of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s own Kadima party and all of Shas.

Two Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) MKs, David Rotem and Esterina Tartman, signed the petition, as did Yoram Marciano of Labor - the only Labor MK to do so. Four ministers also signed the petition, including Yaakov Edry and Ze’ev Boim of the Kadima party, and two others from the Gil Pensioners’ party.

“It is possible that Olmert could divide Jerusalem and we would have to face that reality, but it’s illegitimate, especially since he’s putting Jerusalem on the agenda to distract from his other problems,” said Likud MK Reuven Rivlin.

Olmert: Knesset Not Necessary
The prime minister asserted earlier this month that he does not need the Knesset’s approval to reach a joint declaration with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, including one that might include an agreement to hand over parts of Jerusalem to the PA. He has said that Jerusalem is not currently on the negotiating table, but several plans to divide the capital have emerged from Olmert’s close associates.

Prime Minister Olmert denied reports earlier in the week that his government planned to give away parts of the sacred capital, but avoided specifically defining the city limits, giving rise to speculation that he indeed intends to give up Israel’s control over some of Jerusalem.

Summit Still Not Certain
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said she would meet again today (Friday) with PA negotiators in an attempt to come to a pre-summit agreement. Abbas said this week that the PA's participation in the US-sponsored summit was not a certainty, and that the PA would not retreat from its demands for a joint detailed pre-summit declaration with Israel. Israel insists on only a general declaration, with details to be ironed out later.

additional references

Jpost story

Israel Hasbara Committee

JTA

Ynet

Interesting David Bedein analysis

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from Jewish Virtual Library

Who actually trusts Ehud Olmert anymore? I do not engage this discussion lightly with the implications for loshon hara, but really? What does Olmert think of when he says "Jerusalem"?. Is it merely the Jewish communities held after 1949 but not those post 1967? Does it include the Kosel? Har HaBayis? Har Zesim? Har HaZofim? In his mind he clearly distinguishes between dividing as in down the middle, and separating out areas he considers non-vital.

'What is Jerusalem' is a question which will be a significant one in future debates over agreements which Olmert might bring to the Knesset and world Jewry. One can expect that Olmert has already had detailed discussions with Abu Mazen as to what part of Jerusalem he is willing to give away and what parts for political expediency he is unwilling to transfer.

The opposition to "dividing" Jerusalem is not as strong as the above articles might portray. The nationalist side and the left who are now signing on to "no division" have different interpretations of what that means as outlined above. Olmert probably has more support than the media is portraying. Shimon Peres, for his part, the President of Israel, expresses Olmert's position better than Olmert, being "Jerusalem must retain its Jewish majority" (see the Ynet article above).

This is of course a red herring for the socialist Peres who cares little about the Jewish majority deferring to the politics of ethnicity as defined by Israelism. What is more or less "Jewish" about any specific area of Jerusalem, he might say, is less important than what we are politically able to explain from a tactical perspective.

Nationalists and significant majorities of Jews world-wide understand that cities grow or shrink due to population change. As the population of Jerusalem has grown, housing must be added. To presume that a municipality cannot expand is ludicrous. After Israel gained control over Jerusalem in 1967 the city was proclaimed the eternal capital, never to be divided (see The OU position). And that proclamation is merely a modern stamp of approval on what is clearly declared throughout TaNaKh.

It is indeed the atheism of Peres and Olmert which obfuscates the truth of united Jerusalem. It is the same lack of faith which stands by and watches the Waqf tear through what appears to be remnant walls of the Beis HaMikdash today, overturning dirt which has covered ruins for thousands of years. On a side note, I have wondered about the Halachic implications (if there are any) of the Arabian desecration of the Temple ruins. Within approximately the last 10 years, Jews have been exposed to actual ruins of the Beis HaMikdash, areas unseen since the days the Rabbis of the Gemara were living. I wonder if additional mourning rituals might apply, as if a grave were to be exhumed? If not, maybe we should?

Digression over.

Jerusalem has been portrayed as a politically divisive and therefore, an off the table point of discussion from the beginning of the era of negotiations with the Arabian palis. It was shoved away to the end of the negotiation period thinking that, if all the other issues can be resolved, surely we will not let Jerusalem get in the way?

Wrong. Jerusalem will never be negotiable and if it means throwing out an end of conflict agreement, so be it. Judaism cannot justify a hand over of Jerusalem.

This could be a test for today similar to the tests we are now returning to in the parashios of Bereshis facing Avraham Avinu. Jews may indeed grow from this test as is the implication of the test itself, an opportunity to release the pintele Yid inside. We ask HaShem for a return to and growth in Yiddishkeit by all Jews, hanging on until now if only for the memory of Jerusalem, the focal point of our prayers and where heaven and earth touch with a kiss. The alternative could be too devastating to consider.

Minors and Identity

Child ID Theft: Victim Tells His Story, Hoping to Help Others Avoid Woes

By Roxana Orellana
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 10/16/2007 06:47:44 AM MDT


Zach Friesen, a 21-year-old college student from... (Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune )«1» Zach Friesen first learned he owed money for a $40,000 houseboat when he turned 17 and applied for a job and a school loan.

Certainly he had never bought a houseboat.

Someone had stolen his identity when he was 7 and used it to get a loan. He's off the hook for the debt, but his credit remains damaged.

"I thought 'There's got to be something I can do as a victim to help people,'" he said.

Now 21 and a senior at the University of Colorado, Friesen has spent the past three years working for Qwest Communications' Incredible Internet Program talking to teens, parents, legislators and anyone else who will listen about teen identity theft.

On Monday he stopped at Skyline High School in Millcreek to caution students about the dangers of sharing too much information.

"High school students specifically are the target of identity theft," Friesen said. "They have clean lines of credit, so thieves know how much they are going to get when they target a child."

In addition, teens too often are willing to give out their information and don't check records such as credit reports that may turn up fraudulent activity.

In his case, Friesen said the thief had 10 years to get away with the crime and to this day, no one knows who stole his identity. When Friesen applied for his loan, the bank informed him of the debt and what the money had been used for.

He said teens and their parents can start by checking credit reports. Friesen said he is working with companies to try to get the expense of credit reports reduced for teens and for parents with multiple children.

Qwest started the Incredible Internet Program to offer families an online resource for smarter and safer Internet surfing, spokeswoman Katie Lessman said. The program seeks to educate teens before they learn the hard way that they're vulnerable to identity theft.

The company hired Friesen because he had a personal experience with identity theft and can relate what happened to him and other teens.

"It really opens some people's mind about identity theft," Robert Wilcox, a senior, said of Friesen's warning. "It's helpful. Most of the time we don't know what we're putting on the Internet."

Friesen said teens typically react with shock to his presentation. "I really want students to walk away with an understanding of what identity theft is and what to do in the event that it happens," Friesen said.

Protect your identity

Teens are particularly vulnerable to identity theft because they too often provide personal information. Here are some tips for protecting against theft and fraud:
* Never provide personal information to strangers. Do not post your photo online or post a public profile with data such as age, gender, hobbies or interests.

* Be sure you know who is receiving the instant messages you send.

* If something inappropriate happens online, report it immediately to www.cybertipline.com.

* Always be alert to Internet scams.

* To protect yourself and your computer, use software for spyware, spam and viruses.

* Parents should know their children's passwords and screen names. They also should learn Internet lingo such as POS: parent over shoulder.

Source: www.Incredibleinternet.com

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Zach's message is very true. People, teens in this case, with clear credit reports are particularly vulnerable to fraud. Legally, anyone under 18 years of age cannot receive credit unless an adult co-signs the application. Why? Because minors are not legal signatories to contracts. A minor cannot be held liable in contract law and must be backed by someone who can be. The credit bureaus do not intentionally have files for minors as a result.

Social Security Numbers not associated with a consumer credit file leave the holder of that number vulnerable to fraud when a perpetrator fakes a name and date of birth to apply to credit thereby associating the wrong person with the SSN with the credit bureaus. This starts a trail of credit fraud perpetrated against an unknowing victim and which ends in a devastated credit standing.

Unfortunately, minors are most often victimized by parents or other family members. This is indeed tragic. In order to correct most credit reporting problems or to dispute fraudulent accounts with creditors, a police report may be required. The minor, upon reaching legal age and discovering the fraud must make a choice between starting life as an adult with bad credit or filing a police report incriminating his/her parents. That is, of course if the source of the fraud is known.

While advocating consumer credit education is a popular approach to reducing the likelihood of identity theft, educating minors means educating parents first. However, parent predators only become better predators with increased credit knowledge.

For teens, while credit education is important, privacy education is more important. Teens need to learn self-defense in general and spend a specific amount of time learning to be identity shrewd. Social websites have attracted a bit of attention as of late being an avenue to uncover information about a consumer for criminal purposes. Identity shrewdness training should take into account not only Internet behavior but document retaining and usage training. Teens do not to share with friends their SSNs, have easy access to original documentation (SS Cards, certified birth certificates, forms displaying their PII, etc.), or need more than a name and id number issued by their school.

Teenage computer users often have access to an adult's credit card number for internet activities. One has to wonder how many credit card accounts are made subject to fraud as a result. Teens and adults who routinely buy or order goods or services online should have a separate credit card (not a debit card) which is used only online. Using multiple credit cards online delays discovery of fraud and complicates the dispute unnecessarily.

More on identity theft at a later date.

Good reference

Coulter is Looney

Christianity is Fast-Track (no laws needed here)


Coulter on Jews


Coulter explains herself

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I wonder how many Christians will be happy to hear that G-d seeks nothing from them? I wonder if Ann Coulter really believes that her religion is bankrupt?

End the Olmert Occupation of Israel

PA Demands Kotel as Failed Taba Accords Revived

by Hana Levi Julian

(IsraelNN.com) Israel and the Palestinian Authority have agreed to take a second look at the principles discussed during the January 2001 Taba Summit between then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak and then-Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said this week that he has accepted the principles reached during the negotiations but that had not been formalized in a final document, as a basis for current negotiations, according to an unnamed PA official quoted by the Maariv newspaper.

The source said that the PA has also agreed to the same principles as a basis for talks but has not formulated that in a formal manner.

“The problem is that Olmert has internal opposition from Barak,” said the source referring to the former PM who recently returned to politics and became Defense Minister.

“The gaps between Olmert and Abu Mazen are not large,” he said. “In one-on-one talks with Abu Mazen, Olmert has already agreed to Taba but he has not announced this formally.” He predicted that an agreement of principles would be reached by the time of the Mideast summit scheduled for November 26 in Annapolis, Maryland.

PA “Accepts”, but Demands Jews Throw on ‘Kotel’
PA negotiator Adnan Husseini, a senior advisor the PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, said the PA now accepts the Taba agreement that Arafat turned down six years ago, according to Voice of Israel government radio.

However, he rejected Israeli sovereignty over the Western Wall as well as the Jerusalem neighborhoods of Givat Ze’ev and Ma’aleh Adumim.

Husseini said Thursday night that the Western Wall “is part of Islamic heritage that cannot be given up, and it must be under Muslim control.” He also insisted that the entire Old City belongs to the Muslims.

Abbas earlier had agreed that a land swap would allow Israel to retain sovereignty over the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall in the Old City.

Summary of Taba Accords:

The concessions by Israel in Taba six years ago included:
• Jerusalem would be designated as an open city, with Israeli sovereignty over the Western Wall and Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem and PA sovereignty over Arab neighborhoods in the city. Each side would define their part of Jerusalem as its capital. The issue of the Temple Mount had not been resolved and the PA has now demanded the Western Wall as well.
• Israel agreed to withdrawal from Judea and Samaria over a 36-month period and withdrawal from the Jordan Valley over an additional 36-month period, to be replaced by an international force. Arafat rejected these ideas.
• Israel proposed handing over blocs of land occupied by Arab residents, and retaining so-called “settlement blocs” within Judea and Samaria.. Arafat rejected this.
• Israel agreed to withdraw from 97 percent of its territory restored in the 1967 Six-Day War. Arafat rejected this too.
• Israel agreed to a limited so-called Right of Return, which would allow some 5,000 foreign Arab descendants of those who fled the country during the 1948 War of Independence. Barak proposed that the Arabs be allowed to immigrate (a) to Israel, (b) to Israeli swapped territory or (c) to the PA state. A second proposal offered to Arafat included (a) rehabilitation and relocation within the current Arab host country or (b) relocation to a third country. Arafat rejected these proposals.
• Both sides agreed to phase out the UNRWA agency that administered internationally-funded programs among the PA population, within five years.
• Both sides agreed the PA state would have sovereignty over its airspace.
• Both sides were willing to make a commitment to fight terror and cooperate on security issues.
• Both sides agreed to abide by United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and that the June 1967 lines would become the basis for permanent borders between Israel and the new PA state.

background story from One Jerusalem: PA Advisor Wants More Of Jerusalem

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I guess in the eyes of the main-stream or as Rush calls it the "drive-by media", acceptance of the ridiculous conditions for "peace" set at Taba represents further evidence that the PA is the moderate negotiating partner vis a vis Hamas which would never accept such "limited" conditions.

The provisions of the Taba plan would leave Israel hardly stronger or strategically better off but with an arab terror organization in control of 97% of Samaria, Judea and Gaza (not mentioned directly) including control of the airspace. Why the insistence of maintaining seemingly endless talks with these people raises questions as to the sanity of the Israeli side?

Jerusalem will always be, not a point of contention as the conventional wisdom crowd would have you believe, but a beacon of hope and strength for the Jews. Jerusalem is indeed the single issue which SHOULD unite all Jews and will prevent any major accord with the arabians, unless the arabians give up claims to the Jewish holy city. Organizing to oppose the government's negotiating strategy and to remind these wayward and rebellious Jews that in the words of MBD "Jerusalem is not for sale" is underway drawing heavy weights such as Rav. Elyashiv (see story).

The pali cause, for what its worth will not be advanced when their liars negotiators go one record stating the phony islamic claims to the Kosel or any of Jerusalem for that matter. (see the sidebar link "Islam's Temple Mount").

The Jewish people must unite over the issue of Jerusalem. The Israeli electorate must unite over the disposal of the morally and spiritually failed Olmert government. Shas and Yisroel Beitenu are the empowering and enabling Olmert to continue this reckless abandonment of the land and thereby ancient Jewish dreams and both parties' leaderships should be held accountable.

In closing, here are some comments by the late Lubavitcher Rebbe ZTL, in response to a letter he received from 1970 concerning Jerusalem. Olmert is very lucky he didn't have to contend with the Rebbe.

Jerusalem Is Only For Am Yisrael
November 20, 1970
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Concerning your letter dealing with my words regarding Jerusalem, which were challenged, saying that there is no basis for what I said ... I only wish it were true. But to my sorrow, the present situation clearly refutes the contention that there is no basis for my words. What aggravates this impression is that they (the Israeli Government) are numbing public opinion — with the usual slogans. I warned about this also, and they know that the only thing which is holding them (the Israeli leaders) back now is lack of convincing propaganda, which will satisfy the Jewish masses. Now with regard to the politicians, they have already toyed with many different phraseologies, among them one which I mentioned (they want to turn The City of the Great King[112] into “The City of Three Kings”).

There is presently “no King over the Jewish people, and each man does according to what is right in his eyes,”[113] since we are, after all, living in a democratic society. [They will then decide the issue of Jerusalem] as “three partners,” in order of quantity, of course, which is the deciding factor in a democracy; first come the Christians, then the Muslims, and only then ... (Yesterday, the most important newspaper here, the New York Times, printed the latest approach, which was taken from the words of the Foreign Minister in the name of the Government: “It is the desire of the Israeli Government to retain “political control” over Jerusalem, and not to compromise on places upon which Israel’s security depend, like the Golan Heights and certain other points on the West Bank of the Jordan.” This is sufficient evidence for whoever understands.)

May it be G-d’s Will that in approaching the month of redemption,[114] the month of Kislev, we should be saved — even before the coming of Moshiach — from the modern-day Hellenists.[115] Through the spreading of the wellsprings of Chassidus, which is the central theme of the holiday of redemption Yud-Tes Kislev, each individual will light flames using pure oil, which has not been tampered with by the hand of a stranger, or even lit by one, illuminating both the house and the outside world simultaneously, in an increasing and illuminating manner.


Respectfully, with blessings for true health
and good news in all mentioned here
and with blessings of Mazal Tov
on the birth of your grandchild,
may he live and be well,

/Signed: Menachem Schneerson/

Rav Benny's Candidate

Sunday, October 7, 2007
MK BENNY ELON TO HOST PRESS CONFERENCE IN JERUSALEM WEDNESDAY - US PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO PUBLICLY ENDORSE ELON PLAN AT PRESS CONFERENCE

WWW.HAYOZMA.ORG

MK Benny Elon to launch "The Israeli Initiative" - The Right Road to Peace"
to Foreign Media

US Presidential Candidate to Publicly Endorse Plan at Press Conference

Jerusalem - Oct. 10th: MK Benny Elon, Chairman of the National Union Party,
will launch a million-dollar advertising campaign to promote "The Israeli
Initiative - The Right Road to Peace" on Wednesday, Oct. 10th at 12:00pm at
Beit Agron in Jerusalem. A prominent US presidential candidate will endorse
the plan, and MK Elon's vision via exclusive video at the press conference.

A prominent American multi-millionaire has funded the campaign. The campaign
will comprise of approximately 400 billboards, an extensive Internet
campaign in Hebrew and English, a website in seven languages,
www.hayozma.org , and the distribution of a 16-page booklet to key
decision-makers in Israel, the US, Europe, South America, Asia and Arab
countries.

"The Israeli Initiative" is MK Elon's proposed solution for solving the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict. It is based on three principles; a
humanitarian solution, a regional solution and Israeli sovereignty over
Judea and Samaria.

Media Contact
Uri Bank, English Language Spokesperson
Cell: +972 52 566 5668

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Rabbi Elon
From an historic perspective, this could be a significant event. The Bush administration is the first US Presidential administration to actively work for the establishment of an arab terrorist entity in the heart of biblical Israel. Clearly the inertia for the policy was inherited from Slick Willy, but the Bush people have been convincing in their interest to promote Pali statehood (in reality, not making much progress. One could argue this is intentional).

Almost immediately following 9-11, it appeared W. was very concerned with ending the conflict between the arab terrorist PA's war on Israel. Most people who have been watching and have any inkling of understanding of US interests have assumed that this policy continues to be a cost of the war against arabfacism. To have a US presidential candidate from the President's own party advocate a polar opposite policy, reversing the sitting President would be historic. For a Democrat presidential candidate to endorse the Elon plan would be suicide. It has to be a Republican, but who?

I do not wish to play the speculation game and this is not the purpose of the post but a little politics here would be instructive. The endorsement would be least important for Giuliani since it seems that Jewish Republicans have favored him from the outset. Thompson and Romney would benefit the most from the endorsement. The others are not factors in the race for now but McCain and Huckabee should be watched, their prominence possibly enhanced with an endorsement. Much to the chagrin of the Israel news junkies, in terms of Presidential politics, the story is a small splash of news and worth about 15 seconds of news coverage, maybe.

The Elon plan is worth looking at because it points out some realities:

• Most importantly that Samaria and Judea are Jewish land.
• Elon captures the morality issue, looking to handle arab relations in a humane and moral way while not surrendering the point that it is they who are occupiers.
• It indicts UNWRA for the arabian lobby fraud that it is.
• The plan tells the truth about Jordan, as politically incorrect as it may be.

IMHO, the plan re-creates the city-state. Pockets of arabian populations politically Jordanian but living on the Israeli side of the Jordan river will remain. Israel will be challenged to sell this plan without explaining the economic reality of how isolated villages will survive without all their needs being met from the outside given that the arabians have not developed too much in the way of industry and business. A modern city-state could be a very productive and profitable existence for its dwellers if a business niche could be discovered. An arabian city-state in Judea, for instance would have no national security issues, favorable tax status and trade relationships a virtual economic empowerment zone, if not for arabian hate.

In the end, the Elon plan will probably not be acceptable because it requires an end of conflict acknowledgement on the part of the palis and foregoing of the right of return. Jerusalem too will no longer be on the board. These factors require negating ego and accepting reality. Arabians have a hard time doing that.

McCain's Friends

Jews slam McCain for Christian remarks
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Oct 2, 2007 9:06 | Updated Oct 2, 2007 15:50 JPOST

Several Jewish organizations criticized Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Monday for saying he would prefer a Christian president over one of a different faith.

In an interview with Beliefnet, a multi-denominational Web site that covers religion and spirituality, McCain was asked whether a Muslim candidate could be a good president.

"I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on Christian principles ... personally, I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith," McCain said. "But that doesn't mean that I'm sure that someone who is Muslim would not make a good president."

Later, McCain said, "I would vote for a Muslim if he or she was the candidate best able to lead the country and defend our political values."

He added that "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation."

The interview was published Saturday.

The American Jewish Committee, an international think tank and advocacy organization based in New York, issued a statement criticizing the senator, arguing that McCain should know that the United States is a democratic society without a religious test for public office.

"To argue that America is a Christian nation, or that persons of a particular faith should by reason of their faith not seek high office, puts the very character of our country at stake," Jeffrey Sinensky, the group's general counsel, said Monday in a statement.

A partisan organization, the National Jewish Democratic Council, also called McCain's comments repugnant.

Amid the criticism, independent Sen. Joe Lieberman, an Orthodox Jew, came to his Senate colleague's defense.

"I have known John McCain very well for many years, and I know that he does not have a bigoted bone in his body. I know that he is fair and just to all Americans regardless of their faith," said Lieberman, formerly a Democrat.

Over the past few days, McCain has sought to clarify his remarks.

While campaigning in New Hampshire on Sunday, he said the most qualified person could be president, no matter his or her religion.

"It's almost Talmudic. We are a nation that was based on Judeo-Christian values. That means respect for all of human rights and dignity. That's my principle values and ideas, and that's what I think motivated our founding fathers," McCain said.

Also Sunday, in a statement, his spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said: "The senator did not intend to assert that members of one religious faith or another have a greater claim to American citizenship over another."

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I wasn't going to post during Chol HaMoed. In fact, I have stayed away from the computer for the most part. Until I happened to pop in online and caught this story, sort of story. Sen. McCain is running for President of the United States again. I have not been a supporter of McCain for president in the past and not now. However, I have met the Senator and on gut feeling, I would agree with the comments from Sen. Lieberman. McCain's record of support for Israel speaks for itself. That he would prefer a Christian president is his business. Quite frankly, I do not believe that a Jewish president would be a good idea either {too much to lose, too few opportunities, other reasons too.} (sorry Joe).

For McCain, I would bet that he was specifically thinking more about Gov. Romney than more generally about Jews and Muslims. Romney is the immediate target for McCain to make his way into the top tier in the GOP presidential nomination race. Anyhow, take it easy on McCain, he will not win the nomination.

Why bother making excuses for McCain? To start with, he is an American hero and patriot. McCain knows hate better than those who are criticizing his comments. I would like to see any of those nagging McCain last a day in the Hanoi Hilton. McCain is genuine and does not deserve to have his career marred by a political year comment which is reality is benign and irrelevant.