Jewish Federation of OC Organizes Pro-Israel Rally -At Their HQS

The Jewish Federation of Orange County, a group that I have often criticized, is organizing a rally for Israel.


That is fine and dandy albeit a little late in the game compared to other groups like Stand With Us, who organized a very large and successful pro-Israel rally in Los Angeles on July 13. However, my point here is that\these rallies serve little purpose when held behind closed doors at Jewish centers with tight security as to who enters. They should be held in public where the rest of the public can see it and join in. When done in an orderly and peaceful manner they can be quite effective-as contrasted with the disgraceful pro-Palestinian rallies we are seeing around the US featuring anti-Jewish chants, bullying, intimidation, and even assaults. Of course, in Europe, such demonstrations have often turned into out and out rioting, attacks on synagogues, and burning of Jewish shops reminiscent of the 1938 Kristallnacht in Germany..

Below is the text of a letter a friend of mine wrote to an unnamed rabbi regarding this event in Orange County.

Dear Rabbi,

Thank you for your email notification about the upcoming Federation Rally.

Two Sundays ago, the Los Angeles Community held an open rally in support of Israel as it endured the constant rocket fire from Gaza. The estimate crowd exceeded 2500 participants. People from all over Southern California, including, members of the Orange County community participated,  including my family and me. As far as I know, no mention or support for that rally was given by the OC.  Federation.   

Now, two weeks later, over 21 days into the conflict and 42 precious young  Jewish soldiers killed, the OC Federation decides to hold its  6:30 PM feel good "rally",  behind closed doors on its campus and outside of the view of the wider community.  This is typical for them.  With  the State of Israel in constant peril of war, Jews in Europe fearing for their lives, and the widespread condemnation of Israel for defending itself,  it is important and high time for our community to , at last, be courageous and show the rest of the community and the world that we support our own.  

Respectfully, 

Name deleted

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I couldn't have said it better myself.