The Washington Jewish Week has reported that President Obama announced he intends to appoint Abba Cohen (he is referred to as a “Rabbi” but I don’t acknowledge him as such so won’t use the term) to the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad. The purpose of the Commission is to monitor conditions on sites in Europe that have historical associations with America. His mission is supposed to be related to maintaining Jewish cemeteries and monuments that do not have living relatives to do so. This man does not in any way shape or form represent the American Jewish community which is 80% Reform or Conservative. Abba Cohen is a member of Agudath Israel of America which is 100% Haredi. Even within the spectrum of Orthodox Judaism it is a radical, sexist organization. Our tax money should be used for people that reflect who we are and Mr. Cohen does not do this. The Rabbi appointed the Commission should be Reform as that is the largest group of Jews in America.

You may ask why does this matter? What’s the big deal about some teeny little Commission that no one pays attention to? Allowing these small things to pass leads to a gradual impression that Orthodox Jews are the “real” Jews and they come to be the face of the Jewish community. This has been going on for the last 30 years. Normal Jews have just stood back and let the Orthodox do this saying each time it’s not worth fighting about or it’s just a little thing. Then you wake up one day and you can’t get married, don’t have civil rights, get buried apart from your family.

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