"As a rabbi, a Jew and a person of conscience I was
profoundly dismayed to learn that Henry Kissinger was chosen by the Illinois
Holocaust Museum to be the keynote speaker at its 'Humanitarian Awards Dinner.'
This choice is most certainly at odds with the mission and good work of this
important institution.
"I cannot understand how a man who was the architect of our
nation's war crimes in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, who was instrumental in the
brutal coup in Chile and other acts of illegal international intervention
around the world could possibly be considered an appropriate speaker at a
gathering that celebrates humanitarianism.
"The mission of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is to 'Remember
the Past, Transform the Future' and 'to preserve the legacy of the Holocaust by
teaching universal lessons that combat hatred, prejudice and indifference.'
Given this mission, I urge the Museum to think seriously about the
messages it sends when it associates itself with figures such as Henry
Kissinger.”
Rabbi Brant Rosen
Rabbi Brant Rosen is the Rabbi of Jewish
Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC) in Evanston, IL. He is the co-founder
of Ta'anit Tzedek -- Jewish Fast for Gaza and serves as the Chairperson of the
Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council. He blogs regularly at Shalom Rav (www.rabbibrant.com)
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Protest v. Henry Kissinger in Chicago
5:30 PM - 6:45 PM, today (Thurs., 3/20/14)
Hyatt Hotel
151 E. Wacker Drive.
Protest co-sponsored by the 8th Day Center for Justice, Anti-War Committee - Chicago, Chicago Socialist Party, Chicago Veterans For Peace, Gay Liberation Network, Illinois Coalition Against Torture, International Socialist Organization, Iraq Veterans Against the War- Chicago, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago, La Voz de los de Abajo, Neighbors for Peace, NW Indiana Vets for Peace, SOA Watch, Third Coast Society, United States Palestinian Community Network, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Voices for Creative Nonviolence, World Can't Wait – Chicago (list in formation). For more info or to endorse, email LGBTlib...@aol.com