March 24, 2016. Opposite the United Nations.
AFSI (Americans for a Safe Israel) once again held a reading of the Megillah.
The familiar Pinocchio balloon, present at so many AFSI rallies and protests, was on call.
But, sadly, ol pinnoch' seemed to have sprung-a-leak.
No mind. All went off as planned with groggers and masks
And Larry Domnitch reading the Megillah.
AFSI (Americans for a Safe Israel) once again held a reading of the Megillah.
The familiar Pinocchio balloon, present at so many AFSI rallies and protests, was on call.
But, sadly, ol pinnoch' seemed to have sprung-a-leak.
No mind. All went off as planned with groggers and masks
And Larry Domnitch reading the Megillah.
The purpose of the protest this year, in 2016, was “to celebrate the Jewish victory over the evil Haman and to expose today's Hamans, many who are housed in the UN, or resort to the UN to support their evil plans,” explained AFSI's executive director, Helen Freedman. Helen referred to the UN as “the United Abominable Nations.
VIDEO of the Megillah reading:
[There is a slight break in the reading. apologies. For the whole AFSI Megillah reading (from 2011) go HERE.]
There were many fine speeches after the reading that focused on the theme to "UNMASK the HAMANS". Next are some excerpts from the speakers:
Larry Domnitch,
"The UN is enablers [for so many Hamans] who call for the destruction of Israel. We're going to stand-up today and read the Megillah, with prayer and hope that by NEXT Purim the world will look to Israel and realize that Israel is a truly an alliance of faith."
Helen Freedman,
"... To Keep Iran from promoting their program... Everything is a deception. Today we have to worry about a Nuclear bomb. To worry about Iran. Who do we blame. Unfortunately we can see what Obama has done. We have a failed government that has allowed the genocide of Christians throughout the Middle East and Africa. Simon Deng is here with us today. (from Sudan) He has his own story of torture and deprivation. Going on for years. Nothing has changed. It only gets worse. Syria and Iraq. ALL part of what the Haman is. America is the strongest country in the whole world and we have let the world down. This President won't even name Islamic Terrorism ... It's a scourge. A sickness. A cancer. Torture. Evil. We have an opportunity, an election, to get the people in to office who will do what's best for America. What's best for the Sudan. Israel. Our allies. NOT for our enemies. We each have the opportunity to influence other people...like Esther. Action is what it's all about. "
Jonathan Grauman,
"It's a wonderful mitzvah that we are all gathered here to hear the Megillah in front of this nefarious anti-Israel institution, the United Nations. By being here, we are sending a message to all the Israel-haters, and Jew-haters, that we will no longer remain silent in light of what transpires behind those walls across the street. Four mitvot, to hear Megillah, to give charity (to those less fortunate), gifts of food to fellow Jews/exchange gifts, gather around the table for food. Custom giving half a schekel, equalizes everybody. The unity of the Jewish Nation. We're all in this together. No one is better than anybody else. In eyes of G-d we are ALL equal. Sends a powerful message of unity. Helps us commit to our Judaism. Sends a message to those Israel-haters across the street ( and around the world) that we Jews do stick together. We are united with our brothers and friends, we cannot be beaten. So, today, Israel and the Western world in general, all facing unprecedented threats from Islam. No question about it. Not just radical Islam, but basically ISLAM. And standing here in unity, reading and hearing the Megillah, it sends a message that we are UNIFIED and that we are STRONG. And just like in the days of Mordecai and Esther, we shall confront the threats that are facing us and we shall prevail. We shall win."
Ken Abramowitz, President American Friends of Likud, is on a crusade to save Western Civilization (SavetheWest.com)
The Amalekites show up every generation. (Haman and the Amalekites were 2400 years ago.) Who are the Amalekites today? There are FOUR (not just one) and they are not only enemies of the Jews, they are the enemies of the Christians. We are both now fighting for our collective lives. [he color codes his Haman/Amalekites of today)
1. RED - Socialists. Communists.The eliminate G-d and the Government becomes god.
2. BLUE - The United Nations (The enemy of Western Civilization. It doesn't represent ANY of our values) Taken over by dictatorships and terror organizations. It's time to close the United Nations in order to save the world.
3. WHITE - Represents the Surrender Flag. Americans who think we have oceans that will protect us from the bad guys.
4. GREEN- Four world wide-terror organizations have promised to take-over Western Civilization. They say, Christians, Jews and Hindus will convert (revert) to ISLAM (or we will kill them).
IRAN. Al Qaeda. causing havoc in Europe. [Unfortunately, as he stated " any attack on any Christian, Jew or Hindu is an attack on all us", a woman pressed him to qualify 'political" Islam - not Islam - He attempts to correlate the Mafia, Italians and Catholics so as to separate Islam from "political" Islam] Muslim Brotherhood and finally, Saudi Arabia. These are the enemies of all of us. Instead of just Jews they are threatening Christians, Hindus and Muslims. We need to unite to save Civilization from the Barbarians.
Glenn Richter,
"Spoke of the power of each individual. He mentions the Isaiah Peace Wall. Isaiah was one person against pretty much anybody else in his time, 2500 years ago; railing against corruption in biblical Israel. ( speaking of others) He mentions Ralph Bunche (the obelisk in this location was named in honor him). The Shcharansky Steps used to have a sign for Sakharov Way (examples of the power of the individual) remembering the Shoah. Individuals were able to turn-the-tide. Who fought and fought and fought. How many genocides are perpetrated today and what the individuals can do today to stop these atrocities. Year after year. Decade after decade. Each individual is very important."
Robert Sidi (Israel Advocacy Calendar) was followed by Charlie Bernhaut
Bernhaut , "Encouraged, reinforced the power of the individual. The power of one person. You have to try. You never who's listening."
Bernhaut , "Encouraged, reinforced the power of the individual. The power of one person. You have to try. You never who's listening."
Judy Kadish,
"The power of one person: Esther. She was afraid to go to the king, like so many people, who are afraid to speak up. But, Esther was warned that her silence did not mean that she would be safe. She or her family. (Likewise) each one of us should never assume that we have enough power or position, or that we are safe. We ALL need to speak out. But, regardless, we should all know that the Jewish people are going to be fine. We have help. Not there pointing to the UN) but up there (pointing up). We now are living in a golden age of Judaism. It is our responsibility to build on that and to treasure it and to keep it going...ad infinitum..."
Video PLAYLIST (includes the reading)
There was a surprise guest, Simon Deng, who had been at the Isaiah Wall, preceding the Megillah reading
(handing out a flyer and a 4 page press release)
To reiterate: The purpose of the protest this year, in 2016, was “to celebrate the Jewish victory over the evil Haman and to expose today's Hamans, many who are housed in the UN, or resort to the UN to support their evil plans,” explained AFSI's executive director, Helen Freedman.
"We each have the opportunity to influence other people...like Esther. Action is what it's all about. "
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