"ad hominem" is a Latin term meaning;
1) appealing to one’s prejudices, selfish interests, etc., rather than to reason; or,
2) attacking one’s opponent rather than dealing with the subject under discussion.
Malcolm Hoenlein, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the group that represents 50 national Jewish agencies from across the political and religious spectrums, is a master of the ad hominem attack, using it regularly to ward off those who argue against his silence and inaction, i.e., his failure to advocate for the Land and People of Israel.
Last week I sent Mr. Hoenlein a highly critical email attacking his record at the Conference of Presidents. My email may be read by clicking here: http://jewishleadership.blogspot.com/2009/03/letter-to-malcolm-hoenlein.html.
Two days later, Malcolm Hoenlein copied me with an email he had sent to another party in response to that person’s email regarding my piece:
from Malcolm Hoenlein <Malcolm@conferenceofpresidents.org>
to Buddy Macy <vegibud@gmail.com>
date Fri, Mar 27, 2009 at 4:50 PM
subject RE: Malcolm: This Time, I'm NOT Sorry!
mailed-by conferenceofpresidents.org
he is a nut and it does not bother me anymore
thanks
Malcolm
Rather than deal with the critical issues I raised, Malcolm Hoenliein attacked me personally.
Unfortunately, this was not the first time he has avoided discussing the issues on the merits…he has done it on numerous occasions. This past June, for example, I had invited Mr. Hoenlein and Howard Rieger, CEO of United Jewish Communities, the Jewish Federation network in North America, to a discussion/debate with two prominent thinkers regarding Israel, to coincide with the U.S. Presidential debates. MK Dr. Arieh Eldad, one of the most esteemed members of Israel’s Knesset (Parliament) and a medical doctor who was the head of the burn unit at Hadassah Hospital during the Intifada, and Prof. Eugene Narrett, an historian and prolific author of books and articles relating to the current and historical geopolitics of Israel, both had agreed to participate, and their acceptances were communicated to the two other invited participants. Mr. Hoenlein and Mr. Rieger did not respond to the invitation or subsequent emails, and they failed to display any courtesy, decency or sign of respect by contacting MK Dr. Eldad or Prof. Narrett and expressing their regrets for not responding to the invitation.
Israel and World Jewry are being shortchanged by appointed leaders who lack moral courage and are unwilling to stand up unequivocally and consistently for the Jewish State.
1 comment:
Reminiscent of Rabbi Stephen Wise and Nahum Goldman currying favor with the FDR White House while maligning the efforts of Peter Bergson who was actively trying to save Jewish lives.
Ego, narcissism, power and Liberalism are the leading Idols to whom most leaders bow these days. These fellows are no different.
To be sure they have done some good, but in this time of growing peril, they are blinded by their false gods and resort to name calling instead of tapping into the collective wisdom of Am Yisroel.
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