Thank you Edith,

We are now in the period of the High Holidays. We celebrated the New Year, we atoned on Yom Kippur and we will celebrate Sukkoth. Our heart could be full of joy - but it is not. After the terrible tragedy of September the 11th, days of doom appear on our horizon. And we are scared.

How many great achievements were made to better the world. Our beautiful country - the laws, the teachings, Democracy and justice for all. Healing of diseases, flying into outer space, protection of civil liberty and assisting the poor as an individual, as well as a bunch of countries all over the world. And I dare to say that the master of all these accomplishments is the United States of America. And this great land, with highest standard of morality, was victimized by people of the lowest standard of morality. The cancer of mankind.

This unexpected tragedy, turned fundamental human values, as accepted until now, upside down. Goodness does not count, it is not appreciated any more. Great power becomes meaningless when undermined by deadly undetectable germs. Value of life becomes worthless when the glory is achieved by death. The good people are scared. The economy is deeply hurt and there are many more questions than answers.

Our President made a wonderful speech and strengthened us with his spirit and determination to fight and win against this evil. Another point of confidence was raised by mobilizing our mighty military. With all our prayers and good wishes, we are deeply concerned not only for the safety of our fighting men and women but also for the success of their missions. This struggle is not the fight against certain people, but an ideology. Communism, which was based on unrealistic assessment of human nature was also an ideology. But Communism had an address and most of it's people were unhappy under their radical leadership. In contrast to this, the ideology of fundamentalist Islam has no certain address and the majority of the incited population is happy with the aggressiveness of their leaders. What better proof, than their willingness to commit suicide for their cause. Not only the Palestinians danced in the streets when the victory over the Twin Towers was proudly announced, but the same celebration went on in Baghdad, Teheran, Cairo, Damascus and other Arab communities.

The ideology of Bin Laden is echoed from the streets of the Arab world countries and even the non-fundamentalist members of Islam feel pride in their new strength. The leadership of even those Arab countries, who don't look for conflict, has to take into account the spirit of the street. America's coalition with these countries is nothing more than window-dressing. We can not rely on them.

All the might of our military will not be able to eliminate the terrorists, as no gardner is capable to eradicate all of the weeds. They will come back, sooner and stronger.

As it is written in "Kohelet," - the book of "Ecclesiastes" - there is a time for everything in life. There is also a time for being good and nice and there is a time for being mean and strong. When we want to save the good and valuable things in life, we have to protect them. And to protect them, with all our means.

Israel was restricted to protect itself against terrorists. In being nice, it has survived over 70 years of terror. The United States should not be restricted. Terror can not be stopped from outside. Only from the breeding ground of Arab their own populations. When will this happen? ? You will see it happen, when you see the eyes of the Arab demonstrators and they will not show hate - but fear. This will be the time of freedom, for us for them and for the whole world.

Have a pleasant Sukkot, Good Yontef and Hag Sameach

I am Barry Cohen

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