RABBIS PROCLAIM "WORK HAS JUST BEGUN" AT UN MISSION RALLY

Leaders from Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and Reconstruction Groups Oppose Iran Nuclear Deal

Students Publicly Thank Elected Officials Who Voted Against Deal and Voice Concerns Anticipating Increased Anti-Semitism on Campuses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CINDY GROSZ [email protected]

Rabbis led discussion, blew shofar and led in prayer in the streets by the United Nations as young, old, Jew and Non-Jew, Democrat and Republican gathered to tell President Obama that Jews from all affiliations and backgrounds will continue their work to protect Israeli and American security.

"A Call to Conscience: The Rabbinic-led Rally for a BetterIran Deal" featured over 20 Rabbis and was organized by Rabbi Avi Weiss, Spiritual Leader of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale in the Bronx and founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbi Bruce Ginsburg, Spiritual Leader of Congregation Sons of Israel in Woodmere, NY and has served as president of the Long Island Board of Rabbis and as President for the Union for Traditional Judaism.

Rabbi Richard Block flew in from Beachwood, Ohio, stating he felt his presence was so important as the immediate past international President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. He joined Rabbis from all 5 boroughs and many from Long Island to blow shofar on this most important day -- September 20th -- days before Yom Kippur and days after attempts to block a sizable bi-partisan Congressional majority vote against the deal.

Rabbi Weiss stated that this rally was different than previous gatherings recently since those were led by politicians speaking to the audience. Rabbi Ginsburg added, "The pro-Israel community needs and deserves a constructive outlet to express its opposition to the Iran deal."

Yoni Nierenberg, a fellow of Stand with Us and student of Rambam Mevista and Aaron Wilzig who attends Queens College and volunteers his efforts for Stop Iran Now College Campus Activism, read lists of names of Senators and Congress members who publicly spoke out against the deal and voted against it when they returned to Washington. Cindy Grosz has heard from many students, "Jews and Non-Jews, Democrats, Republicans and Independents -- all concerned about details of this deal and how it impacts on their security on campuses. Those who have shown little interest in learning about the deal or even support it and now finding themselves to be targets of hate." Students, parents and faculty are asked to follow up and contact [email protected].

Among the Rabbis who attended included: Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, President of the NY Board of Rabbis, Rabbi Perry Rank, Rabbi Steven Graber, Rabbi Elliot Skiddell, Rabbi Art Vernon, and Rabbi Allen Schwartz. Others on the podium included Rabbis Moshe Birnbaum Moshe Grussgott, Jason Herman, Manes Kogan and Barry Dov Schwartz. PEY Dalid led the rally in the National Anthem and Hatikvah and leaders from Zionist organizations including American Friends for a Safe Israel and Hashoah led the chants "Am Yisrael Chai."

Photo Captions

Rabbis Leading in Psalms 23

Curtis Silwa and Rally Organizer Cindy Grosz

Rabbi Avi Weiss

Students Aaron Wilzig and Yoni Nierenberg with Stop Iran Now College Campus Activism Coordinator Cindy Grosz