No More Jews of Silence

Harry Weiser - Hamodia - July 8, 2004

Justice for Pollard

To the Editor:

What have you done lately to help secure the release of a fellow Jew who has been languishing in prison for over 18 years?

We saw in the past that when the klal organized itself they did cause positive change in various situations in people's lives. I call upon individuals and organizations to listen to the plea and agony of a Jew who is in prison for nineteen years!

It's about time to write, call, fax or email the appropriate parties to voice the urgency of helping to secure Jonathan Pollard's release once and for all.

Some defend their lack of action by pointing out that Pollard broke the law by turning over classified information to Israel. However, everyone agrees that this man has paid in full for any wrongdoing. In addition, it is a fact that no other spy, not even for an enemy of the United States let alone an ally, has received such a severe sentence as Pollard.

How can we all continue to remain quiet? The mitzva of pidyon shevuyim is called in the Gemara "a mitva rabba," a great mitzvah.

Why aren't we demanding the release of Jonathan Pollard, who has endured more than nineteen years of injustice in solitary confinement?

As we being the Three Weeks of mourning between Shiva Asar BeTammuz and Tisha B'Av, we must do all that we can to facilitate ahavas chinam as a tikun for the sinas chinam that caused the Churban Beis Hamikdash, and to bring geulah for individual and for the klal. One very significant way of doing that would be to make efforts on Pollard's behalf.

Tizku lemitzvos!

Harry Weiser
Staten Island NY