Rabbis Responses Mixed Helping
Local rabbis are both for and against
President Clinton's ousting.
awry- r
Rabbi
David Nelson:
Disgusted with
Ken Starr.
LONNY GOLDSMITH
Staff Writer
also politically motivat-
ed."
Bergman, who also has
ith the life of
a problem with Clinton's
the presidency
actions, isn't sure if oust-
of Bill Clinton
ing the president is in the
hanging in the
nation's best interest.
balance, some local rabbis
"This is dealing with a
say he should leave the
matter of national securi-
office while others are
ty," said Bergman. "If it's
uncertain on their thoughts
true about the adultery,
of his future.
lying, and perjury, then
Rabbi Sherwin Wine of
it's a problem, and he
the Birmingham Temple in
made no
to
Farmington Hills, a
make amends until he
Humanistic congregation,
got caught."
says Clinton must resign.
What most irks Rabbi
"He's lost all moral credi-
David Nelson of the
bility," Wine said. "We are
Conservative synagogue,
either condemned to enjoy a
Beth Shalom, is the
president with no moral
power that special prose-
authority, or inherit some-
cutor Kenneth Starr has.
one else to do it. Right now,
"The straight power
everything else is on hold,
and the manner in
and that's harmful to the
which he's proceeded is
country."
frightening," he said.
Wine said Clinton's use-
"I'm hopeful that this
fulness has run its course.
will not totally compro-
"He's harmed the nation
Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg
Adat Shalom
mise the power of the
and the Democratic Party,
of Bais Chabad of
Rabbi Daniel Nevins
president."
and he's now a detriment to
West Bloomfield
Nelson had no plans
the welfare of the country,"
to read the Starr report.
Wine said. "His behavior has made a
with the sewage that is the Starr
"I'm saddened that we will be treated
laughingstock of the presidency."
report," he said. "People have an
to this information. It's private and it
Agreeing with Wine is Rabbi
appetite for that."
should stay that way."
Elimelech Silberberg from the Sara
Wine voted for Clinton in the
Nelson said Clinton has apologized
Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of
1992 and 1996 presidential elections.
enough, but "the only way to know if
West Bloomfield, a Lubavitch congre-
Two Conservative rabbis, Daniel
it's sincere is to ask his wife."
gation.
Nevins of Adat Shalom Synagogue
Rabbi Robert Levy of Ann Arbor's
"It would be tragic to have a world
and Aaron Bergman of Beth Abraham
Temple Beth Emeth, a Reform con-
. leader who's guilty of being morally
Hillel Moses, remain on the fence
gregation, said: "What's going on in
bankrupt," he said.
with respect to whether the president
Washington is this year's O.J.," refer-
Silberberg says young people are
should stay or go.
ring to the 1995 trial of O.J.
hurt the most by the situation: "To see
"I don't necessarily think adultery
Simpson.
the most powerful person in the coun-
itself is an impeachable offense, but
"At this time of the year, a rabbi's
try engaged in this conduct is heart-
perjury and obstruction of justice may
job is to call Jews to repentance, not
breaking."
be," said Nevins, who called Clinton's
argue over the fitness of the presi-
Silberberg's request to his congrega-
behavior reprehensible. "I have no
dent," Levy said. "I have opinions on
tion is that they "not get involved
doubt his remorse is sincere, but it's
it, but this isn't the season for that." ED
9/18
1998
10 Detroit Jewish News
Clinton
Repent
Temple Beth-El Rabbi
Daniel Syme met the
president in his most
anxious hour.
LONNY GOLDSMITH
Staff Writer
he envelope with the
return address of 1600
Pennsylvania Ave. was
almost discarded, as if
it promised another "$10 million
prize."
But then Rabbi Daniel Syme
second guessed his original
thought, agreeing to be one of
125 religious leaders welcomed at
a prayer breakfast last Friday at
the White House. As a result, he
had a first-hand look at a historic
moment and, he hopes, lent a
helping hand to a troubled presi-
dent.
"I thought it was a fund-raising
letter," Syme admitted, who never
thought he'd be in Washington,
D.C., on the day Ken Starr issued
his report as independent counsel.
In another turn of luck, Syme
was seated at a table with a place
card that read "host." His host
was none other than the presi-
dent.
Clinton, in his speech, said he
was "a broken spirit."
"It was quite an honor to sit
with him," Syme said. "I saw a
genuine contrition in him. Not
just in his words, but his eyes."
Following the speech, Syme
was one of a- few clergy members
who approached the president and
Hillary Clinton.
Washington correspondent James D.
Besser contributed to this report.