Beth El Synagogue has announced that former Pres. George W. Bush will speak at the St. Louis Park shul on the evening of Sept. 21.
The event is being billed as “An Intimate Evening with the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush.” The audience will be limited to 250 people; and ticket prices start at $1,250.
Former Pres. George W. Bush will be the featured speaker at a Sept. 21 fundraising event at Beth El Synagogue. Bush (right) is shown arriving in Israel on Jan. 9, 2008, and being greeted by then Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (left) and President Shimon Peres. (Photo: Brian Hendler/JTA)
In an Aug. 22 letter sent to congregants, Gil Mann, the Beth El president, notes that Bush’s appearance is the result of “extraordinary efforts” by congregants Elliott and Marlys Badzin. Mann’s letter states:
[Bush’s] appearance coincides with the 10th anniversary of 9-11, a time when our country came together with a singular purpose. This national tragedy defined much of his presidency, and the lessons of that time should prove illuminating and provide important perspective today as our country strives to be more united.
His appearance, like those of other world leaders who have spoken at Beth El, such as President Bill Clinton and Israel[i] Prime Minister Ehud Barak, is an important fundraiser for our synagogue.
The former president’s speaking fee is reported to be between $100,000 and $150,000. If Beth El can sell all of its tickets, it would gross a minimum of $312,500.
The letter from Mann notes a Sept. 1 deadline for ticket orders, “so that appropriate security measures can be taken.” No press will be allowed inside of the synagogue to cover the event.
The choice of Condoleezza Rice, who served as secretary of state in the Bush administration, to speak at Beth El, in Nov. 2009, engendered controversy within the congregation and in the larger community. Dozen of protesters decrying Rice’s support for the Iraq War and the use of torture against suspected terrorists picketed outside of the event. — Mordecai Specktor
In the past two years, Beth El Synagogue has featured in a major fundraiser a woman who has said she was in government meetings where the use of torture tactics was discussed, and that she “conveyed” the go-ahead to the CIA Director to use those tactics, “pending legal approval”; hosted another synagogue’s event where a rabbi/law professor advocated under certain circumstances the use of torture; and now intends to raise money off of a man who has repeatedly admitted he authorized the use of what amounts to torture. Wow!
Are “extraordinary efforts” related to “extraordinary renditions” (which President Bush is well-versed on)? It seems like Beth El is going out of its way to feature proponents of torture.
It nauseates me to know that any synagogue would add to the coffers of someone who did more damage to this country and democracy itself than any other leader in our nation’s history. I hope not a single ticket is sold–he doesn’t deserve to profit from the blood he’s spilled over 8 reckless years, steeped as he was in the kind of partisan overreach that has so polluted our political waters. I don’t know if we’ll ever recover from the dismantling and virtual dismemberment of critical protections and freedoms committed in his name. First Condoleeza Rice and now this–can we expect the real power brokers of evil, Cheney and Rumsfeld, on the bill in years to come? This is absolutely shameful–a shonde of the highest magnitude. Despicable.
This does not make me happy one bit. He should not be Profitting off of us. To say he is a war criminal is the best thing I can say about this man…Ick
This is baloney of the non-kosher sort. An “intimate evening” with 250 participants? Well considering how he screwed the entire country maybe this sort of gang bang is an intimate evening. A disgrace at so many many levels. Insensitive and self absorbed EXACTLY what hurts our community. The decision makers behind this outrage ought to be replaced, but oh a guy like me can’t afford to pay to play so the band plays on. Direct comments back are solicited.
“…and the lessons of that time should prove illuminating and provide important perspective today…”
Evidently we haven’t learned much lasting impact from the Nuremberg trials, the Geneva Conventions, the Convention Against Torture – what lessons are we learning from the Bush Administration? Maybe, just maybe, that we will return to what we hold dear from the Nuremberg trials, the Geneva Conventions and the Convention Against Torture. Maybe that would show that God’s mercy does abide – that we can return to a better humanity.