Support for Cosgrove
We were shocked and saddened to read the misrepresentations and mischaracterizations about positions taken by and statements of Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove in Caroline B. Glick’s “Leaving the big tent” (Column One, April 4). We were present at the Park Avenue Synagogue on March 28, at the event to which she refers as the basis of her premise.
(For your ability to confirm what actually was said, a podcast of the event can be downloaded via https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/park-avenue-podcasts/id814564469?mt =2&i=1000383717752).
Contrary to Ms. Glick’s statements and apparently those of her sources, Rabbi Cosgrove did not equate Israel with an apartheid state, and neither did his daughter, as referenced by Ms. Glick. On the contrary, and as the podcast makes clear, Rabbi Cosgrove explained exactly why Israel is not an apartheid state, what the distinctions are and what the differences are between Israel and apartheid states in order to assist his daughter (and others) to be able to counter those very arguments by organizations and spokespersons for BDS and others who do not fully understand the issues, and by those who seek Israel’s destruction.
Rabbi Cosgrove has always been and continues to be a staunch supporter and advocate for Jews worldwide, and for the State of Israel in particular. His leadership and advocacy for Israel; his vast and successful educational initiatives, including extensive travels to Israel, about the history of Israel, Zionism and the future of Israel, including the search for peace; his sponsorship and participation in programming for the Park Avenue Synagogue membership and the public at large clearly demonstrate his unflinching dedication and support for a vibrant, successful, leading, prosperous, safe and secure State of Israel for the benefit of the Jewish people and the entire world.
We hope and trust you can correct the record and Ms. Glick so that all your readers are given the truth about one of American Jewry’s finest, most ardent, dedicated and vocal supporters of the State of Israel, Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove.
RITA and NATHAN MOSER
New York