Rubin and an accomplice have been arrested for plotting to bomb both a mosque in Culver City and the office of a congressional representative.

The Jewish Defense League, like many other organizations, hides behind a title whose words are contrary to the values of what the organization claims to represent. There is nothing Jewish about about murder or conspiracy, and there is nothing defensive about plotting to bomb the worship facility of any faith group -- anywhere.

And just how many people have to be involved in an organization before it can qualify as a league? 100? 1,000? 100,000? 2?

I challenge Jewish leaders and community representatives to forcefully and passionately condemn the JDL and Irv Rubin. I am tired of hearing so-called Palestinian representatives say, "We deplore all acts of terrorism, whether Israeli or Palestinian, Jew or Arab" after another passenger bus is blown up.

Jews are wiser, and we have the courage to critique ourselves, when the situation is appropriate, as it appears to be in this particular incident.

Rubin and his organization are an embarrassment to my religion and my people, and neither he nor anyone associated with his group speak for me, my family, or my synagogue.

Only when we Jews can demonstrate that we can speak out against lunatics who cause damage to the world, and ultimately to the Jewish people, can we fairly critique others who often fail to do the same for their own causes.