YU invited Mike Huckabee to give the commencement address at their graduation. As last year when they invited Elise Stefanik, this elicited a protest from left wing professors who were not happy with a pro-Trumper being invited. But the invitation was not rescinded. They said that he is a polarizing figure. Indeed. Pro Hamas people [and left wing professors at universities] hate him while people who are in favor of the existence of the Jewish people and a Jewish State are supporters. Basic Hakaras Hatov mandates that we acknowledge him.
In his *drasha*, he was mechavein to a Rashi. He said that when people hate the Jews they really hate the G-d of the Jews. He also encouraged the students to be proud Jews. He further emphasized that his whole faith system as a Christian is predicated on Judaism and expressed his thanks. I have never heard a Christian thank Jews for their religion. He also spoke movingly about the Holocaust. A non-Jew who really feels for our loss. כן ירבו. Not to mention the work he did to have the hostages freed. [We should also not forget the איסור of לא תחנם].
It is quite jarring to think how many pro-Israel right wing conservative thinkers have views closer to Torah than most assimilated Jews. Jews should take mussar from him not to forget our past and to be open, proud Jews.
