Every single day this week, I spoke to multiple people from our community and beyond, who reached out to share their fears and concerns of antisemitism and where things are headed in this country and around the world. People have clearly expressed to me, that what has happened in this country, in college campuses, in many media outlets, on the streets and on social media, and of course in so many places around the world, is unlike anything they have ever seen in their lifetime.
When an enraged mob of thousands was running around the airport in Dagestan last Sunday, looking for Jews to lynch and murder, that was bad enough and a reminder of the pogroms that happened to our great grandparents. Yet when respected media, go and call that a protest, it is not only disheartening, it is sickening. As Gary Kasparov said, “that was a protest against Jews, like Kristallnacht was a protest against glass”.
When people tell me that they are scared to have a Jewish symbol on their home, front door and lawn, or they are fearful to wear a necklace with a Star of David, or wear a Yarmulka, it is not only not okay, it is a sign that something is wrong, and deeply rotten.
It is not the people who are scared who have a problem, it is the ones spewing the hate towards Israel or Jews, which just experienced a heinous and evil massacre, the likes of which we have not experienced since the Holocaust, who have something deeply wrong in their worldview. The fact that the evil terrorists, could livestream this and were not even worried about the repercussions of that, is because they know that there are too many people out there, who silently support their cause.
When the UN passes a resolution condemning Israel, yet refuses to even consider Hamas, and then the resolution gets a standing ovation by 120 countries, something has broken and shattered and it stinks.
When respected Colleges across the country seem to endorse antisemitism and side with Hamas, something is deeply rotten. When I hear firsthand from students, about harassment from professors in addition to harassment from students, this is not only wrong, it is bigotry and racism in its worst form.
SO SHOULD WE BE AFRAID AND SHOULD WE HIDE?
NEVER, should we be silent, NEVER, should we be afraid, NEVER, should we hide our Judaism or love for Israel.
We should PROUDLY continue to be a strong community, dig deep within ourselves, tap into our faith and our history and gain strength from the good people who stand by our sides, all while never stopping to do even more Mitzvot, more good deeds and being more determined to brighten the world and make it a kinder place for every decent human being.
I know I speak for many others, when we think of the good friends who have reached out, and the leaders who have reached out and spoken up with moral clarity about the right and the good, and condemned the absolute evil for what it is. To us, you represent the best of humanity, and you give us hope. At the same time, the silence by many who SHOULD be speaking up, is DEAFENING and is far too widespread.
Are we disappointed, definitely yes, do we still hope for better, definitely yes, but no matter what, we know, we have been there before and with G-d’s help, we have overcome every challenge that has come our way over the course of history, and this will be no different.
We currently are reading in the Torah portion, the story of the first Jews, Abraham and Sarah, and read about their many challenges, which included being rejected by many others, almost being killed on multiple occasions, all the while, advocating and trying to make a difference to others, even for people who were thoroughly corrupt and evil, as seen in the story of Sodom.
No matter what they went through, or how low things got, their dedication to G-d and the values that G-d asked them to love by, never wavered even for a moment, even after ten very difficult challenges that tested their faith.
Their commitment, to bettering the world, teaching monotheism, and doing acts of kindness, never faltered for a moment. They had many chances to throw in the towel and give it all up, especially as it just didn’t make sense anymore, to be so alone, so unpopular, and to swim against the current.
Yet they never did and never even considered it.
It is this unbelievable commitment and unshakable dedication to doing what G-d wanted, that they shared with their descendants and all of us, so that we too, may seek to live by this same kind of commitment to what is right and good, even when it gets challenging, and even when it isn’t so popular.
G-d willing, this too shall pass, peace will be restored, and no more innocent lives will be snuffed out.
In the meantime, THANK YOU to all of those who have had the COURAGE to reach out, speak up, and have moral clarity. You give us hope, you give us comfort, and we know that it is with people like you who are moral beacons, who give us hope and courage, that the future will be better, and we will overcome this together.
It is also so important for us as a community to remember, that there are so many campuses, schools and towns, which are doing everything they can, to have moral clarity, to not let ANY antisemitism rear its ugly head and to speak out with clarity on Israel. It is important for us to remember that the majority of people, are good people who do care. We have also clearly seen some brave leaders, be they political, clergy, or academics, who have spoken up, and will continue to do what is right.
It is the knowledge of the above that should give us courage and we should not be victims.
I wear a Yarmulka every day, I look visibly Jewish, as do our children, and in our eighteen years in Sudbury, only once did someone scream an antisemitic thing to me.
The law enforcement in this town have been amazing partners, and we are very grateful to them, and we know that they have our back, as they do for everyone else.
Should you do what you need to do to be more aware and mindful, yes, but we do not need to be afraid or scared.
Put up a Mezuzah on your door (we will make one available at 50% off the cost, for your front door, and will gladly help put it up).
Wear a Yarmulka proudly in the street, or try it for an hour a day or one day a week!
Wear your CHAI necklace, your Star of David proudly for people to see!
Support Israel and stand with them, with no fear!
And of course, there are so many other things you can do to celebrate your Judaism with your children, friend and family, inside your home, like Shabbat Candles, Kiddush, Tefillin, Charity and so much more.
Now is a time to convey strength, clarity, positivity and confidence and faith in our future, not to share fear and worry with our children and friends!
It is a time to do MORE, not a time to do LESS.
To my fellow residents of Massachusetts, please know that your voice, or a simple message of understanding and reassurance to your Jewish friends and community, with a reminder to them that they are not alone, and that you stand with them, will mean the world to them. Together your collective voices, will help drown out the fewer voices of hate and bigotry, which truly don’t represent the majority of people in our society.
Friends, we are strong and we need to be STRONG, we have our faith in G-d and the commitment of our ancestors to count on!
We will do this and do it right!
Am Yisroel Chai!
Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel