Clannish Emails
Dear Editor:
We Jews are just great with sending each other dozens of emails extolling the virtues of Israel, their compassionate helping of others in times of crisis, the restraint of the Israeli Defense Force, Israel’s latest technological achievements. A typical ‘must watch’ video in my incoming email: “there are thousands of these unsung heroes in the IDF, who are assisting those in need, and the World ignores most of their efforts…Mainstream Media will seldom cover the work they are accomplishing, saving their enemies from harm, and treating them at border hospitals with compassion and love..”
Why are we not forwarding this kind of information to mainstream media, to all “Jewish” newspapers, to radio talk show hosts, to anyone and everyone out there, with the same frenetic energy we use to email each other? Yes, it is important to keep our ‘clan’ informed, but it is far more important for us to be activists, send this to mainstream media, followed up by repeated phone calls demanding these facts be aired, and if needed, pickets and on-line petitions.
While the Jewish community does much to support Israel, if they do not begin spreading the truth about Israel, we will have won the war, Israel will survive, but lost the battle, the truth of Israel’s fairness and beauty will have been lost. And that is what our enemies are counting on. And believe me, they are relentless, grassroots activists. We are not.
Sincerely
Eleanor Schakovsky
When Facts No Longer Work
Dear Editor:
Just a few of many recent events reveal the increasingly ignorant normalization of anti-Semitic stereotyping of Jews which go largely unprotested by most American Jews, who seem to go about their business as usual, and shrug along with the acceptance. A carnival parade in Spain, intended to commemorate the Holocaust, featured dancing Nazis, concentration-camp prisoners in sequined tights, Israeli flags, and a “gas chamber” float with a giant Hebrew menorah between two chimneys. A “Miss Hitler 2020” pageant competition encouraged women to enter by posting sexy Nazi-themed photos together with an entry explaining why they “love and revere the Third Reich of Adolf Hitler.” World Zionist Organization vice chairman Yaakov Hagoel called for urgent action. “Anti-Semitic events have become commonplace for the Jews around the world.” JTA–”One in five Europeans believes that a secret network of Jews influences global political and economic affairs, a recent survey found.”
Melanie Phillips, “While anti-Jewish attacks are coming from the far-right, the left and the Muslim community, the greatest threat comes from the progressive side of politics…it harbors profound anti-Jewish views within its own ranks; and its cultural reach means that its own anti-Jewish incitement legitimizes and encourages far-right anti-Semitic attitudes that were once treated as beyond the pale. This, though, misses the critical point: that both anti-Zionism and antisemitism constitute an irrational belief, akin to a cult, and are therefore impervious to facts and argument. This is understood by French sociology professor Shmuel Trigano. In the most astute essay in the JCPA’s book, he correctly says we are “entering a new age of Jew-hatred,” which cannot be argued with but must instead be fought. Better advocacy for Israel, necessary as that is, will not address this anti-Jewish derangement.”
When this new cult of demonizing Zionists and Jews, often parading as “progressivism”, finally becomes the new norm, finally becomes part of our society and school curriculum, we will be forced to once again hide any signs of being a Jew or support of Israel for fear of our lives. American Jewish leaders and newspapers, who seem to find their voices when it comes to issuing editorials criticizing Israel for annexation, will try and take action when it’s too little, too late, as their own history will repeat itself.
Sincerely
Michael Favoir
The Rule of Law is Crucial
Dear Editor:
Beginning at sunset on May 28 until nightfall on May 30, Jews the world over will be celebrating the holiday of Shavuot (Pentecost), in commemoration of receiving the Torah (the Five Books of Moses), that G d gave the to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai more than 3,300 years ago.
Shavuot, however, should be noted also by non-Jews, because it “highlights the liberty to embrace the Torah” which impacts 100% of the world’s population of 7 billion. How can that be?
As Israeli Ambassador Yoram Ettinger explains, about 3,300 years ago, Shavuot was originally an agricultural holiday celebrating the first harvest in ancient Israel. However, it was also the time when G-d gave the 10 Commandments to the Jews at Mt. Sinai. Since the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in the year 70, and the exile of the Jews from Israel began, observing Shavuot strengthened the spiritual awareness of Jews as to importance of the Torah, wherever they might be physically living.
The 10 Commandments became the basic laws behind the Torah (Old Testament). Approximately 1,300 years later, the Torah became the foundation of the New Testament. Approximately 1,776 years later, the Old and New Testaments became the basis for the U.S. Declaration of Independence (Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness) and the Constitution and Bill of Rights.
Together, these religious laws and resulting secular laws created Western Civilization, with its concepts of democracy, rule of law, and minority rights. Today, approximately 50% of the world’s population now lives in a democracy. The other 50% live under authoritarian rule in China, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and most Muslim countries.
So why is Shavuot crucial to 100% of the world’s population?
It is crucial because the 50% who live under the rule of law in democracies are direct beneficiaries of the 10 Commandments and the Torah of early Judaism. It is also critical for the other 50% of people who live under authoritarian rule, who yearn to live under the rule of law inherent in democracies, as the citizens of Hong Kong are passionately seeking, for example.
Let us hope that the democracies overcome their collective near term challenges (fighting pandemics while preserving their citizens’ liberty), so they remain the guiding light for those suffering under authoritarian rule.
Two traditions to celebrate Shavuot are, an all-night study of the Torah, and feasting on dairy fare, as a symbol of their promised “land flowing with milk and honey,” (Exodus:3:8), namely the land Israel.
Happy Shavuot!
Sincerely
Ken Abramowitz & Rachel Ehrenfeld
