[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem – I am in one of my complaining moods. This week I am writing seriously. No flowery descriptions of the beauty of Israel. No lists of all of Israel's technological, medical, environmental and scientific accomplishments to society and mankind. No humorous anecdotes about my latest trials and tribulations dealing with Israeli bureaucracy. Having just fasted, without food or drink, for 25 hours during Tisha B'Av (9th of Av), considered the “saddest day” in the Jewish calendar, I had an opportunity to reflect upon the warnings of the ancient Jewish prophets and see how relevant they are today. Living in Israel, a country surrounded by enemies, experiencing terror first-hand, knowing that what is news here never makes it to the rest of the world. If it is reported, it is distorted to suit political agendas, and that makes me want to shake some of my friends and relatives in the U.S. and say “wake up!”
Often, I find my non-Jewish friends have more concern for the safety and security of Israel than some of my fellow American Jews. I ask you all, regardless of your religious affiliations and political beliefs, think what you can do to speak out against discrimination and terror, and support the existence of the State of Israel. For what happens here can happen in the States. We all must be responsible for each other. It might not be popular to do so at times, but as said by the Protestant pastor and social activist Friedrich Niemoller in Nazi Germany, “First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for…..then they came for….then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
For example, a nuclear Iran is not just Israel's problem. It is a problem for the U.S. and for the entire world. Perhaps it is time that we all stand by each other instead of fighting amongst ourselves. Do not think that what affects those of us in Israel does not affect you in the States. Israel is the only ally of the U.S. in the Middle East. In an article in The New York Times, journalist Jeffrey Goldberg wrote about the dangers of a terrorist nuclear attack on U.S. soil. He wrote, “Everything else – Fannie Mae, healthcare reform, energy independence, the budget shortfall in Wasilla, Alaska – is commentary.” The phrase “the rest is commentary” originally was attributed to the first century BCE rabbinic sage Hillel when he was asked to teach the whole Torah while standing on one leg. Hillel replied, “That which is hateful to you, do not unto another. This is the whole Torah. The rest is commentary…” Both the contemporary Goldberg and the ancient sage Hillel are wise indeed.
Are American Jews in the States becoming so complacent that they can be compared to the Jews in pre-Holocaust Germany who said “it can't happen here”? Do they ignore the events going on with fellow Jews in the rest of the world because they have a nice comfortable life away from it all? In the 21st century when a luxury hotel in Santa Monica can kick out Jewish guests because they are Jewish, maybe it is time to re-think what is “politically correct” or controversial. Beware, a 2011 U.S. State Dept. report alleges an increase in anti-Semitism in the U.S.as well as globally. Is it just anti-Semitism? Or is Europe being held hostage by its growing Islamic population, afraid to say or do anything that might offend them? It amazes and terrifies me at the same time when I read in U.S. and European newspapers and watch their television newscasts of events taking place in Israel that are 180 degrees from what actually occurred here. No wonder Israel, and Jews, are hated when the media is the only source of information. Ethics and morality are blatantly absent from reporting.
As commented in Jews News, “A fitting post as Tisha B'av draws to a close…when are we ever going to learn our lesson that there is no such thing as Judaism without the Land of Israel ?” This referred to an article in the Jewish Press of Brooklyn that the Jewish Federations of North America decided to remove the term “Zionism” from its global planning document because the term is “too controversial.” In fact, the Global Planning Table page of the Jewish Federations of North America website did not include either the term Zionism or Israel. I often have said, as long as we are afraid to offend those who encourage, abet, support, and sponsor terror, there will be no safe place for anyone. I ask the following question: Who are we offending by using the term Zionism or Israel but those who want to de-legitimize Israel's existence? No wonder there is a global increase in anti-Semitism. If Jews are embarrassed that they might offend their enemies, or be labeled “racist” if they question current Middle East policy, how can they expect others to support the existence of Israel or Jews in general?
Of course to many, I love Israel because I have become “meshugge,” another word for “crazy.” Why should anything I have to say be given a second thought? I am looked upon as that “dotty” old woman who has lost reality because I embrace the religion of my ancestors. I have returned to Torah Judaism, the religion of the Bible, the religion G-d gave the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. I keep kosher, observe Shabbat (Sabbath), and try to follow Orthodox Judaism. Although the Torah tells Jews to do so, most Jews today do not keep kosher or observe Shabbat. They consider it old fashioned or no longer relevant. I do not “forum shop”, as we attorneys say when looking for a sympathetic judge or courtroom venue for our clients' needs. I do not pick and choose what to observe according to whim. I do not discard Orthodox Judaism because it might keep me from assimilating into a non-Jewish culture or community. To the non-observant, I must be a “religious fanatic” who should be ignored. Why else would a modern woman, at times called “feminist,” who has gone from a relatively sheltered secular childhood in an ethnically Jewish neighborhood to living on campus at the multi-cultural UCLA, from police officer to attorney-at-law, now leaving the comfort and luxuries of the U.S. to a country hated by most of the world? For the best reasons of all: Because I feel the presence of Hashem (G-d) at all times, I get goosebumps on my arms and shivers from head to toe when I pray at holy sites, and my soul tells me I finally am “home,” in the home of my ancestors.
Even if you want to ignore me, please do not ignore what is going on around you. Wake up! What happens to Israel can happen to you or affect you.
L'hitraot. Shachar (Dawn)
