“The only clue to what man can do is what man has done.” RG. Collingwood.
Words that are eerie in these times when so much of what we hear and see is reminiscent (in the most dreadful way) of Nazi Germany. Have I expressed this concern previously? Of course, it is unavoidable.
Prior to October 7, 2023, the never did I, or anyone I knew, ever question the prudence of “advertising” their Jewish faith by wearing a symbol, such as a Magen David, flying an Israeli flag, or wearing a kippah (head covering).
We now reside in a world where flights to Israel are cancelled. The mayor of New York City refused to march in the Israel Day Parade notwithstanding he received major support from his Jewish constituents.
Globally there has been a significant rise in incidents of physical and verbal abuse of Jews. It is impossible to attend a Jewish center of learning or observance without navigating multiple layers of security.
Why should anyone have to tell me I am courageous for speaking my mind, or wearing a Jewish star? What world is this?
If we are to surmise what man can do, then based on current events, the 1930s and 1940s may have only been a practice session for the virulent antisemitism that has again reared its ugly head.
The difference now is that Jews have also learned what they can do. And to march willingly to cattle cars and gas chambers is NOT it.
Unfortunately, some continue to vote into office those quick to espouse their hatred for Israel and Jews. There are many, hopefully, enough of us, that will “not go gentle into that good night.
It would be preferable for all Jews, especially American Jews, to wake up to the reality that they continue to elect public officials and support personalities who are not just apathetic but those who unashamedly promote antisemitism.
I beseech my fellow Jews to be smart, be brave, wake up and stop electing officials that unabashedly espouse Jew hatred a/k/a Anti-Zionism.
It also appears that there has been an indoctrination of our young people. A 19-year-old Cornell student recently turned down a summer internship professing “not interested in working for a Jew.”
There is no embarrassment in professing hatred for an entire group. Back in the ‘60s I thought we agreed that disdain for an entire group, based on color, religion, ethnicity was no longer going to be tolerated. Apparently today, if it is Jew hatred, the world is mostly silent. This is where we are in 2026.
