Why We Should Stand Together

By: Michael Horowitz

 

I had planned and truly want to write an upbeat message highlighting all of the wonderful accomplishments of our Federation and community. However with all of the reports and news I read about the critical issues 21^st Century American Jewry is facing, it seems more appropriate to reflect on the challenges that lie ahead of us.

 

We know that we are unable to build a Jewish future on the back of historical Jewish tsuris, or distress.  Our future depends on developing a strong sense of our values, traditions, and the substance of Jewish life to create meaningful identity that inspires us to be Jewish. Unfortunately, the reality is that today we are Jews by choice, and many choose not to participate, particularly in North America.

 

At the same time, a disturbing trend has evolved to “not be paranoid” whereas anti-Jewish events are viewed as “the way it is” rather than a conspiracy against the Jewish people. The thinking is that times have changed and we are living in a modern world. Right?

 

We now have technology that showcases the brutality of conflict giving us visibility into the savageness of ISIS, Al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula, Darfur, Yemen, as well as the “modern” aggressive Russian attacks on the Ukraine. We see despotic dictators, like Bashar al-Assad of Syria, who treat their own people in unfathomable and despicable ways. 

 

Despite the fact that these are not even acts of evil against Jews, they demonstrate the capacity of mankind to inflict evil may be no different than the centuries of historic evil that we study. The only difference is that the previous acts were not conveniently showcased on TV or the Internet.

 

Are we just being paranoid when we hear that a group of extremists are holding a rally in London on the 4^th of July (but more importantly, a Shabbat), opposing the “Jewification of Britain”? Was the fact that terrorists in France targeted Jews and Jewish businesses just a random act?  Is the incredible ramp-up of anti-Israel rhetoric around the world, including the United States, and many church and professional academic associations trying to adopt anti-Israel resolutions ok? Can extraordinarily lopsided condemnation of Israel in the UN and in the media, especially relative to horrific human abuses in numerous other counties not being condemned, be understood in any way other than as anti-Semitic?

 

When examining these various acts, it’s hard to argue that today we are at risk as a Jewish people. And while we believe that we may be more protected from physical and existential threat, can we really be sure? Can we be sure with a nuclear Iran and terrorist philosophies having no regard for human life and armed with weapons of mass destruction that we are safe? And is the growing wave of anti-Israel/anti-Semitic rhetoric, especially in Europe, really so different than times gone by? Who can be sure?

 

With all of that being said, this is not the great risk I am referring to. The risk I purport is the lack of caring by Jews themselves about the future of the Jewish people, the challenges of the State of Israel, and the responsibility we have to one another. Ultimately, our secret weapon is not a nuclear bomb. It is the strength we gain as a united people, caring about the future of our fellow Jews wherever they may be. It is what has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years and it is what will ensure our survival for thousands more.

 

We have many slogans that promote this fellowship, including “Better Together”, “We are One”, “The Strength of a People”,and“ Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Bazeh” (all Jews are responsible for one another)”. And while seemingly just slogans, they represent our strength when we are connected and care about one another. Still, our strength is diminished by so many who choose not to care or be obligated by this responsibility, putting our future at great risk.

 

I hope you will join me, your Federation, and others in the community to become obligated and inspire others to be obligated. Together, we can build a strong Jewish community for tomorrow. With you, we can address this broad scope of our Jewish community's needs and make the world a better place.