Instead, I'm taking a trip back in history. A trip back to very scary history for those among us who are Jewish.
We Americans thought, when I was growing up in the 1960's, that our children would not repeat the hate of the past. We would be different.
We were wrong.
This past Hanukkah, which will be entering its final day at sundown tonight, has seen at least 13 anti-Semitic incidents in New York State. The latest one, in a heavily Jewish county to the north of New York City, involved a (allegedly) 37 year man entering the home of a Rabbi and stabbing or otherwise assaulting at least five visitors (one being a son of the rabbi) with a machete. He then ran to a nearby synagogue, but the people inside, hearing the screams coming from the house, wisely barracaded themselves in.
This is what we have come to. We don't want to go back any further in history.
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| Temple Israel, Binghamton, New York |
From time to time in Jewish history, the lighting of Hanukkah candles had to be done in secret. Are we heading that way again? You'll recall that I blogged recently how the synagogue above has had to lock its doors and install security cameras to screen visitors, as have many synagogues and Jewish community centers throughout our country.
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| Menorah, Oakdale Mall, Johnson City, New York |
You, dear reader, can always become the target tomorrow. In truth, I feel we have more to worry about from domestic terrorists than ones coming from overseas.
Meanwhile, various minorities walk around the United States feeling they have bulls-eyes printed on their backs. If you aren't one today, you could be one tomorrow.
So now we hold our breaths and see how our fellow citizens will react.
Shaking my head...all sides are so guilty of this (not just one person)...try being on a college campus, Alana...I am afraid Jews and Christians (are we not the same? Don't we believe in the same? Just wondering--I/we have so much in common with friends who believe in Jesus Christ and who are Jewish--we have great conversations that leave me gobsmacked in what I think I know, does that make sense?). What is that old Aretha song? R-E-S-P-E-C-T can go a long way...I guess there are folks who don't want to believe in that.
ReplyDeleteI have a professor who is Jewish and on a total different political plane then I am and he said to me (and he is sponsoring my final Senior Project), "Linda, I am so glad I got to know you. I know we are completely different in our thinking, but you and I have respect for one another and I do not think you and I will ever have an angry word. I wish there were more students like you." Funny, I grew up with a very strict ideology, as I have grown and gone through this world, I realize my upbringing was...well...not very open minded.
I just wish more people who stop and think before they act out. I hope my comment made sense.
It’s been a rough week. A friend told me she’s reluctant to put her electric menorah in the window.my synagogue has extensive security measures, including a full time armed guard, but her less-wealthy congregation can not afford much ...
ReplyDeleteIt seems we are caught between right wing and left wing extremists; antiSemitism seems to be common at both ends of the spectrum.
I would never have imagined this ...
I'm heartbroken at all of the attacks here in my borough of Brooklyn. I love this place for its diversity and tolerance. I can't stand that we just seem to have lost it. Praying that it's a temporary wave and doesn't keep going.
ReplyDeleteHappy last night of Chanukah. I'm glad we have a menorah in the lobby.
I just can't anymore. These people are so emboldened, it scares me. I hope this is the wake up call the rest of us need to finally expell the crazies, although the crazies never really go all the way away, do they?
ReplyDeleteRemember folks, throughout history, it has been attack the Jewish folks first. Then, they come for the rest...
ReplyDeleteAlana,
ReplyDeleteHatred is a seed placed in the heart by the master of deceit - Satan and as long as the world stands there will always be problems such as this. Evil cringes where there's love, faith, happiness, hope, all things positive, pure, and true. So, the wicked seek out to destroy, to tear down, to pull the rug from underneath you and me. But those who believe, those who have God inside while we might be sad, our resolve to keep on worshiping the way we do will not stop.
What a shame our world has become where you can't go to church without being attacked! I read an article yesterday of a shooting in a Texas church. Thankfully, some congregation members opened fire on the assailant.
It perplexes me why one people can feel such disdain for another to the point of such violence. I shall keep your community in prayer. We should all feel safe to worship God that convicts our heart. I will say this, anyone who says they are doing murderous deeds in the name of God is lying. God doesn't live in the heart of such people. God is love.
Sending hugs, love, and prayers to you, my dear!
It is a worrisome time. I have lost my sense of optimism. Wishing you a peaceful new year.
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