When I was contemplating starting a blog and considering what I wanted to share on it, I thought long and hard about addressing current events, politics, and other highly controversial topics. Naturally, I have PLENTY of opinions to spew, but I decided that, except where I thought I could keep things lighthearted and relatively objective, I would just stay away. Who needs the likely vitriol which would result from those posts, right? Well, surprise, surprise, I just can't stay silent right now, and am opening Pandora's Box.
For those living under a rock, there's a new war in the world: between the internationally designated terrorist organization Hamas and Israel. Hamas (a fundamentalist Islamic militant group) was established with a stated goal of destroying Israel and replacing it with an Islamic Palestinian state, and has been the de facto governing body in the Gaza Strip (one of two Palestinian Territories in Israel) since 2006. Two things to make clear: Hamas is not synonymous with the Palestinian people, and this war is not a political one -- if it were, Hamas would be targeting military and government installations/ infrastructure. Instead, they are going after Israeli CITIZENS -- infants, Holocaust survivors, people at music festivals, kibbutzes. Regardless of my feelings about the politics related to the the treatment of those living in the Palestinian-occupied territories, this war on JEWS is rocking me (and every other Jew I know) to the core. And, when I see so many organizations celebrating (yes, celebrating!) Hamas' actions, it turns my stomach and somehow, in an extremely deep and visceral way, strengthens my identity as a Jew while giving some credence to my friends who happen to have always believed that everyone is out to get us (Jews). I know that's not true (obviously), but it feels a lot closer to true these days.
I am old enough that Facebook is my primary social media platform and there have been memes upon memes about how we Jews are feeling and about how our non-Jew (Gentile) friends are reacting. I am sharing the one (not attributed to anyone, so I don't know the source -- sorry) which resonated most strongly with me. But before I do, I would like to sincerely thank those friends who have reached out to check on me/us and share their support -- I know how hard it is to come up with the right words as I am not even sure of them.
"To my non-Jewish friends:
Where are you?
I heard you protest the injustice when George Floyd died. I heard you protest outside offices during the height of #MeToo. I heard you at the steps of the Supreme Court fighting for LGBTQ rights, and cheering outside the White House when Bin Laden was killed. I hear you ask the government do more for the climate every Earth Day.
Where are you? I see you're here. The hike on Sunday looked beautiful. The dinner you cooked last night looked excellent. The trip to Europe last week looked amazing.
I assume it's because you don't know what to say, or you're scared to speak up.
Here's a start: post a[n image of an Israeli flag] , send a [heart emoji], or share a post to show your Jewish friends "I see you, and I support you." For those of you who speak and need to say "I support you, but...": but what? Are you justifying killing innocent people? Would you do that for your own family?
No Jewish person wants to see innocent Palestinian civilians die. No one wants war.
Many Jews disagree with the policies of the Israeli government. Many Jews want to see a 2 state solution. I know a lot of you feel strongly in opposition to some policies of the American government, but should Americans die for that? Was Afghanistan right to create an environment where Al-Qaeda could thrive and carry out 9/11? Of course not.
All people want to feel safe. Jews are no different. We're tired of walking into temple past barricades and undercover police. We're tired of the Squirrel Hill's. We're tired of the swastika graffiti, of the subtle tropes about money, of no one speaking out.
This isn't a political issue, it's about basic human decency. We don't feel safe when hundreds are murdered at music festivals and in their homes and no one speaks out.
We all know what happens when you don't use your voice.
Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."
[-- Elie Wiesel]
In other words, we are not OK. I am not OK. As a fully assimilated non-religious (yet cultural) Jew, I honestly never thought I'd experience a global outpouring of virulent antisemitism (or the global outpouring of support). That so many groups on campuses around the country are supportive of Hamas' actions is disgusting to me; that many colleges and universities were not quick to speak out against the humanitarian atrocities is surprising; and to be honest, the fact that several branches of the Black Lives Matter movement came out in support of Hamas on Facebook was downright shocking to me (they have since taken down those posts) because so many Jews have supported that movement in solidarity as minorities also experiencing hatred and bigotry. So many falsely equate Hamas with all Palestinians (which would be like people equating the KKK with all Americans) -- maybe that's what is going on there. I don't know and honestly right now, I don't care. It is not OK.
The barbarity with which Hamas is acting is igniting feelings my parents and grandparents and other Jews who lived through antisemitic atrocities seemed to have imbued deep DEEP inside of me, and I find myself on the verge of tears randomly. And, of course, Jewish geography being what it is, I (maybe we all??) know plenty of folks with loved ones in Israel, making this war that much more personal.
You know, it is a sort of joke that the common theme of Jewish holidays is, "they came and tried to kill us, we survived, let's eat." This is one of those times. But the only truly comforting thing I can think of to eat (other than the leftover maple banana challah french toast casserole in the fridge) is chicken soup -- Jewish penicillin. So I will share that recipe and hope it makes at least someone feel a little better.
Recipe here: https://www.donnaramadishes.com/recipes/chicken-soup