Don’t Stand Against Anti-Semitism – Do Something

By Rabbi Yakov Saacks, The Chai Center, Dix Hills, NY

Every so often on Facebook, there is a slogan that is created to reflect the current mood of many people. One example was when there was a shooting at a kosher French shop in Paris and many people posted on their wall the words “Je suis Juif.” This literally means “I am a Jew,” or non-literally, “I stand with the Jews and I am appalled that Jews were targeted.”

After the latest rash of anti-Semitic incidents in New York over Chanukah, there are different worthy organizations that have come up with logos stating, “I stand against anti-Semitism.” Well, I don’t! I do not want to be known as someone who stands against anti-Semitism, rather, I want to DO something about it. I want to be in front of it and not behind it. I want to be proactive and not just offer a feel-good pump fist in the air. I wish to inspire all who read this to be action oriented as well.

So, practically speaking, what can we do in 2020 to stop or at least slow the disease, scourge, menace and plague of Jew-hating bigots and thugs?

MORAL ROT
I, like you, have been watching videos of the aforementioned attacks, and they all have one thing in common. What I witnessed in horror was that the greater public on the streets of New York did nothing to protect the victim. I saw a Yeshiva student being harassed, garbage thrown at him and tormented, and yet not one person on the street came to his rescue. The cars continued to drive by or park, the pedestrians crossed the street to avoid confrontation and the store owners continued to hawk their wares. This is unacceptable and is called MORAL ROT. When good people do nothing then this is a tacit approval that all is okay in la la land.

Put down the latte and start calling others on the street to help this poor victim. When the holy Torah commands us in Leviticus Chapter 19, “Do not stand idly by while your neighbor’s blood is shed,” it does not only mean marching for gun control or ending animal abuse. IT MEANS LITERALLY– STOP THE BLOODSHED. In the words of the great Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, “In a free society, only some may be guilty but all are responsible.” Cowardice, weakness, timidity, and fearfulness are all words to describe spinelessness. Be inspired to stop the moral rot.

REVISE CATCH & RELEASE
The new laws to hit New York state are a danger to all the good citizens and are a haven and shelter for thugs. The new law basically states that bail is a thing of the past unless the perp draws blood. It is madness! You can fire a gun, hit someone, rob at gun point or spit at a Jew, and as long as you do not draw blood, you will be released at your own recognizance and right back on the street.

This week alone, a woman assaulted three Jewish women, got arrested, was released and then promptly that very day assaulted someone again and was released AGAIN. This same Tiffany Harris has a record of assault in 2018, and she has not shown up for other court dates in the past. She is a scofflaw and a threat to human beings. She is being treated better than we are. She needs to cool her jets in a prison. Don’t be a sideliner. Call your state assemblyman and state senator. Call the Governor and get people like her off the street. I did. My assemblyman is in agreement that the new law is insanity at best, and kowtowing for votes at its worst.

I understand the reason behind the law. I agree that there should be catch and release, but never for a violent person. It is not fair, and when something is not fair, then we the people should not be silent.

Read the following and be inspired.

“Each time a man or woman stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, they send forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those tiny ripples can build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” – Robert Kennedy.

BE PROUD
As a Rabbi, I am stopped by a great many Jewish people in the street, supermarket and even in the DMV. They tell me that they are scared. They tell me that this year they are not placing their Chanukah menorah in the window for fear of anti-Semitic thugs.

My response is always the same. Do not let thugs, hooligans and hate-filled people dictate what you do or do not do.

You are a Jew – be proud!

If you hide your Jewishness out of fear or discomfort, then they have won the battle. We must not let them be victorious. Ironically, the very story of Chanukah depicts this message. The Jews refused to let the Greeks dictate what is okay to do and believe. They fought back. We need to add in our Jewish pride at this time and God forbid, not retreat.

God Bless. May 2020 be a much better year and may the stank of anti-Semites be washed away by good people standing up for our people.