By Miriam Davids, lubavitch.com
The recent article in a mainstream Swedish newspaper claiming that Israeli soldiers harvested body organs from Palestinians, has many in Sweden’s Jewish community deeply concerned.
Sweden’s government refused to condemn the journalist’s unsubstantiated claims, and when the country’s ambassador to Israel, Elisabet Borsiin Bonnier, expressed her own shock at the report, she was criticized for voicing her opinion.
Unfortunately, says Leah Namdar, Chabad representative to Sweden and a resident of Gothenburg for the past 18 years, in a country where the media tends to be consistently anti-Israel, “none of this is surprising.”
“This is a modern-day blood libel reminiscent of the blood in the matzah accusations, and should be dealt with directly.”
A vicious report like this means that the Chabad representatives, working to raise Jewish pride in a pervasively anti-religious environment where Jews often feel isolated, now have the additional task of pointing out to people who may not know better, that the accusations in this report are not true.
While in this particular case, says Leah, it’s obvious that the media went too far, “the dangerous little lies that are published about Israel on a consistent basis, slowly seep into the consciousness here.
“There is always the concern that some Jews who are far removed from Jewish life will believe this. We have to do everything to fight it.”
Inundated with calls from concerned members within the Jewish community, the Namdars are organizing a Jewish solidarity Shabbat event. In a play on Aftonbladet, Swedish for “evening paper”– the name of the now infamous newspaper that ran the story– Chabad of Gothenburg sent email invites to the entire Jewish community for a Shabbat “Afton” of Jewish Pride, and are expecting a good turnout.
“At the moment, our efforts are focused on encouraging and supporting the Jewish community here, and on positive ways to strengthen faith and Jewish pride,” says Rabbi Alexander Namdar.
“If there is an increase in [spiritual] darkness in Sweden, this is a sign that we have to add more light, more positive actions for the Jewish community. More togetherness and joy. If a few words can cause such an uproar, imagine how much of a difference our positive words and actions can make.”
Rabbi Alex and Leah were the first Chabad representatives to Sweden, where Jewish populations figures are estimated at around 17,000. Under their leadership, Chabad has since come to Stockholm and Malmo, and there are now centers in Denmark, Finland and Norway.
After nearly two decades working as religious representatives in Sweden’s entrenched atheistic culture, (recently reflected in an ad campaign in which posters plastered all over Gothenburg declared, “God Does Not Exist”), the Namdars say they will work even harder to inspire Jewish commitment here.
That’s no small challenge in an environment where, says Leah, “Thou Shalt Not Be Different,” is a cardinal principal. But as parents of 11 children, the Namdars set an example, begining with their own family. In Sweden, as in other parts of Europe, where many try to keep a low Jewish profile, the Namdar boys always go out with their kippahs exposed.
“We don’t ever want our children to feel that they need to hide their Jewishness,” says Leah.
If there’s a silver lining in this disturbing story, the Chabad representatives say they hope it will awaken the identity of Jews.
“Though we prefer to promote Jewish identity through positive events, the fact is that whenever there is a war in Israel and anti-Israel sentiment in Sweden surges, Jews are forced to come face to face with their identity and take a position. Most do take Israel’s side.”
As for Leah’s message to Sweden’s prejudiced media, she rejects the idea of distinguishing between the Jewish people and Israel.
“An attack on Israel is an attack on the Jewish people. You can’t separate the two. Israel is one with us, and we are one with Israel. We are together in this. We will keep working to strengthen the bond of the Jewish people here with Israel.”
It is well-known that European countries are struggling to try to integrate their Muslim populations into their mainstream societies. By attacking Israel constantly, both the governments AND the media of these countries seek to placate these same troublesome Muslim minorities – that is the principal reason for this constant flow of anti-Israel stories.
Mr John Slepokura(non-Jewish), Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
I too have noticed the blatant anti-Israel tone of many European newspapers, broadcasters, particularly the British BBC, Guardian and Independent newspapers. Please check honestreporting.com for an expose of the worst examples of this misreporting.
This anti-Israel defamation is part of a “drip-drip-drip” constant stream of stories hostile to Israel. By doing it this way, rather than just demanding the abolition of the Jewish state, those hostile to Israel seek to “delegitimize” Israel, bit-by-bit-by-bit-by-bit, in the minds of the general public. None of these stories are ever corroborated by reliable witness accounts, further evidence etc., but the BBC, the Guardian newspaper and others repeat them as though they have been checked thoroughly, WHEN THEY MOST CERTAINLY HAVE NOT. Please see the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks’ ,article in this month’s- September’s-edition of the excellent political monthly… Read more »
Unfortunately the rise of anti-Israel propaganda has risen in the Western press(newspapers, tv “documentaries” etc) alongside the rise in those countries’ Muslim populations. It is a question of economics and politics combined. In the UK alone there are now one and a half million Muslims, who all buy newspapers and satellite programmes etc. That such defamatory lies as the Namdars are now confronting shouldn’t really surprise us.
Charles Luria
the namdars are amazing people the always inspire me, from the 1st minute i walked into their house, i expirienced the shabbt afton with a beautiful crowd, it was amazing how many of us had many diffrent opinions we were anle to sit at the shabbat table together having a lovly beautiful time!! this was truly responding to the swedish newspaper! thank you to the namdar!
Sweden is lucky 2 have them
The day still has to come that the Swedish media will speak out against Syria and other Israeli neighbours. I live in Sweden, and I can testify that the Swedish media is run very tightly by leftist Journalists and management. In absolutely every war since 1967 the Swedish media has been obviously anti-Israeli and pro Arab. You can see it on the titles focusing on Israeli (retaliation) attacks guised by the Swedish media as MERCILESS attacks by the IDF. Just now in the Gaza war most the focus was on Gaza victims instead of Hamas manipulation of civilians. sweden is… Read more »
Ken Jirbou, We need more people like the NAMDAR’s.
To be a jew in Sweden is very difficult , but with this wonderfull familly of Lea and Rabbi Alex Namdar is much better to be a jew.
Shimon ” Atomim”
it’s your turn to give your organs, how do you like that?
The Namdar are doing just what every jew should do.
They are pride jews and pride to be member of this people wich as been chosed to be G,ds people.
if there would have been an article about Syrian soldiers “harvesting” organs,many Jews would have been screaming and shouting,..NOT saying this is a disgrace of journalism, and that the world is anti-syrian.
to #1 i agree whole heartedly .go chabad of sweden .the namdars r doing amazing work b”h.all the brachaot and hatzlacha. when i saw this artical something started ringing in my head ..ok mabye i shouldn`t go on shlichut to sweden maby its to dangerous for me to be there ..but then i thought again and send to my self..WHAT AM I SAYING iam going al the way .in fact iam changing my diparture date to erliar this is so the yetzer hara saying this to me ..the namdars r doing grate work and they need me there ..the jews… Read more »
I spent a day in Sweden a few years ago. When in Schlockholm, I saw and removed a Boycott Israel notice in a public bulletin board. In all my visits to European countries, I never saw that type of notice posted legally except in Sweden.
Normal newspapers first find out if something is true and then write about it, not the other way around like you & Aftonbladet write.
The Swedish media is not against israel, they are pretty objectiv abaut most cituasion and as I know Namdar they don´t read newspaper and don´t look at television and don´t listen to radio eather
‘yelchu m’chayil el choyil’
keep up the great work
the true example of a shliach that is totally “ibergegebin” to avoidas hakoidesh and nish nispoel from their surroundings
“zog der gantze velt kush in toches”
l’chaim
too much excitement & madness. it’s a sensationalist newspaper. if untrue, let it be investigated and proven. stop accusing the swedes of anti-semitism…it doesn’t help.
Hatzlocha rabba u’mufloga!
Shkoyach!
Go Chabad of Sweden!
Kol Hakavod Leah – I completely agree there is not such a thing to distinguish between the Jewish people and Israel.
It is a widespread misunderstanding here in Sweden – that we should only defend Israel when we agree – because we are just Jews not Israelis – THIS IS WRONG ALL JEWS ARE ISRAELIS AT LEAST THEY WILL BE IF THEY NEED TO – SO WE SHOULD BE ALWAYS. Charlotte
these are shluchim who are to me and I’m sure to many others, a true dugmah chaya in their devotion in they’re shlichus
Leah Namdar hasn’t changed since i taught with her. She is still a strong, smart woman with her head on right. I wish them much Hatzlacha…my kids are on Shlichus in an Eastern European country & it’s very hard. Intermarriage & assimilation is 98%. The Namdars, my children, & Shluchim like them never give up. If not for them, who would look after these far-flung Jews?
Tsvi Dobrejcer, Shvut Rahel, Erets Hakoidesh