A TRAGIC WEEK IN AMERICA
Words often fail us as times such as these. As we feel sadness, anger and perhaps fear, we reach out to the Pittsburgh Jewish community and to world Jewry to express our heartfelt condolences over the tragic and brutal murders of the 11 members of the Tree of Life synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pennsylvania. May their memories always be a blessing to their families, their friends and to all who knew them. We also pray for the speedy and complete recovery of those who were wounded. And, though in time for some, their physical wounds may heal, the psychic and continued injury is felt by us all.
Some would say this is not the time for a deeper analysis of the increase in the violent, racist and bigoted tenor which exists in today’s America. But, if not now then perhaps we lose the significance of this moment. Thoughts and prayers are not enough to stop such horrendous, hateful acts from happening again.
We should be dismayed and outraged at this past week in America. First, there were race-targeted killings in Kentucky. Then there were bombs sent to public Democratic critics/opponents of Donald Trump and now this, this horrendous act of domestic terrorism against Jews worshipping as Jews because they were/are Jews. Yet, for anyone who has their pulse on the level of hatred and intolerance that has been rising in America, especially these past 3 years, there should be no surprise. Anti-Semitism is an age-old sickness, a virus endemic to the world over. It is a barometer of the measure of tolerance and acceptance existing in countries and so when we have heard that anti-Semitic incidents and online anti-Semitic harassment are at their highest levels, we should be worried not only as Jews but as Americans.
The ADL reports the attack on Jewish worshippers at Shabbat services in Pittsburgh is likely the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States. This is an especially traumatic moment for Jewish Americans but it is also a tragic time for all Americans. Let’s be clear: an attack on Jews is an attack on us all. And, so we ask: What is happening to our country? How can this be?
Almost daily we hear how divided our nation is. We understand that we are living in an evolving society of political and cultural polarization which is now pervasive from juvenile bullies, to the Internet, now a haven of hatred; to social media; to the President himself engaging in mean-spirited, divisive language from serial name calling, to legitimizing racist, bigoted behavior by drawing, for example, a moral equivalence between white supremacists and those opposing them. Gone is a sense of shared, harmonious national purpose. Gone is any sense of shame. Hatred has spilled onto our streets, our political rallies, through our mail, in our houses of worship, at our borders confronting people fleeing from oppression and violence who are seeking refuge and asylum and over the Internet.
Some would say this is not the time for a deeper analysis of the increase in the violent, racist and bigoted tenor which exists in today’s America. But, if not now then perhaps we lose the significance of this moment. Thoughts and prayers are not enough to stop such horrendous, hateful acts from happening again.
We should be dismayed and outraged at this past week in America. First, there were race-targeted killings in Kentucky. Then there were bombs sent to public Democratic critics/opponents of Donald Trump and now this, this horrendous act of domestic terrorism against Jews worshipping as Jews because they were/are Jews. Yet, for anyone who has their pulse on the level of hatred and intolerance that has been rising in America, especially these past 3 years, there should be no surprise. Anti-Semitism is an age-old sickness, a virus endemic to the world over. It is a barometer of the measure of tolerance and acceptance existing in countries and so when we have heard that anti-Semitic incidents and online anti-Semitic harassment are at their highest levels, we should be worried not only as Jews but as Americans.
The ADL reports the attack on Jewish worshippers at Shabbat services in Pittsburgh is likely the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the history of the United States. This is an especially traumatic moment for Jewish Americans but it is also a tragic time for all Americans. Let’s be clear: an attack on Jews is an attack on us all. And, so we ask: What is happening to our country? How can this be?
Almost daily we hear how divided our nation is. We understand that we are living in an evolving society of political and cultural polarization which is now pervasive from juvenile bullies, to the Internet, now a haven of hatred; to social media; to the President himself engaging in mean-spirited, divisive language from serial name calling, to legitimizing racist, bigoted behavior by drawing, for example, a moral equivalence between white supremacists and those opposing them. Gone is a sense of shared, harmonious national purpose. Gone is any sense of shame. Hatred has spilled onto our streets, our political rallies, through our mail, in our houses of worship, at our borders confronting people fleeing from oppression and violence who are seeking refuge and asylum and over the Internet.
The threats made by social media trollers is especially dangerous because they reach so many people with lightning speed. They are misogynistic, anti-immigration, anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic, anti-ethnic, anti-the handicapped, homophobic and racist. Is there anyone left?
We need to reflect upon the discordant nature of our national debates over such polarizing issues as immigration and gun control. There is no question that if our political differences are framed as a state of siege permeating our nation, it should come as no surprise that marginalized, irrational haters and bigots may be activated and emboldened by such rhetoric perhaps thinking that if their behavior is legitimized they can now come out of the shadows and act with impunity.
There is also no question that our elected leaders need to be consistent and firm in opposing all forms of bigoted violence. There simply can be no place for this in our country. The President also needs to be consistent in his statements. There can be no light between his official remarks opposing violent acts of racism and bigotry while obscuring his opposition at his political rallies. The President needs to speak with one emphatic voice only, with no equivocation ever, firmly opposing any acts of violence as well as any acts of prejudice and discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, handicap, age, gender and sexual preference. Presidents are uniquely situated to consistently unify our nation at times such as this. Many are hoping he will rise to the occasion.
The words of Elie Wiesel ring true and reverberate especially during these days. He reminded us that hatred and bigotry only beget hatred and bigotry. He taught that it is our moral responsibility to speak out forcefully against indifference, suffering persecution and oppression. After all, we are all responsible for one another. Elie Wiesel’s words outlive him: I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides.
This is not complex but it is a moral imperative. We must speak out against acts of bigotry and we must become actively involved so we can be vigilant in building a society that is built upon Torah values which are also American values of equality, justice and love. We should not misunderstand the tragedy of this past week. America is being severely tested and in the coming days we will learn just how resilient we as a nation are. Will our elected officials come together to combat the scourge of racism and bigotry and call out politicians who express bigoted rhetoric or will they continue to look the other way? Will they work in a bipartisan manner to propose legislation focused on domestic terrorism? We must also ask what is our role in upholding our values? Should we look the other way when the nationalistic words “America First” are often used as code and justification for attitudes and acts laced with racism and bigotry? Our history as Jews tells us otherwise.
We need to reflect upon the discordant nature of our national debates over such polarizing issues as immigration and gun control. There is no question that if our political differences are framed as a state of siege permeating our nation, it should come as no surprise that marginalized, irrational haters and bigots may be activated and emboldened by such rhetoric perhaps thinking that if their behavior is legitimized they can now come out of the shadows and act with impunity.
There is also no question that our elected leaders need to be consistent and firm in opposing all forms of bigoted violence. There simply can be no place for this in our country. The President also needs to be consistent in his statements. There can be no light between his official remarks opposing violent acts of racism and bigotry while obscuring his opposition at his political rallies. The President needs to speak with one emphatic voice only, with no equivocation ever, firmly opposing any acts of violence as well as any acts of prejudice and discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, handicap, age, gender and sexual preference. Presidents are uniquely situated to consistently unify our nation at times such as this. Many are hoping he will rise to the occasion.
The words of Elie Wiesel ring true and reverberate especially during these days. He reminded us that hatred and bigotry only beget hatred and bigotry. He taught that it is our moral responsibility to speak out forcefully against indifference, suffering persecution and oppression. After all, we are all responsible for one another. Elie Wiesel’s words outlive him: I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides.
This is not complex but it is a moral imperative. We must speak out against acts of bigotry and we must become actively involved so we can be vigilant in building a society that is built upon Torah values which are also American values of equality, justice and love. We should not misunderstand the tragedy of this past week. America is being severely tested and in the coming days we will learn just how resilient we as a nation are. Will our elected officials come together to combat the scourge of racism and bigotry and call out politicians who express bigoted rhetoric or will they continue to look the other way? Will they work in a bipartisan manner to propose legislation focused on domestic terrorism? We must also ask what is our role in upholding our values? Should we look the other way when the nationalistic words “America First” are often used as code and justification for attitudes and acts laced with racism and bigotry? Our history as Jews tells us otherwise.