Dear Community, Recently, I've noticed more Jewish people and others outside of the Jewish community who are not Black, comparing their struggles to those of Black Americans. In a now-deleted post, a major Jewish organization drew parallels between antisemitism and the experiences of Black Americans and other marginalized groups in America. Myself and others find this frustrating and concerning.
I am so appreciative of your work in this area and I am humbled by your willingness to speak a truth that many in our Jewish community have never had to face. At the intersection of a rise of antisemitism and racism in the USA, it is imperative that we not only understand our lanes, but work towards a common language of understanding. Thank you, Rabbi Sandra, for your guidance and courage.
Here’s another comparison that you might be able to utilize in some way. Although I’ve only fantasized about using it, the parallel seems like a good one:
“Why have you people made so little progress?”…
The retort: you were in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Caucasia, Galitsia, etc for 800-1200 years (depending on ethnicity), right? And you were good neighbors, weren’t you? You worked real hard, right? And you brought your kids up correctly, right? Nevertheless, you were forced or “encouraged” to depart, right?
Why are you so convinced that We don’t contend with similar circumstances?
And when Mr or Mrs Scoffer continues by stressing that nobody was attacking our villages, remind them that the ADL lists 90 pogroms in post-reconstruction America. Then you can tell ‘em what Rabbenu Hillel said about how to treat one’s neighbor, as he stood on one foot, defining Torah for that Seleucid occupier…
BTW,
If they’d worked as hard as we do, they’d be 135% richer.
I am so appreciative of your work in this area and I am humbled by your willingness to speak a truth that many in our Jewish community have never had to face. At the intersection of a rise of antisemitism and racism in the USA, it is imperative that we not only understand our lanes, but work towards a common language of understanding. Thank you, Rabbi Sandra, for your guidance and courage.
What a beautiful, important piece to keep in front of us at all times. Thank you!
Hi Sandra,
Here’s another comparison that you might be able to utilize in some way. Although I’ve only fantasized about using it, the parallel seems like a good one:
“Why have you people made so little progress?”…
The retort: you were in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Caucasia, Galitsia, etc for 800-1200 years (depending on ethnicity), right? And you were good neighbors, weren’t you? You worked real hard, right? And you brought your kids up correctly, right? Nevertheless, you were forced or “encouraged” to depart, right?
Why are you so convinced that We don’t contend with similar circumstances?
And when Mr or Mrs Scoffer continues by stressing that nobody was attacking our villages, remind them that the ADL lists 90 pogroms in post-reconstruction America. Then you can tell ‘em what Rabbenu Hillel said about how to treat one’s neighbor, as he stood on one foot, defining Torah for that Seleucid occupier…
BTW,
If they’d worked as hard as we do, they’d be 135% richer.
Nicky