
Dozens and dozens of Jewish community centers and schools across the country have received bomb threats in the past weeks and days. Jewish synagogues and cemeteries have been vandalized and defaced and damaged. Our national leaders have done next to nothing about it. The President's lukewarm statement of a couple days ago said nothing, did nothing, and means nothing.
I am not a member of my local J -- it's clear across town from where I live and frankly beyond my budget -- but I am glad it's there.
It is essential for ALL communities to have places to gather and celebrate and learn!
I am not sure what I can personally do about this situation. I have limited means and even less clout in the big wide world.
But I feel compelled to say something anyway.
Because this crap is way beyond out of hand.
Friends have warned me to tread lightly and be careful and stay safe. But that sort of safety does not appeal to me in this crazy time in our country's history.
When one community is threatened, we are ALL threatened, even if some among us choose not to see it that way. Right now it's a JCC. Tomorrow it could be -- WILL be -- a church or mosque or daycare center.
I and too many others I know personally are deeply threatened by the new wave of anti-Semitism rising in this country.
And even if you aren't Jewish, you are threatened as well.
Because this is America, dammit, and we're supposed to be better than that.
What are we supposed to do?
For starters, find a way to use your gifts to do good in the world.
Not for the sake of doing good, but to counter the acts of those who would do harm.
Be vigilant. Be courageous. And above all, be kind to each other.
Love, Beth