Earlier this week, ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt delivered the 2024 State of Hate address at the “Never Is Now” Conference in New York.
In just over 31 fiery, unapologetic minutes, Greenblatt chronicled the difficult truth of life for Jews in, what columnist Bret Stephens has called, “the October 8th world.”
Greenblatt pointed out the vile hatred and shameless amorality of the supporters of Hamas who denounce and demonize Israel. He pointed out the dishonesty of the so-called neutral men and women who enable the demonizers of Israel through their feigned neutrality or transparent biases.
Greenblatt pointed out how the tactics of the supporters of Hamas have changed. Until now their approach was “one of isolation or “anti-normalization,” as they call it — focused on boycotts, divestment, and urging progressive groups and all Americans to shun and ostracize their Jewish neighbors.”
Since October 8 however, Hamas supporters have spelled out new strategy of “confrontation to, in their words, “dismantle Zionism.” The hallmarks of the new strategy are intimidation, bullying, massive thuggery, the threat of violence and in some cases, actual violence.
“Facing these threats,” Greenblatt wrote, “it seems that the Jewish community in the United States has two choices: flight or fight.”
Some of our co-religionists, understandably, have chosen to flee – to hide their identity – to wear a baseball cap instead of a kippah, to remove the mezuzah on their doorpost. But others, Greenblatt noted, have chosen to fight back, to assert their identities, to speak truth to the haters of Jews and to the world about who they (we) are: members of a people and a faith that have been part of the very backbone of western civilization and its ongoing advancement.
Greenblatt spoke about the rising of a new, Jewish grassroots…in community after community…that gives him hope. For, like GAJE, the grassroots of which Greenblatt spoke so proudly, upholds Jewish dignity even as it defends Jewish peoplehood and aspires to secure the Jewish future. These Greenblatt’s words:
“It shows me and it shows all of us that the time for complacency is over. We can’t assume American Jewish life will continue to be a comfortable life – unless we do something now…unless we transform ourselves from observers to activists, from onlookers to advocates.
Our community has accomplished so much in this country – and contributed so much. No one can take that away from us – and it’s time we stopped letting them think that they can do so.
“The Jewish community has been an indispensable part of this country since its earliest days.
We have overcome discrimination, broken barriers and exceeded expectations. We started companies, founded labor unions and cured diseases. We built schools, funded universities, and started hospitals. We created theatres, launched studios, and started charities. We changed norms, passed laws, and secured judgements that made this country better for its Jewish people and ultimately better for all of its people.
“You see, the bottom line – there is not a part of American life that the Jewish community has not touched and impacted for good. And so, the time has come to say: The harassment and the attacks must stop. Explaining away your antisemitism will no longer be tolerated. Refusing to prosecute the laws or to enforce the policies of your institution when the perpetrators are targeting Jews, must cease.
“The twisting of language…the moral cowardice…the blind eye toward antisemitism must end now. If not, you will hear our voices. You will see us outside your doors. And we will see you in court. Our donations that you relied on – gone. Our votes that you seek – forget about it.
Our friendship or alliances – no more.
“At this moment…in this October 8th world, we will not be silent. We will not let our country be lost to the antisemites and bigots.
“We will not flee. We will fight. And we will win. Am Yisrael Chai.”
Greenblatt’s words apply equally in Canada as they do in the United States. The situations are entirely similar. In both cases, we must fight back by knowing who we are as Jews, and then, by “doing Jewish”. And that requires that our children have the benefit of a Jewish education.
Greenblatt’s remarks can be read at:
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If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit for fairness in educational funding, please click here.
For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of underwriting the costs of the lawsuit.
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Shabbat shalom. Am Yisrael Chai.
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
March 8, 2024
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 