The times weigh heavily upon us. Constant and unabating are our worries for the State of Israel and for our co-religionists wherever their habitations, including here, in our own community.
As these words were written, the bloodlusting cries from the theocratic regime in Iran and from their confederate purveyors of hate, far and wide, increase in shrill crescendo. Two of their appointed masterminds of murder met justice this week. And the mullahs demand vengeance.
So too do haters of Jews and of Israel around the globe. They, and their exploited, uninformed fellow travellers, shout their false slogans, deface public and private property and try to intimidate those who oppose them.
That the displacement of historical truth by lies and of fundamental, human morality by brazen, immorality has been so enthusiastically embraced is infuriating, and as we have noted, worrying.
Rabbi Marc D. Angel, founder of the New York based “study hall”, The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals, offers the following insights on overcoming anti-Jewish demagogues and bullies trying to take over our institutions and our streets:
“When societies allow hatred to flourish, they are sowing the seeds of their own destruction. When universities, media and political forums condone blatantly anti-Jewish intimidation and violence, the infection spreads well beyond Jews. Civil discourse is threatened. Respectful dialogue is quashed.
“All who stand for a civil society must not be intimidated by the haters, bullies and supporters of terrorism. The syndrome of hate eats away at the foundations of society. It must not be allowed to prevail.”
“To combat this ideology of hatred, we need more than Holocaust education. We need a powerful, positive presentation of Jewish history, Jewish connection to the land of Israel, Jewish idealism, and Jewish striving for peace and mutual understanding.
“We combat anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism by acting with pride, courage…and success. The stronger we are as a community, the more we overcome the hatred and violence of our enemies.”
In other words, to follow Rabbi Angel’s advice, we best oppose the haters by affirming our values and our identity as committed Jews, who cherish and care for our free, democratic, law-based way of life. And to do that we must raise our children to know who they are and what role they might play in the constantly unfolding line of their Jewish peoplehood.
To equip his readers with the facts concerning the history of modern Israel, Rabbi Angel posted a Conversation Guide: Building Support for Israel and Combating Antisemitism with Non-Jewish Friends, Neighbors and Colleagues.
We point out with great pride that the guide was written by Jeffrey Stutz, one of the founding members of GAJE. It is an excellent source of material that can inform a discussion with Jews and non-Jews alike.
The guide can be accessed and downloaded at: https://www.jewishideas.org/node/3230
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The appeal by the Government of Ontario of Judge Eugenia Papageorgiou’s refusal last summer to throw out GAJE’s application for fairness in educational funding, was heard in early June by a panel of three judges. The court reserved its decision.
GAJE will publish the court’s decision as soon as it is known to us.
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If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit for fairness in educational funding in Ontario, 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)
August 2, 2024
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 