Wondering about Antisemitism
I do not like to even think about Antisemitism. I certainly do not like to hear the news in the Jewish press pointing out how it is increasing exponentially in recent years.
A few things have influenced me to be Wondering about Antisemitism now. This week marked the third anniversary of the shootings and murders of 11 people who were worshiping in a synagogue in Pittsburgh. The killer said, "Jews need to die." We are told that it was the worst antisemitic attack in American history.
This weekend we begin what most people think is a fun, candy-filled Halloween weekend. When I was growing up, the night before Halloween was called "Gate Night." The synagogues had Brotherhood members taking shifts to watch over the buildings, because it was a night of mischief - except that for synagogues it was a night of vandalism. There were often rocks or bottles thrown through the windows, and other damage to the buildings.
Before I moved here I was expecting to experience a lot of hate against Jews - at that moment in history, David Duke looked like he might win as Governor of Louisiana. I did not want to move here. He lost, and to be honest, I do not experience the antisemitism I feared.
I have had experiences where people hated me because I was Jewish. I got punched - very hard - in the stomach when I was in Elementary School. The older boy came up to me and said that I had killed Jesus, and punched me. I promise that I did not kill Jesus.
This week I am wondering have you have experienced Anti-Semitism - either here or elsewhere? As a congregation, what do we do or should we do to combat it or help prevent it?
To send me your thoughts about this Wondering or any of the previous ones, you are welcome to reply to this email.
Remember that you can find previous Wondering questions and answers HERE. It has been wonderful to be having discussions with you about the Wonderings.