Dear Editor,
A recent Torah portion (Parsha Zachor) tells us after the crossing of the Red Sea by Moses and the Israelites, they were ambushed at Refidim by Canaanites led by Amelek, an infamous anti semite. Next month in the reading of the Megillah (The Book of Esther) we learn of another infamous anti semite Haman and his diabolical plot to eliminate all Jews in the Persian Empire. In every generation since biblical times, an Amalek arises. Who is the infamous Amalek of this generation? That is a difficult question to answer for there are so many antisemitic groups nowadays, and their tactics have changed. Their leaders don’t like the limelight. The main method they use to spread hateful propaganda is through social networking. I assume the Anti Defamation League and the FBI are keeping a list of antisemitic groups.
Many of our grandparents and great grandparents immigrated to America to escape antisemitism and pogroms, and to earn a better living. They, who called the US a Golden Medina (the golden country), would be shocked to learn that:
• In the US, for several years there has been a surge of antisemitism.
• Universities and colleges aren’t doing enough to protect Jewish students and faculty on campuses.
• The UN and its agencies and world leaders aren’t doing enough to denounce anti-Israel and anti-Jewish hatred and combat terror.
• Most of the recent antisemitic incidents are not coming from the right, like the KKK that burnt a cross on the lawn of my grandparents’ home in Indiana during the early 1920s, but by those on the left who they always empathized with.
• That Secretary of Education Miguel L.Cardona and too many presidents (including some who are Jewish) of colleges and universities have not had the moral courage four months after October 7 to say that students chanting “From the River to the Sea” are committing an antisemitic act.
No use elevating our blood pressure by anger and fear; instead, let us turn our concerns into combating antisemitism.
If you search the internet or contact a Jewish nonprofit agency, you will discover there are many ways to do that; let me share the best bet one: “If you see something, say something.” If you are a victim of swatting (false police calls) or see an antisemitic flyer on your car window or in your mailbox or an antisemitic posting on a social network platform, particularly on a local vendor’s website, report that to the Jewish Relations Community Council.
In memory of the Schneiders/Raphaels/Gordons/Boyarskis and all the others who were murdered during the Holocaust; in memory of the 1200 massacred by Hamas on October 7, 2023, I say “Never Again,” and pledge to take appropriate actions to combat antisemitism. Hope you will join me in this endeavor. Am Yisrael Chai.
Bob Schneider
Cincinnati, OH