I don’t know if it was prescient of me writing about Jimmy Carter last week, but the news of his death at 100 has just been announced. I have lots to say on Jimmy Carter, especially how negatively consequential his presidency has been for Jews. But it is better left for another time.
As the secular year ends, it would be good to reflect and honor those who have been helpful to us and those who, at best, get in the way.
The Political Good Guys
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of the 21st Congressional District in Upstate New York, who last year at this time began her questioning the elite universities about their role in tolerating campus anti-Semitism.
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx of North Carolina for fervently joining Stefanik in her efforts
Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz for their outspoken support of Israel
Senator John Fetterman (D) of Pennsylvania was one of the most refreshing surprises of the year. Liberal in every social cause, Senator Fetterman in his signatory T-shirts and jeans faced down many vocal critics within his own constituency for his support of what they label the “genocide state.”
Senator Lindsay Graham, Nikki Haley, Governor Ron DeSantis, Congressman Brian Mast, and a whole host of Republican representatives for loudly speaking their minds on the topic of Israel and anti-Semitism. As I wrote last week, if you close your eyes and hear a politician aggressively support Israel, you will envision a Republican.
Closer to home, we must thank Congresswoman Grace Meng and Mayor Eric Adams for supporting the Jewish community in a time of need.
Finally, President-Elect Donald Trump for his very strong support of Israel and his dream team of great picks to serve his administration.
The MIAs (Missing In Action)
Topping the list is Senator Charles Schumer, who as Senate Majority Leader could have done so much to combat the outrageous anti-Semitic rallies, especially in his own State of New York. Instead, he is silent on that. He thinks he delivered the Gettysburg Address when from the Senate floor he lambasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for regime change in Israel. Netanyahu ended up making a fool of him.
Congressman Jerrold Nadler refused to sign legislation criminalizing various forms of anti-Semitism. Then he has the chutzpah to join Bernie Sanders and his ilk in signing a letter to President Biden demanding that he withhold arms to Israel pending further investigation of Israeli military tactics. Nadler, too, was silent on campus anti-Semitism, especially at Columbia University, situated in Nadler’s backyard.
Anti-Semitism czar Deborah Lipstadt. Can anyone tell me what she has done in probably the worst breakout of anti-Semitism in the United States? Curious to hear.
Finally, although not politicians, but my favorite beef, unfortunately. Where are our organizations? Pick an organization. Any one of them. Aside from press releases, what have they done? Why is there no mass rally in front of the United Nations to protest all the hatred coming from there, especially Secretary General Antonio Guterres?
The Muslims and pro-Hamas people pull out thousands anywhere in a moment’s notice. Yet our well-funded, established organizations cannot assemble a successful rally of Jews since November of last year. Maybe the fault is our own for not pressuring these organizations and politicians to get off their duffs. I think that may be what it boils down to. I guess I’m at fault, too. Mama MIA!
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
