We received three bits of disturbing news this week. To top it off, the NEA (National Education Association), the nation’s largest teachers’ union, voted not to use ADL materials in their schools’ curriculum. Nothing about anti-Semitism, racial hatred, or the Holocaust. The reason? The ADL is biased toward Israel.
How ironic. The ADL is one of the most progressive, left-leaning organizations in the Jewish establishment. I guess it’s not progressive enough.
Then came the brouhaha over Florida Congressman Randy Fine’s comments about fellow Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Omar said that PM Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal and should be treated as such by not allowing him into the White House. To which Mr. Fine responded in a tweet that, apparently, she is upset because of the killing of so many of her fellow Muslim terrorists.
Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and two others signed a letter condemning Mr. Fine for his “unhinged” hatred and his Islamophobia. They demanded that Fine issue an apology.
I do not recall anyone in the Democratic Party condemning Ilhan Omar for her anti-Semitic remarks – most obvious when she accused Jews of buying their way into Congress via AIPAC: “It’s all about the Benjamins,” meaning hundred-dollar bills, playing up to the stereotype that Jews are all about money. The Democrats not only ignored her remarks but coddled her. Nancy Pelosi posed for a picture with her for a well-known magazine. They even appointed her as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
This, on top of a report that one in four Americans is understanding of Jews getting beat up because of the events in Gaza. At the same time, polls show that only 36% of Democrats favor Israel over the Palestinians.
Just this past Shabbos, we read of Bilaam’s declaration: “Behold, they are a nation that dwells alone.” While there is no doubt that is true – we do dwell all alone in this world – sometimes it is lonely at the top.
What can we do about it? Not much, I’m afraid. We must accept that we are destined to dwell in this world alone and accept our lot.
What is really hurtful is when we see Jews jump on the bandwagon to join with our enemy. I have seen an invitation for families to come out for Tots for Shabbat, a family gathering to be held in Prospect Park to support Zohran Mamdani for mayor. Is it not bad enough that an anti-Semite is poised to become mayor of New York City, but do Jews have to embrace him? We dwell alone in this manner, too. We are the only culture that I know of where members of that culture join forces with the antagonists. That is a real tragedy.
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.
