Message from R’ Schonfeld: R’ Yoel Schonfeld

Back in 1938, actor/producer Orson Welles produced a live radio program called The War of the Worlds. In it, Welles – in a very convincing manner – reports on aliens from Mars invading Earth as they land in Grovers Mill, New Jersey. Although not intended, people listening to the program thought it was real, and that Martians were actually invading our country. A major panic ensued, for which Welles was later forced to apologize to the public.

I am writing this article after returning from a wonderful trip to Zurich for my niece’s wedding last week. Over Shabbos, we were in beautiful Venice. It was a special trip in many ways, but quite exhausting. Thankfully, we experienced zero anti-Semitism in either city, which is encouraging.

The news this past week was in a tailspin. Damascus and its brutal dictator Assad fell to a group of bandits in a matter of days. Fifty years of oppressive family dictatorship have gone in a flash. Is that good news or bad news for the Jews? Hard to know. At least now, one major enemy has been defanged as Israel cleverly destroyed Syria’s entire abandoned air force, navy, and military bases. It seems to change the entire complexion of the Arab-Israeli situation.

Last week, my article opened with relating a text I received from a good friend who pointed to the fact that I was an early supporter of Donald Trump before it was fashionable to do so. I took that as a license to deservedly gloat over his victory. Yet, I made every effort to limit my gloating, as implied by the title itself, “The Gloat Goat.”

Our shul, the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, has had its share of “Hall of Fame” baalei batim: members who were loyal, dedicated, and wise – members who are beloved not just by peers but by the rabbi, as well.

I must admit: It is very tempting to gloat. After all, as one person texted me, “Rabbi, you were for Trump before it became popular.” This is true. I had been a supporter of Trump from the start of his first presidency. You may recall a year into Trump’s presidency, I wrote an article titled “How Crazy Are We?” – questioning the silly protests against Trump, even by Orthodox Jews. Till this day, I don’t get it.