Message from R’ Schonfeld: R’ Yoel Schonfeld

I literally just returned from a week in Israel to spend time with my sisters whom I haven’t seen since the start of the October 7 Swords of Iron War. My 1:00 a.m. flight was delayed for six hours and then we had to drive from Newark Airport to Baltimore. Thus, I was left with no time and little energy to write this week’s article, which should have been focused on my trip.

I am always very appreciative of the positive feedback for my articles that I receive over time. A recurrent theme I hear that is very meaningful to me is that I write what most people are thinking. That might be the most important role of a columnist: to express that which most people believe but don’t find the ability or venue to express.

My little, and of course very precious, grandson Yehuda has a very special first-grade rebbi in Baltimore. He has been a rebbi for at least 50 years, likely more. In fact, he was the rebbi of one of my Baltimore mechutanim. His greatness is that he loves all his little talmidim and is as enthusiastic as his first-year teaching.

A few years ago, I wrote an article titled “How Crazy Are We?” In the article, I decry the fact that so many Jews, including those with yarmulkes, are seen protesting Trump and his policy on immigration. I was upset that these Jewish kids had shown no appreciation to Donald Trump, warts and all, for all that he had done for Israel, but instead chose to trash him. I was also upset that these same kids did not see the need for legal immigration the way our parents and grandparents arrived in this country.

I was going to write about the current situation from a religious and political perspective. Specifically, I was going to write in detail how many of our local Queens representatives on all levels and from all neighborhoods in the borough have disappointed us. Some are shocking, as they were previously very helpful – and helpful to the Jewish community. Almost all of them have the local organized Jewish community to thank for their election. I did warn them that this would happen, if the loyalty of the elected officials to the community was never allowed to be questioned; so I am entitled to say, “I told you so!” But I will leave that for another time.

Although it’s been less than three months since the October 7 massacre, which has changed Israel and the world, we should at this point begin to learn some very important lessons. I know that it is not up to me to preach to the public, but I am entitled to express my analyses of what is happening.