Word Twists

This week a re-jigging/development of a former blog here is my contribution to the Progressive voice at the Jewish News (p.14 in the Print version, p.19 in the electronic version here).

It was nice to be able to tie it in with this weeks Torah portion (especially as Progressive Rabbis are not allowed to contribute to the Torah commentaries in the paper), but I was mostly fascinated by how they managed to choose a quote to highlight, totally out of context, to make it look like a piece about how everyone hates us and we should all be in fear! This is almost always pretty much the last thing I want to say, working hard to ensure Jews identify because their Judaism is a thing of meaning and joy, not because anyone has died in the past, or might be attacked in the future. These anti-Semitism's are serious issues, but as Yeshayahu Leibowitz used to say, they are issues for non-Jews to worry about and work on, not to be made part of our identity.

Of course when anyone is attacked the strongest defence is that which comes from outside the group, not within. Which is part of what I was really trying to say - when we are comfortable with difference, our friends and allies will want to stand up for us, and we will be emboldened to stand up for others, leaving us free to celebrate Judaism, or whatever our identity is, not practice it in fear.

Comments

  1. I read this newspaper article before reading your blog entry, and was immediately struck by how the main quote managed to shift the focus of what was being said to something rather alarmist and fear-inducing. Hopefully people will take the time to read the full article, because what you are saying is well worth thinking about.

    Have a lovely Shabbat!

    (PS. If this comment ends up being published twice, it's because Blogger and WP sometimes decide to go into unnecessary battle)

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  2. Debbie, you know that I love reading your Blog, but I have to state that WLS Synagogue Policy contradicts what you state here. To quote you

    "...but I was mostly fascinated by how they managed to choose a quote to highlight, totally out of context, to make it look like a piece about how everyone hates us and we should all be in fear! This is almost always pretty much the last thing I want to say, working hard to ensure Jews identify because their Judaism is a thing of meaning and joy, not because anyone has died in the past, or might be attacked in the future. These anti-Semitism's are serious issues, but as Yeshayahu Leibowitz used to say, they are issues for non-Jews to worry about and work on, not to be made part of our identity."

    However the security at WLS practically tell people under the guise of 'advice' not to wear a Kippah outside the Synagogue after services. I only wear mine in the Synagogue or sometimes on the way to the Synagogue, but have, on a couple of occasions forgot to take it off on departing, not feeling it on my head. This advice from security is because of the nearby Arab population and for no other reason. I strongly disagree with this and can't understand why it is described as 'antagonistic' or 'disrespectful'. Not only is it literally saying that the local Muslim community are a risk but is kind of ironic considering that many will be coming into the Synagogue via the Omer Project. WLS promotes a very confused ideology of good interfaith and community relations and then one of fear from a hostile environment. I often see men from the nearby Federation Synagogue walking up and down in Kippah's.

    I was a member of London's goth community for the best part of 10 years and I'm also gay and I never met one person who out of fear of potential attackers, hid who they were. As I was taking my Kippah off a couple of weeks ago by the door, Mr Cutter literally ambushed me!!! Edgware Road, is an extremely homophobic place and I know this because I lived there before moving out of London. Like you say, it's not our problem, it is their's.

    Steve B

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  3. Hi Steve, as with anything, things are complicated, and there are truths in both my approach; hoping people will celebrate their Judaism and not create an identity based on fear of the other, and a reality that the security team has to be aware of, that while attacks are rare, it is their business to try and make sure they don't happen. I don't think that changes my frustration at how the Jewish press edit and publish things to create a greater atmosphere of fear than necessary - this was a welcome divergence from that last fri: http://www.thejc.com/node/49766

    That said, there are also real concerns that security has to deal with. My husband has on several occasions been verbally attacked and on one occasion we've both had a can thrown at us, and on all occasions it has been anti-semitic. It happens to him more than me because his kippah identifies him as Jewish while no one knows when I walk down the street unless I'm with him.

    On the other hand, a youth worker who accompanied a group of Muslim girls to visit my students at the synagogue decided to accompany them home in a kippah, and he received nothing but smiles. We discussed the idea of asking a group of Muslim boys to wear kippot for a day, and Jewish girls to wear hijab for the day, because let's face it, Islamaphobia is a real threat on the streets too.

    I think what I really want to say is there are real dangers, but they can't be how we identify with out faith. Likewise by entering into dialogue we not only understand the other and ourselves better, but we will both have allies to stand up to the threats each experiences. Islamaphobia challenged by Jews and Anti-Semitism challenged by Muslims is much more powerful than defending ourselves, and it is also important to acknowledge that there is Islamaphobia to be challenged in the Jewish community and anti-Semitism to be challenged in the Jewish community. But that is separate to how and why we identify with our community and celebrate the good it brings to our lives.

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  4. Debbie, I hate to come over all aggressive; I just think that it's the wrong message to send out, that Jews should not be visiually Jewish in order to appease potential attackers when people of other faiths are visual everywhere and the law protects those people all the time. A few names don't bother me, neither does the threat of violence. I've seen and heard it all before and it all goes over my head and into the ether.

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  5. Steve, if you saw me in the street my faith would not be obvious to you by what I wear. Some people do wear special clothing and symbols, but for what purpose? Isn't God far more concerned with what is in our hearts and how we treat other people than what we wear?

    I used to wear a cross on a chain around my neck, but more recently I feel that has so many negative connotations it is not a good thing to wear. If I do wear one occasionally it is one with a circle on the cross, which strikes me as more inclusive, but I don't know how others see it.

    We should all be able to walk our streets safely whatever we wear, but some types of clothing seems to spark off negative connotations in some people's minds. There are people who are afraid of Jews,some afraid of Muslims and some afraid of gays etc. Knowing that, is it the wise thing to do to advertise that you belong to a group.

    It seems similar to the debate that is happening at present about whether women should be allowed to wear skimpy and provocative clothing without fear of attack. Of course they should, but knowing there are some men (presumably a minority) who see women as sexual objects rather than human beings with rights, is it wise?

    Debbie has mentioned the need for inter-faith dialogue on this blog before. Rather than standing on their rights, wouldn't it be helpful for Muslims and Jews to discuss these problems together and go into schools to break down barriers. Perhaps you can't do much to change the minds of the current crop of racist thugs, although it may not be impossible, but people could try harder to make sure the next batch is as small as is possible.

    Jews and Muslims both suffer from a negative press. Muslims are so often portrayed as terrorists, so they need to work hard to show people that they are law-abiding and peace-loving, or whatever is appropriate. We also hear of the harsh way the Israeli government and military are treating many Palestinians, so Jews in Britain need to show that they are decent people who do not hold with such atrocities even if they support the idea of a state of Israel existing. I imagine it is especially important for Jews and Muslims to help each other see their good side as they seem to be enemies in many parts of the Middle East.

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