Many many years ago, in a land known as Shushan, a quiet woman became a reluctant hero as she stopped the persecution of her people. Those people were the Jews. That woman was Queen Esther. Has the world changed? No.
Sixty-five or so years ago a young woman joined an underground militia group in order to save her people. She parachuted into enemy territory and continued her quest ... even when her male counterparts aborted the mission. She was arrested along the Hungarian border. She was tortured and manipulated. She died in front of a firing squad in order to save her people. Those people were the Jews. That woman was Hannah Senesh. Has the world changed? No.
On March 19, 2008 a young woman was sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture about World War II and the rise of Hitler. A classmate asked a question about American sentiment towards the Jews in the 1930's. The topic of Henry Ford came up and another classmate stated there had been no evidence that Henry Ford was anti-Semitic and that he donated a lot of money to the Jews. The young woman, after sitting in silence, blurted out that Henry Ford ran a publication called the Dearborn Independent and spread anti-Semitic rhetoric throughout Michigan. She continued that Henry Ford did not "donate" money to the Jews. He was sued by the Jews for libel and he later issued a half-assed apology. When no one else stood up to false reports of history, she did. She stood up for her people. Her people are the Jews. That woman was me.
I find it hard to wrap my head around anti-Semitism existing in 2008. After six million Jews perished during the Holocaust, one would think the world would have grown up. However, it hasn't. Jews are still persecuted. Many Jews live in silence in the United States because they simply do not want people to look at them as just another Jew. However, no matter how you look at it a Jew is still just a Jew. It is part of our identity. Moroccan, Persian, Polish, British, American, Canadian, Mexican...etc. Those labels don't exist when you're a Jew.
Eight young men died while studying the holy text. They were shot to death by their own driver. The people of Sderot, Israel live in fear of Kassam rockets raining down on them as their children sit in school. Even I refrain from wearing shirts with Hebrew writing or Jewish stars on them while walking around the campus of my school. Never would I thought I'd be the person to shy away from the identity I find comfort in. However, it's for my own protection until I can go home to Israel.
When will the world learn not to hate us? When we will learn to stand up for ourselves? When will we finally stop being sheep lead to the slaughter because we didn't want to ruffle feathers? Where are the Queen Esthers and Hannah Seneshs of the world who stood up for their people? When can we, the people of Israel, finally stop living in fear? When do we, as a nation, culture, and religion, stand together in unity?
When?
As Jews around the world celebrate Purim today, we are reminded that anti-Semitism is still rampant through the world. People are still out to get us... no matter where we live. People are still out to destroy the People of Judah, the People of Abraham ... the People of Israel. There are still lessons to be learned as we listen to the scroll of Esther.
We are still one people.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Stop
Today's world scares me. It is down right terrifying and makes me not want to have children. My mother says that is a bit drastic. What terrifies me? Violence.
My chosen home is Israel. While I was born and raised in the good ol' U.S.A., my heart has always belonged in Israel. It only took 20 some odd years for my body to follow my heart. Today, 6 March 2008, some nut job opened fire in a Yeshiva (think Jewish seminary) in Jerusalem. Merkaz HaRav (The Rabbi's Center) was shot full of 600 bullets and, as of now, 8 yeshivabochers (students) are dead. This is one of the worst cases of terrorism in Israel since 2006. It is deplorable.
In times like these, half of me wants retaliation of the worst times. I wonder why, when my country is under fire, no one does anything. The leftists (and Democrats) wish for peace without any form of retribution. If Israel were to open fire on a Mosque, the entire WORLD would be in a uproar. Yet, some asshole kills 8 people in a form of a house of worship that happens to be Jewish and no one does a thing. Eight people died! EIGHT PEOPLE! Eight people who were studying the word of g-d. Eight people who were trying to learn peace through hashem's teaching. Eight innocent people. And the world does nothing.
I am terrified that no place is sacred but if, for some reason, the Israeli Defense Forces decided to bomb a mosque - Jews would never hear the end of it. The IDF is a humane army. They wouldn't do that. However, they should (that may be the other half of me talking). There are times in my life where the diplomatic side of me disappears when the emotional side of me wants to scream "STOP IT! JUST STOP!" Enough blood has been shed. And for what? Land? Power? For the "name" of g-d? It's disgusting. To open fire, burn, bomb, disgrace a house of worship is absurd. It is so ridiculous that there is no word STRONG enough for me to use to explain how grotesque it really is.
To those who condone this act- may g-d not show mercy on you. Ours is a vengeful g-d and you have over-stepped your boundary.
My chosen home is Israel. While I was born and raised in the good ol' U.S.A., my heart has always belonged in Israel. It only took 20 some odd years for my body to follow my heart. Today, 6 March 2008, some nut job opened fire in a Yeshiva (think Jewish seminary) in Jerusalem. Merkaz HaRav (The Rabbi's Center) was shot full of 600 bullets and, as of now, 8 yeshivabochers (students) are dead. This is one of the worst cases of terrorism in Israel since 2006. It is deplorable.
In times like these, half of me wants retaliation of the worst times. I wonder why, when my country is under fire, no one does anything. The leftists (and Democrats) wish for peace without any form of retribution. If Israel were to open fire on a Mosque, the entire WORLD would be in a uproar. Yet, some asshole kills 8 people in a form of a house of worship that happens to be Jewish and no one does a thing. Eight people died! EIGHT PEOPLE! Eight people who were studying the word of g-d. Eight people who were trying to learn peace through hashem's teaching. Eight innocent people. And the world does nothing.
I am terrified that no place is sacred but if, for some reason, the Israeli Defense Forces decided to bomb a mosque - Jews would never hear the end of it. The IDF is a humane army. They wouldn't do that. However, they should (that may be the other half of me talking). There are times in my life where the diplomatic side of me disappears when the emotional side of me wants to scream "STOP IT! JUST STOP!" Enough blood has been shed. And for what? Land? Power? For the "name" of g-d? It's disgusting. To open fire, burn, bomb, disgrace a house of worship is absurd. It is so ridiculous that there is no word STRONG enough for me to use to explain how grotesque it really is.
To those who condone this act- may g-d not show mercy on you. Ours is a vengeful g-d and you have over-stepped your boundary.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Gaza
In case you've missed it, Gaza is on fire thanks to Hamas. It is in your best interest to stay away from this area. Hamas should be considered armed and dangerous.
Israel is doing nothing. Why? Because it's not our job. Let it burn.
Israel is doing nothing. Why? Because it's not our job. Let it burn.
Monday, June 4, 2007
something funny from Time Magazine
Generally, when I read a publication like Time Magazine I don't expect to be laughing. Today, I sat at the Tel Aviv Central Train station waiting to return to Herzliya when I came across a very funny but sadly true essay written by Joel Stein. Here is the reprint:
Friends in High Places
For 2008, I'll vote for whicever candidate is nicest to me on Myspace
I'm sure picking a presidential candidate on the basis of what he's done or what he says is a great method-- if you're 70 and have nothing but free time. I'm making my choice the more efficient way: Myspace. Whichever candidate is the best at being my friend gets my vote. It worked for high school elections, and now it will work for the Leader of the Free World.
I went to the Myspace pages of all 18 candidates from the two major parties and asked them to be my friend. All accepted my friendship within hours (Republicans Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilmore even left comments on my site: "Thanks for the add!) All, that is, except Rudy Guiliani. Not only did Giuliani prevent me from seeing his site by setting his profile to private, as if he were a hot 16-year-old girl with strict parents, but-- unlike the other candidates, who accepted my invitation almost immediately-- Rudy has still not made me his friend after 25 days. I'm starting to see why the man blew two marriages.
To read the rest of this essay, go to: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1627004,00.html
Friends in High Places
For 2008, I'll vote for whicever candidate is nicest to me on Myspace
I'm sure picking a presidential candidate on the basis of what he's done or what he says is a great method-- if you're 70 and have nothing but free time. I'm making my choice the more efficient way: Myspace. Whichever candidate is the best at being my friend gets my vote. It worked for high school elections, and now it will work for the Leader of the Free World.
I went to the Myspace pages of all 18 candidates from the two major parties and asked them to be my friend. All accepted my friendship within hours (Republicans Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilmore even left comments on my site: "Thanks for the add!) All, that is, except Rudy Guiliani. Not only did Giuliani prevent me from seeing his site by setting his profile to private, as if he were a hot 16-year-old girl with strict parents, but-- unlike the other candidates, who accepted my invitation almost immediately-- Rudy has still not made me his friend after 25 days. I'm starting to see why the man blew two marriages.
To read the rest of this essay, go to: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1627004,00.html
Friday, May 18, 2007
Truce?
This past week, I wrote a few e-mails that were not enjoyable. I tried to make light of the situation as much as possible, however no one likes writing home to Mom and Dad that their country is at war. This week, the southern city of Sderot has been bombarded with Kassam rockets fired from Gaza. Why? Because Hamas and Fatah are in a civil war with eachother. Now, you my not see the direct correlation between these two events but I do. When Hamas and Fatah decide to wage war against eachother, Israel gets caught in the middle.
Please read this article featured in Ha'aretz's current online edition: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/860479.html. It illustrates what it's like to be living in the middle of a civil war- as a Palestinian. I am amazed this journalist wasn't shot to death. As Shmuel Rosner says "the Gaza Strip is burning." They don't have the Israeli's to fight against, as we do not occupy this territory anymore. So, they fight each other. Good. Let them. Let them kill eachother off and leave us alone!
Please read this article featured in Ha'aretz's current online edition: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/860479.html. It illustrates what it's like to be living in the middle of a civil war- as a Palestinian. I am amazed this journalist wasn't shot to death. As Shmuel Rosner says "the Gaza Strip is burning." They don't have the Israeli's to fight against, as we do not occupy this territory anymore. So, they fight each other. Good. Let them. Let them kill eachother off and leave us alone!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
What the f*&k!
My friend Robert pointed out a recent column in the Jerusalem Post about Islam. Here is the link to the direct article: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?apage=1&cid=1178431592731&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
This rant is about how sick the world really is. This article brought to my attention how sexist Islam is. Mazal tov to Hamas for pulling "Mickey Mouse" off the air before Disney sued the shit out of them. For all those that say Islam is peaceful and Hamas is just looking out for their people, you should read this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_re_mi_ea/hamas_mickey_mouse;_ylt=An0d91gZc8bScXY8FP11rdELewgF
However, this blog is not about Mickey or Hamas, it is about the fact that children are targets in the eyes of Islam. A UN run school was shot up the other day because boys and girls were allowed to play together. They were allowed to play sports together. Seriously people, come on. Little children were targeted for slaughter for their 'sins' of being active in sport with members of the opposite sex. Little kids. Slaughter. Does this sound OK to you?? It doesn't to me.
For those that feel the US should not be in the Middle East, you're all dumb. Sorry but you are. The US army found explosive wires that were linked to a girls school. These wires lead to propane filled tanks with bombs attached. This school was not built for the girls, it was built to kill them. Heaven forbid girls should learn ANYTHING. This is absurd. Girls are being targeted for going to SCHOOL. To learn. Seriously- these girls would have been blown to bits if the US army had not found these wires. The school was a farce so that the Islamic world could show everyone else that they are not evil- they built a school for girls. However, they would have blamed the bombing on someone else.
Dr. Guy Bechor, one of my professors, explains that while Jews and Arabs may be cousins- we are different in how we handle situations. Arabs blame other people. Jews blame themselves- even when it's not our fault. The fact that neither of these stories made it to the front page of ANY news outlet shocks me. The world is more concerned with what my Prime Minister is doing than what happened or could have happened to these kids. They are children. Innocent kids that are bred for hatred... it is sad but true and it needs to be stopped.
We are not in the crusades! This is 2007!! This shit should not be happening.
Want to help stop this from happening? Send me a message and I'll tell you how to help. The best thing you can do- SUPPORT THE STATE OF ISRAEL! We are the only democracy in the Middle East. If the state doesn't exist, Islam will take over.
The end.
This rant is about how sick the world really is. This article brought to my attention how sexist Islam is. Mazal tov to Hamas for pulling "Mickey Mouse" off the air before Disney sued the shit out of them. For all those that say Islam is peaceful and Hamas is just looking out for their people, you should read this: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070510/ap_on_re_mi_ea/hamas_mickey_mouse;_ylt=An0d91gZc8bScXY8FP11rdELewgF
However, this blog is not about Mickey or Hamas, it is about the fact that children are targets in the eyes of Islam. A UN run school was shot up the other day because boys and girls were allowed to play together. They were allowed to play sports together. Seriously people, come on. Little children were targeted for slaughter for their 'sins' of being active in sport with members of the opposite sex. Little kids. Slaughter. Does this sound OK to you?? It doesn't to me.
For those that feel the US should not be in the Middle East, you're all dumb. Sorry but you are. The US army found explosive wires that were linked to a girls school. These wires lead to propane filled tanks with bombs attached. This school was not built for the girls, it was built to kill them. Heaven forbid girls should learn ANYTHING. This is absurd. Girls are being targeted for going to SCHOOL. To learn. Seriously- these girls would have been blown to bits if the US army had not found these wires. The school was a farce so that the Islamic world could show everyone else that they are not evil- they built a school for girls. However, they would have blamed the bombing on someone else.
Dr. Guy Bechor, one of my professors, explains that while Jews and Arabs may be cousins- we are different in how we handle situations. Arabs blame other people. Jews blame themselves- even when it's not our fault. The fact that neither of these stories made it to the front page of ANY news outlet shocks me. The world is more concerned with what my Prime Minister is doing than what happened or could have happened to these kids. They are children. Innocent kids that are bred for hatred... it is sad but true and it needs to be stopped.
We are not in the crusades! This is 2007!! This shit should not be happening.
Want to help stop this from happening? Send me a message and I'll tell you how to help. The best thing you can do- SUPPORT THE STATE OF ISRAEL! We are the only democracy in the Middle East. If the state doesn't exist, Islam will take over.
The end.
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