Fighting Antisemitism Again and Again
What follows is my Rosh Hashanah morning sermon about the resurgence of antisemitism. We must be on guard against the populist rage on the right and especially the left that is making the world more dangerous for Jews.
Ed was a longtime member of our synagogue. He died four years ago at the age of eighty-five. I still remember the stories he told me about his childhood in Baghdad. He lived a privilege life there until his bar mitzvah year. Then his parents sent him to England to continue his studies and escape the growing threat of antisemitism. Eventually he made his way to Israel where he served in the 1967 Six-Day war and more importantly as far as he was concerned married Margeurite. From there they made their way to Long Island where I continue to have the privilege of serving as her rabbi. Ed was more traditional and so after the merger when the combined synagogue became Reform it required some adjusting. I expected his difficulties would be about something technical like we sometimes we light Shabbat candles after sunset or we don’t sing every verse of Lecha Dodi, but I was surprised to discover it was more basic, or perhaps primal.
“In Baghdad,” I can still hear him telling me, “We never went outside at night. We were afraid we might be beaten up or worse yet, killed. And so, we only went to synagogue on Shabbat morning and never for Friday evening Shabbat services. On Friday night, we made Shabbat at home quietly. Now that our services are only on Friday nights and not Saturday mornings it’s really hard for me.” I did not know what to say. How could I respond to his fears? How could I make him more comfortable? How could I convince him that New York of 2016 is not Baghdad of the 1950’s? How could I help him let go of his childhood traumas? I realized I could not assuage his feelings? I can’t undo anyone’s fears. I offered him a hug and said, “I hope to see you at Shabbat services sometime soon.”
I have been thinking about Ed a lot this past year. I wish he was here so I could ask him more. I wish I could learn from him again…
This post continues on The Times of Israel.