Bomb scares won’t force Jews into the shadows because of fear

In the past month, two anti-Semitic incidents impacted me personally — two more than in my entire life, and I am 58. The first was the bomb threat at the school I head. Then came the Jewish cemetery that was desecrated in Philadelphia, not far from where I grew up. When I heard about that incident, my first thoughts were of my parents, in-laws and other family members. The incident was atrocious, and I was personally relieved that it did not occur at the cemetery where my loved ones are buried.

These hateful acts, whether they are bomb threats against Jewish community centers and Jewish schools, or vandalism at Jewish cemeteries and synagogues, are as cowardly as they are despicable. They are intended to instill fear and insecurity in us. While it is sad and unfortunate that antiSemitism is rearing its ugly head in ways that many of us have never experienced, or have not experienced in decades, it should not be a surprise that in this politically charged climate it has surfaced.

For it is never far beneath the surface. In fact, even in “quiet” years, Jews usually top the FBI list as the No. 1 religious group subject to acts of hate in the United States. (Yes, there are more incidents against Jews than Muslims.)

As an individual, I have never defined my Judaism by the tragedies that have befallen us — the Holocaust, the pogroms and expulsions through the centuries. Rather, I have always embraced Judaism for all that is positive and beautiful about my religion, culture and people. I love being Jewish for all of the joy and meaning it brings to my life.

There are times, though, when we must speak up and resist those who seek to marginalize us, terrorize us or even physically harm us. Bomb scares will not force Jews into the shadows again. Vandalism against our sacred spaces will not cause fear. Anger, yes — not fear.

Our job is to live our lives normally, proudly display and express our Judaism, and speak out against anti-Semitism and against all hate perpetrated against others.

I will continue to wear my yarmulke, proudly, in public. At Hillel we will remain vigilant, as always, and we will proceed as usual providing a safe, nurturing and proud place to be Jewish and express our Judaism. I will let my politicians know silence in the face of vandalism is completely unacceptable, and that action must be taken.

I will also be sure to take note and to share stories about our wonderful fellow Americans who are just as appalled as we are about these incidents. Like the police chief, William Dial, in Whitefish, Montana, who placed a mezuzah on the door of the police station as an act of protest against the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in his community, perpetrated by local neoNazis. Or the passengers on a New York subway car covered with swastikas, who took out their tissues and hand sanitizer and removed all of them. Or the Muslims in St. Louis who got together to raise money to help repair the Jewish cemetery in their community that was desecrated.

We cannot ignore the rise of hate in our country and against Jews. And, sadly, we cannot hide it from our children. We must fight this hate as we strive to raise the next generation with values reflective of the Torah, God and our people.

Steve Freedman is head of school at Hillel Day School in Farmington Hills, Michigan.