Hope Horror and Heroism on Hanukkah

Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday celebrating light, miracles and yes chocolate. has now joined the pantheon of Jewish history soaked in blood and sadness. Once a nice addition to end of the year celebrations, it is now marked by the Bondi Beach killings. 

Fifteen people were killed and reports state that 27 were injured.  Many critically.  Ahmed el Ahmed, a hero, tackled and disarmed one of the gun men.  He was shot and is recovering in the hospital but stated that he expected to die while trying to save hundreds of others.  He is an immigrant from Syria who understands humanity.  

Hate is a poison that cannot be contained by anything.  It is corrosive and spreads when unleashed. MAGA is being ripped apart by those who hate everyone but the Jews and those who want to hurt any and all vulnerable or alien or misunderstood or marginalized groups.  Folks like Ben Shapiro and Mark Levin have constantly lied about and wanted punishment and pain for immigrants, Muslims, people of color and even those espousing inclusive and progressive ideas.  Now they and others are having to stave off the growing number of people who agree with that but also are impressed by Hitler and are clearly anti-Semitic. 

This is how it works: first they came for the Communists. This is from a series of speeches by a German Pastor Martin Niemoller.  In summary the confessional poem lists all the people taken away while he did nothing.  And when the time came for his arrest/deportation or imprisonment, there was no one to support and protect him.

People seek clarity but it is obscured by the Gordian Knot of history and modern actions. There is too much official and governmental support for the leadership in Israel that is committing genocide and war crimes.  Most of the Jews worldwide and humanitarian organizations there strongly oppose these actions. And in tragic irony, even though there is manufactured support and weaponry  by Trump and other world leaders for Israel, the actions of Netanyahu and his allies are generating increased anti-semitism. 

Hanukkah was a unique holiday in that remembering the long history of the Jews, it is one of hope.  The High Holidays are about reflection, atonement and fasting.  It is done in remembrance of personal growth against the backdrop of pogroms, discrimination, The Final Solution and anti-semitism in all forms. Now the leaders of Israel are those killing innocents.  Yes, Israel was attacked.  By an organization, Hamas, that Netanyahu has supported for years.  But warfare does not allow nations to have carte blanche for years to starve and try to eliminate certain populations or attack other countries deemed as their enemy.  (And get the US to help.) 

It is very complicated. Except for this president.  Donald Trump received 100 million dollars from Miriam Adelson to do anything Israel wants.  That explains his actions.  Many Jews are struggling to support their faith, their community and Israel and disown the war crimes.  To make it clear, like Americans, the actions of their leaders are an anathema to them. And some anti-semites support Gaza and Palestine, not because of humanity for the people in Palestine but out of their hatred for Jews.

The answer is inclusion.  Humanity.  Love.  Understand that groups cannot be attacked en-masse. Society must not elevate wealth and power but label too many others as inferior. Or criminals or taking too much from the government.  Or eating the cats and the dogs. We must judge people by what they say and more importantly, what they do. So start by welcoming and helping everyone and deal with crimes and problems person by person. Even those who are rich and celebrated.  Just saying.

#DSOT was started in the summer of 2018- long before people were thinking about economic protests.  The original plan was to organize a Jewish work strike to protest the horrific immigration policies and deliberate cruelty of the Trump administration.  The first one.  It was designed to be evocative of the concentration camps that the Nazis used for Jews and others during Hitler's regime.  But even though Jews, were certain in the line of fire at some point, the people targeted and suffering were those escaping poverty and violence in South and Central America. The action had to be broad and inclusive. Plus, economic protests should be based on consumerism and everyone, I repeat, everyone is welcomed nay encouraged to join.

So be kind and inclusive.  Don't hate in wholesale blocks.  And Don't Shop on Tuesday.

#DSOT. #UPM

p.s.  Kind words and remembrance must be extended to Rob and Michele Reiner who were murdered on Sunday. Rob was a talented, creative and generous man.  His support for people and issues too often overlooked but beneficial to all seemed infinite.  It is hard to find someone who hasn't enjoyed his vast talent. Except of course Donald Trump- who embodies hate, cruelty and selfishness.  Don't bother reading his thoughts about this.  Trust me, it's ugly.