For 2,000 years the only method of protection from marauding antisemites was to pay the bishop or the king to protect us. That changed in 1948, or so I thought.
This Sunday in Teaneck felt like something from the history books—the Jews paid money in the name of protection.
I think it was beautiful to walk down Winthrop and see cars from what felt like every New Jersey town, to see the many police officers who were here to protect us. Kudos to those folks who made that happen.
But I disagree with the instruction to stay away. This is our town, our home. Should I not wear a kippah to avoid confrontation, not display an Israeli flag on my lawn? Perhaps we shouldn’t speak up at council meetings. That will just incite “them” further.
One thousand protesters. I stood in a group of four people at one point, later in a group of perhaps 50. I think there should have been 5,000 Jews waving flags and playing Israeli music while ignoring the rabble across the street.
Were we wrong? I did what I needed to do, what I felt was right.
Disagree with me with regards to these protests, but I think at least this should be a wake-up call that we all need to go to D.C. for NORPAC on May 15. “They” are much better organized than we are, and they are becoming much more savvy at lobbying. Politicians are paying attention (Michigan Democratic primary).
If we stay away, we will see changes in Israel policy that we don’t like.
