Did you notice that for slightly less than a week it was actually possible to turn on the radio and not have to listen to anything about the impeachment process? The House, the Senate and Congress were all adjourned for the holiday break. Even the jingles and traditional songs of the season were a pleasure to listen to rather than the excessive coverage from Washington that was going on day after day. Yet a new tone has now taken over the channels. It seems that each day the news begins with another act of violence directed at observant Jews. In this case we turn the radio up and are anxious to listen to the awful accounts of the latest acts of anti-Semitism happening right at our doorsteps. It would be a ruse for us to kid ourselves into believing that these acts of domestic terrorism could not happen right here in our community. Those who do not value life and believe that Jews are their enemy are willing to go to all kinds of extremes to make their point known. We met some people recently who told us that they were hesitant to plan their trip to Israel for the spring as they are waiting to see if things will “quiet down” in the Middle East. We walked away from them and chuckled to each other. We wonder if this same couple has now decided to push their trip ahead to escape the horror that has been happening in communities not very far from where we live.

Today Nina had a discussion with our friend who is the manager of Sammy’s. She related the actions of a deranged man who made threatening accusations directed at customers in the store on December 25. She was intensely angry. Her anger was directed at the fact that the police knew the man and were aware of his mental health issues. It was not the first time that he was “in trouble with the law.” She passionately said to Nina that she could not understand how he could be walking the streets when it was already known to the police that he was a ticking time bomb. She actually chased after the man when he exited the store until he got too far away and, of course, he was later apprehended by the police. “How dare he come into my home,” she said. (Sammy’s) Her extreme display of anguish was caused not by that particular incident alone but by the fact that when she was on her way to work on Tuesday morning she heard an interview with the members of the recent Monsey perpetrator’s family. They announced to the media that he had been diagnosed with mental illness years ago. So???? Is that supposed to make us all feel better? This has now become an easy excuse for every crime that takes place. Within this writing partnership there is a clinical psychologist who absolutely believes that no person would set out to kill others if he were of sane mind. Is that an excuse for allowing these actions to happen more and more often?

We have heard some comments in the past few days that the incidents which have taken place are good examples of why we should be moving to Israel. There are those who might use this as the push that they need to get the Nefesh B”Nefesh phones numbers out once again. Sadly for most of us, the possibility of making aliyah is not as simple as we wish that it could be. We have no doubt that many more would be taking the plunge if they were not involved in family situations, financial concerns and other issues. Life was not meant to be easy. If it were Hashem would not put so many obstacles in our way. We need to be diligently aware of the challenges that come with “looking Jewish.” For us, it gives us a sense of pride and a stronger feeling of commitment to Hashem. It is those Jews who think that they can “get away” from this scene and not be recognized as being Jewish who we feel sorry for. Notice that there are some but not many unaffiliated Jews that are voicing concern about the current situation. For the thousands of Jews in Germany, some intermarried, others totally assimilated, it made no difference to the Gestapo when they were chosen to go to the death camps. When you are born Jewish you are “stuck” for life. We are grateful for who we are but warn others never to consider that by not identifying as being Jewish it will make a difference to whoever wants to attack Jews in general.

Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick are living in Bergenfield after many years of service to the Montreal Jewish community. Rabbi Glick was the rav of Young Israel of Val Royal and Congregation Ahavat Yisroel as well as a practicing clinical psychologist in private practice. He also taught at Champlain Regional College. The Glicks were frequent speakers at the OU marriage retreats. Nina coordinated all Yachad activities in Montreal and was a co/founder of Maison Shalom, a group home for young adults with special needs. They can be reached at [email protected].