It was less than 75 years ago that American Jewry, willingly or unwillingly, abandoned their brethren in Europe and passively witnessed six million Jews perish in the Holocaust. Yes, we did help a few survivors after the fact; but for most, it was too late. Whether it was the denial of entry to those on the St. Louis, denials of visa requests, unfilled immigration quotas, aborted plans to create temporary havens or bombing the rail lines to Auschwitz, American Jewry found it expedient to take no for an answer.
It appears to be no coincidence that the survival of six million innocent Jewish lives is again at risk. They live in Israel and face an existential threat from Iran and its minions. Make no mistake about it, Iran has been clear about why it wants nuclear bombs, ballistic missiles and other modern weapons designed to bomb and kill civilians; it wants to destroy the Jewish people and the United States. Why don’t we take them at their word? Indeed it appears that the Ayatollah has been more forthcoming and truthful about the actual Iran deal negotiated than our own government. Whether it was their claim that the sanctions would be lifted immediately and not phased out or that their military bases would not be inspected by the US, they have told it like it is. Should we not take them at their word as to their nefarious plans for the US and Israel?
It was not that long ago when the Jewish establishment faced the matter of freedom for Soviet Jewry. At the time there were calls for quiet diplomacy and not putting at risk the wonderful life we Jews enjoy in this country. Fortunately, there were a few determined individuals who rejected this passivity and led college students and teenagers in marches and rallies to champion the cause of Soviet Jewry. They embraced politicians who identified with the cause. They did not disdain them as some establishment organizations and so-called representatives of American Jewry have recently done, yet again. The Jewish activists at the time managed to create a mass movement to free Soviet Jewry, despite the establishment. The results speak for themselves. Soviet Jewry was freed and saved. Have we not learned from history? I fear the dictum that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
My fellow Americans, including those of the Jewish faith, let’s join together to fight this flawed deal with Iran. We have the chance to redeem ourselves from the stain of inactivity in the face of the Holocaust. Now is the time to act. Let’s support those who support us. Let’s not be overly pious and politically correct. This is a time when we can’t afford to take no for an answer. As Rav Aaron Solovechik said, when Jews are in peril we must make noise. It’s time again to march on Washington en masse. Call on Jewish organizations to join in the fight and don’t give up. Call and write our representatives in Congress. Lobby the administration. Enlist our local politicians in the effort. Access and power are ephemeral; we must use it or lose it. We cannot accept no for an answer, again.
By Leonard Grunstein
