I used to chuckle to myself when people would ask me if I was not afraid to visit Israel. My response was always the same. I felt safer walking the streets of Yerushalayim and most places in Israel than I do walking the streets of Manhattan or Washington, D.C.
After watching the Teaneck City Council meeting several weeks ago and hearing the comments made by many who either lived in Teaneck or found it their calling to Zoom into the meeting or protest outside the city hall doors I have to reiterate that I still feel the same way.
Antisemitism once again is in the forefront of the news almost each time that I turn on the radio. Yes, I am frightened because it brings to mind the stories that I heard about my grandparents in Berlin in the late 30s. Hushed voices in front of trusted workers who had spent years working in their home. Frightening incidents on the streets of Berlin. No, I keep telling myself, this cannot happen again and not in our life. But, actually, why not?
People are becoming more and more paranoid, which is not healthy. Remarks are being tossed around and some things are not verified. In Montreal, in the past day, someone posted that a Walmart which carried kosher meat had removed all of their meats from their freezer shelves as there had been a threat that the meat had been injected with poison during the night. Whether or not this was even feasible was never considered. Immediately, many on a particular chat went slightly berserk. Some even went so far as to throw everything in their freezers out. Our minds, if we allow them to, can wreak havoc on our lives.
It is vital at this moment for us to concentrate our thoughts and concerns solely on our relatives in Israel. If you are able to answer that you have no relatives there, please remember that every single person who is living there is related to us. Those young boys, women and men are fighting their hearts and souls out for every one of us. Show them every kind of support possible.
Tehillim, tefillot and I believe strongly in private discussions with Hashem. We have to pour out our hearts with the same passion that we see at a wedding during the dancing. If we have to juggle and stand on our heads in order to convey our most heartfelt passion of simcha at a wedding, let us do the same at this time in beseeching H” to shower all of Eretz Yisrael with safety. We have to do whatever is in our power.
Continue the amount of chesed that goes on each day. It almost becomes overwhelming in that there are so many options, yet keep in mind that the myriad of opportunities do not compare to the turmoil lived by every single life in Israel. Do not cancel trips unless Israel does not want you to come at this time. Every time you kiss a child or a grandchild, think about the father or mother fighting today for our freedom and give your child an extra kiss. Annoyed at your spouse for a simple thing that he said or did? Be grateful that he is not on the frontlines and hold your tongue. Have a neighbor who annoys you? Perhaps it is time to reach out with the hope that each little good deed that we do will make a difference.
Personally I call my many friends in Israel as often as I can to shmooze about whatever they wish and hopefully to give them the opportunity to take their minds off the pall cast over the entire country.
We each have to do what we can but remember that Israel is our home.
Nina Glick can be reached at [email protected].
