I write to express my deep concern over the recent anti-Israel protest that took place in our community this past Sunday. As residents of Teaneck, Bergenfield and New Milford, we were confronted with blatant Jew hatred, and what did we do? Nothing.
What troubles me most is not just the protest itself, but our community’s failure to mobilize and counter it. How did we allow chants of “Intifada Revolution: to be voiced in our own backyard, audible even from the comfort of our living rooms? Are we too afraid to speak up? Are we too complacent in our safety to confront evil directly and say, “Enough!”?
While we enjoy the privileges of living in America, our brothers and sisters are fighting to defend in Israel. Yet when an opportunity arose for us to defend ourselves, even in a small way, we failed. Why? Are we too uncomfortable with confrontation, or are we too comfortable with our own safety, despite the alarming signs around us?
Why did we not line the streets from River Road to Teaneck Road with people and Israeli flags as far as the eye could see? What will it take for us to pause our Sunday gymnastics and basketball games and say, “Enough!”?
It is time for our community to reflect on our silence and inaction. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the rising tide of antisemitisim, especially when it manifests so close to home. We must find the courage to stand up against hatred and intolerance, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones.
Let us not wait for another opportunity to pass us by. Let us unite as a community, not just in words, but in action, to defend our values and stand up for what is right.
