As I looked forward to the Megillah reading, I was thinking about the situation of the Jews in Haman’s time, and our situation today. During the time of the Megillah, Haman wanted to kill all the Jews, and today, barely 80 years after the catastrophic Holocaust, so many people around the world again want to kill Jews and wipe Israel off the map. Although antisemitism appeared to have been subdued for a while, in the wake of October 7 and the Gaza war, it has suddenly erupted explosively into a full blown crisis.
At home there has been an alarming increase of antisemitism on campus, in the media and on the streets. Jews are being berated, physically assaulted and put into harm’s way. They cannot speak freely, are hesitant to wear clothing that identifies them as Jews and they need security guards to protect their shuls, institutions and gatherings.
In the media there have been timid, vacillating, or no American responses to October 7, the Gaza war, the hostage crisis and multiple UN anti-Israel actions. Even worse, there was massive financial support for Iran and its proxies, as well as the seeking of “increased daylight” between Israel and America.
Throughout all these crises, previous Democratic administrations at all levels of government did little or nothing to confront and correct the situations. Fortunately, the American electorate, to their everlasting credit, elected Donald Trump to again lead our country. And with a strong, determined, and visible presence, Trump has taken over the reins of government and there is suddenly a sea change in the outlook of the future, for Jews in Israel, America and around the world. In barely over one month in office, Trump has acted with head-spinning speed and decisiveness, redirecting the course of the presidency relating to Jewish and Israeli affairs. He is doing precisely what he promised and what those of us who voted for him wanted.
Jew haters on campus, in the media and in wars against Israel have been put on notice that their antisemitic and anti-Israel actions will no longer be allowed or tolerated or, in his words, “There will be hell to pay.”
Although Trump is not Mordechai, he is the best leader we have today.
