About ten years ago, I was fortunate enough to go on a trip to Israel. My mother, who had never been there, was very nervous about my going. She worried (imagine that) about my safety.
But my Israeli friend who was accompanying me asked her a compelling question. And even though that question may not have succeeded in alleviating my mother’s worries, it definitely succeeded at putting her protestations to rest. He asked her, “If we, the Jewish, don’t support Israel, who will?”
When I was quite young, probably no older than 10, I went on the annual “Walk for Israel” in Milwaukee for the first time. Even at that early age, I felt both inspired and proud to support the country that I already understood was the homeland for the Jewish people.
The day of that walk is forever ingrained in my memory. As one of a huge crowd, I, gathered outside of Temple Beth Israel in Glendale with my brother. The first thing we noticed as we approached the entrance was the large stone sign. Splashed across it in bright red paint were huge, threatening swastikas. Along with this vulgar graffiti, neo-Nazi protesters were circling, carrying hateful anti-Semitic signs. It was a frightening experience for all of us. The organizers of the walk told us to gather inside and to ignore the protesters. Don’t look at them. Don’t speak to them. Say nothing. And that is just what we did.
I have never forgotten that day or how it made me feel. But I took comfort in two thoughts. Across the globe there was a country that welcomed the Jews. The enemies of ours who were standing but a few short yards away from me only served to strengthen my desire to walk for and support our homeland, Israel. And, perhaps more immediately comforting to me, was the firm knowledge that America also stood by the Jews and the Jewish State of Israel. Not only were we safe here in America, as my parents always assured me, but America was Israel’s strongest ally. Not only would America always stand by Israel, they would always work to protect Israel. They assured me of this, because they said our countries were like family.
As any member of a Jewish family knows, we do not always see eye to eye on everything. I am sure we all know the saying, “Two Jews, three opinions.” We hear this and chuckle, because we recognize the truth in it. But right now, we are at a dangerous crossroads that is far from any laughing matter. It is time for the Jewish people to unite, regardless of any differences in opinion on politics or policy.
The common bond we all share as Jews unites us as a larger family. This truth was never made clearer to me than when I read the book, “I am Jewish” by Judea and Ruth Pearl, the parents of journalist Daniel Pearl, who I am sure many remember was brutally murdered by terrorists in 2002. In the last hours of his life, a videotape was made of Daniel Pearl and in it he said, “My father is Jewish. My mother is Jewish. I am Jewish.”
In the preface to the book, Daniel’s father states that upon hearing his son’s words he came to realize that, “ Danny left us a precious gift in those words – a faithful mirror in which we, Jews, can see ourselves.”
Over the months that followed Daniel’s death, the Pearls started receiving a tremendous outpouring of support through correspondence from people, young and old from all over the world. They were responding specifically to Daniel’s words, and how these words inspired each of them individually. This outpouring became the impetus for the Pearl’s book, “I am Jewish.”
The Pearls wrote, “We came to realize the broad impact of his last words, (that they) could help fortify Jewish identity with the resilience needed to counter its adversaries’ attacks. We saw how Danny’s words could lead to empowerment and pride and, eventually, to a stronger, more united Jewish people.”
Using Daniel Pearl’s last words as a catalyst for fellow Jews to reflect upon, ponder, question, discuss, analyze and even help clarify their own feelings about their Jewishness, the Pearls interviewed people from all walks of life and all forms of Judaism. Every answer connects us all together:
“When I say that I am Jewish, I feel pride, and am overwhelmed with joy when I declare that I am part of this incredible people, our people Israel” – Sarah Rosenbaum at age 15, California
“When I say I am Jewish it means to me that I have people taking care of me. It means family.”– Spencer Newman at age 10, Florida
“When I say that I am Jewish I affirm the fact that I am part of an extraordinary people who began as a nation in ancient Judea and have become an international family. This family is united through space and time by shared ancestry, shared culture and shared historical memories.” -Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine, Michigan
“To be a Jew means to belong to a nation whose people are linked to each other spiritually and emotionally, to belong to a group that shares a common magnificent past, one tradition, and a common destiny and fate.” – Moshe Katsav, Iranian born president of Israel from 2000 – 2007
“When I say I am Jewish, I feel as if no matter where I am I will always have a home in Israel… because Israel is the land of the Jewish people. I feel like I am part of one huge family.” Amanda, Georgia
“As a Jew, the message of Daniel Pearl is very clear to me: Our only safe shelter is Israel.” –Ephraim Kishon, author and 2001 nominee for the Nobel Prize in literature.
“I am a Jew. My mother is a Jew. My father is a Jew. We all met at Sinai.”- Irwin Cotler, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
For me personally, being Jewish means being passionate. Passionate about teaching others about our faith, our history, culture and values. Passionate about helping to dispel misconceptions and myths that lead to ignorance, prejudice and violence. I am passionate with the love of a country, a birthright, a homeland where I know I will always be welcomed and always belong. And passionate to defend that country and its right to always exist. No matter what.
Now I readily admit, although I like to consider myself an informed individual, I am no expert on politics. Nor am I an expert in foreign policy. But I do know this: My father was Jewish. My mother was Jewish. I am Jewish. And as Irwin Cotler said, “We all met at Sinai.”
Daniel Pearl’s father was correct when he stated that his son left us a precious gift in his final words. “I am Jewish” is a clarion call to unity. It truly does fortify our Jewish identity with the resilience needed to counter our adversaries’ attacks. These words do lead to empowerment and pride and, eventually, a stronger, more united Jewish people.
It becomes clear, then, that it must be us, the Jewish people, who show solidarity and support for the land of our ancestors.
I therefore implore every Jew to raise his or her voice in support of Eretz Yisrael. Regardless of differing political views, Prime Minister Netanyahu was right when he said that the days of remaining silent are over for the Jewish people. Any of us who has ever attended a Passover Seder knows, we all have a voice. A very loud voice, if we so choose. I urge you, please, raise it now, loudly, in support for Israel. Don’t let our administration change a decades-long policy of unwavering support. America must stand with Israel.
Bonnie Rapkin lives in Kewaskum.
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