In light of the #CongregationBethIsrael hostage situation in Colleyville, TX, I thought these thoughts ought to be shared, as well as some of my own: - There is no excuse for attacking Jews for being Jewish or exercising their right to worship - that is the definition of antisemitism. - Do not let anyone get away with using this horrific event to bolster Islamophobia or anti-immigration sentiment. Give that shit zero space. - Shut down anyone who uses this attack to say “this is why we need good guys with guns”. This is equivalent to the gun-lovers who say that the Shoah could have been prevented if more Jews had guns - it is WILDLY offensive and victim-blaming of the worst kind. People shouldn’t need to be told this but sadly they do, and I’m tired of doing it. Our tragedies aren’t an opportunity for you to prove a point. The fear of the pogroms, burnings, massacres, gas chambers, never really leaves you, and events like this are reminders that it might always happen again unless enough of our neighbors speak the hell up. Please read Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker’s beautiful words in the wake of the #TreeofLife shooting, and witness his track record of interfaith allyship and advocacy for immigrants and refugees. That is what Judaism (and humanity) should be all about - #TikkunOlam and standing up for our neighbors in their times of need. Mir Veln Zey Iberlebn. We Will Outlive Them. #judaism #antisemitism #synagogue #colleyvilletx #rabbicytronwalker #jewish #islamophobia #immigrantsarewelcomehere #jewsandmuslimsrefusetobeenemies #gunreform #guncontrol https://www.instagram.com/p/CYxcWXksmUc/?utm_medium=tumblr
