Doc, I know where you live is probably safe but after reading about the attacks on Jews, including the one just happening, in NYC I will ask you to please take care and be safe.
Where I live isn’t necessarily safe, no. New York City has one of the highest Jewish populations in the world, you would think a place where there is a lot of community and people know Jews as people would be safe.
But really, nowhere is safe. When you grow up Jewish, you learn very early on that there are people who would like to kill you, just because of who you are, people who want to kick you out of their countries, people who think you are naturally deceptive. I learned people wanted me dead when I was six. We read a holocaust novel in my 2nd grade class. Negotiating this was simply a part of negotiating my life.
So I’m not as scared as I probably should be. Anti-Semitism is dramatically on the rise, and it shows no signs of abating. But, I live my life, as best Ic an, until I can’t, and if I have to run, I suppose I will, but I’d always prefer to stand and fight.
If you want to help, don’t only reblog and raise Jewish voices, but call out bullshit when you see it when IT COSTS YOU SOMETHING.Doing it here,in an echo chamber, does little. Doing it when your Nana says something about George Soros, when your boss refuses to let Jews have our holidays off, correcting anti-Semitic thoughts in your communities, that’s what matters.
Also donate to Jewish organizations fighting this shit, or (and I have a great deal of bias about this) small communities who don’t have a lot of means, who need a place for safety*.
My version of taking care and being safe is being on of the ones by the door at the back of my congregation so I can put myself in the way if someone comes in. There’s an ex-military guy who often serves as our greeter with the same ethos. My congregation, when building the place, considered that most rooms should have two exits. Guess why. All we can do is protect each other, because we’ve learned it ain’t coming elsewhere.
So, I’m fine. I’m less worried than I should be. But only because this isn’t news. I’ve known since I was a little girl.
*Selfish plug: donate here to my congregation