April 7th was Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel, an annual day of remembering those killed in the holocaust. It is a somber day. At precisely 10am a siren is heard for 2 minutes throughout the entire country. Everyone stops what they’re doing and stands in silence. It’s a poignant ritual.
train to concentration camps
When I met with a colleague for lunch that day, he seemed agitated and out of sorts ~ this is a guy who breathes optimism. Once he finished telling me about his frustration with business, he was ready to discuss the simmering, below the surface issues that were upsetting him ~ the anger and hate he feels is on the rise.
WHY THERE IS SO MUCH HATE AND ANGER IN THE WORLD TODAY
When the economy is falling apart, people are losing their jobs and unable to pay bills, our communal consciousness catapults into a dark orbit fueled by fear, of not having enough, feeling hopeless and filled with rage.
Historically in difficult economic times, the tendency is to blame someone else. Fear and hate are like an out of control fire, annihilating everything in sight.
We’ve witnessed brutality in Cambodia, Viet Nam, Africa, India, Russia, Iraq, and Syria. In our own United States, we have done things that are reprehensible.
Since Tuesday, I’ve been walking around with a knot in the pit of my stomach because of the reminder that anti-Semitism is on the rise and gaining traction exponentially.
It’s scary – not just because I happen to be Jewish – but because I feel the world is in deep trouble.
RECENT STATISTICS ON ANTI-SEMITISM
Huffington Post reports that a survey found particularly high levels of anti- Semitism in three nations.
- In Spain, where Jewish civic groups say Spaniards blame their economic woes on the country’s Jews, 72 percent of the population holds anti-Jewish views, compared with 64 percent in 2009.
- In Hungary, 63 percent of the population holds anti-Semitic views, up from 47 percent in 2009.
- In Poland, 48 percent show anti-Semitic attitudes, about the same as 2009.
The article goes on to say that attitudes toward Jews in the United States are far more positive. The most recent ADL study, completed in October, found 15 percent of the population holds anti-Semitic views. (and that’s considered positive?)
MY CHILDHOOD AS A JEW – AND NOW
My father is a Veteran of WWII, fought at Normandy, and for a short time The Battle of The Bulge.
He committed his life helping to develop thriving Jewish Communities as the Executive Director of Jewish Community Centers wherever we lived – Cleveland, Dallas, Rochester, Montreal and Philadelphia.
Not once as a child or teenager did I experience anti-Semitism. Not once did I feel awkward about telling someone that I was Jewish- even in 1st grade in Dallas when I was the only Jewish kid in the class. Not once was I embarrassed about being Jewish – to the contrary, I was proud of it.
Living in 2 cosmopolitan cities, Tel Aviv and Philadelphia, I have been able to skirt the issue of anti-Semitism. When people make snide remarks about Jews and/or Israel, some of the time I choose to remain quiet -telling myself that it is more effective to work on being compassionate than saying what I believe. A piece inside of me says ‘What’s the difference?’ Another piece is scared of being ostracized.
NEVER AGAIN.
If we work together and make a commitment to speak out against hate crimes, brutality, torture, murder, and the systematic annihilation of a race or religion, we can transform earth into a place of love, kindness, and generosity.
10 STRATEGIES for TAKING ACTION
1. SPEAK UP. Share your thoughts, concerns, questions, fear, and anger with others.
2. LISTEN INSIDE to your response when you read or hear about murder sprees – like in Syria or the Congo. Hate crimes against gays and African Americans. Emotional or physical abuse of children.
If you feel a dull to no emotional response to these situations, consider it an opportunity to dig in and work at getting those frozen feelings to melt and emerge. When I need to get in touch with my emotions, I find it helpful to close my eyes and visualize what I’ve read, heard or seen. I put myself into the story and explore how I’m surviving and the emotions I’m experiencing. It’s a good way of cracking through to some ‘I’d rather not feel’ emotions ~ fear, anger, sadness, futility and loss of hope.
3. PRACTICE COMPASSION – this is a phrase that has become a part of our Western lexicon. It is overused by writers, including me. What I’m suggesting here is that you practice ‘specific compassion’ – directed towards those who are the victims of reprehensible crimes ~ not towards those who are perpetrating the crimes – unless you choose to.
Colleagues from seminary have questioned why i didn’t include ‘practicing compassion for all’. Doing so was part of my ‘vow taking’ when I was ordained as an Interfaith Minister. I will explain why I chose to write #3 as I did in another post.
4. EDUCATE YOURSELF. With the internet at your fingertips, you can research any subject you want. Don’t know the facts about the mass slaughterings in Syria, women who are doused with gasoline and burned to death because they were raped, or the trafficking of young girls for prostitution? Learn about it.
5.STAY AWAKE – The words are easy. The doing is a lifetime of work. Few of us live a fraction of our lives AWAKE. When you find your face in a bowl of soup, sit up straight, shake it off, get focused on what’s important, and be present. Doing this is an act of spirituality
6.SEARCH OUT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SIMILAR VALUES AND ENERGY. The phrase ‘You are most like the 5 people with whom you are closest to’ has a lot of truth to it. Surround yourself by caring, ‘can do’, kind, non-judgmental people.
7.BE ACTIVE. Form monthly groups to talk about horrendous human issues. Create a social action committee. Finance a micro-business of someone who has survived the brutality of war.
8. SEND LOVE AND BLESSINGS to everything in the universe. Your energy and how you ‘be’ in this world has a significant impact on now and the future of our universe. As Ram Dass says – ‘Be Love’.
9.DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH A SURVIVOR . When the Viet Nam refugees immigrated to Philadelphia, I became close to a family who had survived brutality – most of which they chose not to discuss with me. We have maintained a close relationship for the past 25 years. To witness their transformation from being an oppressed family into thriving, kind, and successful human beings has been a privilege.
10.OBSERVE. There is an infinite amount of beauty and love in the world. But there is also cruelty and evil. Watch how people treat each other and what they say. You can gain a lot of information by doing so.
Allow these realities to become a part of your consciousness.
Without them, your life will be lacking in meaning. Acknowledging them is a critical element in living a life filled with deep spirituality.
Let them have a space in your soul to be heard.
Then manifest your beliefs through TAKING ACTION
The world needs for you to take action from a heartfelt place.
Are you up for the challenge?
This is such a poignant post Fran and it sadly, has perfect timing because of the recent bombing in Boston. The violence unfortunately doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. I hope we can find a way to end it. It means we all must work together.
I was’t aware of the anti-Semitism in Europe. How sad this is to hear. I hope that we can work towards loving each other instead of spending so much energy on hate and doing destructive things. Your 10 strategies for taking action and will be good reminders for all us as we work through our most recent national trauma. Take care and thank you for your insight words.
Cathy-
The more of us that are working towards loving, kindness, and compassion, the more likely there will be a shift in our cosmic consciousness. I’ve been told several times by individuals I respect that it takes a small number of humans to create a snowball effect – it was in the millions.
The more aware of the atrocities, the more we can counteract them and educate people to make different choices. xxoo-Fran
Fran,
It’s sad, sad, sad that we’ve not yet learned that we continue to struggle with nonacceptance and hatred.
I’m not sure I agree with number three. I believe we need to be compassionate towards the perpetrators as well. However, I do think they need to be held accountable for their actions.
I also believe that all change begins within me not outside of me. As long as I believe in and express anger, hatred and nonacceptance in any way, shape or form, I’m as guilty as anyone else.
I do believe we need to take a stand and to call out what is wrong. It’s part of the reason I’ve always rocked the boat. I continue to ruffle feathers and speak my mind. A lot of people wish I would just shut the hey up;)
Maybe you can expand more on No. 3
Tess –
I LOVE that you’ve challenged me on #3. I spent a great deal of time contemplating what I wanted the message to be. Some of my seminary friends have challenged me on it as well…which is good.
I am going to do another post specifically dealing with this issue – so have patience – I will address it.xxoo-Fran
OK.
Fran,
This is an important post especially after yesterday’s bombing at the Boston Marathon.
I truly believe that peace begins with each one of us.
We all need to focus on love and compassion – the more loving and peace we feel the more our world will change for the better.
And, yes we mustn’t sit idle or be complacent about it either. Take action and do what you can in your corner of the world.
Thanks for a beautiful and much needed article.
xoox,
Angela
Angela –
Finding peace within ourselves and feeling love and compassion for every living thing in the world is a testament to where you are on your spiritual journey. And yes, the daily practice of focusing on love and compassion does help in shifting the world towards a more loving cosmic consciousness.
xxoo-Fran
I’m reminded of the song that has the lines in it…let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.
It needs to. And although there are sad signs to the contrary I do believe in my heart that we are moving in the direction of more love, more compassion, more oneness in our world.
And we’re all in this together…spiritually and physically…and I choose to imagine that we’re making our world and our life as beautiful as possible.
Love Elle
xoxo
Elle- Your thoughts are beautiful. xxoo-Fran
Hi Fran,
Your post is very timely. And you wrote before you even realized what would be happening in Boston. I can’t believe that this is actually happening in Europe. I would have thought like you, “Never again”. I do feel that that tolerance is well and alive in the US. I see what my kids are learning in high school, especially with anti-bullying programs, and I am thrilled. My three boys appreciate all type of people, feel no racism and find not a difference between whether you’re a girl doing a job or a boy. While of course we had something to do with this, I credit our schools (esp. after Columbine) and our culture for creating an environment where everyone can succeed if they really want to…. at least here in Colorado!
Thanks for your thoughts!
xoxo
Betsy
Betsy- I’m thrilled to hear that in your area that the values of acceptance, respect for differences, and gender equality are being taught. I do think that if our kids live these values the gestalt of the world will be incredibly different. 🙂
I have had no idea that you are a Jew. Not that it matters.
My husband has business contacts with people who are Jews and from Israel. A few have since become friends. We also invite them over to our home for dinner sometimes when they are in town. We may all have different backgrounds but we always have a good time sharing our individual stories and appreciating the differences.
I try to look at things from the soul perspective when it comes to practicing non-judgment. However, it is not always so easy for most of us to practice compassion to the perpetrators of a crime. I look forward to reading your explanation for #3.
Thank you for honestly sharing your thoughts.
Love and blessings,
Evelyn xo
Dear Evelyn,
How great it is that you have the opportunity to interact with individuals from other cultures and countries.
I appreciate your words about looking at things from a soul perspective. I look forward to explaining my reasoning to writing #3 as I did. I think it’s a subject worth discussing. Fran
Dear Fran,
This post comes to me as I digest and adjust to living with the reality of last week in Boston. Your writing, this list of ways to take action follows my passion to live differently. Thank you for this post.
I wrote a poem in response to the strong feelings stirred in me. It is here, on my website.
http://laundrylinedivine.com/5836/poem-for-boston-by-suzi-banks-baum/
I stopped in here today because, after having your wonderful book on my shelf for a few years, I pulled it out to support my preparations for an upcoming workshop I am leading. I am so glad I circled back to you here.
All my best,
Suzi
Dear Suzi –
What a privilege to read your poem – I have no words to describe it – but can only say that it touched me deeply. Your ability to weave, touch, and question in this one piece is profound.
I feel blessed to have this piece at my disposal as I continue to work my way through this gruesome massacre….Warmly, Fran
Dear Fran,
Your post means a lot to me – in general and because of my background which is in a sense complementary to yours. I grew up in Poland, and have felt the heavy heritage of holocaust as well as the antisemitism since I was a little girl. It is definitely one of the most decisive themes in my life. My family decided to move to Denmark when I was 16 and that changed my life in all kinds of ways, including how I experienced being Jewish. During WWII 95% of the Danish Jews were saved with the help of Danish people and except for some radical people here and there it is generally a rather tolerant country.
Anyhow, with such a history, one can draw all kinds of conclusions. My brother, for example, decided that even living in Denmark wasn’t good enough, he wanted to go all the way and moved to Israel, where he lived with his family until he died. I respect that, even if I went in the opposite direction:
For me, my background contributed to a spiritual path that goes beyond all religions, all nationalities and also the idea that oppressors are less human than victims. #8 is definitely at the top of my “list” (and work in progress, like it’s for most of us :-)).
Like Tess, I respectfully disagree with #3 – and look forward to your post on the topic!
As for antisemitism in Europe: The world is a big place and our experiences vary depending on all kinds of factors, inner and outer. I’m sure it’s possible to travel through Europe and experience antisemitism (and all other kinds of racism) every day. And it’s also possible to travel through Europe and experience love and understanding every day. I believe that to a large degree it depends on what the individual journey is about.
Many kind greetings –
Halina
Dear Halina-
Sorry for the delay in responding to your comment. My daughter got married this past week so I was totally off the radar.
Your wise words ring true on several levels. I would love to have a face to face or skype with you to discuss this subject further.
Thank you for sharing your background with us. I already know from our few communications that you have been doing deep spiritual work on yourself for several years.
I am looking forward to offering my thoughts on why I chose to write #3 as I did. Warmly, Fran
Hi Fran,
First of all, congratulations and best wishes to your daughter!!
And thank you for your kind reply. I don’t have any plans to visit Israel in the near future so unless you plan to visit Denmark, face-to-face is not an option any time soon. It would be lovely to chat with you on Skype! Please email me and let’s find a mutually convenient time to connect.
All the best
Halina
Hi Fran – I’m glad I found your blog.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and some tips on taking action. I’m reminded of the MLK quote which says that it’s the silence of our friends is what will be remembered, not the words of our enemies. Which is why #1 is so important in speaking up. When we see wrong and injustices in the world, many people just want to cover it up or ignore it. And not address it or call it out. Which ultimately hurts all of us in the long including those in silence.
We never know when one group of people are going to be singled out and discriminated against. Prejudice and/or racism against any one group will mean that it could turn around and be used against another group of people another day. I try to be as vocal as I can in my work about the discrimination and injustices I see around me.
I’m looking forward to a trip to learn more about Israel at year’s end.
Vishnu-
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I love the MLK quote that you paraphrased – it is powerful.
I admire you for being vocal when you see or hear prejudice and racism. How exciting that you’re visiting Israel this year. Let me know if I can be of help to you. Fran
As a young girl growing up on a farm in rural Alabama my constant companion was a book and the one that made one of the greatest impressions on me was the Diary of Anne Frank. I never dreamed that one day I would enter the house where she hid and wrote her book. As I left I made a donation to an organization there whose sign made an impression on me : “There are still people in the world who believe this never happened -help us keep Anne’s legacy. ”
Another book that I loved was written by a fellow Alabamian Harper Lee -” To Kill a Mockingbird. ” I grew up in the same environment described in her book but never harbored any prejudice against blacks or jews . Had I not moved to Chicago I probably would’ve never experienced the prejudice that Northerners feel about Southerners. The assumptions that we are ignorant and prejudiced are widespread. On one occasion at a social gathering I overheard a woman next to me who had just visited the South say, upon being asked if she got to see a lot of Southern culture , reply : ” Southern culture? That’s an oxymoron. ” That’s when I got vocal and said, ” Oh, is Harper Lee who wrote one of the most beloved books in the world an oxymoron ? Or how about William Faulkner and the list went on and on…. Dead silence. Miss P.C. was for once speechless! Tolerance and respect for other races, religion and culture is sorely lacking and we all need to do our part to help prevent it. Thank you for speaking out and supporting such a great cause.
Carolyn-
Thank you for sharing your personal stories – they are powerful. I’m curious as to how you even ended up with a copy of ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’. Using Lee Harper’s ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ as a response to the woman who negated southern culture was brilliant. Fran
The relationship between Jews and gentiles is not seen primarily in terms of Jews and Christians, as it once was. Ours has become a secularized society. That is why the Councils of Christians and Jews are languishing and other similar activities have been marginalized. What brings Jews and Christians together today, albeit in rather low profile, is that they are in the same boat – both are in danger of being swamped by a culture that is indifferent to religion.
Tyrone – Thanks for voicing your opinion. Fran
Washington — President Obama’s special envoy on anti-Semitism wants to recruit non-Jews to make her case. Hannah Rosenthal outlined her goals in her new role during a recent address in Dallas to the annual plenum of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the public policy umbrella she once led as president.
Maynard-
Thanks so much for this information. I’m going to read about Hannah Rosenthal – I don’t know who she is- and will follow up on your timely comment. Fran
This anti-Semitic cartoon says more about the cartoonist and the La Stampa editor who vetted it than about the subject of the hate. The Palestinian murderers who entered the church have been turned into victims, a concept that is becoming increasingly acceptable in European society.