Recently, in my role as co-chair of Lexington United Against Antisemitism (LUAA), I gave a talk at Temple Emunah on the history of Christian antisemitism and what can be done to address it today. One strategy I recommended was that Christians, as individuals and members of congregations, take a visible stand of some kind when our Jewish neighbors are threatened or attacked.
Since I spoke, the U.S. Jewish community has been violently attacked twice.
In Washington, D.C., Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were shot to death at the Capital Jewish Museum on May 21. Their killer apparently blamed them for the suffering of Palestinians and sought to punish them for it. Ironically, they were at the Jewish Museum to join an event considering ways to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza and to bring peace to the region.
Eight members of the local Jewish community were injured in a firebombing June 1 in Boulder, Colorado. As I write this letter, at least one of the victims has life-threatening injuries. They were participating in a peaceful “humanitarian walk” supporting the release of hostages and a just peace between Israel and the Palestinians. As in Washington, their attacker apparently blamed them for Palestinian suffering and opened fire on them in retribution.
Collective blame, which these attacks exemplify, is a common feature of past anti-Jewish persecutions. Over the ages, Jewish communities have been collectively blamed for a host of evils, from the killing of Jesus to the Black Plague to the two World Wars to the excesses of communism and capitalism. Now we see it again: “The Jews” are blamed for the suffering in Gaza; in retribution, ten peaceful people are shot or burned to death.
There can never be justice in collective blame. The injustice of these two attacks is unspeakable. Our response must be to witness this pain and resist participating in collective blame in our community. Our Jewish neighbors and friends are afraid. Our obligation is to stand with them.
Steve Van Evera
Co-Chair, Lexington United Against Antisemitism (LUAA)
Member, Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC, Lexington
Everyone must stand with the Jewish community right now and what that means is *loud* condemnation. No silence or justification or “it’s complicated”. There is never an excuse for antisemitism or violence
I agree completely. Neither is there any excuse for large-scale killing of non-combatants or engaging in asymmetrical warfare. Ever.
Thank you for your words of supprt! I agree that collective blame is misguided. Not all Jews are supporting the current Israeli government and policies, just as not all Palestinians supprt Hamas, just as not all Americans support the current administration. Jews supprting Israel should not be a target just as divestment from Israel is unjustified collective blame. Its a fine line between anti Zionism and antisemitism. I’d argue an invisible line!
When we stand together against hate and prejudice we are strong as a community. Taking part in the interfaith walk from Lexington to Boston last week in the name of preserving liberty and democracy reminded me of the importance of having each others backs and standing by our neighbors regardless of their faith or country of origin.
Steven
My thoughts are well articulated by Danit Netzer
“When we stand together against hate and prejudice we are strong as a community.”
“importance of having each others backs and standing by our neighbors regardless of their faith or country of origin.”
Lexington is very vibrant progressive and inclusive town so let us hope we continue those thoughts and vision so history will remember that we cared and are standing together for all .
Terrorism ,hate ,killings have no place in the world and should be deplored by society.
Let us unearth and work for bringing out true human inner divinity existing in all for Equanimity , oneness and infinite happiness for all .
thank you
Steve Van Evera
Co-Chair, Lexington United Against Antisemitism (LUAA)
Member, Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC, Lexington
Dinesh Patel
Precinct 6 tm