On the Mark: The time for courage is now
Mark Meirowitz
By Mark Meirowitz
In light of the horrific siege of Park East Synagogue, and the other disturbing events that have occurred in the Jewish world since October 7th, it is time for some reflection and introspection about the future and status of the Jewish community in New York, America, Israel and the rest of the world. Accordingly, I would propose a few New Year’s Resolutions to be seriously considered by the Jewish community:
1. The time for Tikkun Olam (FIX THE WORLD) is over, done! Jews in America have seized on this false mantra of Tikkun Olam – that Jews have a responsibility to fix the world. Indeed, Jewish leaders and philanthropists have done wonderful work towards establishing hospitals, universities and other institutions for entire communities serving everyone. Yet, when Jewish survival in Israel and elsewhere has been at stake, we Jews have been isolated – becoming victims of violent protests at universities where, for example, human chains of evildoers prevented Jewish students from attending classes- those same universities which received large endowments from Jewish philanthropists! Jews attacked on the street for wanting to enter a synagogue. The Jewish community has to focus on our own protection, our own survival, rather than fixing a world which has no interest in Jewish preservation – or the right of the Jewish people to a State of their own! We have to save ourselves. Where was the wider world out there when our brothers and sisters – and babies – were slaughtered by Hamas? Where were they—AWOL! Nowhere to be found.
2. Jewish organizations need an immediate reset – no more business as usual. Is it believable that these Jewish organizations that are supposed to represent Jewish interests and promote Jewish survival have done virtually nothing to push back the soaring tide of anti-Semitism? These self-perpetuating groups raise fortunes in fundraising – but for what? Our community is at the precipice of disaster especially in New York City where the new leadership opposes the idea of a Jewish State and wants to arrest the Prime Minister of Israel! Is this believable? – what are these organizations doing? The Jewish community needs to go into survival mode and stop pretending that we can do business with the incoming administration which is staffing its positions with many detractors of Jews and Israel. We can already see what is on their agenda – what they have in store for us -- and it is utterly destructive of a Jewish future and the State of Israel. We can not be complacent and these Jewish organizations need to step up to the plate.
3. Be a proud Zionist – there is nothing shameful about being a Zionist. We must stand proud. Bravo to Council Member Inna Vernikov who wants to invite Prime Minister Netanyahu to New York City. Let’s invite him again and again. After all, we have all sorts of thugs (so-called “diplomats”) from all over the world who descend on this city during the General Assembly and come here all the time – so let’s stop with the nonsense about Netanyahu. By the way, what the incoming leaders of the City desperately need is a lesson in law and international law. No – international law has NO applicability to a meeting in a synagogue. No – the mayor of a city can not arrest someone who has an arrest warrant from the ICC – a sham organization with absolutely no jurisdiction in New York City, New York State, the United States or literally anywhere – the ICC is a Potemkin organization without any value or validity. Let’s display the Israeli flag – let’s be proud of what Israel has accomplished. It is the linchpin of the security of the Middle East – the greatest friend of the United States. Zionism is not racism! It is an honor to support the State of Israel. Ethnic Cleansing, Genocide, Apartheid – you name it – has been thrown at Israel – but we know that this is all false – lies – we must stand up for the truth. Israel is a beacon of hope to the world. We must stand proud and resolute!
4. Sacred Spaces are sacred – and MUST not be interfered with. Going to a place of worship is a right of every American to go a religious institution without being molested. No – it is not OK to disrupt people who want to enter a synagogue and we must use every ounce of our energies to push back against this violence and hatred – especially in a city with so many Jewish inhabitants.
Bottom line – we have to stand up for each other. History has many lessons for Jews – and how we have been treated – our history is replete with persecution. Nothwithstanding all of that, we have survived and even prospered.
Candidly, however, we have been complacent – but October 7th and the aftermath of October 7th – the incredible outpouring of vicious hatred against Jews and the State of Israel – must awaken us to reality.
If we stand proud for Jews and as Jews -- and we stand together – united – we can overcome all of this. We can not let our detractors win. The stakes are much too high!
AM YISRAEL CHAI.