A new Jewish response

Yoel Meltzer says traditional Jewish reactions to anti-Semitism have changed nothing

Yoel Meltzer|Published: 12.03.09 , 11:20

It is safe to assume that the recent “kick a Jew day” in a Florida school elicited the usual response from Jewish leaders and organizations - shock, dismay, anger, and of course the demand for apologies. This should come as no surprise as this is the standard Jewish reaction to acts of anti-Semitism, whether perpetrated against students in a Florida school or against elderly Jews in the streets of London.

Moreover, this response is not limited to violent attacks against individuals. The same holds true when cemeteries are desecrated, or synagogues vandalized, or when Jews are attacked verbally. Regardless of the act, the Jewish response is nearly always focused on forcing the perpetrators, when possible, to express regret for their actions and to formally apologize.

In addition, following such incidents contacts are frequently made with local and national politicians in order to have them publicly denounce such occurrences and declare zero-tolerance policies against such acts in the future.

Although such reactions by Jewish leaders and organizations are understood, do all the subsequent apologies and declarations really change reality? Does anyone seriously believe that the tremendous growth of anti-Israel demonstrations in cities and campuses throughout North America, South America and Europe are really only “anti-Israel” and not “anti-Jewish” as many apologists would like us to believe?

In addition, has all the effort that has been invested throughout the years in bringing various European governments to officially apologize for their role in the Holocaust helped to seriously reduce anti-Semitism in these countries?

The same question can be asked regarding the amount of time, money, and energy that has been invested throughout the years in building the many Holocaust museums in various cities throughout the Diaspora. The intention here is obviously not to belittle the victims of the Holocaust and the terrible suffering they endured. Rather, the question being asked here is whether or not these museums have helped to significantly reduce anti-Semitism.

Pack your bags

The common denominator in nearly all of these cases, and perhaps the very reason that nothing has significantly changed, is that the initiative almost always comes from the Jews themselves. In other words, the idea to build another Holocaust museum or the suggestion to have someone publicly apologize for anti-Semitic statements almost always originates with the Jews. Therefore, it is only natural to question how genuine all the declarations and apologies really are.

However, if a European leader were to decide 100% from his own volition that his country is going to build a Holocaust museum, then this would truly be a big step for humanity. Or if a non-Jewish politician without a significant Jewish voter base were to decide to fight anti-Semitism, without ever being requested to do so by Jewish groups, then this would truly be a blessing. Therefore, as long as the Jews continue to initiate all the apologies, the denouncements and the building of museums, it is safe to assume that nothing will ever change.

Having said all this, then perhaps it’s time to start “thinking out of the box” and respond to anti-Semitism in a totally different way. Rather than going on wasting endless time, money and energy in a seemingly futile endeavor, why not simply pack up all the bags, leave the Diaspora, and come live in Israel?

True, it’s not perfect here and Israel has its share of problems, but nonetheless making aliyah is a real, viable option, something that is seriously worth considering. Moreover, it’s probably never been any easier for a Jew to pick up, leave his country of birth, and come settle down in Israel. Although personally I usually encourage aliyah for more positive reasons, perhaps in this case it’s the best response that the Jewish world can give to anti-Semitism.