Yesterday in class we focused primarily on the deteriorating situation of the Jews of Europe. In particular we mentioned the Jews of France, who have suffered a number of acts of terrorism in recent years, culminating in the Charlie Hedbo events. Just a few days ago there was an attack at a Jewish Community Center in Nice, France. Luckily French soldiers who were stationed there were able to thwart it while sustaining only minor injuries. In my opinion there are three main factors contributing to this increase in violence. The first is European dislike of the Occupation, which, in my mind, is deeply linked to their catastrophic colonialist exploits. The second is the rapidly growing Arab population, who, unlike immigrants to America, are not integrated into French society. Most of them are anti-Israel, and perhaps anti-Semitic (one German Judge recently ruled that anti-Zionism is code for anti-Semitism). The third is general anti-Semitism, which I think of as a historical norm briefly interrupted by guilt over the Holocaust. The question I posed to my class is "What should the French Jews do?"
Many of the students felt like leaving France would be giving up, letting the terrorists win, and I certainly see their point. I have to imagine that if you asked the terrorists who perpetrated the attacks whether they want the Jews out of France their answer would be "yes," a good reason in my mind not to leave. On the other hand, it must be an awfully unpleasant reality to be a parent and worry every time you send your children to any sort of Jewish institution. For those of us who grew up in the US I think it's very hard to put ourselves in their situation and to understand what they must feel like.
Unfortunately, there's no way to talk about anti-Semitism in Europe without thinking about the Holocaust (for me at least), and the current attacks certainly bring to mind many unpleasant (to put it mildly) memories. Before I go on I'd like to make clear that the Holocaust was a singular event, completely different from anything else that has ever happened to Jews in Europe. The comparisons I'm about to make are not meant to imply the current situation is anything like that indescribable disaster.
The next question I posed to the students is whether Israel, the Jewish state, should have any role in helping deal with this problem, and, if so, what? The students more or less agreed that Israel should help any French Jews who want to leave, but nothing more (and if there are students who feel differently, please share in the comments!). To delve a bit further, I then asked them, "If a strong Israel existed in the mid 1930s, when there was clear anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence, but it wasn't yet clear what would happen a few years later, should Israel have gotten involved? What about in 1942, when it was clear?" At what point (if ever) should the Jewish state step in? Is the Jewish state a state like any other, or does it have some sort of responsibility for Jews around the world? Do we as Am Yisrael (the Jewish people) have a role to play?
Jews have suffered from persecution throughout the ages, and in virtually every area in which we've ever lived. One of the tragedies of Jewish history, in my opinion, is that we never believe the persecution will get that bad, until it's too late. Whether it's the Spanish Inquisition, the Chmielnitski massacres or the Holocaust we never leave soon enough. There are plenty of good reasons for this. Picking up your whole life and moving somewhere new is hard. Giving in to anti-Semitism and fleeing feels cowardly. There are few other options (or other good options). No one ever believes the place where they grew up, the neighbors they've interacted with their whole lives, can do something so terrible. And, in the end, we stay too long and suffer the consequences.
Is there some red line after which we should leave? Is the answer, as some Israeli leaders have suggested, for all the Jews of France to pick up and come to Israel? Does the Jewish state have a role to play? In short, what's a French Jew to do?
Many of the students felt like leaving France would be giving up, letting the terrorists win, and I certainly see their point. I have to imagine that if you asked the terrorists who perpetrated the attacks whether they want the Jews out of France their answer would be "yes," a good reason in my mind not to leave. On the other hand, it must be an awfully unpleasant reality to be a parent and worry every time you send your children to any sort of Jewish institution. For those of us who grew up in the US I think it's very hard to put ourselves in their situation and to understand what they must feel like.
Unfortunately, there's no way to talk about anti-Semitism in Europe without thinking about the Holocaust (for me at least), and the current attacks certainly bring to mind many unpleasant (to put it mildly) memories. Before I go on I'd like to make clear that the Holocaust was a singular event, completely different from anything else that has ever happened to Jews in Europe. The comparisons I'm about to make are not meant to imply the current situation is anything like that indescribable disaster.
The next question I posed to the students is whether Israel, the Jewish state, should have any role in helping deal with this problem, and, if so, what? The students more or less agreed that Israel should help any French Jews who want to leave, but nothing more (and if there are students who feel differently, please share in the comments!). To delve a bit further, I then asked them, "If a strong Israel existed in the mid 1930s, when there was clear anti-Semitic rhetoric and violence, but it wasn't yet clear what would happen a few years later, should Israel have gotten involved? What about in 1942, when it was clear?" At what point (if ever) should the Jewish state step in? Is the Jewish state a state like any other, or does it have some sort of responsibility for Jews around the world? Do we as Am Yisrael (the Jewish people) have a role to play?
Jews have suffered from persecution throughout the ages, and in virtually every area in which we've ever lived. One of the tragedies of Jewish history, in my opinion, is that we never believe the persecution will get that bad, until it's too late. Whether it's the Spanish Inquisition, the Chmielnitski massacres or the Holocaust we never leave soon enough. There are plenty of good reasons for this. Picking up your whole life and moving somewhere new is hard. Giving in to anti-Semitism and fleeing feels cowardly. There are few other options (or other good options). No one ever believes the place where they grew up, the neighbors they've interacted with their whole lives, can do something so terrible. And, in the end, we stay too long and suffer the consequences.
Is there some red line after which we should leave? Is the answer, as some Israeli leaders have suggested, for all the Jews of France to pick up and come to Israel? Does the Jewish state have a role to play? In short, what's a French Jew to do?
I think this is a really interesting and difficult topic. Like many things we discuss in class, there's no right or obvious answer. If Jews stay, they'll continue to be mistreated and killed. If they leave, it makes it seem like we're giving up. In terms of Israel's involvement, I think that's even more complicated. Being the "Jewish State" definitely means that supporting Jews worldwide is crucial and necessary. But with everything going on both in Israel and everywhere with violence towards Jews, I'm not sure Israel getting involved somewhere else right now is such a good idea. Especially a place where we know they hate Jews. So it's really tough. And while isn't helpful or a real answer, I think Israel and the worldwide Jewish community need to do something between nothing and full involvement.
ReplyDeleteWhen discussing this topic, there really is no right answer. Israeli politicians would simply respond by saying that the french should make aliya to save themselves. However, some are unable to because of a lack of resources. Does this mean that the Jewish people have a responsibility to take care of their own kind? If it does, then most certainly Israel, the "Jewish State" should intervene in France. However, if they do so, they face the problem of spreading their army thin across Europe, and perhaps would not be able to take care of itself. In my opinion, we as a jewish people should help our own, but in a way that will not hurt Israel.
ReplyDeleteThis topic is like a double edged sword. If the Jews stay, they are put in danger and could continue getting hurt, but if the leave it could be looked at as giving up. I personally think that they should stay as long as they can and when it gets overly dangerous, they should come to Israel. I don't see it as giving up, but rather surviving and showing a form of resistance and strength.
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