Very much appreciate this. My synagogue was firebombed last year, and my workplace was hit with antisemitic fliers. I choose to be a proud Jew but I have no illusions about the threat. It's very real.
Oof, that’s terrifying. I am so sorry it’s literally hitting so close to home - and it makes me wonder how many other people have stories just like yours that we are not hearing. Wishing you peace and safety and sending you all the white light 🤍
Thank you. I have nothing but positive memories of Larchmont Temple, as a kid. I loved the rabbi, loved the cantor. It was one of my favorite places to go. It makes me sad that there should be hate and pain mixed with that, but I don't want to let them win. You are doing the right thing; speak up, speak out.
This resonated with me so much!!! I am Catholic (Irish/Italian) born and raised in NY in the 50's-70's. I really was so used to a diverse community and worked as a nurse in a Yeshiva Hospital in the Bronx that I never experienced too much prejudice until I was married to my husband who is Jewish and I had a Jewish surname. We moved to the Chicago suburbs in the 80s. we are now retired and live in an "upscale" somewhat conservative condominium community. I am on the Condo Homeowners Association Board.and last week I think I had my first directly antisemitic experience from another Board member. It was subtle but in today's arena you know what you feel even if you don't want to believe it. Liz, I am ever grateful for your writings and so many things that you discuss keep me keenly attuned to what is going on everywhere. Yes, I will never hide my background. We have a Xmas tree and Menorah and are proud of our interfaith marriage. I have found much solace at the Central Synagogue in NYC while also practicing my own version of Catholicism. Thank you Liz.
Thanks for sharing that perspective Lorette. I'm sorry you had to experience that. In some ways, it's kind of amazing that it only just happened -- but then when you start digging, sometimes you realize it's always been there and we just accepted it as how things go. (Maybe...maybe not.) Grateful as always for your support, and your willingness to share your personal stories.
I have been reading and respecting you for years and years. You always show up for all of the oppressed, whether or not you identify in that particular group. I worked in racial justice in a primarily white suburb and you know who *always* showed up? Jews and LGBTQ+. People of color weren't often there because they weren't represented in the population (for the reasons we understand, from decades of redlining and persecution), but of the white people who did show up, it was Jews and LGBTQ+. The silence among those of us who KNOW and UNDERSTAND the threat to Jews and LGBTQ+ and Blacks and Hispanics and ASIANS and WOMEN... WHEN will the revolution come? ...reading this back, I am a bit concerned I sound like I am underplaying the experience of Jews in an "all oppressed lives matter" kind of way. I hope you understand I am not. I just want us all to rise up together.
Tarin, thanks for such a thoughtful comment. I understand your intentions.
I often think of Isabel Wilkerson's chapter in Caste, in which she describes Hitler examining the despicable US treatment of Black people through history and being "impressed" at how discrimination was actually enshrined into law. It informed his own tactics. Which is to say, yes -- we're all in this together, it's all connected, and we must all rise up together.
Another reminder of the power of words-your words-and how they can promote healing if only we listen.
Very much appreciate this. My synagogue was firebombed last year, and my workplace was hit with antisemitic fliers. I choose to be a proud Jew but I have no illusions about the threat. It's very real.
Oof, that’s terrifying. I am so sorry it’s literally hitting so close to home - and it makes me wonder how many other people have stories just like yours that we are not hearing. Wishing you peace and safety and sending you all the white light 🤍
Thank you. I have nothing but positive memories of Larchmont Temple, as a kid. I loved the rabbi, loved the cantor. It was one of my favorite places to go. It makes me sad that there should be hate and pain mixed with that, but I don't want to let them win. You are doing the right thing; speak up, speak out.
This resonated with me so much!!! I am Catholic (Irish/Italian) born and raised in NY in the 50's-70's. I really was so used to a diverse community and worked as a nurse in a Yeshiva Hospital in the Bronx that I never experienced too much prejudice until I was married to my husband who is Jewish and I had a Jewish surname. We moved to the Chicago suburbs in the 80s. we are now retired and live in an "upscale" somewhat conservative condominium community. I am on the Condo Homeowners Association Board.and last week I think I had my first directly antisemitic experience from another Board member. It was subtle but in today's arena you know what you feel even if you don't want to believe it. Liz, I am ever grateful for your writings and so many things that you discuss keep me keenly attuned to what is going on everywhere. Yes, I will never hide my background. We have a Xmas tree and Menorah and are proud of our interfaith marriage. I have found much solace at the Central Synagogue in NYC while also practicing my own version of Catholicism. Thank you Liz.
Thanks for sharing that perspective Lorette. I'm sorry you had to experience that. In some ways, it's kind of amazing that it only just happened -- but then when you start digging, sometimes you realize it's always been there and we just accepted it as how things go. (Maybe...maybe not.) Grateful as always for your support, and your willingness to share your personal stories.
The world needs you, Liz. And it needs your words. Selfishly, I need your words, too. Thank you.
Sometimes all I have to offer are words. Thank you. ❤️
I have been reading and respecting you for years and years. You always show up for all of the oppressed, whether or not you identify in that particular group. I worked in racial justice in a primarily white suburb and you know who *always* showed up? Jews and LGBTQ+. People of color weren't often there because they weren't represented in the population (for the reasons we understand, from decades of redlining and persecution), but of the white people who did show up, it was Jews and LGBTQ+. The silence among those of us who KNOW and UNDERSTAND the threat to Jews and LGBTQ+ and Blacks and Hispanics and ASIANS and WOMEN... WHEN will the revolution come? ...reading this back, I am a bit concerned I sound like I am underplaying the experience of Jews in an "all oppressed lives matter" kind of way. I hope you understand I am not. I just want us all to rise up together.
Tarin, thanks for such a thoughtful comment. I understand your intentions.
I often think of Isabel Wilkerson's chapter in Caste, in which she describes Hitler examining the despicable US treatment of Black people through history and being "impressed" at how discrimination was actually enshrined into law. It informed his own tactics. Which is to say, yes -- we're all in this together, it's all connected, and we must all rise up together.