Well stated. Do you also remember that as children at the seders in the late 1940s and early 1950s, we read and heard the words, “in every generation,” and could not but think that this had apparently been true again and again, but was almost certainly no longer true in the post-WWII world in which we were fortunate to be born. A few years later and for a couple of decades, we wondered how the German people and their neighbors could be willing, mostly enthusiastic lemmings of The Third Reich. With time, reading, personal experience, observation and increasingly comprehending the methods of propaganda, including the media, our professional organizations, both purposefully and thoroughly infiltrated, we came to fully understand. Is there a better core explanation than the explanation of my grandparents, who arrived at Ellis Island in 1912 from towns north of Kiev: “They are jealous on us.”
Last year before Tisha B'Av i saw a sign/prayer stating that the previous Simhat Tora had been turned into Tisha B'Av with the wish that the upcoming Tisha B'av be turned into Simhat Tora
I've read and re-read "Just Another Day" several times. It is haunting.
Giving you credit, I'm using it this Shabbat as the core of my d'var Torah to my (Reform) congregation--many (but thankfully not all) of whom continue to adhere to the belief that being Jewish=being liberal/progressive, and that Israel is guilty of war crimes and genocide.
Your well chosen words express my feelings exactly. We have been living in the 3 weeks/ nine days period since Oct 7. Tisha b’Av is Just an additional day of mourning that seems never to end.
We are now realizing that as a nation we are truly alone and that all exiles seem pleasant but eventually become hostile especially as we try to assimilate and take on values that are hostile to traditional Jewish values .
October 7 has been largely forgotten as have the remaining hostages, who's ongoing nearly two-year nightmare is the real humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza. I have nothing but utter contempt for Europe.
We've been here before and survived. I know that's not much consolation but it helps me get through. Personally I'm moving back to Israel. I left because my kids are in the US (long story) but I no longer want to be a part of any society other than Israel. I feel like part of a huge family in Israel. Maybe my kids will follow.
From email:
Phyllis I grieve with you. And thank you for your courageous never ending loyalty to the Jewish people.
From email:
Well stated. Do you also remember that as children at the seders in the late 1940s and early 1950s, we read and heard the words, “in every generation,” and could not but think that this had apparently been true again and again, but was almost certainly no longer true in the post-WWII world in which we were fortunate to be born. A few years later and for a couple of decades, we wondered how the German people and their neighbors could be willing, mostly enthusiastic lemmings of The Third Reich. With time, reading, personal experience, observation and increasingly comprehending the methods of propaganda, including the media, our professional organizations, both purposefully and thoroughly infiltrated, we came to fully understand. Is there a better core explanation than the explanation of my grandparents, who arrived at Ellis Island in 1912 from towns north of Kiev: “They are jealous on us.”
From email:
Thanks for this, Phyllis
Last year before Tisha B'Av i saw a sign/prayer stating that the previous Simhat Tora had been turned into Tisha B'Av with the wish that the upcoming Tisha B'av be turned into Simhat Tora
From email:
Phyllis,
Boker Tov!
I've read and re-read "Just Another Day" several times. It is haunting.
Giving you credit, I'm using it this Shabbat as the core of my d'var Torah to my (Reform) congregation--many (but thankfully not all) of whom continue to adhere to the belief that being Jewish=being liberal/progressive, and that Israel is guilty of war crimes and genocide.
From email:
Your well chosen words express my feelings exactly. We have been living in the 3 weeks/ nine days period since Oct 7. Tisha b’Av is Just an additional day of mourning that seems never to end.
Thank you for sharing this piece.
From email:
sadly...on the mark
thank you. validation is nice.. stay well, be safe... deb webster
We are now realizing that as a nation we are truly alone and that all exiles seem pleasant but eventually become hostile especially as we try to assimilate and take on values that are hostile to traditional Jewish values .
October 7 has been largely forgotten as have the remaining hostages, who's ongoing nearly two-year nightmare is the real humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza. I have nothing but utter contempt for Europe.
I mourn with you… and then I get effing angry.
We've been here before and survived. I know that's not much consolation but it helps me get through. Personally I'm moving back to Israel. I left because my kids are in the US (long story) but I no longer want to be a part of any society other than Israel. I feel like part of a huge family in Israel. Maybe my kids will follow.
My feelings, exactly! Do you think it will get better?