Instead of posting the same thoughts and feelings and political ideas that we all share, I wanted to write something more positive. What can people do in the wake of the tragedy in Pittsburgh this weekend to try to make the world a little better? I would like to offer a few suggestions. First, whether you are Jewish or not, go to morning services at a nearby synagogue this coming Saturday morning! (Or depending on how the particular synagogue rolls, on Friday evening). You will like it, and your neighbors will appreciate the support. Sometimes when people talk about the Jews’ most important innovation they talk about monotheism, but I would give the Sabbath as my answer. If you are looking for suggestions in the Boston area, let me know and I can give you some pointers.
Second, do something to support refugees. This shooting was like a punch in the gut to American Jews, but two things stand out in my mind that make it particularly awful. Worst of all, a family was celebrating their newborn son’s bris at the synagogue. Imagine having such a joyous occasion turn in a moment into a scene of horror and tragedy. But I also have read that the murderer had been motivated by the fact that the Jewish community and many Jewish communal organizations work to support refugees. How could it be otherwise, given that most American Jews descend from refugees or economic migrants in the not-too-distant past, and given our collective memory of the exodus from Egypt? “You shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the feelings of the stranger, having yourselves been strangers in the land of Egypt.” Send a message to people like this murderer that supporting refugees who need help isn’t some strange, Jewish, globalist idea for rootless cosmopolitans, but is just the right thing to do.
Third, please do not link this tragedy to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Here is an example of what not to do—a comment from Baroness Tonge, a member of the House of Lords who was suspended from the Liberal Democratic Party for her awful ideas:
Finally, consider attending one of the vigils that are going to be held all over the country. If you are in Boston, the vigil is at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday) on the Common.
I think your final point is important. We must never conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, and this is very much the latter. It works the other way too. This administration has winked at anti-Semites (“very fine people” in Charlottesville) while obnoxiously demonstrating how pro-Israel he can be. That position is more for the benefit of Christian Zionists rather than American Jews, many of the latter of which do not take an Israel, right or wrong attitude. I agree the Baroness’s comments are not helpful.
Former President Obama spoke with elegant civility for many of us when he said : “We grieve for the Americans murdered in Pittsburg. All of us have to fight the rise of anti-Semitism and hateful rhetoric against those who look, love or pray differently. And we have to stop making it so easy for those who want to harm the innocent to get their hands on a gun.”
And he said this within hours of a cowardly, failed assassination attempt on his life and the lives of his wife and children.
It’s so sad and horrifying that a mass shooting in the USA is not “news” anymore. We can all write the story. There is no need to read about it or watch reporters on TV.
Middle aged white male, NRA member with dozens of weapons, many semi–automatic with large magazines,opens fire on innocent citizens, killing many before either killing himself or getting captured by the police. Republicans condemn the action, pray for the families, promise revenge, and get tough on crime. Democrats do much the same with a few brave enough to call for strict gun control. No actions taken in the end.
Lather, Rinse, Repeat
I agree 100%. Particularly with point 3. Anti semitism is never condoned or excusable in any form. It almost always leads to tragic violence like this. It is particularly devastating since I have friends from college who grew up in the Shady Hill community and spent a lovely fall afternoon exploring it with my wife about six years ago during a weekend visit to Pittsburgh. It’s a truly beautiful community and I stand with them and the Greater Boston Jewish Community today.
When NOTHING happened after Sandy Hill, I knew nothing will ever happen. These were children. NOTHING happened. NOTHING changed.
The GLBTQ community is targeted, black communities are targeted, Las Vegas concert crowds are targeted, and nothing changes.
Why does anyone think that at attack of a Jewish community will somehow be the last straw?
Maybe if we had bold Democratic leadership willing to take bold stands, but those seem to be rather hard to find.
I share your frustration and impatience with the status quo.
The quandary I face that your question raises for me is:
What would we have “bold Democratic leadership willing to take bold stands” do today?
I’m serious — I’m not talking about “after the mid-terms” or “if we regain a majority” or any such hypothetical speculations.
Let’s imagine a fantasy world where a fairy god-parent touches each and every current Democratic leader and magically transforms them so that they are both bold and are willing to take bold stands. Let’s imagine that this transformation happened overnight between October 28 and October 29, 2018.
What would our leaders be saying and doing differently today?
Start with an actual policy proposal like you wrote below?
I only ever hear about “universal instant background checks” which sounds incredibly dystopian.
Heh. My “proposal” was very much tongue-in-cheek.
I’m aware, but my point is that the fact that proposing banning the manufacture and sale of firearms with narrow exceptions is a joke underlines people’s unwillingness to take a bold stance on this issue.
Here’s what I think we should do:
1. Pass broad, tough, and fair federal legislation banning the manufacture, sale, and possession of all firearms, with carefully crafted and narrow exclusions for use in hunting, target shooting, and legitimate self-defense.
2. Accompany said legislation with a rider says that in states with a GOP governor, Senator, or House majority, the above legislation is replaced in full with a mandatory requirement that each state-wide elected official make a solemn public pronouncement of his or her “thoughts and prayers” directed to all those affected by each massacre of more than five people.
I’m weary of the onslaught of these murders and more weary of our sanctimonious and utterly ineffective hand-wringing about the matter.
If this were perverts up-skirting women on subways, it would be solved within days.
I thought Sandy Hook or Pulse would do the trick. The latter even had an Islamist terrorist perpetrator. Instead we keep losing this fight. It does not help when newly minted Democrat Mike Bloomberg and other big ticket donors keep giving money to pro-background check Republicans who are total paper tigers in their majority.
This will not change until the Democrats have a filibuster proof majority in the Senate and an iron clad majority in the House. Ones that do not rest on pro-gun Democrats like majorities past.
Or if folks like the Parkland survivors keep organizing and become as politically powerful as the NRA. We need to care as much about stopping gun violence as the NRA does about profiting off of it and white fear. Until we do, until politicians lose their seats because they opposed gun control, this will not go away. It sucks.
Thank you for this post. Nothing to add, at all other than thanks.