Page 41 - Jewish News_September-2020

COMMENTARY September 2020 41

Anti-Semites – their actions and their words

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
“ ow long, O Lord, how long?” learn the truth regarding the harm cre- be two-fold. We must keep our Jewish

That is the question we ask ated by his remarks. Upon further re- houses of worship safe and eradicate
Has our country and the world flection, Jackson stated that he “never anti-Semitism at its core through edu-
see the rise of anti-Semitic actions and should have posted anything Hitler did, cation.”
words. Three examples of such state- because Hitler was a bad person, and I Anti-Semitism will not just go be faced, challenged and eradicated so
ments and actions have taken place re- know it.” away. It must be faced, dealt with, that all people, regardless of their re-
cently in terms that shock, Nick Cannon, the and made clear to Jew and non-Jew ligion, can live in peace without fear,
frighten and raise questions voice of Viacom CBS’s alike that this is an expression of without hate, without anti-Semitism.
as to why this hatred of our Cannon Class, stated in hatred based, not on fact, but rather Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
people and our faith is on an interview with Richard ideas propagated by those who wish to ing chair of the Robert and Esther
the rise in the United States Griffin that “Black people destroy our people and our faith. This Heller Community Relations Commit-
and throughout the world. are the true Hebrews and cannot be ignored. It cannot be ac- tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
On July 15, an individ- Jews have usurped that cepted as some kind of normal. It must
ual spray-painted swastikas identity.” He then went
and anti-Semitic graffiti on on to say that “Jewish
AFTER THE
the walls of Temple Ema- people, white people, Eu-
nu-El and Temple Sinai. ropeans have a deficiency
The perpetrator, Vincent Rabbi Howard A. Simon that historically caused AFTER THE
Martinez, was charged with attacking them to act out of fear and commit acts
CURT
AIN
Temple Emanu-El on April 2, and then, of violence to survive. They had to be
three months later, again spreading his savages.” Following these remarks, Vi-
hate on two of Sarasota’s synagogues. acom CBS severed ties with Cannon. CURTAIN
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Actions taken, words spoken, and
DeSean Jackson placed posts in which what do they add up to? Hateful attacks
OSED
HAS CL
he shared a screenshot of a quote wide- against the Jewish people by individu-
ly attributed to Adolph Hitler saying als who should know better, but do not,
in part, “Jews will blackmail Ameri- thus letting their inner feelings come HAS CLOSED
ca.” In response to this anti-Semitic out in the most destructive manner pos-
remark, New England Patriot wide sible.
receiver Julian Edelman remarked What are we as a community to
that he knew DeSean said some ugly do regarding such actions and such
things. He made it clear to the Eagles words? Howard Tevlowitz, Chief Ex-
football player that there is “no room ecutive Officer of our Federation, stat- You can still watch
for anti-Semitism in this world.” He ed the following: “As anti-Semitism
then offered to accompany Jackson to increases around the country and now, many of our programs at
the United States Holocaust Memorial right here in our own backyard, we
JFEDSRQ.org/ProgramRecordings
Museum where he hopes Jackson will must take action. The response must JFEDSRQ .org/ProgramR ecordings

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Government Affairs

Contact us to learn more.
Stay connected at www.jfedsrq.org Howard Tevlowitz Kim Mullins Ilene Fox Rich Bergman
Meetings with elected officials are increasingly important as we see support
for Israel eroding around the world. Advocating for Jewish interests starts
Major Gifts
941.343.2110 941.552.6300 941.343.2111 941.552.6306
htevlowitz@jfedsrq.org kmullins@jfedsrq.org ifox@jfedsrq.org rbergman@jfedsrq.org
locally and often goes to Washington D.C. You can count on the Heller CRC
when it matters most, from advocating in our local school systems to
championing national bills.

^ Builds Bridges
Robert and Esther Heller ^ Advocates through
CRC Government Affairs

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust
^ Supports Hillel

Holocaust

Heller CRC assists school teachers, synagogues, churches and
libraries to “Never Forget.” The Holocaust Speakers Bureau
brings survivors’ personal stories to school children and
adults alike. Classrooms Without Borders takes elite
teachers each year to Poland with a survivor. These
experiences change how they teach the Holocaust,
helping them create upstanders in their schools.

HELLER CRC’S MISSION

To build relationships within
the Jewish and non-Jewish

communities and to advance
common interests through
education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC

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