Page 15 - October 7 - Teresa Pirola

they have defended themselves against extremist activity, using the legitimate channels afforded by a democratic society; but they have spent no energy on hate speech, handwringing or looking for sympathy. In the face of pain, fear, disappointment and betrayal, they have got on with life!
I am not suggesting we should regard the Jewish community, or any community, through rose-coloured glasses. None of us are angels; we are all fellow human beings. Nevertheless, here in Australia (as in the wider world) Jews have made an outstanding and disproportionately large contribution to the societies in which they dwell. That is one reason why the antisemitism we are witnessing is so abhorrent and irrational: it not only hurts and betrays Jewish Australians; our whole Australian community is undermined by its corrosive effects.
As a stimulus to individuals and groups reflecting on responses to antisemitism, from its heinous expression on October 7 in Israel to its subsequent rise in communities even as far away from Israel as Australia, I share these writings.
Teresa Pirola, ThD
Freelance writer and faith educator
Sydney, Australia
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