Page 33 - Jewish News_April 2020

COMMENTARY April 2020 33A

Europe’s lessons...continued from previous page

took place in Paris in 2014. An odd as- and its proponents when it first sur- As a European engaged around with a clear plan to combat this cancer,
sortment of people – “ultra-Catholics” faces, prepare a clear action plan, and the clock with American Jews, I feel a I get more nervous.
opposed to the idea of same-sex mar- commit the necessary resources to sense of responsibility and urgency to We have come to understand that

riage; the far right; elements of the far fight this disease. share our experience. no single country is immune to anti-

left; and young people from immigrant Additionally, the U.S. needs a With every exhausting debate over Semitism. Europe’s experience offers a
backgrounds – demonstrated against genuine reappraisal of its approach to what constitutes anti-Semitism, with cautionary tale for the United States.
the government of François Hollande. understand how it got to this point. every refusal to take into consideration Simone Rodan-Benza quen is the direc-

Some shouted “Jews, out of France!” Different forms of anti-Semitism anti-Semitism from the other side of tor of the American Jewish Committee

and “Jews, France is not yours!” pro- sometimes need different approaches. the political divide, with every glance (AJC) Europe.
viding a sad reminder that people who Public policies need to be adapted ac- at the overwhelming amount of anti- The AJC West Coast Florida
have nothing in common can and do cordingly. Semitic hate speech online, and every

come together in their hatred of Jews. In addition, successfully combat- time I see certain politicians in the U.S. office, located in Sarasota, can

The most important lesson of the ting anti-Semitism will require wide fail to find the courage to speak out be reached at 941.365.4955.
European experience for the U.S. is engagement with civil society. The clearly and unequivocally and come up
the need to analyze and confront all Jewish community in Europe spent
forms of anti-Semitism without excep- many years feeling entirely abandoned
tion, and to depoliticize the problem by the rest of society. We marched in discover... A
new way
new way
entirely. Europe wasted many years the streets of Paris and Toulouse, but new way
by not addressing the more contempo- mostly alone. The reality is that anti-
rary forms of anti-Semitism, because Semitism is not the problem of Jews to care for
it was politically uncomfortable to do alone. It is the problem of society as
so. It was difficult for many to realize a whole. Jews are only the sentinels: your skin

and then admit, for example, that anti- anti-Semitism is a vicious disease that,
Semitism could come from individuals if left unchecked, will spread and de-

who themselves were suffering from stroy everything that comes its way.

discrimination. Only when different parts of society
Those willing to combat anti- come together – when difficult dialogue

Semitism only when it stems from happens, whether between the right
their opponents, while rationalizing the and the left or Jews and Muslims – can

phenomenon when it comes from their anti-Semitism effectively be countered. Comprehensive Dermatology • Skin Cancer Detection
own camp, are not helping. They are And without abandoning the First • Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery • Cosmetic and Laser Services
pa
T
ea
al S
• Medical Spa Treatments
tmen
• Medic
ts
merely playing a political game. Only Amendment, the U.S. must counter • Medic al S pa T r r ea tmen ts

an approach that fights all forms of ha- hate speech on the internet and social
tred against Jews in equal measure can media. The internet should no longer

be effective. be a wild west where hate propaganda
Europe also holds other lessons is poured into the public sphere with
for the United States, some drawn impunity. Several studies have demon-
from the mistakes it made in confront- strated the role of social media in the
ing anti-Semitism. We in Europe have increase of hate crimes. We must un-

suffered from the lack of an effective derstand that words can kill.

8451 Shade Avenue, Suite 205
8451 Shade A
e 205
uit
, S
v
enue
political response to increasing anti- Finally, responses to anti-Semitism 8451 Shade A v enue , S uit e 205
Semitism. Too many years have been need to deal with some of its underly- David S. Sax, MD Sarasota, FL 34243
wasted during which politicians first ing causes. Moderate politicians on the

denied, then hesitated, and finally paid right and the left must work to repair Board Certified Dermatologist
lip service before realizing that the the social contract, to address the most Carlee LaPensee, ARNP upderm.com

problem had grown to such magnitude difficult contemporary issues that pop- Jesse LeBaron, PA-C

that it had become difficult to reverse ulists and extremists tend to exploit,

the tide. Public authorities must instead and to develop new forms of demo- 941. 417.4104
unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism cratic debate and governance.
Suddenly single
Planning today for a future
you, or someone in your life,
did not envision

Discover the seven steps toward financial confidence and learn how you can
be ready, whether you or someone in your life:
• Has an ailing or healthy partner
• Is reconsidering their relationship
• Is single through divorce, death, illness, accident or choice

Choose one of two dates:
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 | 2 p.m.–3:30 p.m
Jewish Congregation of Venice
600 North Auburn Road | Venice, FL 34292

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 | 2 p.m.–3:30 p.m
Sarasota City Center
1819 Main Street | Sarasota, FL 34236
RSVP via jfedsrq.org/events or to Brieana Duckett-Graves at
(941) 552-6305 or bdgraves@jfedsrq.org.
Presented by:
Alison Gardner
Senior Vice President – Financial Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager – Portfolio Focus

Sponsored by:
PERSONALIZED CARE SERVICES CAN INCLUDE:

Companion Care Live-In Care Personal Care Respite Care
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care Skilled Nursing Daily Activities

Your Local Client Care Liaison

Tony Vargas

Suncoast Pearl Wealth Group (941) 524-4076
www.suncoastpearlwealthgroup.com

Investment and insurance products: • Not insured by the FDIC or any other
s
federal government agency • Not a deposit of, or guaranteed by, the bank Companions Certi ied Nursing Assistants Registered Nurses
or an affiliate of the bank • May lose value
© 2020 RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. Call today or visit us online at www.WhitsymsInHomeCare.com
All rights reserved. 19-QP-0755 (01/20)

19-QP-0755_Suncoast_Single_AD_5x9.25_FINAL.indd 1
19-QP-0755_Suncoast_Single_AD_5x9.25_FINAL.indd 1 1/7/20 11:06 AM
1/7/20 11:06 AM
JFED PROUD & STRONG: Join us in our campus re-imagination – jfedsrq.org