Page 32 - Jewish News_December 2021

32A December 2021 COMMENTARY

Phantom toothache The Iron Dome and antisemitism
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By Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz, Community Chaplain By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
hough I’ve had my share of cav- irrational, hair-trigger impulses. These wenty years ago, at the United
ities, I never really had a bad rash failures of judgment are often a Nations Durban Conference,
Ttoothache. That is, at least, un- consequence of perpetrators not having Tthe Boycott Divestment and
til a few months ago when I suddenly worked through unresolved inner con-Sanctions movement was born. Israel,
felt surges of pain in a molar. Thinking flict. The rabbi’s reaction to the wom-the only truly democratic country in
ZOOM-IN a few doses of Extra-Strength Tylenol an’s assault suggests he understood the Middle East, was labeled an “apart-
would take care of it, I held off for a that referred feelings were at play, what heid” state and was said to be a “co-
day and a half before calling the den- modern psychology terms as transfer-lonialist” usurper with no
tist, the first time I ever had to make ence. connection to the Promised
an unscheduled Several years ago, an item in The Land.
appointment. Af- New York Times related when a psy- One day before the
ter poking around chotherapist hopped in a cab but then 20 anniversary, there was
th
INTERACT  the tooth and ask- realized she’d left her purse at home. such a blatant attack on
ing some ques- She shared the situation with the driv-the State of Israel and her
tions, he took an er, reassuring him that someone at the people, that the House of
X-ray. Because of destination would lend her the money Representatives approved
the intensity of to pay the fare. “That’s all right, “he re-a stand-alone bill that pro-
the pain, I figured plied. “You seem like a nice old lady. vided Israel with $1 billion
Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz the extensive de- I’m sure I can trust you.” for replenishing the Iron
Annoyed by her own doing, the Dome missile system. The vote was
The Jewish News is cay the image would reveal had root woman rummaged through her pockets 420 in favor of the bill and nine voting
canal written all over it.
To my surprise, however, the den-
Just a Click Away! tist announced, “I don’t see anything.” to find any loose funds. To her relief, against it. Both Democrats and Repub-

she spied a $20 bill, reporting this to licans identified the Iron Dome as an
the driver while adding, “I must tell entirely defensive system that Israel
“Nothing?” I wondered incredulous-
“Well,” he said, “it’s probably got
ing me an old lady, even a nice one.” of growing threats.
Read The Jewish News online wherever you are! You can ly. “Then why does it hurt so much? you that I did not appreciate your call-needed to protect itself against a host
also find past articles, photos, advertisers, and more with something to do with your sinuses be- “Oh,” he replied, “I knew you’d be This stand-alone bill was neces-
angry at yourself for forgetting your sitated after several House members,
cause the nerves are connected.” “Si-
a few clicks of your mouse, or swipes of your finger! nuses?” I countered. “But I can breathe purse so I thought you might as well headed by Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar,
well and have never had a problem transfer some of it to me.” Rendered Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna
Go to with them.” The dentist reiterated he speechless by this display of psycho-Pressley and Pramila Jayapal, led a
JFEDSRQ.org/Jewish-News was confident with his diagnosis and logical acumen, the woman reported group of anti-Israel supporters, refus-

that the discomfort would soon sub- that she now views cabdrivers with ing to vote in favor of a budget bill
side. And guess what? He was right. newfound respect. needed to keep the government going
Forty-eight hours later, I felt fine. Considerable awareness and for-because that bill included funding for
My phantom toothache called to bearance are required to be the object Israel’s Iron Dome.
mind a Hasidic story about when a of someone else’s transferred feel- In response to this attack on Israel,
prominent rabbi and a disciple were on ings. Just ask any parent, spouse or Representative Ted Deutch of Florida
a journey and stopped over in a town. member of a helping profession. In stated, “Today, the House of Represen-
While walking down a street, a woman performing this role, they are truly
suddenly fell upon the rabbi and began unsung heroes. Transference becomes build. advocate.
beating him. She thought he was her therapeutic when often deep-seated
husband who’d abandoned her years conflicts emerge through the under-
before. After a few moments, she re- standing agency of others who enable remember. support.
alized her error and burst into tears. misapplied feelings to be recognized
PRESENT S
JUST re ere el “Stop crying,” the rabbi told her. “You and explored. Over time, such disclo- Bridges
l
JUST
sure and examination serve to enhance
weren’t hitting me, but your husband.”
He also shared in a low tone, “How of-
self-knowledge and redirect negative
EDUCATION EDUCATION ten we strike someone because we take energies to more productive aims. We build bridges between people by visiting synagogues, churches and civic groups to make
TION
EDUCATION
EDUCA
presentations about Israel, antisemitism and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement
him for another.”
Even after thousands of years, the
My perceived dental issue, known narrative sections of the Hebrew Bible (BDS). In addition, we send clergy and community members on missions to Israel to
as referred pain, occurs when a symp- continue to prompt extensive com- experience and learn about the land while forging friendships that deepen
tom of a problem is separate from its mentary about the figures featured in and continue back home in Sarasota-Manatee.
JUST REEL EDUCATION actual source. The rabbi’s story is an them. Through the lens of transference,
reflection on their existential circum-
example of referred anger, when we
brings you film documentaries and biographies of strike out at one person even though stances and actions still yield rich in-
Jewish-themed topics, paired with scholars and our frustration, disappointment and ire sights regarding the human condition Robert and Esther Heller ^ Builds Bridges
is, in fact, with somebody else and, in
that remain relevant today. In other
the director or producer of the film. This program many cases, really with ourselves. In words, Torah study itself is a source of CRC ^ Advocates through Government Affairs
is a division of the popular JUST REEL an increasingly stressful and anxiety healthy transference. When we seek to COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE ^ Remembers the Holocaust
producing world, more referred anger
discern the interior mindsets and mo-
FILMS and is brought to you in partnership is happening. It is seen in tantrums that tivations of personages like Abraham,
erupt seemingly out of the blue over
Sarah, Joseph, Moses, Deborah, Sol-
with Classrooms without Borders. trivial matters. omon and David, we inevitably also
When individuals are already on evince, shed light on and appreciate Outreach
To see each month’s film offerings and register, visit edge, resentments associated with a aspects and possibilities in conjunction Fighting antisemitism is an ongoing battle. We have CRC
with our own lives.
job, finances, a missed opportunity or
JFEDSRQ.ORG/JustReel soured relationship can become mag- Rabbi Jonathan R. Katz serves as the Ambassadors ready and able to educate the community to
nified, leading to hostility directed at Community Chaplain and Director of better understand what antisemitism looks like and how
BR OUGHT T O Y OU B Y coworkers, family members, friends the JFCS Jewish Healing Program. His to fight it alongside the Jewish community.
and strangers. Sadly, all of us know of position is underwritten by The Jewish
tragedies like road rage shootings and Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.
other violent incidents prompted by
HELLER CRC’S MISSION
Opinions printed in The Jewish News of To build relationships within the
QUESTIONS? Contact Jeremy Lisitza at jlisitza@jfedsrq.org or 941.343.2113
Sarasota-Manatee do not necessarily reflect Jewish and non-Jewish communities

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH those of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota- and to advance common interests

Manatee, its Board of Directors or staff. through education and advocacy. jfedsrq.org/HellerCRC