Recently I was asked by a colleague, “Why do they hate the Jews?” This was in response to the bias attacks on my synagogue, Congregation Beth El of Edison. I was at a loss for an answer, because this is 2009, isn’t it? And hate crimes against Jewish people have all but disappeared, haven’t they? I remember an incident in the late 1950s when traveling with my family. My mother cautioned my brothers and me not to be too obviously Jewish. Don’t say anything that might single us out as Jewish. I didn’t understand, but we followed instructions. Now more than 50 years later, must we do the same thing? I hope not, nor do I think not. The swastikas painted on my synagogue were the work of amateurs, kids who probably did not understand the pain they would inflict, but I am willing to bet that their parents do, for where do children learn to hate but from the actions of their elders? When these hate mongers are caught — and they will be caught — I hope their parents are charged as well. They belong to the same group who deny the Holocaust ever happened, who denigrate Jews whenever they can, and who perpetrate the negative image that they are taught.
I am writing this letter as a call to politicians, educators, the clergy, and especially parents to focus on healing and reteaching and re-educating those who are still so ignorant of the consequences of hate. Beyond the physical damage is the emotional damage that lingers and festers and morphs into wounds that don’t heal. The cycle must be stopped.
Edison is a microcosm of diversity and should be a model of tolerance and equality for other municipalities. I have lived here
for over 30 years and believe that we will survive these recent incidents. Hopefully, there will be no more of these occurrences, and everyone can return to their daily routines.
As a coda to this letter, it is interesting to note that Mayor Jun Choi has not made one phone call or any attempt to contact Rabbi Rosenberg or any other member of our congregation to offer any words of encouragement or sympathy or horror since this incident occurred. This is a sad omission on his part and an insult to my rabbi, who handled the crisis with dignity and honor. Perhaps Mayor Choi needs re-educating as well.
Cynthia Bloom
Co-President
Congregation Beth-El
Edison