As a Jew who cares about Israel’s well-being and as someone who often makes his voice heard, I often ask myself what is it that I can say that we have not already heard or read. I have a lot of company in my concerns and fears and by no means think there are things that I know that make me better informed than so many out there. All I can offer that is significantly different is how I feel and my personal perspective on events taking place.
As many of you know, I am the son of Holocaust survivors. There are those who would consider that irrelevant to current events. I wish it was the case, but unfortunately with the attitude and goal of Islamic extremists, it is sadly and dangerously relevant. Hatred, persecution, anti-Semitism are things that generally don’t take the same form when repeated in different eras, but the sentiment is never all that different. Jews are hated with passion by a people and many of these people wish us death.
I believe myself to be an optimist by nature and try to look at what is going on in the world and specifically Israel in an optimistic way. The best I can come up with is the hope that a strong Israeli military at least temporarily disables the enemy. The problem however is that now the enemy has gone from being more than a nation or even a group. The enemy has become an ideology. The ruling forces have ingeniously taken the people’s suffering and hopelessness and turned it into a fanatical hatred towards the Jews and the western world.
This is no longer about Israel. Israel is vitally important, not only to Jews but to people who love freedom all over the world. But this threat goes way beyond Israel and disputes over land. This is hatred for Jews and holds dangers similar to other times in our history.
As Jews we’ve seen those who hate us deceive us in order to catch us by surprise. The Nazis never said the Jews were going to Concentration Camps to be murdered. They were being “relocated”. Jewish traitors who helped the Nazis, thinking that they would be spared and even treated well, met the same fate of those they betrayed. Even when arriving at camps with gas chambers the victims were never told the truth about the enemies intentions. But let’s be real here. Anyone capable of murder will have no problem with lying.
I am a citizen of the world. As corny as it sounds, I want to love everyone. However, the hearts and minds of such a large percentage of the Muslim populist has been so poisoned by hate that feeling love and caring for these people would be tantamount to suicide. At best we can attempt patience and understanding, not to be nice but to maybe plant the seed of reason in a dangerously large percentage of the planet lacking this reason. Unfortunately it is unlikely this would even work because the corrupt and evil leaders of these people will do anything to stop optimism and hope, including killing their own in large numbers and certainly mercilessly attacking as many Jews as possible.
It has been said by so many in the past that as long as Israel exists, “Never Again” will be more than a hollow cry. Israel’s strength protects Jews worldwide. In my lifetime Israel has never been more important to the survival of the Jewish people as it is today, not just in Israel but worldwide, because it has never been more clear that the difference between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is comparable to the difference between “relocating” and murder in the gas chambers.
On September 16 I wrote a piece about the tragic death of Ari & Sari Horowitz who had been struck by a car and killed on the way home from synagogue earlier that day, the day before Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. Today I was contacted by Ari’s cousin who sent me a copy of his very moving words spoken at the funeral in Israel. Scroll down to the comments to read this moving eulogy. My thanks to Yoni Reif and my deepest condolences for your loss.
Coming out of the horrors of the Holocaust, the modern State of Israel was formed. There were men and women who took it upon themselves to lead the way in what was the defense and protection of the Jewish people. With immense gratitude to those who fought and risked everything for this purpose the Jewish people and the State of Israel live on today. The future is uncertain and concerning, but without people such as Yitzhak Shamir it might not even be a discussion today. With that in mind I say, Rest in Peace to Yitzchak Shamir, an Israeli leader and a Jewish hero. May you be always remember with blessing.
The other day I was having a conversation with a relative about the concept of anti-Zionism and how it relates to anti-Semitism. I hold the position that they are one in the same, while my relative felt that although anti-Zionism often is modern-day institutionalized anti-Semitism, it is not always the case. This whole conversation began when I mentioned how I had just heard of Pink Floyd boycotting Israel and how it had impacted my life knowing that a band I had once considered one of my favorites had no gone to the increasing pile of celebrities I had no use for based on them being anti-Semitic. The argument was presented, by others on the table as well, that there are plenty of Israelis who are opposed to the government, and they of course are not anti-Semites. So I spent some time thinking about this, considered their argument, and came to this conclusion. They’re wrong.
First of all, opposition to the current government or any government in Israel is not anti-Zionism. Although I don’t always appreciate the way people oppose a sitting President or government policies in the United States, I don’t accuse someone of being anti-American or unpatriotic when doing so. The foundation of all modern civilized countries is freedom. Freedom does not mean always liking what your leaders do and it does not mean you need to be quiet about how you feel. So opposition to government policy is not anti-Zionism. Anti-Zionism is at best a misrepresentation of Israeli policy in order to smear Israel’s image, and at worst a refusal to recognize the rights of the Jewish people to have their own state. The latter is the key to my argument. Israel was formed, and still is a Jewish state. It is a state that allows other religions to live freely, despite the claims of the likes of Roger Waters and most recently Alice Walker, and it is a country that does not sponsor, support, or fund terrorist organizations. Israel is a democracy. Not the kind where the military will limit the results of power provided by the people in an election, and not the kind that elects fundamentally racist, bigoted and violent governments. It is the kind of democracy where people can live freely and with basic human rights.
The Palestinians in the West Bank were not even wanted by King Hussein’s Jordan in 1967, so when Israel captured the territory where they resided after the 6 Day War, the conditions of the people living there actually improved. Yasser Arafat plundered the funds of the Palestinians and took much of what was earmarked for their betterment and built his own little financial empire which consisted of among other things hotels in places like the Swiss Alps. An argument can be made that he did more to harm the Palestinians than any Israeli government ever could.
So when people proudly stand up and declare themselves anti-Israel or anti-Zionist, I hear the words Final Solution all over again. You want to criticize the government or its leadership, go ahead. But if you are going to oppose its very core I am going to call you what you are, a hater of Jews, also known as an anti-Semite.
To all those in Israel, Holland, England, Australia, Germany, France, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sweden, Philipines, Spain, Poland, and of course the United States of America who are viewing my blog, THANK YOU!
Now tell all your friends and tell them to tell all of theirs. Let them know about the book Jew Face. I look around and see many people today who have lost hope because of everyday difficulties and struggles and hope that knowing this story will help in some way. Everyone needs inspiration and those who have read the book so far have at the very least seen how people can come from the worst situation, the brink of personal devastation, and built a life of joy, fulfillment, and love.
So tell your friends. Let them have the opportunity to decide if they want to reap the benefits of this story.
With today being 5 years since the passing of my father, Nardus Groen, in a blog that speaks of the book Jew Face and Nazi Germany’s occupation of Holland between 1940-45, you might ask yourself why this post talks about a Football (Soccer) game. Here’s why. I remember calling my parents in Holland during times when I was living either in America or Israel. My parents always warmly welcomed my call and had time to speak with me. With one exception. When there was a football match on my father was busy and would instruct me to call back at a later time. It didn’t have to be an international match between the Netherlands and a rival nation. If Ajax of Amsterdam was playing, or one of Europe’s elite teams were on the television, there was very little that would pry him away from the television. It was a passion of my father’s as it still is today for my mother. So with that in mind, on June 13, 2012, exactly 5 years after my father’s passing, it is impossible to ignore the fact that today, Holland must defeat Germany in order to have a reasonable shot at surviving the first round of Euro 2012 Football Championships. It’s exactly what my father would have wanted on a day like today. That and of course a Dutch victory over Germany. And maybe that will be what actually happens with the help of one special fan who is remembered with love and respect watching and cheering on from a very special place. Go Holland!
So I am sitting enjoying the company of my 90 year old mother, yes, the same woman on the cover of Jew Face, and she insists that we watch the World News. Despite the fact that I generally prefer to get my news online, since I am sitting with my mother anyway, and she wished to watch, I decided to sit and watch our world’s impending doom unfold in front of my eyes.
It starts with Spain requesting bailout money. Reinforced by the fact that similar crises have hit Ireland, Greece, and Portugal, I am listening to how Europe is collapsing. Great news, especially since both World Wars started in Europe and the Jews are still in finance. Needles to say I am being sarcastic.
The next story is how a massive investigation has been launched to discover the source of national security leaks coming from the White House. Republicans are accusing the White House of leaking the successes on purpose for political gain. So this means that either the opponents of the president have sunk to the lowest level, or the current administration has. Either way, the end result is the international community having another excuse why they should not trust America. Did I mention that any criticism of the United States tends to be wrapped together with criticism of Israel and the Jews? More good news. Thanks Mom.
The next story was a little lighter. All this was about was a potentially new E-Coli outbreak. No worries. I’ve lost my appetite anyway. Now I really encourage you to buy the book Jew Face. At least you can read a story about how things can work out well for people even after the worst things happen. Anyway, this article is done. Time to have dinner and hope it doesn’t kill me.
Stay tuned for a special post. Post number 100 is next!
The most important thing to strike me about this video of the 2011 Israel Day Parade in NY City is that it is one more piece of evidence that Hitler did not win. However, a word of caution, particularly to the traitors who call themselves Jews while protesting against the State of Israel. Any would be Hitler who would arise today will try to kill you just as certainly as he would the rest of us. Chances are he would just use you first in the persecution and murder of your fellow Jew. And for you I offer a quote from the Foreward in my book written by my father of blessed memory. “We may in the course of it meet people who, for whatever it’s worth, may be portrayed as heroes, while others are cowards, pacifists, or activists. They are all the products of mankind. For them, there will always be a place under the sun (with the exception of the traitor).
True Jews and true friends of Jews understand that with all the people trying to bring about our destruction, on some basic issues we must stand together. First and foremost is the security of the State of Israel. If you don’t support it, keep your mouth shut rather than take action that supports our enemies. Tomorrow, June 3, 2012 is this year’s Israel Day Parade in New York. I can only hope the traitors stay home this year.
As Iran threatens Israel’s existence, and Arab nations continue their anti-Israel, aka anti-Semitic rhetoric, the question we all need to address is whether or not the Jewish people are at risk as they were when Hitler rose to power in 1933. As a Jew I have not seen a world more prone to protecting the Jewish people, and with the increasing unrest in Europe and the Middle East there are reasons for serious concern. Please share your feelings on this post. I will be writing a piece discussing my thoughts at a later date, but for now I want to know the feelings of as many people as possible.
When Nazi Germany rose to power in 1933 very few, if any, knew what type of horrors they would be capable of inflicting on Europe. Even with the strong anti-Semitic rhetoric no one predicted they would put their “Final Solution” which would lead to the murder of 6 million Jews. Even with Kristallnacht, “Night of Broken Glass”, German Jews knew living in Germany would no longer be comfortable, but most did not predict the gas chambers and death camps. The Nazi strategy was one of gradual progression. They did not hide their disdain for the Jewish people, but what they did was start by taking away their rights, turning public sentiment against them, removing their basic dignity, and finally taking away their life. Their strategy was so successful in Holland that many did not realize how bad it was going to be until it was too late.
Any Jew who believes that anti-Israel sentiment is not the same as anti-Semitism has chosen to turn a blind eye very similar to the blind eyes turned by so many during the reign of Nazi Germany. Israel, the Jewish state, has been a willing partner in peace and a nation that has given up land in the name of peace. We have the nation of Iran committed to its destruction. Its leadership has consistently denied the Holocaust ever happened, as I discuss in my article, “Holocaust Denial: Deceptive hatred”, and it continues a campaign of political manipulation designed to lull the world to sleep while it gains enough strength to attempt its ultimate goal, the destruction of the Jewish state. At this point in time close to 6 million Jewish people now live in Israel. Iran recently instructed Hezbollah not to attack Israel or to fire its missiles into it cities. Their reasoning is that they do not want to make Israel seem like the victim and create more worldwide support.
Their strategy is to progressively build their army, manipulate public opinion, and when they think the time is right attack in devastating fashion. The major difference between now and the 1930s is that today there is a strong and organized Jewish Army known as the IDF, Israel Defense Forces, and the response and or preemptive strike will be with the might of a nation committed to survival. Hopefully it never comes to that, but if the world and a comfortable Jewish populous turns a blind eye similar to that of the 1930s, the conflict and loss of life will be inevitable.
As a Jew who cares about Israel’s well-being and as someone who often makes his voice heard, I often ask myself what is it that I can say that we have not already heard or read. I have a lot of company in my concerns and fears and by no means think there are things that I know that make me better informed than so many out there. All I can offer that is significantly different is how I feel and my personal perspective on events taking place.
Holland's Heroes 