Spiritual Awakenings and Safety Concerns

“The correct response to antisemitism is Jewish pride,” Brett Stephens, American journalist.

“Be 10% Jew-ier in whatever way you want,” Rabbi Craig Axler said during this year’s Rosh Hashanah service at Temple Isaiah.

Before leaving for my vacation in Italy last month, I called my best friends, Craig and Pam, and asked them a question I usually don’t have to ask anyone.

“Is it safe to wear my Jewish star necklace when I travel?”

It was the first time I asked this out loud to anyone. Of course, this isn’t the first time I’ve thought about it. Far from it.

When I go food shopping for the Jewish holidays, there is one local supermarket where I order my Break the Fast trays for Yom Kippur, my latkes on Hanukkah, and the gefilte fish to serve at the Passover Seder; I often wonder if it is safe to go in there. There isn’t a regular police presence outside the store to protect us like at most synagogues. Why would there be? It’s your typical supermarket whose deli counter is quite popular with the Jewish community during the holidays. But where else would we go for the best chopped liver? Side note: I’m told it tastes incredible, but I’ve never touched the stuff.

It’s not just my safety that concerns me. I worry about my family and friends as well, particularly my children. They are coming home this weekend for a post-Rosh Hashanah dinner. Andrew is a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia. When he comes home on weekends, he often takes the train back to his apartment on Monday mornings. But this Monday morning is October 7th—the first anniversary of the brutal attacks by Hamas terrorists on innocent Israelis attending the Nova music festival. A day that resulted in 1200 Jews murdered and over 200 were taken hostage. A hundred of them are still being held in captivity today. This weekend, Andrew wants to go back to his apartment on Sunday night to avoid the Pro-Hamas rallies that are planned this Monday on the streets of Philadelphia. He is concerned about his safety while walking home from the train station. And frankly, so am I.

Jenna currently works for the University of Maryland Hillel in College Park. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you about the anti-Semitic rhetoric and encampments happening on many college campuses all over the country today. This Monday, October 7, the Students’ Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter is hosting an event on the University’s largest public convening space to mark the largest attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Understandably, the Jewish community is incredibly upset about such a public display of hate, but Maryland Hillel will have educational and awareness events during the day.

October 7 will be a tough day for our community everywhere. But it is also an opportunity to share our Jewish pride, stand with Israel, and build an even more robust, resilient presence. I pray for the safety of everyone at universities and in major cities around the country as we all mark this difficult anniversary. Side note: I’m all for free speech, but never, ever, hate speech. 

Back in Italy, my friends advised me to do what I felt was most comfortable, and I should be fine. I opted to wear my less obvious Hamsa necklace that my daughter bought for me in Jerusalem instead of my Jewish star. I didn’t run into any problems, but I did feel a pang in my heart as I saw others wear their crosses and other religious symbols freely while I had to question my choice of jewelry. This feeling, while overwhelming, was also inspiring.

I agree with the quote above by Bret Stephens that Jewish pride is the correct response to antisemitism. I have never hidden my identity or how proud I am to be Jewish. My love of Israel is steadfast, and being an active member of my local Jewish community brings me great joy. I will never stop worrying about the safety of my family and our community, but I will continue to take the advice of my spiritual leaders and friends and work harder to be 10% Jew-ier this year.

Maybe I’ll write a few more Jewish-themed blogs than I usually do.

Maybe I’ll attend an extra Shabbat service per month

Maybe I’ll even try the chopped liver! (or maybe not 😝)

If not now, when?

XO,

Elisa