Where Are the Descendents?

 

Nike Shoes

 The front page of today's Washington Post has a picture of a little girl carrying a Nike shoe box out of the rubble of the mobile home that had been her home. Terrible tornadoes ripped through rural southwestern Mississippi, affecting mostly black residents who live below the poverty line. What struck me was the shoe box. 

How often do we buy shoes and open the box at home? The Nike logo is ubiquitous in our lives. But the juxtaposition of a little girl carrying the box as she climbed out of rubble, as bizarre as it seems, was not shocking. We view these images daily. Scientists do not know the relationship between severe tornadoes and climate change. All I know from my lay standpoint is that wind has increased in intensity in recent years. Regardless of any correlation between climate change and tornadoes, we will experience more weather related tragedies and strange occurrences, for example the rain that never stops in California. 

People tend to be oblivious to what goes on around them--be it weather, safety/general awareness, political upheaval. Granted we suffer from bad news fatigue, worn down with earthquakes, fires, floods, dictators, and wars. I am guilty. But, I do not tune out completely. I focus on my immediate environment and the world as best I can. No one is perfect or Mother Theresa (except for her).

 I often ignore homeless people or those begging on traffic islands. I get tired of emails, requests for donations, and legislative reports from local politicians. I am blessed or cursed. I wake up easily and often-- in a metaphoric sense--noticing something that does not seem right--a noice, smell, or person. For example, what is happening in a section of Bethesda, Maryland.

Today, I tried to visit a neighborhood with beautiful cherry blossoms, our beloved delicately flowering trees that show their impermanent beauty for a week at the most. No go--the residents have banned cars which is fine. But massive construction of an unnecessary new shopping area has caused adjacent streets to be blocked off. Thereby making a pleasant Sunday afternoon spring tradition no longer possible. So an affluent neighborhood has decided to be exclusive and unwelcoming. But worse, the rebuilding of a small strip mall in a typical inside-the-beltway community of our county is turning into I-Don't-Know-What. 

Sacred land for our African American neighbors is being built over and desecrated. It was bad enough when a parking lot was placed over the burial grounds of former slaves, but now there will be more and bigger shops, offices, and apartments. 

There is one tiny parcel of land being contested. So far, the county has not seen fit to save that small section for a memorial site. Across the street from the construction site is an adequate, modern shopping area--once a thriving black residential subdivision. Therefore, there is no need to expand the other area.  

Greed is next to impossible to fight even in liberal Montgomery County, Maryland. So I continue to write letters and sign petitions. Stay vigilant. And hope the little girl and her family in Mississippi get a better house. 

©Karen Levi 2023

LIGHT, JOY, WOMEN--IT MUST BE MARCH OR ADAR

 Previously, I gave little thought to Purim. I remember carnivals in the synagogue social hall as a child--groggers, hats, games, prizes. Purim served as a bright spot after the dark months of Tevet and Shevat. Sweet treats and fun foretold of more joy to come. After early childhood, I ignored Purim, except for the Hamentaschen.

When I joined a congregation in the "oughts," I was introduced to the Purim Spiel. First, I thought, that's dumb, and the Yiddish word deterred, being the daughter of a former Berliner who shunned the colorful, useful language (that I have come to appreciate). 

People said, "come, come, it's so fun." I thought, "What, I have no talent?" I had joined the choir because of a lifelong wish to be immersed in song. I was "good enough," could read music, and knew when to sing quietly. An extroverted member of the choir--who was the Spiel director--encouraged me as well. She remarked that "no talent" was exactly the ticket to join the play's cast.

So to rehearsal I went. And thus began about ten seasons of great fun. The small, liberal congregation had been producing plays for about 5-10 years before I joined in the hilarity. Our director--the demonstrative, very talented choir member--had the ability to take a ragtag bunch of "older" Jews and turn us into a somewhat polished group. I remember her saying, "I hate blocking night. I'm herding cats." We were silly and made jokes about nearly everything we could find as fodder. My favorite spiel was "Schmaltz" (Grease) in which I had a solid role.

The productions were sealed into the annals of congregation history. Our rabbi was an actor in his own right. He could act in any comic role, and he sang in a strong, tenor voice. Naturally, our plays were the story of Esther, Mordechai, and Haman set to rock, popular, or Broadway tunes.

 The era of the plays are over, as all good things must come to an end. There was a chemistry and bonding in the cast that cannot be reproduced. So I am back to a less exciting but still happy Purim, the beginning of more light, warmth, and hope. 

Below is a short essay I wrote about Adar and Purim for those who are interested:
     

    Adar is the twelfth month of the Jewish calendar which can be quite confusing since we         find ourselves neither in December nor at the Jewish New Year. When there is a leap             year, there are two Adars. Adar relates to the Hebrew word, Adir, which means strength.     The month is associated with good fortune and joy. Adar corresponds to the zodiac sign of     Pisces, two unidentified fish in the depths of the sea. Like Esther, who revealed herself as     a Jew after being masked or hidden.

    Purim falls on the 14th day of Adar, a holiday for joyful celebration and the only one            which focuse on brave women. We are familiar with the Megillah and the story of Esther     and Mordechai saving the Jews from certain death. The Megillah, or the Book of Esther,        is one of two ancient books named for women. 

    Spiritually and physically, the month represents the shift from darkness to light. We see        the transformation in the increase of daylight hours and in a new month filled with               joy after several months of darkness. The Purim story deals with a shift from death to            life. 

    After Haman and his henchmen were defeated, Esther went to the king and said, “Do            tomorrow what you have done today.” The king was confused--Haman, his ten sons, and     various other evildoers had been hanged. Why does Esther ask for what has been done?        Scholars have found the Hebrew letters, also representing the numbers 5707, within the        Book of Esther. And what is significant about 5707? The Jewish year corresponds to            1946, when 10 Nazis hanged after trials at Nuremberg. So, was Queen Esther asking            for retribution for crimes that had not been yet committed? Curious.
    

    Tradition has us decking out in a guise or mask for Purim. The Ba’al Shem Tov                    said, “It is a mitzvah to dress up for Purim.” Now why would a pious rabbi suggest a            frivolity like costumes? The ancient rabbis instituted the custom of giving                              Tzedakah to the poor on Purim. If everyone masquerades, one cannot discern who is             giving and who receiving. Therefore, in complete anonymity, one offers and accepts,            the truest form of mitzvah.

    

    Back to joy, which is forever in short supply. Toast with your libation of choice to Health     and Happiness as my parents and grandmothers would say. And drown out the evil of the     Hamans with your groggers.

©Karen Levi 2023

NO, WE CAN'T GET OVER IT

 Words do matter; human beings use the spoken word to communicate, accomplish, negotiate, plead, request, and comment. Words change personal, political, and commercial relationships. We speak to infants and animals eventhough we are certain that hey comprehend our tone not the meaning. Evil actors use phrases to instill fear which often leads to physical violence. We convey love through words.

Specific vocabulary changes the meaning of a story, critical when a history is communicated to the younger generations. So the youth keep the memories of the past alive when we are gone. The words that constitute memory may not be 100% accurate, but they are impervious to water, fire, and decay. Within the words are the feelings which we carry. What was an acceptable term fifty years ago can be construed as negative now. 

Each storyteller must choose words carefully. Words--Enslaved describes the millions of individuals who were considered subhuman by heinous masters, owners, politicians, professionals, businessmen, women, men, and children for at least 200 years in the Americas. Slave denotes the entire identity, but enslaved describes only one aspect of the talented, bright, feisty, brave, illiterate, evil, and wonderful people who were unfortunate to be captured or descended from the latter. Had sex with is rape when a man forces himself on a woman.

More words--Jews were murdered in the Holocaust. They did not die but were purposely killed because, like slaves, they were considered subhuman. Subhuman is lower than an animal. I told my daughter--like a nail, a chair, a scrap of paper. Unimaginable to consider that a living, breathing human could be negated to thing, erased, like we toss garbage. This phenomenon of treating a human as inhuman is different from killing enemies or intruders. Though, I imagine soldiers erase the humaness from the enemy in war, due to exhaustion, fear, danger, brainwashing, and hunger. Jews and African Americans are not the only victims of dehumanization. They are merely two examples. 

We use words to differentiate people into undesirable categories. Special Needs is a perfect example. Do not all people have needs? Often the needs are special or particular. Special being a euphemism for a person with mental illness, addiction, cognitive disability, and physical handicap. In this case, no one wants to be special.

People dismiss with words, "Get over it. Slavery is over. It happened years ago." Or, "Jews are rich. What do they have to complain about?" And the worst, "They (could be any victim) probably deserved_____." No, we cannot stop telling the stories. Narratives with carefully chosen words inform, especially those that describe discrimination, hatred, and ostracism. For as long as despots, dictators, and haters scare people into violence, we must retell the history to stop repetition. 

Select words wisely; meaning conveys truth or fiction. Enslaved vs. slave; murdered instead of die. A quick Google search reveals many more derogatory adjectives still used with frequency--i.e. Eskimo, gyp, hip hip hooray, uppity.

About a year ago, Whoopi Goldberg stated that the Holocaust was an example of "man's inhumanity to man." The surface meaning seemed fine. But she subtly expressed a differention from "racism," thereby diminishing a horrendous period in history. Words matter and "no, we won't get over it."

Names are more important than words. These are names of former enslaved persons.

Note: a month ago I wrote a blog about woke culture which also distorts words. Individuals must decide what words seem accurate to them, excluding commonly accepted slurs.

©Karen Levi 2023

GOOD NEWS IS BAD NEWS

 No one wants good news. Put another way, major media do not broadcast positive stories. I hold in my hand, three handouts from the J Street Conference in December 2022, representing Combatants for Peace, Taghyeer-- Palestinians Organizing Palestinians, and Project Rozana. We read that Palestinians killed so many Israelis, and the Israeli army bombed a section of Gaza City. Few people--Christian, Muslim, Jewish--seem to be aware of the myriad groups working for peace in Israel and Palestine.

Combatants for Peace, a joint Israeli and Palestinian effort, promotes an end to the cycle of violence. Collum McCann featured this organization in his 2017 novel, Apeirogon--two fathers, a Palestinian and an Israeli, become friends through the organization and work together to bring the opposing sides together. Taghyeer (Change) is a Palestinian organization which belongs to a National Nonviolence Movement of grassroots communities and emerging leaders, who exercise nonviolence as a unifying identity for the Palestinian people. Project Rozana, a multi-faith group, founded in 2013 in Australia,  with affiliate offices in Canada, the USA, and UK, aims to build bridges between Israelis and Palestinians through healthcare. The organization supports the training of Palestinian physicians and health professionals at Israeli hospitals. Project Rozana raises funds for a volunteer driver program in the West Bank and Israel for Palestinian patients to reach their appointments in Israeli hosptials. The project funds access to healthcare in Israel for complex medical procedures that are not available or easily accessible in Palestinian hospitals. (These are three of numerous groups working for positive change in the region.)

I listened to a program on PBS about general advancements in solar heating and access to water for Navajo communities. More good news; scientists working towards appropriate environmental stewardhip.

Major media companies would rather devote air time to tragedies, deaths, and cruelty. Not a Polyanna, but it occurs to me that broadcasting primarily the negative increases despair among those who care and reliance on conspiracy theories in the population of the distrustful. Why can't Rachel Maddow or Don Lemon lead off with a positive development in the never-ending parade of horrors--climate change, racism, antisemitism, war in Ukraine, deaths from drug abuse, and mass shootings

My introduction to this phenomenon occurred around 1993. My husband and I had successfully adopted two babies from Latin America. Our children thrived and brought endless joy to us. But what was on the nighly news? A story about Americans bribing poor birthmothers to relinquish their infants for body parts. I can barely type these words, so horrendous is this apocryphal narrative. It sickens me, turns my stomach, makes my blood boil. We, and thousands of other families, had adopted children and formed families, characterized by love, committment and responsibility. 

I have been told that good news does not sell newpapers. Or put in 21st century terms, positive news does not get clicks. I suppose people get complacent until shocked into action by a tragedy. But, for those on the front lines of change, an accounting of productive advancement would be welcome. 

People that I know despair. Often, friends refuse to talk about recent events due to their anguish. Perhaps that is part of older age--the world has changed, things are not what they used to be, etc. However, I would like periodic acknowledgement of progress to be the lead line on MSNBC's All In, or The Last Word. For example, a week after a devastating mass shooting, a report on the number of guns relinquished and turned in at police stations. After the distribution of a video on brutal police violence perpetrated on an unarmed black man, a story of a police department helping a community. Americans support Ukraine in its fight for democracy, a former eastern bloc country. More hybrid and electric cars on the road than ever before. 

To those out there in cyberspace--you who control the news apps.

Could you insert positivity into the notifications on our phones? We make progress as often as we regress or act badly.

   ©Karen Levi 2023

ARE YOU AWAKE?

 Woke Antisemitism is the title of a new book written by David L. Bernstein,

 a long time professional in Jewish public affairs. I have been aware of the

 concepts of woke and cancel culture. However, I could not fully

 comprehend these new ideas until reading Mr. Bernstein’s book. I heard

 him speak eloquently about the subject a few months ago.

Since my name is Karen, I have felt victimized by woke individuals and cancel culture. A few years back, the media featured Karen-stories in quick succession. Livid but scared to out myself — except in emails and letters — Karen had evolved into a catchword for a lower to middle class, bleached blonde, and overweight loudmouth who complained. Voicing a concern in a store, for example, signified white privilege. I discovered that Karen replaced other feminine names used as a shorthand for racist women. This would hardly be a reason for comment, but the name calling hints at the misunderstanding that festers in our society among progressives.

For example, a Caucasian person should not grumble about equity in employment and education or service in an office or retail establishment. People who have white skin are privileged, so grievance or objection to a set of rules is prohibited. Furthermore, if one is privileged, one is responsible for the oppression of people of color. Never mind if one lives below the poverty line or belongs to a minority group.

Lest I sound bigoted or conservative, I am a card caring member of the Democratic Party and Moms Against Gun Violence. I voted for Bernie Sanders. I marched for just about every cause on the left — abortion, LGBTQ, environment, women’s rights, gun violence, nuclear arms, and peace — not war. Therein lies the distortion. As a liberal, Caucasian, Baby Boomer, Jewish person, I risk name calling and criticism — from progressives — if I challenge anti-racist theories and policies. I am white.

Over the years, I have felt ashamed of examining theories and policies regarding climate change, affirmative action, the government of the District of Columbia, and incompetent professionals among other subjects not approved by progressives. Intelligent people demonstrate curiosity and probe deeply; the behavior is not a symptom of hatred or bigotry. Division and polarity characterize the United States at the present. Choose a side and stay there; if one falters or wavers, one is doomed for criticism from one side or another. There is correct speech and behavior. For me, to be misunderstood by self-righteous progressive idealogues is frustrating. But a slip of the tongue — a misused word — and Bam a woke person slams down.

Another example, mentioning accomplishments of the Jewish state or rights of Israeli citizens results in catchwords, such as “apartheid,” “slavery,” and “colonialism” from factions on the left. Immediately, finger pointing, and loud voices emerge. The establishment of a definition of antisemitism elicits corrections from opponents. The end of meaningful discussion occurs and inflammatory jargon flies in the atmosphere. To stray from the progressive “party line” risks being called racist, including other epithets. I attended a local meeting after graffiti aimed at Israel and the Holocaust was discovered. When a county councilperson stated that he

abhorred these antisemitic slogans, several people in audience yelled out, “Israel is an apartheid state!”

I am proud of my leftist ideas which I learned from my father and grandmothers in the liberal environment of San Francisco. I take pride in being altruistic and devoted to helping those less fortunate. So, to be canceled, told I am an oppressor, or an obnoxious white woman hurts deeply. Ostensibly, the cancellers are woke leftists; some are Jews. They have defined the qualifications for being progressive which is the main idea of the book, Woke Antisemitism.

Mr. Bernstein makes valid points in his criticism of the progressive ideology of the 2020’s. Extreme left wing thought has developed into strict dogma. According to Mr. Bernstein, appreciation for traditional liberal values is cancelled and forbidden by a number of left wing organizations. Minority groups of color (Black, Native American, and Latinx) have been oppressed by systemic racism since the post-Civil War period. This is the truth. All aspects of American life have been affected, including education, access to health care, and voting rights. However, addition or omission of aspects of this point of view are considered racist, end of discussion.

People from minority groups who look “white” or designated as such, as in Hispanics, Asians, Arabs, Persians, South Asians, and Jews have been subjected to various forms of hatred. Conveniently, this type of hatred has been cancelled. According to woke thought, if your skin is not dark, you possess white privilege and cannot know discrimination or hatred. Hence, Jews become targets and represent one of the touchpoints of the present scary milieu and a focus of this book. White equals privilege: Jews are white, therefore privileged. If one is privileged, one cannot be the focus of discrimination. The irony is that South Asians are dark-skinned, but somehow, they are considered white. The same calculus is applied to individuals who are Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese.

Sensible people know that millions of Jews were murdered by the Nazis. Leaders of the Third Reich developed a pseudo-science for racial differences, primarily those between Aryans and Jews. The fact that this horrendous turn of events occurred does not minimize the suffering of enslaved African American or displaced Native Americans. Suffering coexists in our world. But there have been progressives that have placed the Holocaust in a separate category from the plight of other ethnic groups. Whoopi Goldberg stated twice — not once — that the death of millions of Jews was “white on white violence” or “man’s inhumanity to man.” True but then so was slavery. Why differentiate or prioritize what is worse or not racism? Hate is hate.

Photo by Duy Pham on Unsplash

Cancel culture and woke ideology has been blatant in the San Francisco Bay Area where progressives have fiercely argued for improved school curriculums, prohibition of Zionists to speak at U.C. Berkely Law School, and changes to enrollment qualifications based on merit to special high schools. Educated, left wing Democrats become visibly uncomfortable when the subject is introduced into polite conversation. I have witnessed and experienced the squirming, whispering, and lack of eye contact when a brave person dares to mention the current situation. Liberal Democrats find themselves in a quandary. Another example — we seriously care about Palestinian rights, but do we turn our backs on Israel completely? As parents, we want our children to grow up as open-minded thinkers, but do we approve of a social studies curriculum developed by a singularly minded and focused organization?

David Bernstein points out that this manner of thinking has permeated all levels of education, Jewish social service and community groups, synagogues, and other left-wing secular associations. According to the writer, liberal Jews have sold out to the leftist groups as a default. Liberals would never want to be classified as conservative or worse — racist.

Israel has become an axis upon which political discourse about foreign policy turns. Are you in or out? Are you against what the Israeli army perpetrates against innocent (and not so innocent) Palestinians. Yes or no. A typical American Jew is put into an untenable bind. Most of us are related to someone who was murdered, tortured, discriminated, or displaced by the Nazis in the 1930’s-1940’s Europe. Baby Boomers were taught that Israel was a haven for the downtrodden, traumatized displaced persons after World War II. Furthermore, we watched the weak, starved survivors enter Palestine and change into strong, healthy, and proud freedom fighters and farmers. We experienced the independence movement, the culmination of the State of Israel in 1948, and the 1967 war. Yes, my cohorts and I are biased too.

This is not to say that I agree with the present policies of the Israeli government. I do not. Terrible crimes have been committed against Palestinians and Israeli Arabs over the last 75 years. I saw evidence of this unfair treatment with my own eyes when visiting towns in the West Bank. I have read books and attended lectures by Palestinians. I am not blind to what has been perpetrated in the disguise of defense. I have gone so far as to apologize to Muslims for what Israel has done.

This may be how the author and I differ. He did not write about his specific views of Israeli policy towards Palestinians, but I suspect he may hold differing views from my own. Mr. Bernstein rails against progressive ideas about racism and equity which have become dogma. Strict ideology springs from extremism on the left and right. We know from recent history that the outcome of radical political movements has not been positive. Mainstream thought and law enforcement focus on limiting and observing right wing groups that espouse white supremacy and antisemitism. However, it is more difficult to point out the less blatant antisemitism from progressives. The latter is embarrassing and feels like a betrayal.

©Karen Levi 2023

TO BE PROUD IS POSITIVE POWER

Since my college days, I have been proud to be a Jew and explain our traditions to non Jews. For the most part, my listeners were receptive and interested. There were sporadic incidents of antisemitism. I ignored them. I actually thought my father--a Holocaust survivor--was ridiculous to be involved with the Anti Defamation League. Antisemitism seemed to be a relic from World War 2. Though names from his discussions, such as John Birch Society, seeped into my mind. I seem to be following his model. 

I am concerned about the rise in antisemitic incidents in 2022. My dad died in 2005, oblivious to the power of the internet, social media, emails, and texts in spreading hatred. He was accustomed to a more obvious form of loathing. My mother lived until 2019; however, she could not grasp that the white supremacists marching in Charlottesville were a threat. I happened to be with her at the time. I said, "Mom, look!" highly alarmed as we watched the news. She waved her hand dismissively and said, "they know nothing of real Nazis." She ignored unpleasantness. My parents were opposites in their approach to a resurgence of the hate that expelled them from Germany.

Blessed to be living in the United States, there is a flip side to antisemitism, that is pride, strength, and Tikkun Olam. The various sects--for lack of a better word-- of Judaism demonstrate positive self-regard in different ways with the extreme resulting in brutality and bloodshed. From the Bar Kochba revolt against the Roman Empire to the Irgun who resorted to savage acts during the British Mandate, the Jewish people have a history of impassioned ferocity. The current extremists treat Palestinians with ruthless disregard. 

Returning to positive acts of pride, my thoughts turn to Chanukah. The winter festival, minor in significance, is a touchpoint in our society. Faced with the commericial onslaught of Christmas, which many Christians abhor, well meaning individuals have felt the need to match holiday for holiday. 

Jewish children are confronted with their difference at Christmas. Our society has progressed from the years of my childhood when the only winter holiday acknowledged was Christmas. No sensible Jew would have advertised that they did not celebrate the Christian holiday, especially Holocaust survivors who were afraid to call attention to themselves. Many a Jewish family resorted to outwardly celebrating Christmas with a tree and gifts on December 25, the ultimate act of assimilation and fear. 

Fast forward to the late 20th century, and we have public menorahs, including one beside the national Christmas tree on the Ellipse in Washington D.C. The latter tradition started in 1979, and it was a  timely addition. A new generation of Jews were not afraid to proudly assert their background. Baby Boomers reveled in speaking out, marching, and singing, whatever gained the attention of Americans asleep to a burgeoning multicultural society. 

Now 2022, everyone knows about Chanukah. Target, CVS, and any other large retail establishment sell Chanukah stuff--cards, candles, candies, cheap decorations made in China. We have hit the big time, I guess. Jews got what they sought. I would rather a person in a small town be aware of Chanukah from Walmart than nothing Jewish at all. The sad part is that Americans continue to be blatantly unaware of our serious holidays. 

Public Chanukah lightings have sprung up like mushrooms. Unbelievable to me--the change is mind blowing. Children can feel proud, happy, and excited to be recognized publicly. The President of the United States and the First Lady have had a beautiful truly American menorah constructed from an old beam of the White House and silver cups created by an artisan. President Obama held Passover Seders. Wonderful! Excellent! Actions that serve as antidotes to the rise of antisemitism.

Only one "but" here. Most of the Chanukah lightings seem to be sponsored by Chabad--Lubavitch, an Orthodox Jewish sect founded in Lithuania in 1775. Lubavitch refers to a town in Poland where the dominant line of leaders lived for a century. Other scions of Hasidism joined the Lubavitch line in the 1930's. The Schneerson family transfered the center of the movement to Russia and then to the United States after the outbreak of World War II.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel developed the educational and social services branches of Chabad. He became the successor to Rabbi Yosef Yitchak Schneerson. Today 5,000 families direct 3,500 centers worldwide. They provide inspiration, spiritual practice, education, and social and recreational programs to nearly 100,000 of people in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia. 

Chabad demonstrates Tikkun Olam and encourages outsiders or lapsed Jews to participate. On the face of it, they provide much needed sustenance and succor, but the members of the group practice Orthodoxy, with strict definitons of gender roles and adherance to rigid practices developed centuries ago cloaked in a mainstream message and a modern method with their benign online presence. 

I propose--like my father would have done--that all branches of Judaism--Reform, Conservative, Secular, and Orthodox--join the public display of pride in being Jewish. We cannot be fearful and quiet. Antisemitism festers in dark corners. Free speech is rampant, both virtual and real. Let us be part of the rabble. We must show the various faces of Judaism--modern, multicultural, and multi-faceted.

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/36226/jewish/About-Chabad-Lubavitch.htm

https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/public-menorah-lightings-withstand-controversy-antisemitism-pandemic/

©Karen Levi 2022