Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson Mississippi was attacked yesterday.  Burned down by a 19 year old arsonist in a hate crime. Yet it barely made news headlines. Have attacks on Jews and the Jewish community become so commonplace that they barely register on the consciousness of our nation? Has Jew hate become so acceptable that nobody blinks an eye when things like this happen? Apparently so, and as a Jew myself, I find this not only disgusting, but scary.

How can things like this still be happening? In the wake of the Holocaust, we have always said ” Never Again . ”  Yet, sadly, it is happening again. Over and over again. Why? What have we Jews, other than follow and be proud of our faith, done to deserve such horrific treatment? Have we not been punished enough through the years? When will it stop? Not anytime soon by the looks of things.

Isn’t there enough horrible stuff going on in not only our country, but also the world today without adding more to it? Our religion, our faith, is not hurting anybody. Why can’t we, like anyone else who is deemed “different ” be left alone to just be who we are? Would that be so bad? I don’t think so, but , obviously,  not everyone agrees with my way of thinking.

Some people believe we Jews are monsters, when, in reality, they are the real monsters. They attack us for our beliefs.  Beliefs that do no harm to anyone. Unfortunately,  it has become not only okay to hate , but to do it out in the open. And that is terrifying.

What will it take to turn the narrative around? To make hate in all forms and towards all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, etc. , unacceptable?  Can it even be done, or is it too late? Has it gone too far to even be possible? I hope not,  but , from where I stand, it doesn’t look good.

I beseech everyone to look inside themselves.  To find the courage to stand up and speak out. We need to stop Hate in it’s tracks. Now. If we can.