Other items in today’s column include:
*VA to remove Nazi headstones from military cemeteries
*San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir releases first virtual video
*In memoriam
SAN DIEGO — In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and protest demonstrations across the country, rabbis and Jewish organizations are grappling with the issue of what Jews can do to combat racism and bigotry in the United States. While there is general consensus that there is a need for action, it remains an open question just what kind of action would be appropriate. Messages and news releases crossing my desk illustrate the contours of the debate so far.
The Orthodox Union called upon “all Americans to unite in the pursuit of justice and brotherly love and respect, regardless of race, creed or color. In this encounter, let us all seek greater understanding amongst our fellow men and women — all of whom are created in the image of God. let us work in partnership toward eradicating all forms of bigotry and racism and making the United States the “more perfect union” we all pray for it to be.”
The American Jewish Congress said, “We must recommit today to fighting hate, eradicating injustice, and elevating us all into the moral and just society that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or religion, deserve.”
Michael Jeser, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, said: “The Talmud teaches that anyone who destroys one life has destroyed an entire universe. And as Jews, we are committed to the idea of not remaining silent in the face of hatred and bigotry. We pledge to our brothers and sisters in the African-American community – and all communities of color – to stand together to reverse the systemic racism embedded within our country’s institutions and society in general.”
Rabbi Joshua Dorsch, spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, a Conservative congregation in San Diego, commented, “We have an obligation to pursue justice for those whose lives have been uprooted by the violent protests over the past few days. We have a responsibility to actively pursue a more just society based on equality and freedom for all. Please, call your elected officials; pressure them to take a stand. if you want to assemble to stand up for what you believe is just, you should. Please do so in a way that honors the vision and the values for which you are fighting. Be politically active and vote. Hold our leaders accountable for ensuring that our community progresses in tangible and tactile ways towards our shared vision.”
The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego recommended donations to organizations “working towards a more just, equitable and peaceful society.” Specifically, it recommended the No Place for Hate program of the Anti-Defamation League, noting that “ADL is now raising its voice to be counted amongst those standing in solidarity with the black community. Indeed, humanity is at its best when all people are treated equitably, with dignity and respect.” The Foundation also recommended contributions to The Equal Justice Initiative, which it said is “committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.” It also recommended the Equal Justice of the National Urban League, which is “helping African-Americans and others in underserved communities achieve their highest true social parity, economic self-reliance, power and civil rights.”
The Zioness Movement, which represents Jewish women who are active in political and social causes, commented “We must do more, though, than raise our voices. And we must do more than seek to heal our racial divides. We must confront, defeat, and dismantle white supremacy in America. … Zioness leaders in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) are committed to the necessary self-work to unlearn racism and dismantle centuries-long systems of oppression. In this, we are committed to centering the voices and needs of Black people, including Jews of Color, and to working in partnership with Black-led organizations, with our own Jewish community, and with other allies. Zioness members come from a Jewish tradition that demands that we refuse to stand idly by as our neighbors bleed. For our Twin Cities activists, George Floyd was their neighbor.”
My own recommendation concerns the synagogues and schools of our community. I believe we should seek to establish twinning programs with the churches and schools of the African-American community in a continuing effort to learn about them and for them to learn about us. Joint activities throughout the year, in which both communities benefit and learn, will go a long way toward creating lasting friendships and ending isolation from each other. I also believe that the Jewish community should seek parallel opportunities with other ethic communities, including but not limited to the Latino community, the Chaldean community, the Pacific Islander and Asian community, the Islamic community, and the Native American communities.
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VA to remove Nazi headstones from military cemeteries
At first citing “historic preservation” concerns, the Veterans Administration declined to remove gravestones bearing swastikas and Nazi inscriptions from military cemeteries in Texas and Utah. However, members of Congress on a bipartisan basis sharply criticized the VA’s decision.
“Americans must always remember the horror of the Nazi regime and why so many Americans sacrificed so much to free the world from its reign of terror,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie eventually responded. “It is understandably upsetting to our Veterans and their families to see Nazi inscriptions near those who gave their lives for this nation. That’s why VA will initiate the process required to replace these POW headstones.”
Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz of Florida thereafter commented: “VA’s initial decision to leave the gravestones in place was callous and irresponsible, but today’s decision is an honorable move in the right direction. I will eagerly monitor how VA moves forward with this process, including how they choose to provide historical context to enemy prisoners of war buried in U.S. Veterans cemeteries. We must make sure we don’t erect totems to intolerance, allowing their history to be studied without causing pain for those most affected by it.”
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San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir releases first virtual video
Ruth Weber, director of the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir, announced on Tuesday, “Today we released our first Virtual Choir Video- Mi Shebeirach, composed by Cantor Lisa Levine. We recorded the video as a gift of love to the world during these turbulent times.”
She added: “Due to the pandemic our choir has been forced to cancel numerous concerts and adapt to holding our choir rehearsals on line via the zoom platform. For the time being these videos are our only means of singing a performance together and continuing our mission of preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Jewish music. ”
San Diego Jewish World is proud to share the video above.
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In memoriam
Young Israel of San Diego announced the death of Menachem Shoval, whose graveside funeral services were conducted today by Rabbi Chaim Hollander at the Home of Peace Cemetery, 3668 Imperial Avenue, San Diego.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com
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