Dear Anti-Israel Protesters and Antisemites,
Thank you. Your antisemitic rhetoric has taught me four powerful lessons. Over the years, a part of my Jewish identity has been compromised. I’ve looked to the non-Jewish world for directions on big questions like “how to live” and “who am I”. The past few weeks, you have reminded me that I don’t belong. I can no longer rely on the non-Jewish world for those answers. I am forced to turn towards my Jewish roots for answers.
Thanks to the wake up calls that I am Jewish, I am beginning to ask real questions. What does it really mean to be a Jew? What are the passions and pleasures of a Jew? What's the role of connection and love in Judaism?
I am grateful to the Jew-haters for sparking my journey into a rich and meaningful Jewish world. The notion of “the chosen people” always evoked shame surrounding privilege and elitism. I distanced myself from it. Then the war happened and the western world, particularly anti-Israel advocates, have been obsessing over Israel’s morality in battle. They are holding Israel accountable to a higher standard than any other country. I can’t help but marvel at the world reaffirming the Jewish narrative of being the chosen people. If they can say it without shame, then I can internalise it with pride.
Yes, Jews are a people with higher morals and standards. We are sensitive, kind and compassionate people. Whenever we forget that, the world, especially the anti-Israel advocates, will remind us who we are meant to be.
Before the war, there was so much disunity and friction amongst the Jewish People. October 7th changed all that. Israel is united as never before. Jews around the world are coming together. The rise of antisemitism created space for the largest pro-Israel rally ever. When you experience hate, you gravitate towards love. The amount of overflowing kindness practiced by Jews in the past few weeks has been mind-blowing. So, thank you to all those antisemites for reconnecting me with pride to my newfound extended Jewish family.
I thought I could rely on the western world for safety. I trusted academia that preached humanitarianism and civil rights. I trusted a culture that protested for equality and tolerance. I trusted politicians that promised “never again.” I trusted the media that professed diversity and acceptance. And the feeling of needing G-d's protection slowly dissipated. We’re ok. They have our back. And then they didn’t. Antisemitism seeped into all the groups I trusted. I realised, I only have G-d to rely on. Only He is keeping us safe and protected. I’ve turned to G-d in prayer and good deeds to concretize and build my faith. My trust in G-d has gotten stronger and deeper thanks to the rise in antisemitism.
So to all of you antisemites out there, I have a lot to be grateful for. Thanks to you I have grown a lot the past few weeks. I’m getting comfortable with my Jewish identity, getting clarity as to what it means to be a Jew, discovering incredible Jewish people, and strengthening my relationship with G-d. The past few weeks of hate and bigotry and have been filled with so much love and light. You’ve sparked an inner revolution. And for that I am so grateful.
