December 13, 2019

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in America. Shootings and stabbings, swastikas painted on buildings and sidewalks, and a Democrat Party that condones anti-Semitic views, are the new norm in what once was an incredibly safe country for Jews. This time, a targeted shooting in the heart of Jersey City, New Jersey has claimed the lives of two innocent Jews, as well as police Detective Joseph Seals and another innocent man. Despite this evil trend, I still believe America is still a safe place for Jews. However, it is apparent to me that American Jewry, as a whole, has become exactly what they were described as following the Holocaust: “sheep” waiting to be led to the slaughter; they are waiting for the wolves to strike.

Unfortunately, many American Jews have a mindset that atrocities committed in the name of anti-Semitism are unthinkable, and will not, CANNOT happen to them. They never expect a gunman to storm their synagogue or, as in the case of Jersey City, a supermarket, and open fire. They do not expect to be ambushed on the streets and shot, stabbed, or beaten. They don’t expect it…but it is happening and happening on a frequent basis. So, I ask this question to the Jews of America who think this way: when did we become sheep? What happened to our David vs. Goliath mentality?

Jews throughout time have been warriors. Let’s take a look at some of the battles that Jews fought as well as individuals who were Jewish heroes.

Abraham fought off 4 kingdoms with 318 men and was victorious.

The Jews fought the Amalakites and were victorious.

The campaigns of Joshua (Battle of Jericho).

The Maccabee Revolt which ended with a massive Jewish victory.

The heroic Sampson.

Ehud Ben Gera

Mordechai and Esther

You don’t like the biblical ones? Ok…fine. Let’s talk about more modern-day Jewish heroes.

Mordechai Anielewicz (Leader of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising)

Abba Kovner (Leader of the Vilna Partisans and known as The Avenger).

Eli Cohen (Mossad Spy who infiltrated the highest echelons of the Syrian government).

Mickey Marcus (American Colonel who helped lead Israel in the ‘48 War).

There are numerous examples of Jews standing up to adversity and not being afraid of a fight. Some gave their lives, while others lived. But the point is that Jews have a history of being fierce warriors, not sheep.

In less than two weeks, we Jews will be celebrating Hanukkah. But, news flash: Hanukkah is not a just holiday about presents, oil, dreidels, and latkes. Those traditions are a cherry on top of what we are actually celebrating. Hanukkah is a holiday about Freedom. It is a celebration of a time in our history that we accomplished a great and important thing. It is the remembrance of the triumph of a tiny band of freedom fighters who won our Land and Freedom of a much larger and highly trained military.

In other words, we defeated anti-Semitism. We took up arms against people who were oppressing us. Now, please don’t get me wrong: I am not calling for a revolt against this government. What I am calling for is this:

It is time for Jews to take up arms. It’s at this moment in time that Jews need to fall in line, not to the gas chambers but under the banner that reads “I Support the Second Amendment.” It’s time to embrace and take advantage of the Freedom and the Right enshrined in the Second Amendment. Purchasing a firearm, learning to use it, and training with it will help ensure you and your family or community are safe. Do not rely on the police or government to protect you. Do not rely on the security guard standing in front of your synagogue. You are your own first line of defense and guardian.

Lastly, it is time to stop believing that it can’t happen to you. It can happen to you in your synagogue, or on the streets, or in your local market.

Arm yourself. Train. Become proficient. Survive.

“Never Again” Means Nothing If You Are Not Willing To Do Something About It.