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Time to Stay Focused on Dreams, not Fears
We can argue whether the shooting at the Holocaust Museum was the work of one deranged, hate-filled man, or a reflection of the rebirth of violent anti-Semitism in our country (also evidenced by the thwarted synagogue bomb plot and brutal murder of a Jewish college student last month). Surely these acts of violence - tragic and terrifying - remind us that hatred of Jews remains a potent and dangerous reality.
But it would be far too easy for us to respond to the horror of this shooting with cynicism or despair. It would be a double tragedy if this serves only to reinforce our sense that the world is against us and we therefore need to withdraw from dialogue and fortify against an ever-present enemy intent on destroying us.
In his speech in Cairo last week, President Obama invited the people of the world -- including and perhaps especially Jews and Muslims - to find the courage to redefine their relationships, bringing healing to age-old conflicts through a shared acknowledgment of one another's dignity and humanity. Hundreds of millions of people around the world heard the message: we are standing at the precipice, and it is in our hands to ensure that tomorrow is defined not by mutual distrust, hatred and violence, but by shared dreams -- by justice, dignity, truth and peace for all human beings.
We cannot allow acts of violence to distract us from this vision. I found it deeply heartening that within a couple of hours of this shooting I received several press-releases from local and national Muslim organizations condemning the attack, standing in solidarity with the Jewish community and repudiating the hatred and intolerance that lead to murder. Even as we grieve, let us keep our eyes on the prize. We are indeed at the dawn of a new day, and must remain fully dedicated to courageously walking the path toward understanding, healing and peace.
By
Sharon Brous
|
June 11, 2009; 8:28 AM ET
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Posted by: Paganplace | June 11, 2009 3:52 PM
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Ravichin, may I ask which Christianity you are talking about? My God teaches me to love.
And may I point out that attitudes like that will certainly not help the cause of peace.
Posted by: alysheba_3 | June 11, 2009 10:47 AM
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Since two great and large world religions preach and treach anti-Jewish sentiment -- Christianity and Islam -- anti-semitism will be found to continue. Both these religions have their raison d'etre in denigration of the Jews. No Christianity or Islam, no anti-semitism.
Posted by: ravitchn | June 11, 2009 8:48 AM
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The comments to this entry are closed.
Aly:
"Ravichin, may I ask which Christianity you are talking about? My God teaches me to love."
Well, *all* the Christianities say whatever they do is that, it's telling em apart that's hard, sometimes. Of course, claiming, 'We're under attack, so everyone else has to go' isn't a winning strategy even if you *aren't* seriously outnumbered.
People need a raison d'etre which is *not* dependent on hate or the removal/conversion of all possible 'enemies.'
I think we can all find plenty.