Antisemitism Today
A bishop called upon his congregation to start a pogrom in the Jewish Ghetto. His followers were allowed to steal, to hurt, to kill. But, being a religious man, he gave the Jews an escape. There would be a contest between a priest and a volunteer of the Jewish community. If the Jew would win the contest, a pogrom would not take place. How did he propose the contest would take place? There would be a long table. On one site would be placed the priest and on the other site the Jew. On both sites’ tribunes for the public. Behind the priest and behind the Jew would be standing a soldier with a sword. The Jew and the priest were open to question each other on any chosen subject. When one of them would answer clearly ‘I don’t know’, this would be the sign for the soldier to chop off the head. As you might understand there were not many volunteers between the Jews to join this attractive contest. But finely, on the last possible day, a schlimazel, a poor and a little bit foolish fellow, told the community that he is prepared to join the contest. Since nobody else was prepared to join this dangerous operation, they send him as their candidate. After throwing the dice, the Jew was allowed to ask the first question to the priest. What means ‘ani lo jodea’? The priest, who spoke Hebrew very well, answered the correct translation: ‘I don’t know!’ The soldier, not knowing Hebrew at all, just heard ‘I don’t know’ immediately chopped off the priest’s head. The Jewish community danced for days from happiness. But after a few days they came to the realization that something illogical had occurred. How was it possible that this simpleton had such a brilliant idea? He of course knew that the priest would know Hebrew and at the same time he of course knew that the soldier didn’t. They called him over and asked him from where he took this great idea. And his answer was: I once read a book. And in that book was written ‘ani lo jodea’. I didn’t know the meaning. So, I went to my rabbi and asked him: rabbi what means ‘ani lo jodea’. And my rabbi answered: I don’t know. Well, if my rabbi doesn’t know I was sure the priest also wouldn’t know.
Why did I start with a joke? Because antisemitism is not only a physical attack, but also a mental war. Antisemitism tries to hurt, to damage, physically and mentally. Yes, the gas chambers of Auschwitz killed my family, but before killing there was the mortification. Human beings were reduced to numbers. It is of a huge importance to keep strong, refuse to give in to any kind of threat, physical and spiritual. I refuse to change my Jewish-looking-hat or kippa for a baseball cap. When Netanyahu called upon France Jewry to leave France and to make aliya to Israel, a journalist suddenly pushed his microphone in front of me. ‘Rabbi, do you agree with Netanyahu that Jews should leave Europe?’ My answer was a strong yes and a strong no. Yes, my parents, survivors of the Holocaust, did not have a place where to go. And I, if needed, could, thanks G’d, go to Israel. But if and when I will or won’t go, will be decided by me myself and not by fear for terror.
But what is exactly the subject I ’am asked to talk about? The subject of this speech? Am I requested to give my opinion about how to deal with antisemitism?
Am I supposed to give my opinion about the discussion if there is a new antisemitism or if antisemitism never disappeared but was just invisible? Do I have to give an estimation how to fight antisemitism or do I have to give a wake-up call to those Jews who believe that antisemitism is only in the mind of the Jews and really isn’t so bad. Or do I have to warn my fellow Jews that they shouldn’t see behind each and every tree an anti-Semite and consider each gentile as an enemy?
In my country, the Netherlands, the highest percentage of Jews in civilized Western-Europe were killed. Yes, in my country it was, thanks G’d, only a small percentage of the Dutch which did collaborate with the Nazi’s. But, be aware, it was also a very small percentage that was prepared to fight them. The majority saw it happen and let it happen: 102.000 out of 140.000 Dutch Jews were killed. And many of those who managed to survive suffer or suffered till their last day on earth……
I was brought up with ‘before the war and after the war’. I had to learn how to play violin because uncle Joseph, who was a partisan and executed in prison, also played violin. When I was a little boy, both my parents used to tell me: don’t worry, this will never happen again. And when I was about 14 years old my father advised me to make sure to have always 8000 gulden in the house, just in case….and shortly before my father passed away, he told me very clearly: Dear son. Don’t fool yourself! Be aware: it could happen again! The most Dutch Jews, being integrated in Dutch society, believed that it could happen in Poland, in Germany, but not in Holland, “because we are Dutch”. But it did happen……… Yes, Dutch Government is not antisemitic. We can’t compare it with Nazi regime at all. But, like a high German politician once told me: we will give the Jews all the required protection, but we can’t predict who will be next Government. Don’t forget: Hitler was chosen democratically. Today my house is surrounded with police camera’s. I ’am thankful to the police, who are making sure nothing will happen to me, they are just great. Both our Jewish schools are surrounded with a huge fence, like in a prison for top criminals, and soldiers are making sure, during lessons, that my children are able to attend the school without danger. My parents had the wrong race. They weren’t Ariërs. And my problem is that I ‘am Jewish and therefore a Zionist. And Zionism, Judaism and Israel are all the same. The refugees are the problem today, the Islam!? But during the years 1940-1945 in Holland there was no Islam at all…… It’s good that Jewish events and buildings receive extra security and I ‘am grateful that Dutch Government is caring about my safety. I realize that my children and grandchildren never visited school without police protection, which is absolutely impressive. But, at the same time….it is ridiculous and in fact unacceptable that this is needed 75 years after Auschwitz liberation. And therefore I ‘am puzzled: was or is Auschwitz really liberated?
Binyomin Jacobs, chief rabbi, Krakow 20 January 2020
