Stop the hate

It’s time to stop all the hate and bias around us — not just when it furthers some political agenda. The problem is getting worse, from the right and the left.

Jews on the right must call out the president and demand that your representatives do the same. Hate-filled, violence-inciting rhetoric matters. You can like President Donald Trump’s policies, but it’s time to hold him accountable for his words and his tone. It’s time Republicans tell him enough. No more.

Jews on the left should call out the Democratic leaders, i.e., Keith Ellison (deputy chair of the DNC), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), and Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), who embrace Louis Farrakhan — the man who calls Jews “termites” and said that “powerful Jews are my enemy.” Stop normalizing these views. Enough.

Call out the people who claim to speak for those suffering from discrimination, such as co-chairs of the Women’s March, Linda Sarsour and Tamika Mallory. Their charter lists black, Native, poor, immigrant, disabled, Muslim, lesbian, queer, and trans women — almost every minority or marginalized group, but not the Jews.

Pay attention to what’s happening on college campuses. The BDS movement and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) spread lies. Some professors teach lies and misinformation about Israel. In many cases, college administrators remain silent, acting only after Jewish groups come after them. Ask your kids what they are hearing and learning about the Middle East and Jews at school. Pay attention. Educate yourself so you can arm them with some actual facts.

It’s time to stop the hate — whether it’s against Muslims, blacks, the LGBTQ community, immigrants or, yes, the Jews.

We must not allow it to happen. Never again. Enough.

Debbie Hirsch
Fanwood