In some countries, anti-Semitic intimidation and violence are daily facts of life for Jews. Often, these are countries ruled by radical Muslim regimes hostile not just to Israel, but to the Jewish people as a whole.
In the West, we like to tell ourselves that public anti-Semitism is a thing of the past. And, indeed, it's true that Jews throughout the Western world enjoy freedom of religion and freedom from fear and intimidation that is unheard of in most Arab and Muslim states. But then a story surfaces to remind us that what one author called "the longest and deepest hatred of human history" can not only live, but flourish, even in countries considered modern and "enlightened."
In this case, the story that caught my eye comes from Sweden: "Threats and harassment are becoming increasingly commonplace for Jewish residents in Malmö in southern Sweden, leading many Jews to leave the city out of fear for their safety," it begins, going on to say that crimes against Malmö's Jewish residents doubled in 2009 from the previous year. This precipitous rise has created a climate of fear among the town's small Jewish population. One father of two moved his family to Israel after concluding, "My children aren't safe here. It's going to get worse… Imagine that my family can't feel safe in fantastic Sweden."
That such a climate of anti-Jewish hatred could exist even in a democratic country like Sweden shows the pervasiveness and persistence of anti-Semitism. And the situation in Sweden is not unique. A recent study conducted by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) found that anti-Semitism across Europe has risen to a level not seen since World War II. The spike is part of a rising tide of anti-Semitism worldwide that is fueled not just by radical Islamists, but by the political far left and far right as well.
Statistics recently released by JAFI show that this rise in anti-Semitism has coincided with a rise in aliyah (immigration to Israel), making it clear that many Jews have come to their biblical and historic homeland to escape anti-Jewish hatred in their country of origin. In 2009, for instance, aliyah from the former Soviet Union, Germany, and Eastern Europe increased over 20 percent. Aliyah from English-speaking countries increased 18 percent, while aliyah from Western Europe and the Middle East increased 8 percent.
At The Fellowship, we are proud to support this movement of God's people to Israel from "the four corners of the earth" through our On Wings of Eagles program. (In fact, just weeks ago, The Fellowship and its partners funded the historic aliyah of 81 Jews from Ethiopia—I encourage you to watch the video of their arrival in Tel Aviv on our website). It is a prophetic movement that you can be part of simply by making a gift to Wings. When you do, you will not only be helping people escape poverty and anti-Semitism by coming to their biblical homeland—through Wings' klitah (resettlement) assistance, you will be helping to ensure that they can become full, productive citizens of Israel once they arrive in the Holy Land.
The Bible tells of a day when "The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 51:11) Even as we pray for an end to anti-Semitism, let us also pray, and work toward, a day when each and every Jewish person who wishes to fulfill the dream of living in his biblical homeland will be able to do so. And let us also pray for the day when God will bless all his people with the precious gift of shalom, peace.
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President
Learning A Lesson In Bridge-Building
January 27, 2010
Dear Friend of Israel,
Terrorism has made us uneasy travelers. Stories of bombs concealed in shoes and undergarments have lead to tighter and tighter security measures, and put security personnel, flight crews, and passengers on edge. A recent incident on a flight from New York's LaGuardia airport to Louisville, Kentucky, shows just how uneasy we have become.
On board the flight were a teenage brother and sister. After the flight had been airborne for about a half hour, the boy produced two small boxes, which he strapped to his arm and head. Fearing that the boxes might contain explosives, the flight crew alerted the pilot, who notified federal authorities to meet the plane after it made an emergency landing in Philadelphia.
Once the plane was on the ground, FBI agents burst into the cabin and handcuffed and questioned the boy. They quickly found out that he posed no threat. An Orthodox Jew, he had been strapping on tefillin—small leather boxes containing parchment inscribed with biblical passages—prior to saying his morning prayers.
Far from engaging in an act of terrorism, the boy was following one of the dictates of his faith. The Bible tells us to "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." (Deuteronomy 11:18) Orthodox Jews fulfill this command by putting on tefillin (also known as phylacteries) every morning except Sabbath as they recite their prayers. One box and strap is wrapped around the left hand opposite the heart, while the other is wrapped around the head. In this way the Jew demonstrates that his love for God and devotion to His word involve his hands (or actions), his heart (or emotions), and his mind (or thoughts).
To his credit, the boy was calm and cooperative—though frightened—during the incident. The reaction in the Jewish world, too, was measured. While some said the flight crew overreacted, there seemed to be a general understanding that in the current climate of extreme caution engendered by terrorism they had simply made an honest mistake. Jewish leaders were quick to state that they did not view the incident as anti-Semitic.
In fact, it is ignorance—not anti-Semitism—that is at the heart of the matter. Had more people been familiar with Orthodox Jewish observance, there would have been no misunderstanding. But, as one newspaper writer put it, "most people don't know tefillin from Tupperware." If this incident shows us anything, it shows us the great need to better understand the customs of other faiths. While understanding would not erase all the divisions and the real differences in belief that exist between us, it would certainly help us avoid the fear and misunderstanding that can grow out of ignorance—and perhaps avoid regrettable incidents like this one.
Building bridges and eliminating misunderstandings between the members of two great faiths, Christianity and Judaism, is at the core of The Fellowship's mission. Today, I urge all of us to take up that mission. Visit our website to learn more about Jewish faith and life and the Jewish roots of Christianity. If you are Christian, seek out a willing Jewish friend, acquaintance, or co-worker and learn something about his or her faith. If you are Jewish, open a dialogue with a friend or acquaintance who is Christian. The more bridges we build, the closer we will come to realizing the promise spoken of by the Psalmist when he said, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President
Israel's Humanitarian Efforts In Haiti
January 21, 2010
Dear Friend of Israel,
Nine days ago, Haiti was struck by a strong earthquake. Since then, the media has been full of images from the island nation that show devastation on a scale that is truly hard to imagine. Hundreds of thousands are feared dead, and hundreds of thousands more face the grim prospect of hunger and disease.
The humanitarian response has been swift. Relief workers from around the world have been streaming in to Haiti, and charitable donations to organizations doing work on the ground have skyrocketed. Among the nations to offer aid was Israel. Soon after the quake, Israel dispatched military and civilian medical professionals and search and rescue experts to Haiti. The field hospital Israel quickly set up is state-of-the-art, and was the first facility equipped to handle complex surgical procedures required by some of the earthquake's most badly injured victims.
One U.S. doctor commented on Israel's relief efforts: "I've been here since Thursday; no one except the Israeli hospital has taken any of our patients," she said. "It's like another world here compared to the other hospitals. They have imaging… they have [scanning] machines here, operating theaters, ventilators, monitoring. It's just amazing." Israel's efforts have also earned the respect of the Haitian people. Last Sunday, a woman who gave birth to a baby boy at the Israeli field hospital said she would name her son "Israel" as a gesture of gratitude.
The quickness and efficiency of Israel's response to the disaster in Haiti is rooted in the sobering fact that Israel is accustomed to having to cope with unexpected disasters. Through the years, the ongoing threat of terrorism has forced Israel to find new and creative ways to save lives and give relief to the injured. Now, Israel gladly shares its knowledge in Haiti, just as it has in years past when other humanitarian needs have surfaced throughout the world. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summed it up: "This is the true heritage of the State of Israel and the Jewish people… We may be a small country, but we are a country with a big heart. This is the expression of Jewish ethics and heritage—to help others."
It is difficult to find any comfort in disasters such as this, where the scope of devastation is truly beyond our imagining. But I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist, who spoke of God's presence even in the midst of darkness and despair: "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there… If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (Psalm 139:7-8, 10-12)
Sure of the promise that God is with all of us, in good times and bad, let us pray fervently for the people of Haiti who have suffered so greatly, and who will face daunting challenges in the months and years ahead as they seek to rebuild shattered lives. Pray, too, for the relief workers of all nations who have gone to Haiti to try to in some measure alleviate that suffering. And let us continue to pray for the day when God blesses all his people with shalom, peace.
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President
What Jews Believe About the Bible
January 14, 2010
Dear Friend of Israel,
This week I want to talk a bit about what is perhaps the fundamental similarity between Judaism and Christianity—the Bible. More than just an historical record of the nation of Israel, the Scriptures have provided a spiritual compass for both Christians and Jews for thousands of years. But what do Jews believe about the Bible?
First, it's necessary to define what Jews mean by the term "Bible." To Jews, the Bible is the Tanach, which is an acronym formed by the initial letters of the Hebrew Bible's three basic subdivisions: T for Torah (the 5 books of Moses), N for Nevi'im (the Prophets), and K for Ketuvim (Writings). While Jews and Christians obviously differ on key theological points, these biblical texts form the foundation of both Judaism and Christianity. They have guided both communities for centuries, and serve as the cornerstone of Western Civilization. (The Tanach, of course, is referred to by Christians as the Old Testament).
Orthodox Jews believe that the Tanach, or Bible, is the actual embodiment of God's word. The Bible gives us insight into God and His will for mankind. This is why the study of the Bible is so important in Orthodox Judaism. (Not surprisingly, we have been called the "people of the book"). We believe that the Bible is eternally authoritative. Even though it was given at particular times and junctures in history, it is valid for all time and circumstances. Not only is it eternal, the Word of God is complete. Everything can be derived from it. As Psalm 19:8 says, "The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."
For Jews, the study of the Bible is the supreme mitzvah, or good deed. Not only does it teach us how God wants us to live—it also brings us closer to God Himself. Here, again, Christians and Jews share much in common regarding the centrality and the authority of Scripture. From the close relationships that I have with many Bible-believing Christians, I know that the daily study of the Scripture and its application to daily life is as important to them as it is to a Jew. From a Jewish or Christian perspective, an understanding of the Hebrew Bible helps us grow in our understanding of God and the roots of our faith.
It is the Bible that brings solace, inner strength, and spiritual fulfillment to the Jew during times of joy, security, and prosperity, as well as during periods of wandering, suffering, and adversity. It guides the Jew's path, shapes his character, and links him with the Almighty. In this way it can truly be said that the Bible is the very lifeblood of the Jewish people.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein President
Operation Cast Lead, One Year Later
January 7, 2010
Dear Friend of Israel,
This time a year ago, Israel was at war. In an attempt to curtail the thousands of Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks that had terrorized southern Israeli communities for years, the Israeli Air Force began a bombing campaign against terrorist targets in Gaza on December 27, 2008. Thus began "Operation Cast Lead," a 22-day air and infantry operation against Hamas, the terrorist thugocracy that rules Gaza.
Palestinian supporters, along with many world governments, quickly condemned Israel's defensive action, calling Operation Cast Lead a "massacre" and denouncing Israel for using "disproportionate force." It seemed to matter little that Israel was simply attempting to protect her civilians from an incessant hail of rockets and mortars Hamas had rained down for years on the Israeli towns within Gaza's firing range. (More than 10,000 fell between 2001-2008.)
Charges that Israel perpetrated a "massacre" in Gaza are not just galling, but ludicrous. Israel's military is powerful, but the Jewish State goes to lengths unheard of by other armies in order to avoid civilian casualties—even to the extent of risking its own efforts by announcing impending strikes via leaflet drops and telephone or text messages.
The world's response was sadly ironic: While Israel attempted to protect Gazans, Hamas—their own leaders—routinely and deliberately placed them in harm's way by using them as human shields. During the conflict, Hamas launched rockets and located other weapons sites in and around schools, hospitals, mosques, and other specifically civilian areas that decency dictates would be protected, rather than used as cover for military purposes. Hamas instructed (or forced) civilians to stand on the roofs of targeted buildings to stop Israeli planes from bombing. Ignoring the rules of war that require combatants to wear uniforms, the terrorists fought in civilian clothes, making it difficult for Israeli ground troops to distinguish them from civilians.
Assessments of the war's effectiveness are mixed. While some said Israel's actions were too harsh, others argued that they were not strong enough. Hamas, after all, still rules Gaza, and, since the end of Operation Cast Lead, has been busy rebuilding its terrorist infrastructure and re-arming itself for future attacks against Israel. Ideologically, too, Hamas and its terrorist brethren have not changed. They still remain committed to Israel's destruction, and to using any means possible to achieve that.
Operation Cast Lead may not have led to a decisive and final victory over Hamas, but one thing is indisputable: It drastically reduced the number of Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks on Israel—at least for the present. Between the end of Operation Cast Lead and November 30, 2009, Hamas fired 270 rockets at Israel—which is still unacceptable but quite a drop compared to the more than 3,200 fired the year before. Seen in this light, Israel's choice to use force was not only justified, it was effective.
Israel has lived through wars and, sadly, undoubtedly will have to again. Early in the history of the modern Jewish state, Israel faced a multitude of armies whose soldiers far outnumbered her tiny forces. Today, she faces terrorists bent on destroying her through the use of immoral and unconventional tactics. And yet, Israel's greatest vulnerability is one of her greatest strengths: Her steadfast commitment to protecting her civilians while waging an honorable war to defend them. Her enemies observe no such ethics or boundaries, and so she remains outnumbered and exposed.
It can be overwhelming, but we lovers of Israel must remain steadfast not only in our support but in our faith. We must be secure knowing that Israel can and will do all she can to defend herself, and comforted with the knowledge that, ultimately, her greatest strength lies outside the realm of the military: "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you." (Deuteronomy 20:1)
February 4, 2010
Learning A Lesson In Bridge-Building
Dear Friend of Israel,
Terrorism has made us uneasy travelers. Stories of bombs concealed in shoes and undergarments have lead to tighter and tighter security measures, and put security personnel, flight crews, and passengers on edge. A recent incident on a flight from New York's LaGuardia airport to Louisville, Kentucky, shows just how uneasy we have become.
On board the flight were a teenage brother and sister. After the flight had been airborne for about a half hour, the boy produced two small boxes, which he strapped to his arm and head. Fearing that the boxes might contain explosives, the flight crew alerted the pilot, who notified federal authorities to meet the plane after it made an emergency landing in Philadelphia. Once the plane was on the ground, FBI agents burst into the cabin and handcuffed and questioned the boy. They quickly found out that he posed no threat. An Orthodox Jew, he had been strapping on tefillin—small leather boxes containing parchment inscribed with biblical passages—prior to saying his morning prayers.
Far from engaging in an act of terrorism, the boy was following one of the dictates of his faith. The Bible tells us to "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." (Deuteronomy 11:18) Orthodox Jews fulfill this command by putting on tefillin (also known as phylacteries) every morning except Sabbath as they recite their prayers. One box and strap is wrapped around the left hand opposite the heart, while the other is wrapped around the head. In this way the Jew demonstrates that his love for God and devotion to His word involve his hands (or actions), his heart (or emotions), and his mind (or thoughts).
To his credit, the boy was calm and cooperative—though frightened—during the incident. The reaction in the Jewish world, too, was measured. While some said the flight crew overreacted, there seemed to be a general understanding that in the current climate of extreme caution engendered by terrorism they had simply made an honest mistake. Jewish leaders were quick to state that they did not view the incident as anti-Semitic.
In fact, it is ignorance—not anti-Semitism—that is at the heart of the matter. Had more people been familiar with Orthodox Jewish observance, there would have been no misunderstanding. But, as one newspaper writer put it, "most people don't know tefillin from Tupperware." If this incident shows us anything, it shows us the great need to better understand the customs of other faiths. While understanding would not erase all the divisions and the real differences in belief that exist between us, it would certainly help us avoid the fear and misunderstanding that can grow out of ignorance—and perhaps avoid regrettable incidents like this one.
Building bridges and eliminating misunderstandings between the members of two great faiths, Christianity and Judaism, is at the core of The Fellowship's mission. Today, I urge all of us to take up that mission. Visit our website to learn more about Jewish faith and life and the Jewish roots of Christianity. If you are Christian, seek out a willing Jewish friend, acquaintance, or co-worker and learn something about his or her faith. If you are Jewish, open a dialogue with a friend or acquaintance who is Christian. The more bridges we build, the closer we will come to realizing the promise spoken of by the Psalmist when he said, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President