GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE – TARGET OF HATRED

Time and again history shows us the darkest moments can give rise to opportunities for greatness. During these challenging times all of us must commit to the hard work of protecting democracy, liberty, and freedom. The work is not easy and there is always a price to pay. But it’s a price we have to pay because the evil that drives fascism and autocracy is ultimately no match for the promise of liberty that illuminates the lives of free people everywhere. Nations, like individuals, face moments of truth, moments in history that are turning points which challenge our survival and the survival of our core values. When we watch the news, the challenge may seem stifling and overwhelming. We continually ask, “How can this be happening?” “How can people not have learned?” Our collective decisions determine whether we emerge from these moments stronger and resilient or if we disappear in silence. Do we have the moral courage, irrespective of personal consequences, to act on what in our hearts we know to be right?”

This is an excerpt from a speech by Marcel Kshensky, an educator and son of Holocaust survivors, presented on April 19, 2023, at Riverside Park in New York City, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising on April 19, 1943. His words speak to what the Jewish people have faced since they were set apart by God to be His Chosen People. Less than 6 months after this speech the horrific events of October 7, 2023, occurred in Israel, when the Jewish people experienced the worst attack since the Holocaust. The demonstrations, riots and attacks that have occurred throughout the world since then show that hatred and anti-Semitism increasingly poison the events in the everyday lives of the Jewish people.  

On May 5, 2024, the Jewish Broadcasting Service aired the Annual Gathering of Remembrance at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, a living memorial to the Holocaust, honoring the memory of those who perished in the Shoah, as well as survivors and their descendants. The following are excerpts from several of the speeches at that gathering. 

“The brutality of October 7th remains an open wound for us, the more than 100 hostages still held captive are forever in our thoughts, and the anti-Semitic hatred Hamas inspired here in America has us ever on edge. Campus cries for Jews to go back to Poland are not protests against Israel’s policies. They are protests against Israel’s existence.” Rabbie Joshua M. Davidson, Senior Rabbi-Temple Emanu-El, NYC

“The stories of survivors bear inspiration for resilience, for this unwavering spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity, for the strength to fight against the force that again rises up to annihilate us. Let us not forget what they want.” Bruce Ratner, Chairman of the Museum of Jewish Heritage  

“I stand before you humble yet resolute as we mark this memorial occasion, especially this year among such turbulent times, as the shadows of hatred and bigotry loom across our city, our country and our world, and the anger and vitriol that we hear every day. Let us remember that the Holocaust did not begin with violence. It began with words... We must not only practice acts of remembrance. To build a better world we must remember to act.” Jack Kliger President & CEO of MJH

“The Holocaust was not a sudden event that happened overnight. It was carefully planned and organized by the Third Reich to destroy the Jewish people step by step… October 7th was a reminder that our enemies really still wish to murder every Jew and eliminate Judaism itself. … the anti-Semitism on the streets, the attacks on Jews at Columbia University and others, calls for an intifada, calls for death to America, death to Israel. This a threat not to just Israel, but to the United States and the entire free world. Those same anti-Semitists denied the Holocaust and denied the attacks of October 7th while at the same time saying they will do it again and again and again… And from here I am saying to the West World, don’t behave like you did in the 30’s. Don’t project weakness toward the axis of evil again. If the world continues to do nothing the evils of the Shoah and October 7th can happen again. The free world must stand with Israel against anti-Semitism, against boycotts and against hate. Let us honor the memory of the past, protect the promise of the future and stand on the right side of history. NEVER AGAIN IS RIGHT NOW. NEVER AGAIN IS RIGHT NOW!..” Ofir Akunis, Consul General of Israel.

Only the Jewish people know what it’s like to face the hatred of so many people who hate them for no other reason than that they are God’s Chosen People. We Gentiles cannot understand this hatred as they do, but we can stand against it as God leads us to do so. As Christians we must stand against those who hate the Jewish people. After all, Jesus is Jewish! If we love our Savior, then we must love His people and expose the lies of those who hate them and attack them. Highlighting mine, ed.

To be continued… 
Posted July 2024