Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Antisemitism is alive and well in the United States. Everything from shootings in a Kosher food market in New York to marches with Neo-Nazis chanting “Jews Will Not Replace Us” to cold-blooded killings in a synagogue.

Now it has entered the halls of Congress. Meet “The Squad” (although I’m sure you have heard of them): From New York, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez; from Minnesota, Ilhan Omar; from Michigan, Rashida Tlaib. And on the Right we have the Supreme Whacko: from Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Interesting that they are all women. And except for the asinine Ms. Greene, they are all Muslims. This is not to paint all Muslims with the same brush, but a huge swath of them hate the State of Israel and in related sense and attitude, all Jews.

Congress and politics being what they are, fellow Democrats, including Jews on the hill, have not spoken out against the Squad or Ms. Greene forcefully enough.

If antisemitism is accepted in the hallowed halls of the United States government, what’s next? We have a new generation of younger people who for the most part have not seen the rages of Jew Hatred. At the same time, according to a number of surveys, many young people may be losing interest in politics. But Congress, serving “at the will of the People” is supposedly where all the action takes place. The place where decisions are made and national attitudes determined. Those of us who care should take notice and react.

In Germany in 1932, a disinterested public, suffering under the aftermath of WWI, allowed a deranged man named Adolph Hitler to become chancellor — as close to president of Germany at the time.

No question that today the United States is a fractured nation. Hate to do it, but I keep coming back to a comparison with Germany. When you are in a time where some people are doing really well while others are having a problem putting bread on the table, trouble is inevitable.

And antisemitism in America became loud and blatant in the time of Trump. Yes, it was always here, but for the most part, except for far-right whackos, it was pretty much in the shadows.

Under Trump, hatred in all its forms left those shadows and became part of mainstream conversation. Far-right websites and even broadcast media were able to flaunt antisemitism and hatred of all types reared its ugly head. Trump is gone, but the legacy of hate remains on the Left as well as the Right.

We are living in troubled times and troubled times need somebody to blame. Throughout history the Jews have been a target. Ocasio Cortez, Tlaib and Greene have made antisemitism a talisman of their presence in Congress. (On the other hand, there are two male Muslims in the House who just do their jobs.)

I peruse daily news on a regular basis. On the internet, in editorials, in television commentary — nobody is commenting or opinionating on the rise in Jew hatred. Are we now taking antisemitism for granted? Are we not at least aware if not enraged at what is happening across the street from “The People’s House”?

The organized Jewish Community seems complacent with the status quo. Where are the opinion pieces denouncing “The Squad” and for that matter their followers? These people did not just suddenly appear in Washington. They were duly elected by their constituents. Where was the Jewish Community during their campaigns?

If their districts were solely antisemitic followers of Neo-Nazism, well … you know that’s not right. And it is also not the truth. Was there not a single Jewish or at least one pro-Jewish commentator or spokesperson in their district to speak out?

Okay, let us say that that is the truth (although I doubt it). Then where were the rest of us? Was there not a single article or heads up from our organized Jewish Community? Are there no Jews in Dalton County, Georgia? C’mon people!

In this time of instant communication and web sites that satisfy the interests and quirks of all kinds of people, it is time to change the attitude and the tools to fight antisemitism at all levels. A single campfire in the woods of California can ignite a forest fire that is difficult to contain.

A single individual with a platform of some kind can use modern communication platforms to stoke the rather dormant hatred that used to be available on the airwaves. Today it is rampant on the dark web and could show up on your computer before too long.

Am I shouting into a void? Does anybody care anymore? There should be some written or broadcast material besides this single article and voice. Hey! Let’s hear a little more outrage here.

Don’t say to yourself, “Oh Shipley, relax.” That’s what we did in the 1930s. As I remember, that did not turn out too well.