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| Chasidim - the most likely targets of antisemitic attacks (Tablet) |
Despite the fact that the number of people in this country that harbor such feelings are minuscule, it doesn't take many of them to do the kind of damage they have done in recent years. It only took one lone gunman like that to massacre 11 Jews at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh a few years ago. That he (and others like him) were moved to act in such deadly ways is where the real problem lies.
I am gratified to see the huge outpouring of sympathy and support for us from Americans of all political persuasions. They were as outraged as any of us were at such acts and at the people that commit them. Not that I would have expected otherwise.
But it seems like Greenblatt has not let his left wing political bias affect his perception of antisemitism of another sort. From JTA:
On Monday, Greenblatt’s speech touched on themes that have troubled Jewish conservatives, including the perceived threat to pro-Israel Jews on campuses, and defending haredi Orthodox Jews from what they describe as threats to their lifestyles and education system.
Greenblatt took the New York Times to task for its series of articles reporting on deficiencies and malfeasance in Hasidic schools in New York.
“Our Orthodox brothers and sisters are constantly under threat,” he said. “It is one that needs solidarity and support from everyone – Jewish and non-Jewish alike. So to see this community singled out by elite institutions, like the New York Times, arguably the most important paper in the world, depicting them as clannish and using power to manipulate events … that represents an antisemitic attack on their community.”
Wow. The attention the ADL has paid to the Chasidic community in the past is next to nil. If mentioned at all it was minimized. Not so now. In fact Greenblatt seems to have put right wing antisemitism on the back burner for now.
I’m happy to see this change in focus. Not that right wing antisemitism should be ignored. Those dangers continue. But Greenblatt’s comments about antisemtism against Chasidim should not be ignored either. Or worse be criticized because he didn't mention the right.
This might seem a little strange coming from me since I have been highly critical of Chasidim. Indeed that criticism is as valid now as it ever was. But criticism based on my concern for their welfare and how that impacts all of us - has nothing to do with the antisemitic attacks they are now experiencing. Chasidim of all stripes are my brothers. Just like every other Jew in the world. As an observant Jew, the fact that they too are observant enhances that kinship for me. That they have some customs that differ from mine… or that their men have long beards, long Peyos, and distinctive dress is irrelevant. They have every right to look and dress as they choose. Without being attacked for it.
Greenblatt understands that and has risen to the occasion to address it to the point of criticizing the New York Times negative investigative reporting about them. Greenblatt correctly notes that reporting like this surely increases antisemitic attacks. This is something the Agudah has been saying for months. And now Greenblatt is saying it too. I think they’re right.
This doesn’t invalidate the Times criticism of the Chasidic educational system. For the most part, they are right about that. But regardless of how legitimate their reporting is, it can’t be denied that it tends to give fodder to the antisemites of the world. Motivating them to increase their physical attacks against us. And targeting Chasidim who are the most visibly Jewish among us. If one is going to attack Jews, what better way to identify us than by the specific way Chasidim look! To an antisemiite, that look is like wearing a target with a bullseye on your back.
It's too bad that left wing reporters like JTA’s Ron Kampeas saw fit to criticize him for not mentioning Donald Trump’s dog whistles to right wing antisemites. Or his dinner with outspoken antisemites, Kanye West and Nick Fuentes.
But that has already been addressed by Greenblatt and need not be raised in this context. Greenblatt probably wanted to make sure he was heard and decided not to detract from his message by adding other instances of antisemitism.
Jonathan Greenblatt’s honesty is refreshing. Accusations that as a ‘lefty’ who only focuses on right wing antisemitism is clearly untrue. Sure, He’s a lefty – having served in the Obama administration makes that fairly obvious, But what is also obvious is that he an honorable man. And that he is doing his job as a defender of the entirety of the Jewish people. Regardless of where the antisemitism comes from or what kind of Jews it is directed to. And for that I salute him.
