By: Liz Breier / This & That recall as a child being afraid sometimes. I I always knew if I could get home I would be okay. Even in a bad dream running from a monster, if I made it home, I would be safe. That’s what Israel is to a Jew – it is our home. The one place, no matter what else happens in the world, we can go and be safe. If there is another Holocaust or any antisemitic threat, we can get to Israel and be home. That is why Israel has the “right of return” for Jews. This does not diminish my love and pride for America which is my home. Both my parents were born here, and I was reminded many times growing up that my maternal grandfather said that the best thing he ever did for his family was to come to America. There is no better place than the USA, the place I love. Lately, however, my sense of feeling safe is diminishing. There are centuries of evidence of treatment of Jews who have been forced to flee from their homes, with no place to go and no one who wanted them. Until 1948. 14 Rob & Gina’s Never Again NY PIZZA & BAGEL CAFE VEGAS VOICE READERS: USE THIS COUPON TO GET 10% OFF YOUR MEAL! Tues & Wed 8am-7pm/Thurs 8am-8pm Fri & Sat 8am-9pm/Sun 8am-3pm November 2023 702. 896.0794 NEW HOURS 10890 S EASTERN #108 BEHIND THE VILLAGE PUB in ANTHEM My grandmother, Lizzie Menzer with Chaim Weitzman who was the first president of the State of Israel. Then Jews finally had their homeland returned to them. I don’t love America any less. It is like having multiple children. Each is special and all are loved equally. My paternal grandmother helped form the State of Israel. She worked tirelessly to raise money through the Women’s Zionist Organization to know that Jews would once and for all have a place to be free. Jews have always known that we cannot stop antisemitism. So, the alternative is to have a home when that monster rears its ugly head. But now, my friend questions whether it is safe to go outside wearing a Star of David (one that she has worn every day for years) since it could make her a target. Why does my daughter now have to be afraid to attend Shabbat Services on Friday evening? Why do Jews have to live their lives differently simply because they are Jewish? We live in America, but the reality is there are terrorists everywhere and they have targeted Jews. The heinous acts in Israel leave me speechless and broken-hearted. After World War II, Jews said Never Again – yet here we are – hiding in fear simply because of our religion. What strikes me as so unbelievable is that many non-Jews don’t think this affects them. Not only do terrorists hate Jews, but they hate Americans too – don’t you remember 9/<strong>11</strong>? Israel is little Satan and America is the great Satan. A few years ago, an acquaintance admitted that she knew little about the Holocaust because, she said “I’m not Jewish.” She was shocked to learn that the Nazis not only annihilated 6 million Jews, but an additional 7 million non-Jews. That’s right – Priests and Nuns, mentally and physically infirm, gypsies, Poles and other Slavic people, Jehovah’s witnesses, LGBTQ, those of opposing political views and those that tried to help Jews. Granted, they were not all from one ethnic group, so the ramifications were not felt as harshly but certainly all those lives had meaning too. If you are complacent to think that since you do not live in Israel or that you are not Jewish, then the violence in the Middle East does not affect you, think again. Does a savage really care who they decapitate? It can be lonely being Jewish because many folks just don’t relate. They live their comfortable lives and never think that when they go out in public wearing a crucifix necklace, they will be targeted because of it. Jews do not have that luxury. I will not live in fear. Yes, I will be cognizant of my surroundings, but I will not stop wearing my Star of David and I will not stay home. When the survivors of the Holocaust said Never Again, it was left to future generations to make sure that promise was kept. I am proud to be Jewish. I am proud that my daughters are proud and love Israel too and wish they could be there to help. I am the namesake of that grandmother that worked Cont’d Page 16
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