As a Middle Aged Nominal Jew. . .

[BigDemVoter]

Last edited Mon Oct 29, 2018, 10:56 PM - Edit history (1)

My grandfather was a German Jew who left Germany in 1906 as a teenager and left behind his mentally disabled sister and parents. It was years and years before any of us knew what happened to my great grandmother and great aunt, as my great grandfather died before the war. . . My grandfather NEVER, NEVER talked about his mother or sister, and I'm not 100% certain he knew all the details of what happened to them. I digress. . .

I have never experienced any kind of anti-semitism I have been aware of, and we attended a reform synagogue in a small farming community in the South. The synagogue has since closed its doors as any young Jews had no opportunities there, and the congregation grew too small to maintain a synagogue.

My parents attend temple in a larger city that isn't too far from their home. They are not particularly observant and never have been, but with age, it seems like they are searching for some kind of connection. For the first time in my life, my mother said she feels afraid to attend synagogue. . . . THAT shocks me beyond belief. My mother isn't afraid of anything. I think she is more fearful for my father and for her friends than she is for herself.

I am BOILING with anger at these neanderthals. . . And it's not just Jews they don't like oh no. . . I loathe them for so many reasons, but primarily for their bullying and intimidation tactics. The KKK, seriously? In 2018? What in the FUCK is happening to our country?

ON edit-- I never had such a filthy mouth until tRump was foisted on us. . . .

[roamer65]

1. ..

I am utterly speechless after this weekend.

[MaryMagdaline]

2. 😢

My husband was Jewish, and so many of my friends are Jewish. The bomb scares, the lock downs, armed police officers at temple, all of this has become routine here in South Florida. So many people recount the murders of family members in the old country or in Israel. My husband’s grandfather was killed in a pogrom in Odessa right after the Russian revolution. It was outright state-sponsored terrorism. Sadly, I’ve learned that to be Jewish means to always look behind you for danger.

Someone here on DU said “today he came,” or words to that effect.

I can’t imagine your sadness and rage that your mother cannot feel safe in temple.

[Hekate]

3. KnR 5th Rec

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. I refuse to let the haters win. My grandfather lost many siblings

in the Holocaust. My resolve is strong.

[grantcart]

5. In some ways it is even more disturbing than your basic anti-Semitism

Not killed to release from debt or disturbed religious hatred they were killed because they were to kind and considerate to refugees.

America is at a crossroads.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

7. yes

The right-wing propaganda machine demonized people for being kind. HIAS has been targeted for helping. This is as insane as the shooter.

[KT2000]

6. same here with the swear words -

especially the F one. As Robert Penn Warren once wrote: "at least God has allowed us the grandeur of certain utterances"
Sometimes it does help.

[Sunlei]

8. My heart goes out to you & your family. Right Wing fanatics do create a lot of fear.

"they are searching for some kind of connection. For the first time in my life, my mother said she feels afraid to attend synagogue"

I suggest while your parents are healthy & able to travel- to take a 'family trip' to one of Americas Holocaust museums , or even to Israel for a vacation, or to the towns where Great Grandparents used to live.

These places the museums have reference materials where one can search old family names & make a connection to the past history of families. Some can even be done online. Sometimes a DNA test helps to build connection and helps start family discussions.

much love to your Mom and family!