Boundaries of Gratitude, 30 Days of Omer 5783
Today is thirty days, which is four weeks and two days of the Omer in the year 5783. גבורה שבהוד, Gevurah of Hod, Boundaries within Gratitude. It is harder to define the boundaries of gratitude in polite company than it is to describe the discipline of gratitude. Both boundaries and discipline are aspects of Gevurah. Though it is Shabbat, I am choosing to take this time to express my frustration with how Jews are presented in public schools and the limits of the space we are granted in most diversity conversations.
Holocaust Education Does Not Decrease Anti-Jewish Beliefs
Dara Horn’s explosive article in May edition of The Atlantic perfectly describes how Holocaust Education has de-Judaized the experience of the genocide of one-third of my people. I wish there was a way to gift access to the article. It is truly horrifying.
I’m particularly incensed that the neo-Nazi “belief” (aka lie) that the Shoah never happened is never challenged directly by school districts. If we can’t stand up to Nazis, what exactly is the point teaching kids about the Shoah?
It was the Shoah — the Catastrophe. There is nothing about what happened that has anything to do with a holocaust sacrifice. A “holocaust” is an offering that is burnt up completely. My people were not tortured and killed to appease God. They were murdered for being different. They were denounced for being Other. We are 2% of the global population. Many Americans have never lived near a Jew. We are a minority group.
Choosing Not To Watch More Programming About Righteous Gentiles
It’s a lie. A terrible lie. Considering the number of books and movies and TV shows about righteous Gentiles saving Jews, you’d think far fewer people were murdered for being alive and different than actually happened.
Truth is, most people looked away.
There was never a concerted effort to challenge German authoritarianism.
Babies were bashed against brick walls.
Clothes were torn off in the middle of “modern” cities.
People were raped in broad daylight.
And they were killed within view.
I have no more gratitude left.
I need people to understand that Jews faces limitations, even white-passing Jews.
White supremacists don’t think we’re white.
Many progressive activists diminish how targeted we are because the only “real” discrimination is based on the color of your skin.
As if being Jewish has ever been solely a religious choice.
May: Asian Pacific American & Jewish American Heritage Month
I am so grateful for my Chinese Jewish family.
I’m grateful we can celebrate Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month simultaneously.
Recognizing that all parts of our family are American. I am fascinated by the stereotypes included at the top of those government websites (linked above)…
Sinking Into Gratitude Despite Its Limits
Recognizing that some things make you seem ungrateful, but in the end — Gratitude and Splendor create Joy.
The Bay Area is such a fascinating place to live.
Neither Rebbitzer Chung-Mau nor I have lived here before.
Yet, there are many Chinese and Jewish enclaves.
I pray that we are able to hold space for Gratitude and Splendor and Wonder.
The world needs Love.
And Wild Turkey struts.
Image by Alexandru Manole from Pixabay