Great analysis and commentary. I was wondering how you were going to find the light amidst all the darkness, but I agree that it is a defining moment, not only for Jews but for gentiles. The madness since 10.7 has converted me to become a Catholic Zionist. In my view, due to the nefarious machinations of the Red-Green alliance, which few see much less understand, we are all Israelis now. Perhaps we always were. After all, our Bible has two testaments 😏.
Fifty years ago I made an assessment of the culture in which I was raised (Western Skepticism) as a Canadian. In my limited early adult mind, I was convinced of two things:
1) There was something unique about the role of the Jewish People in human history
2) Societies throughout the ages could be "evaluated" on the basis of how they treated Jews.
There were of course many other factors that fueled my decision, but ultimately I decided to join the Jewish People and make whatever contribution I was able to to that people here in the Land of Israel. Over the decades people, Jews and non-Jews, laughed at me when I would say that what happened in Germany in the 1930's could happen anywhere, even the United States. Unfortunately I have been proven correct - and once again societies will be judged based upon how they treat the Jewish People.
True, but Jesus and the Apostles were among them, so all of us Christians and Catholics need to realize we're all in the same ark as it were. 😏As Scripture says, the Truth shall set us free. (John 8:32)
This is an important article you have written, Joshua. The frustration of living as a Jew in a ghetto without walls, where isolation and restriction play out in a more polite society that practises disdain couched in the language of freedom of speech and, apparently, freedom of action, is mammoth. And so, yes, once again Jews are forced in on themselves. In Australia this has been so for a long time, more and more obvious since October 7 because antisemitism is now normalised here. BUT since the massacre at Bondi on December 14, we are so angry, everything is so absolutely clear, that we are speaking out and saying it for what it is and has been. The final straw has been broken and we are demanding and getting action - at least thus far - and government is flailing before this barrage, on the back foot to change, for all of Australia to change. There has been enormous public support. Such a tragedy that it has needed the deaths of 15 Jews to make it possible. We must not ever go back to the kinds of actions you describe as historically Jewish responses in times of trouble. Not ever. We shall never let Australia forget December 14, which they now know is the result of 2 years of rampant antisemitism not reined in. Yes, they know now. Because we have insisted they know. Please see former Treasurer of Australia's parliament who lost his seat in the last election, Josh Frydenberg's impassioned, articulate, angry speech at Bondi Beach - you will be able to find it on the internet, I'm sure. It speaks for all of us.
I was struck by the sincerity of your erudite post.
I am a South African Catholic who had a Lithuanian Jewish great grandad. He lost his whole family in a pogrom before the Second World War, and came out to our nation for a fresh start.
I’ve always been aware of my heritage and proud of it all.
I’m so sad that people can’t just peacefully follow their respective faiths without genocide and abuse.
What happened in Bondi Beach is like 9/11, the world will never look the same to me-ever.
Sending kindest regards and the deepest respect to all peaceful people wherever in the world they may be.
Each one of us can’t give up standing up for peace.
The comment by George Shay some's it up nicely, the difference between Jews, Christians and Zionists comes down to understanding that the survival of Israel means the survival of the world, Zionists, that is the people of both the Jewish and Christian worlds who see the survival of Israel as paramount to the survival of humanity understand this in every way.
Those Jews and Christians who live to make excuses and scapegoat the actions of islam and blame the state of Israel for islams disgusting and morally bankrupt behaviour, are as much a part of the problem as are the islamists!
Right now their numbers are already far greater than ours, but we have the power to beat them, but this will not last, in no more than 15 years they will dominate in every country in every way, then we will be at their mercy and we will eventually be wiped out.
Th choice is ours, don't make that decision too late, gather and become a force for good before evil can become the planets dominating power!
So the alternative is to be what, visible Presbyterians? Using Ben Franklin's quote about declaring independence from England "If we don't hang together we shall surely hang separately." You Jewish folks have the same choice and choose wisely.
"Palestine is a stage.....for display of moral virtue..... " Your entire paragraph sums up a lot. Also, that this surge in Jew Hate was festering before Oct. 7th. The hypocrisy is staggering. Example, Tibet. Example Assyrian Christians, the Yazidi. The Ba'hai in Iran. Sudan. Not a peep.
Jews generally do assimilate. There is the sectarian Haredi/Hasidim but overall our propensity is to adopt the local culture. Or adapt it to Jewish needs and customs and values. We've lost a lot of people to forced conversion, to massacres, to voluntary leaving the faith and people, to the Holocaust. Zionism rooted the Jews in our ancestral homeland and in our Jewishness. Despite the difficult times now under assault, we do find allies. I 'm pretty cynical these days with the perfomative self righteous anti Zionism antisemitism from nations, both Jewish and non Jewish celebrities, from NGOs, from media. Then I'm heartened by Rabbi Gabi Kaltermann of Melbourne speaking on of all platforms Ammanpour....about the resilience of the Australian tiny minority of Jews. The Jewish world needs a robust Israel and a strong resilient Diaspora.
Why was there no prepositioned tactical response force present at Bondi? Consider the hostile climate Australian Jews have lived in over the last two years. It would be common sense policing to anticipate and prepare for a violent attack. I’ll let the readers reach their own conclusions.
Prayers for the dead and wounded. Gratitude for the brave and courageous.
Thank you for your article. Your publication provides important insight into the events happening today. As you suggest, this is a very important time to be alive. We are truly privileged to be Jewish and to be entrusted with the enormously important mission of making the world into a home for God.
We do this by doing the Mitzvoth as described in the Torah. God brought us out Egypt to be his servants as it says “For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants, whom I took out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord, your God” (Leviticus 25:55). This means that we are not supposed to be like everyone else. We were not taken out so that we could blend in and emulate the nations. Rather, God had a plan for us.
The most important thing we can do right now is to truly live as Jews and embody the essential qualities and wisdom that make us Jewish.
The Torah describes the spiritual structure of reality, including the deeper reasons behind antisemitism.
There are multiple reasons for antisemitism including:
1) The forces of evil act to stop us from being Jewish so that they can act without the Torah’s moral code and carry out their own selfish aims. 2) The nations act out of a subconscious anger that we are not living up to our responsibility to bring God into the world. Deep down everyone knows the role of the Jewish people and wants God’s presence and salvation 3) Sometimes we as a people are also punished for our failure to live up to our responsibilities as Jews, including when we try to blend in and assimilate as described in Ezekiel chapter 20.
In all cases, that the best way to combat antisemitism is to learn Torah and do the Mitzvoth so that we bring God into the world and live as Jews, in the way that God intended for us to live. This is what brings God’s blessing, protection and openings for us as individuals and as a nation.
The Torah is at once incredibly relevant to today, providing strategies for dealing with the wars we are fighting now (See Make Peace: A Strategic Guide for Achieving Lasting Peace In Israel by Elisha Pearl) and timeless in that it provides “the way to walk” in any situation in the form of a timeless guidebook for life with an unchanging compassionate, just, powerful and kind code of conduct in all situations ranging from business to marriage to interpersonal relationships.
As the sages said, turn it over and over again for everything is inside.
"(Still, today, many Diaspora Jews do not realize how many terror attacks the Mossad prevents against Jewish communities, events, and targets abroad.)"
This is not the first time you have written about this. And I'm super thankful for it but clearly we need a much more comprehensive system, a huge Diaspora network working with Mossad, infiltrating mosques and social media sites. That is where we should put our money; not with federations and the ADL.
Very powerful essay, Joshua. Ultimate ignorance to me is pontificating on a subject you are uneducated about and worse, actually taking sides by displaying your ignorance safely by holding a sign or yelling at a demonstration peopled by like-minded idiots who want to feel righteous or powerful hiding in the middle of a hundred other simple-minded souls. Disappointing and disgusting, and worst of all, sand in the gears of practical and philosophical progress as a society. Weak minds.
Excellent description of my lived reality. I am surrounded on all sides by those who would seek to harm me and mine if they knew. I am quiet. And help everyone regardless.
Great analysis and commentary. I was wondering how you were going to find the light amidst all the darkness, but I agree that it is a defining moment, not only for Jews but for gentiles. The madness since 10.7 has converted me to become a Catholic Zionist. In my view, due to the nefarious machinations of the Red-Green alliance, which few see much less understand, we are all Israelis now. Perhaps we always were. After all, our Bible has two testaments 😏.
Fifty years ago I made an assessment of the culture in which I was raised (Western Skepticism) as a Canadian. In my limited early adult mind, I was convinced of two things:
1) There was something unique about the role of the Jewish People in human history
2) Societies throughout the ages could be "evaluated" on the basis of how they treated Jews.
There were of course many other factors that fueled my decision, but ultimately I decided to join the Jewish People and make whatever contribution I was able to to that people here in the Land of Israel. Over the decades people, Jews and non-Jews, laughed at me when I would say that what happened in Germany in the 1930's could happen anywhere, even the United States. Unfortunately I have been proven correct - and once again societies will be judged based upon how they treat the Jewish People.
Bless you
Perfectly stated, George. Thank YOU for your support and Thank GOD you see the truth.
We need to spread that truth.
Trying. But there are only 15 million Jews in the world. Too small to spread the word on our own. We need YOU and a whole lot of your friends, too.
True, but Jesus and the Apostles were among them, so all of us Christians and Catholics need to realize we're all in the same ark as it were. 😏As Scripture says, the Truth shall set us free. (John 8:32)
You gotta have guts enough to face the truth though, George, and therein lies the rub.
I will always stand with you. 🙏
I love reading your comments, Susan. I have for a long time. Hope to meet you someday.
Me too X
I would love that ❤️
I just sent you a private message via your substack page/profile
This is an important article you have written, Joshua. The frustration of living as a Jew in a ghetto without walls, where isolation and restriction play out in a more polite society that practises disdain couched in the language of freedom of speech and, apparently, freedom of action, is mammoth. And so, yes, once again Jews are forced in on themselves. In Australia this has been so for a long time, more and more obvious since October 7 because antisemitism is now normalised here. BUT since the massacre at Bondi on December 14, we are so angry, everything is so absolutely clear, that we are speaking out and saying it for what it is and has been. The final straw has been broken and we are demanding and getting action - at least thus far - and government is flailing before this barrage, on the back foot to change, for all of Australia to change. There has been enormous public support. Such a tragedy that it has needed the deaths of 15 Jews to make it possible. We must not ever go back to the kinds of actions you describe as historically Jewish responses in times of trouble. Not ever. We shall never let Australia forget December 14, which they now know is the result of 2 years of rampant antisemitism not reined in. Yes, they know now. Because we have insisted they know. Please see former Treasurer of Australia's parliament who lost his seat in the last election, Josh Frydenberg's impassioned, articulate, angry speech at Bondi Beach - you will be able to find it on the internet, I'm sure. It speaks for all of us.
I was struck by the sincerity of your erudite post.
I am a South African Catholic who had a Lithuanian Jewish great grandad. He lost his whole family in a pogrom before the Second World War, and came out to our nation for a fresh start.
I’ve always been aware of my heritage and proud of it all.
I’m so sad that people can’t just peacefully follow their respective faiths without genocide and abuse.
What happened in Bondi Beach is like 9/11, the world will never look the same to me-ever.
Sending kindest regards and the deepest respect to all peaceful people wherever in the world they may be.
Each one of us can’t give up standing up for peace.
Carol Power
Johannesburg
South Africa
The comment by George Shay some's it up nicely, the difference between Jews, Christians and Zionists comes down to understanding that the survival of Israel means the survival of the world, Zionists, that is the people of both the Jewish and Christian worlds who see the survival of Israel as paramount to the survival of humanity understand this in every way.
Those Jews and Christians who live to make excuses and scapegoat the actions of islam and blame the state of Israel for islams disgusting and morally bankrupt behaviour, are as much a part of the problem as are the islamists!
Right now their numbers are already far greater than ours, but we have the power to beat them, but this will not last, in no more than 15 years they will dominate in every country in every way, then we will be at their mercy and we will eventually be wiped out.
Th choice is ours, don't make that decision too late, gather and become a force for good before evil can become the planets dominating power!
So the alternative is to be what, visible Presbyterians? Using Ben Franklin's quote about declaring independence from England "If we don't hang together we shall surely hang separately." You Jewish folks have the same choice and choose wisely.
Without exception, your finest essay to date Joshua.
"Palestine is a stage.....for display of moral virtue..... " Your entire paragraph sums up a lot. Also, that this surge in Jew Hate was festering before Oct. 7th. The hypocrisy is staggering. Example, Tibet. Example Assyrian Christians, the Yazidi. The Ba'hai in Iran. Sudan. Not a peep.
Jews generally do assimilate. There is the sectarian Haredi/Hasidim but overall our propensity is to adopt the local culture. Or adapt it to Jewish needs and customs and values. We've lost a lot of people to forced conversion, to massacres, to voluntary leaving the faith and people, to the Holocaust. Zionism rooted the Jews in our ancestral homeland and in our Jewishness. Despite the difficult times now under assault, we do find allies. I 'm pretty cynical these days with the perfomative self righteous anti Zionism antisemitism from nations, both Jewish and non Jewish celebrities, from NGOs, from media. Then I'm heartened by Rabbi Gabi Kaltermann of Melbourne speaking on of all platforms Ammanpour....about the resilience of the Australian tiny minority of Jews. The Jewish world needs a robust Israel and a strong resilient Diaspora.
Why was there no prepositioned tactical response force present at Bondi? Consider the hostile climate Australian Jews have lived in over the last two years. It would be common sense policing to anticipate and prepare for a violent attack. I’ll let the readers reach their own conclusions.
Prayers for the dead and wounded. Gratitude for the brave and courageous.
Thank you Josh! חנוכה שמח 🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Thank you for your article. Your publication provides important insight into the events happening today. As you suggest, this is a very important time to be alive. We are truly privileged to be Jewish and to be entrusted with the enormously important mission of making the world into a home for God.
We do this by doing the Mitzvoth as described in the Torah. God brought us out Egypt to be his servants as it says “For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants, whom I took out of the land of Egypt. I am the Lord, your God” (Leviticus 25:55). This means that we are not supposed to be like everyone else. We were not taken out so that we could blend in and emulate the nations. Rather, God had a plan for us.
The most important thing we can do right now is to truly live as Jews and embody the essential qualities and wisdom that make us Jewish.
The Torah describes the spiritual structure of reality, including the deeper reasons behind antisemitism.
There are multiple reasons for antisemitism including:
1) The forces of evil act to stop us from being Jewish so that they can act without the Torah’s moral code and carry out their own selfish aims. 2) The nations act out of a subconscious anger that we are not living up to our responsibility to bring God into the world. Deep down everyone knows the role of the Jewish people and wants God’s presence and salvation 3) Sometimes we as a people are also punished for our failure to live up to our responsibilities as Jews, including when we try to blend in and assimilate as described in Ezekiel chapter 20.
In all cases, that the best way to combat antisemitism is to learn Torah and do the Mitzvoth so that we bring God into the world and live as Jews, in the way that God intended for us to live. This is what brings God’s blessing, protection and openings for us as individuals and as a nation.
The Torah is at once incredibly relevant to today, providing strategies for dealing with the wars we are fighting now (See Make Peace: A Strategic Guide for Achieving Lasting Peace In Israel by Elisha Pearl) and timeless in that it provides “the way to walk” in any situation in the form of a timeless guidebook for life with an unchanging compassionate, just, powerful and kind code of conduct in all situations ranging from business to marriage to interpersonal relationships.
As the sages said, turn it over and over again for everything is inside.
Chanukah Sameach.
Another outstanding piece, Joshua. Thank you. You help make sense of the chaos as we are grieving and keeling here in Sydney.
Joshua: Your last few articles have just hit home in such a profound way. Thank you.
"(Still, today, many Diaspora Jews do not realize how many terror attacks the Mossad prevents against Jewish communities, events, and targets abroad.)"
This is not the first time you have written about this. And I'm super thankful for it but clearly we need a much more comprehensive system, a huge Diaspora network working with Mossad, infiltrating mosques and social media sites. That is where we should put our money; not with federations and the ADL.
Very powerful essay, Joshua. Ultimate ignorance to me is pontificating on a subject you are uneducated about and worse, actually taking sides by displaying your ignorance safely by holding a sign or yelling at a demonstration peopled by like-minded idiots who want to feel righteous or powerful hiding in the middle of a hundred other simple-minded souls. Disappointing and disgusting, and worst of all, sand in the gears of practical and philosophical progress as a society. Weak minds.
https://open.substack.com/pub/canadianzionistforum/p/progressives-for-terror-and-queers?r=1z5dmo&utm_medium=ios
A cogent explanation for that bizarre phenomenon
Excellent description of my lived reality. I am surrounded on all sides by those who would seek to harm me and mine if they knew. I am quiet. And help everyone regardless.