The holidays are upon some of us and I am amazed..no, dismayed-at those who take pride in the fact that they know little about their own holidays.
Basically, taking pride, in having no pride. Actually, not being proud. In this case, proud meaning “having dignity, importance, or knowledge. It can also mean having or showing self-respect or self-esteem. “
I know people who flippantly say: “I don’t know one word of Hebrew or what the traditions are all about.”
Want to know? Open a book, go on the internet, ask someone. Knowledge is power. Power to make educated decisions or fortify your own opinions, even if it is just to be smarter”
Even Fredo was smart.
But pride and proud are two distinct things. There is a saying: “pride goeth before the fall,” meaning if you're too conceited or self-important, something will happen to make you look foolish.
However being proud should never be something to apologize for nor should one be proud of being unaware of who we are.
Recently, University of Colorado coach Deion Sanders got a lot of heat for talking bluntly about racism and football that prompted many to criticize, yet to Black America, his comments have led to a big increase in black pride.
There was a time when Jews were told to play down their ‘Jewishness’ as not to draw attention. We know how the world’s silence impacted millions. But it is vital to wear one’s convictions on their sleeve, defined as “to express an emotion, belief, or stance overtly and make it an important part of one's public life.”
This country has branded itself as a nation of one, yet the ‘one’ excludes those who bore the brunt of attacks and discrimination for generations. The Irish, Poles, Italians, Puerto Ricans, Quakers, Asians, Muslims, Hispanics, Latinos, LGBT, disability community and yes, Jews and African Americans.
There are those who say “enough already,” to which I say: It is never enough.
Hate will never end unless we continue to fight it to make it weaker. The ADL and NAACP will have to close their doors when discrimination is over and advancement is complete and sadly, they are guaranteed to be here in perpetuity.
We are now at a pivotal time where being different was never more important to being one.
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Have an easy fast, my brother.
I just finished reading a historical fiction about a Halocaust survivor. It is one of many I have read, fiction and nonfiction. I also just returned from a cruise that opted me a visit to Normandy. I learned that there are a few hundred Jewish graves, but also told by our guide, that "many jews did not reveal their faith in fear".
There are times like WWII where being quiet about your faith, might be acceptable, but to claim to be Jewish and not know anything about it is nothing to have pride about. It is shameful.
Judiasm depends on passing our traditions, our stories, our names on to our children. We can not allow future generations of our faith to be unknowing about who we are. If we do, our faith will vanish.
I had a conversation about hate in our country this morning with my 92 year old aunt. We agreed on one thing, parents have a responsibility to "NOT TEACH HATE", but to teach thrir choldren to learn, seek out facts, accept and appreciate differenc, because that is what this country was founded on. I never thought our country would decline in discrimination and hate, but in my eyes we have. Ok, on the horse too long. I could go on and on. Your article hjt a nerve. Thank you! And may the New Year bring you health and happiness.