Under Siege in Baltimore

Thank you for encouraging others to take time to thoughtfully be grateful for being together but the ending thought of this conflict not being our own is false. Your kids and our community's children will never be safe if institutionalized racism and prejudice are tolerated in Baltimore or anywhere your kids may travel. Tzedek tzedek we must pursue it always. Additionally, even if you still feel this conflict isn't our own, how could you say that and expect non-Jews to care or to come to our aid when it is an issue that is specifically "ours". There will be no global justice and safety if we don't all seek to nurture and support each other instead of only seeking our own welfare. Hide the kids, ok, but don't turn your back on an issue that will definitely impact your children and their children!

I'm sorry to say it but this article says to me that the author sees the world in terms of us versus them, is indifferent to the views of African Americans, sees non Jewish protest as mob violence and as parallel to terrorism.

It's offensive, and as a Jew I cringe to think of an African American reading this.

The demonstrators have legitimate concerns for the safety of their children, which is in jeapordy merely because of their race.

I'm sorry but I think the article is offensive and borderline racist.

The rioters in Baltimore don't compare in any way to the intifada

People are genuinely worried about the safety of their sons, worried because of the endless cases over the years and decades of a black teenager being shot by police when the teenager is not a criminal.

The author needlessly offends people by comparing them to terrorists and describing them as mobs.

When a government attacked Jews merely for being Jews as in tsarist Russia Jews contributed the leading figures of the revolution that overthrew the Tsar. We didn't accept it peacefully.

Hey don't you see Hashem was nice enough to give you a warning and time to pack your things and go back home to Eretz Hakoidesh? Get out now because if the riots scared you you're really going to be jolted when the real war comes.

Miriam, My first instinct was to chide you for your attitude toward this community in Baltimore that "was not our own" but it is obvious that many others felt the same way and have said so.
Would you be happier in Israel now when your children would have to go to a bomb shelter when they get off the school bus because they can't get home in time when the sirens go off and the rockets from Gaza are flying overhead?

Miriam's fears are valid. However you Jews on this post are out of line to criticize Miriam. All of you have alot of nerve to feel sorry for a community who chose their own leadership and are suffering the consequences of their decisions. I have no respect for anyone who voted for obama or the democratic party in this country. Most of you Jews on this forum care more for the thugs in Baltimore than your brother and sisters in Israel. You Jews on this forum have a responsibility to take care of your fellow Jews---not a bunch of thugs committing acts of drug-trafficing, arson, and looting.

As a black and hispanic who is converting, I can understand and agree with your position; however, I ask you to walk a mile in my shoes.

I feel that a clarification is necessary. When referring to "a conflict not our own" I was referring to the "battle" going on between the rioters and the police, which was the conflict directly impacting on me. It is NOT the Jewish way to use violence and lawlessness as a solution. That being said, Judaism does not approve of oppressing another person based on race, nationality or class. We believe that all humans are God's creations and must be treated as such. Whether discussing the civil war in America or apartheid in South Africa, we have long sided with the persecuted and done our best to aid them. Police brutality is an issue which can potentially impact on all of us, whether racially driven or otherwise, and we must stand on the side of justice. As an aside, the Jewish community of Baltimore did come out to assist the police during this difficult time, with hot food, toiletries or just plain old moral support because as Jews we care about those around us. My apologies to all those who took my words to mean that we should not concern ourselves with others, as that was certainly not their intent.

As with all media related events, this was blown out of proportion. Unlike Israel, the rioting minority in Baltimore were simply looking to trash a few police cars and loot some stores. This is indeed an abhorrent, animalistic act but in no way compares to the desire to see all Jews dead. It was also very isolated and was practically an afterthought by the next day. So while I respect the right of the author to express her opinion (and by the way, all six of my boys attend or attended the same school as hers), I felt in no way personally threatened, nor did it give me the chills the way it did when I last walked through the shuk and an Arab gave me a cold, dead stare, implying that he would have killed me on the spot if no one was watching. In Baltimore, they may want my money, but they don't want my life.

nice article except when you started to compare the responsibility of being in Israel alone and only worried about yourself and being in the States having to worry about your kids....you can never compare Israel to America. every family in Israel also want only to protect their children and do everything they can to do that, and the intifada and who knows how many terrorist attacks are not going to scare us to move to seemingly safe America. maybe it's time to leave and come to safe Israel where Hashem is taking care of his nation.

for attacking a fellow Jew describing her petrifying situation where she and her family were locked indoors, petrified for their lives. No, this is not her conflict, not compared to terror in Israel. She is simply caught in the crossfire.

re: ..."that this exile should soon end so that we are no longer forced to witness conflicts which are not our own."
Miriam, are you saying our neighbors problems shouldn't be our concern if they aren't Jewish? Is the purpose of the coming redemption to not see (witness) the rest of humanity? Maybe I have misunderstood your comment.
I respectfully recommend the Aish.com article: Nepal; A Jewish Duty

In comparison to terror in Israel, the Baltimore day of terror is not our own problem.

I couldn't have said it better myself. We are all Hashem's children.

I am sorry that you and many others in area felt unsafe during the period when there was the threat of civil unrest nearby. However, in my opinion, the biggest threat to Baltimore as a whole (and to the Jewish community there) is the danger that people will assume that Baltimore is an unsafe place to live, work and visit and will stay away. If that happens, the damage to the area will be far worse than a burned out CVS.

Baltimore has a fantastic Jewish community and is a great place for a religious Jew to live. I plan on moving with my family there in the next few months; I am not going to let this unfortunate situation (which I expect will be history soon) ruin our plans. We are safer than many other Jews in the world and I think we should all be grateful for that.

Much of the rioting was done by high school aged children who were taking advantage of the chaos surrounding the protests, which the city aloud to fester. As of now (thank G-d), no one has been killed. The city has learned its lesson and I don't think they will make that mistake twice.

Oh, well, all's well that ends well, no killings...I don't mean to be attacking but American society led by the media has lost its collective mind.

"not our own"??? what a shameful thing to say. for anyone....but particularly for a Jew.

Miriam, I was moved by your story of gathering up everyone you are responsible for--including not just your children but your husband. I wish, though, that you also had some sense of responsibility for conflict in our community .It is our conflict, because we're Jews, and Jews have a responsibility to pursue justice.

She was comparing terror in Israel to the terrifying situation in Baltimore. Yes, she votes and is a proud American. That's totally irrelevant to the article and the situation. She is an innocent citizen shaking in her home in terror of the lawless anarchy taking place in the streets of her home. No, she's not the wife of a cop or a cop herself. Unlike in Israel, this is not directly her conflict. She was just pointing out the difference.

The riots are about inequality. The people who are rioting are not equal and this makes them angry. They cannot be made equal by government fiat or by money thrown at them. They can and should have equal opportunity, but that does not guarantee equal outcome. All that it takes is a few hours in any inner city classroom and one can understand why. The children who can't or won't learn, who are paid not to learn, who are paid to have children out of wedlock, who are paid not to work will not grow up equal to those who understand the importance of education, marriage, and work. What we are seeing is the failure of the welfare state to produce equal outcomes. The popular construction is that the riots are the result of racism. They are not. They are the result of race and the inevitable failure of the welfare state to produce equal outcomes. What I have said IS unfair. As unfair as life itself.

for fair of being called racist.
It's about a government that can manage to force millions to take part of an unwanted healthcare program but can't manage to protect its citizen from wanton, mob violence.
I hear the fair and unfair thing and the welfare state as well.
Bottom line, the people who are hurt the most by our government's failure to protect its citizens are inner city women and children. In the eyes of the government, they have no right to safety, to security

" They are the result of race and the inevitable failure of the welfare state to produce equal outcomes"
There: This is what our welfare state tries to do: produce (=force) equal outcomes. There should be equal opportunities, not outcomes. Outcomes always did and always will depend on individual's efforts, hard work, skills and determination. Free will.

There was tension in Baltimore, and it broke out into rioting? on Monday. (I say rioting with a question mark, because it was not as widespread as the media made it seem. It was a bunch of angry kids. And yes they caused damage, but if it was a riot, it was pretty small and contained) However, all of the protests last week and most this week were peaceful. And they continue to hold peaceful protests in the city today. The media's focus on the rioting is taking attention away from the lawful protesters who are fighting for a real cause.

while "peaceful" rioting takes place. What a wonderful family staycation! I'm sure you'll be enjoying every relaxing moment!
You really believe the lying, liberal media overhyped the situation? If anything it was probably much, much worse.

What a disappointment this article is! You make it seem like there was some threat to your children. I had know idea that black people had escaped and were rampaging through the streets killing white people. Your FEAR is unfounded AND you do not understand that the circumstances in West Baltimore. You are content to see yourself as apart from the conflict. In reality people like you are part of the problem. You are content to sit in an ivory tower and turn a blind eye to the sufferings of your brothers. You do not see the world as a human family but "us" and "them." Reminds me of some other twisted thinking that started in Germany. I pray Hashem opens your heart.

The truth is the light, for us, the HUMAN race... When one suffers we ALL suffer... What can you do to know others.. If you understand their pain you will understand their brokenness.. Don't run and hide... Ba part of the solution if only by opening your heart. . Llisten and learn....

Thank you for your article. It gave me insight in some areas and confirmed my beliefs in others. I am grateful that you and your family were able to get out of the WAR zone in Baltimore, but I wonder about families that are trapped and have now way out those ghettoes??

I'm not minimizing a serious situation and the death of a handcuffed man in police custody is unacceptable. But, the likelihood of a serious "invasion" of the Jewish community and Owings Mills is/was remote. Much of the "riots" happening now are media related from opportunists who seek publicity. There are more reporters and cameras on North Ave from CNN and FOX then there are "protesters."

No one is setting off bombs on MTA buses and no one is driving into people waiting at the Camden line MARC train station.

There were at least 13 shootings, several fatal, in the same poor, primarily black neighborhoods during this time that were unrelated to the unrest or protest of the police action. There has been no protest about the murderers who carried these crimes out.

What's sad is that this is a vicious cycle. The police will be intimidated from performing their duties in these high crime neighborhoods. Crime rates will rise in these neighborhoods resulting in increased poverty, lack of services, and continued flight of the black and white middle class from the city.

Moshe is spot on. Monday and Tuesday I was surrounded by whiny frum women in full panic mode. I told them, unless you've got a cash register in your house, you have nothing to worry about. And as I predicted, it was all much ado about nothing. Park Heights has never been quieter. I really don't see how one can compare Baltimore to an intifada.

PLEASE NOTE: The author of this article is expressing the emotional impact of her experience, and sharing a spiritual lesson she learned which has universal application. The dynamics of the situation which was the catalyst for her experience are not the point.

Also, please consider the following verifiable facts before you cry "overreaction":

I do not live at the edge of the Jewish neighborhood - there are at least 5 or 6 shuls, 2 orthodox schools, the JCC, and plenty of Jewish community members that are closer to the area where the riots were taking place than my house is.

The main riots early Monday night were about 5 miles from my home. People wearing ski masks were seen driving through Jewish neighborhoods.

Later that night, a gas station less than 1/2 a mile from my home was vandalized, and a beauty supply shop across the street from it was looted. The parking lot right immediately behind that gas station serves 2 kosher restaurants and a Jewish store.

Big news on the radio when I woke up Tuesday morning was that no-one was interfering with the fire dept as they battled a 3-alarm blaze (as opposed to an earlier fire where the hoses were slashed). I'm not sure how far away this was.

Later on Tuesday, but before the orthodox schools closed, rioters were observed farther out from the original location, about 2 1/2 miles from my home.

The police dept called plans for a 3:30 pm flash mob/riot at Owings Mills Mall and Northwest Highschool a "credible threat" and issued warnings. (Earlier social media rumors of a flash mob/riot at Security Mall had been dismissed by police as not a credible threat, but the mall decided to close anyway.)

Soo... can you still say "the likelihood of a serious 'invasion' of the Jewish community and Owings Mills is/was remote."?

If you live in the United States, you likely choose to do so, especially if you have the resources to provide yeshiva education to six children. So, this is your conflict, and mine, and everyone who lives in the United States. There is a deep and long history of inequality, and unless and until it is addressed through equal access to high quality education, health care, job opportunity and through our communities standing up to inequitable policing, we are not witnesses to a conflict which isn't ours, we are part of the system which creates the conflict.

Where in the US is anyone denied equal access to education or employment due to race? OK, it does happen if you're Asian - or Jewish. Even if your fantastical premise were true, how would that justify assaulting or murdering Jews?

These riots, looting had nothing to do with police brutality.
The mayor gave a blank check for the looting both in words
and deeds. Words by her speech,allowing them to loot and
destroy. Deeds by not allowing police to arrest those throwing
bottles,bricks,destroying cars as soon as these events took
place. This enitre event was organized by race hustlers.
Jews should leave and live in Israel. When the economy
turns for the worst, it's a question of if by when, food riots
will make riots of Baltimore.Fergueson, look like Seamse Street.

Spot on Ted.

The riots and the anger that fuels them has everything to do with police brutality . Baltimore , like way too many cities in this country , has a long and ugly history of it . Along with virtually complete legal impunity for the cops who kill and brutalise . Severing Freddie Gray's spinal column and crushing his voicebox were just the final spark of outrage to set it afire . The Atlantic has a detailed article on some of the more recent outrages committed by the Baltimore PD ,ranging from breaking the shoulder of an 87-year-old woman to killing people's pets . The city has paid out 5.7 million dollars in damages settling police brutality lawsuits in the last decade alone . That should tell you something . Check out the website policestateusa.com for weekly updates on some of the more notable offenses nationwide . Not allowing Baltimore police to make arrests ? Have you heard about the $500,000 bails being set for many of those arrested ? Way more than murderers get . Killer cops , of course , are almost never indicted .

This has nothing to do with Police Brutality. What it has to do with is 15% of the population committing 75 or percentage of violent crimes. Yes the black population. That's not all. how about 80% of black kids born of wedlock and a high drop out rate of blacks from high school. Let's not forget years, years, and years of Democrats' leadership (if you can call it that) in the city of Baltimore. One very wise President said "government is not the answer to the problem, government is the problem". Private industry has to flourish so young black men and women can have a opportunity to flourish. However,
Baltimore' s leaders do not get this concept. Less government less goverment intervention more incentives to stimulate job growth and incentives for businesses to hire employees= prosperity, job growth, education, and personal satisfaction in oneself.

Have we heard any facts? No. Let the investigation find out what happened before you draw conclusions. The prisoner might have had spinal surgery a week before his death. Another prisoner in the van said the victim was trying to harm himself on purpose. How about some sanity?

Penina he came out of the van with a severed spine. There is nothing I can think of that he could do to himself to break his own spine. By police commissioners own admission help was not called when he showed symptoms. The cops can't even say why they arrested him or tackled him. Running away does not constitute cause we don't even know what they were looking for. As for the riots...that should have been prepared for but apparently there is a long history of violence between police and the African American community in Baltimore, not all of it easily explained.

How about some truth and honesty in this matter ? The "he did it to himself" deflection has already been thoroughly shredded by three local newspapers . It marks a new low in police excuse-making . Shame on them for their desperate attempt to demonise their victim! Speaking of sanity , it boggles the mind that anyone would believe that he somehow broke three spinal vertebrae , crushed his voicebox and severed his spinal column himself .Until we abolish legal impunity for police and private security forces , we will continue to have these explosions . You easily could spend the rest of your life just watching the hundreds of thousands of videos of similar and worse police brutality and violence posted on YouTube . The system is terribly flawed and condoning the uniformed abusers who misuse their power makes one part of the problem rather than part of the solution .

this is war what would u do if it was your race

"...and pray to God, the only source of true security, that this exile should soon end so that we are no longer forced to witness conflicts which are not our own." Well, if you really truly want to end your own personal exile and not have to witness conflicts which are not your own, El Al will be happy to sell you tickets to the Holy Land where you will be under direct, Divine protection. Even when there is violence here (and there is), you will still be "home" and G-d's Eye will be upon you in a way that it is NOT in Baltimore. Don't wait until you must run away. You get more Heavenly points if you come voluntarily, out of love and a desire to dwell with the Shechina in G-d's, and the Jewish People's, Land. Looking forward to seeing you and your kids here soon. Meanwhile, stay safe!

It may be worth adding here that anti-Israel, pro-Palestine activists have been playing a major role in the riots in St. Louis, Ferguson and Baltimore, organizing a Palestine Contingent, advising rioters, and taking a visible part in the protests, some even calling for violence against the police. Many hardline Muslim groups are also involved. Since a large proportion of these people are anti-Semites, the Jewish communities in these cities need to take extra precautions.

Such a meaningful article. Thank you!

This article was very nice, but the teaser led me to expect a very different point. I thought you were going to write that our devotion to Israel is such that we are prepared to take risks to live here and never let our enemies intimidate us into abandoning God's chosen land. Whereas in Exile - even as wonderful a community as Baltimore - we should see unrest as a sign that our days are numbered here, that we must never see ourselves as more than a tolerated guest in our host countries. We should really have a very fundamental difference in reaction to witnessing danger in the one versus the other.

Two other important take-away lessons. You were fine living with a low-level of risk during the Intifada because it was only you and your husband. But fear for your own children's lives is an entirely different matter. Realize that 15 years ago your own parents no doubt lived with that same unabated worry while you were willingly risking your life in Jerusalem. Only now, with children of your own, can you fully appreciate what your parents (hopefully willingly) put up with for you.

Finally, whether we live in Israel or the Diaspora, and whether we're ardent nationalists or vehement anti-Zionists, realize what so many parents here in Israel do for the country and for their fellow Jews when they send their own sons to active service.

May we all be reunited here again soon.

It does not really matter where one lives for the whole earth is off God, what matters is the eventual inheritance is unto Him, not to any land.

I enjoyed this article except for the following line- "And pray to God, the only source of true security, that this exile should soon end so that we are no longer forced to witness conflicts which are not our own." As an American citizen and resident of Baltimore- although not a cop nor an African-American- isn't it part of the problem that the author doesn't see herself as a part of the conflict? Excessive police force meted our regularly to a certain group of society is everybody's problem. Maybe this is why so many African-Americans, particularly men, believe, with reason, that en masse they are not part of the mainstream and nobody cares about them, beyond a theoretical level. Imagine that American police were killing Jewish men being placed under arrest, seemingly every other week. Would the author not wish her fellow citizens to see that we're all in this together and what happens to one segment involves and affects all of us? Furthermore, if Jews are supposed to be a light unto the world, disassociating from conflicts does not seem to be in keeping with this notion.

What rubbish! the blame goes to the people who commit the violence- nobody else.

You are afraid of what the rioters would do to your children? But you are ok with the longstanding consequences of tolerating institutionalized inequality in this country? A country where Jews are a severe minority?

Excuse me - I thought this was a fact-based discussion. Have you noticed the ethnicity of the president, the attorney general, and the mayor and police chief of Baltimore? Do you believe that your perceptions of inequality justify Jews being assaulted or murdered?

It is difficult to solve a problem when it is defined falsely.
"Excessive police force meted our regularly to a certain group of society is everybody's problem."
Does Lisa propose that the citizens of Baltimore be abandoned to the gentle mercies of criminals? That a black face gives one immunity to accountability for crimes committed?
Baltimore city administration (and policing) have long been in the hands of "African Americans". Are you inferring that they are biased against "blacks"?
The problem will not be solved as long as "race-baiters" work to create anarchy and politicians depend on a voting bloc that can be bought by ever increasing welfare (as opposed to creating an economic environment that attracts productive businesses with related employment opportunities).

I'm so glad to see this comment. it is terribly sad that things have changed so significantly since the civil rights era when Jews worked and even died to change the mistreatment of African Americans. No one is an island.

I assume that you wrote your comment before it was announced on the news that the "victim", professional criminal, most likely induced his fatal blows by slamming his body into the police van that was carrying him...this is what a fellow criminal in the other compartment of the holding van reported. He also sustained pretty bad injuries from a car accident a while back and has several surgeries, including one within the last week or two. So what you wrote above is "a rush to judgment" and because of not waiitng for the facts to come out, people have been injured, including police who were trying to keep the peace through the riots, cars were burned, buildings were burned and looted. Honest people trying to eek out a living in the local stores are probably going to be financially devastated...all because Obama (4 times now!) and other people like you have rushed to judgment. In the US, you are innocent until proven guilty...that goes for the police, too...they are US citizens as well! Have terrible things happened in the past to the black community and even today, you may have that unusual awful police officer? YES! But this happens to whites people, too. One of my nephews many years ago, a white Jewish kid, was stopped by a policeman for doing something wrong while driving and was roughed up. Why, I don't know. Did he say something wrong? Did you get out of the car instead of staying put with his hands so that the officer could see them, who knows? Was the policeman a jerk? I wasn't there, but this was a white, Jewish kid!!!

While I agree that all police officers should not be suspected of racism, etc, I don't understand why you bring up mr greys alleged past crimes. It suggests a "he had it coming" mindset, which is a major source of the unrest in Baltimore right now. The U.S. constitution provides that no one shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. That includes professional criminals as well as white, Jewish kids and everyone else.

The violence and criminal activity was done by criminals. This is separate from the issue of how police treat men who are arrested. Black people were begging the black hodlums to not burn down their building, but they would not listen. The criminals, often just teenagars, are alsways looking for an excuse to commit violence. I thank Hashem that the police and the national guard are protecting us. In my years in Baltimore, I have seen the Baltimore police act with great professonalism. They deserve our support. Of course, there is always room for improvement. As for this case, it yet remains to be seen what really happened. It may not have been the fault of the police at all.

Why is it that a minority group that constitutes about 1/8 the population of America is committing about half of all murders? Why is it that the vast majority of all interracial murders are blacks killing whites, not the other way around? Why is there a highly statistically significant correlation between minority population and crime rate? Why doesn't Lisa comment on Jews being targeted by minority youth for the "knockout game"? Why should I feel guilty about living, graduating from school, not taking drugs, and obeying the law? These choices are available to everyone.

You sound like a hard working and solid citizen, and you have nothing to feel guilty about. However, the choices that you and I made are not so readily available to everyone. Don't get me wrong here. I am NOT excusing any type of criminal behavior. I am also incensed by the violence. This was not what Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks had in mind at all. One answer is the same one that has always been right, and that is getting a good education. Unfortunately too many poor children regardless of color have not been able to acquire one.

Feeling and praying for you and the whole community during this frightening time.