Our Sages tell us that the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred – Jews hating other Jews. Just as the destruction of the Holy Temple really began three weeks earlier when the walls of Jerusalem were breached, so too the acts of hatred amongst Jews bring down our people and destroy our souls. I learned about the power of this three-week period of mourning firsthand on a teen tour of Israel decades ago.
There were many profound, moving and hilarious moments on our trip – visiting the Western Wall for the first time and swearing I could feel it breathe, sobbing with grief at Yad Vashem, and laughing hysterically when some guys on the trip, filled with Jewish pride, “reenacted” the raid on Entebbe with shaving cream cans as guns and underwear on their heads as uniforms. But one event, which happened during the three weeks preceding Tisha B’Av, would have the most lasting impact on me.
For some reason, our tour, consisting of teens mostly from Denver, kept running into another teen group from Atlanta that we just didn’t hit it off with. We had met many other groups from the U.S. that we enjoyed and befriended, but this Atlanta group seemed spoiled and snobby. While staying at the same youth hostel as this group, an intense rivalry built up. It finally ended when our “commandos” took the shaving cream cans they had previously utilized for their “courageous raid on Entebbe,” and instead employed them to “decorate” the Atlanta boys’ rooms.
After the din of the victory celebration died down, we heard our madricha (counselor), Tami, weeping. We asked her what was wrong, and in her most heartbroken, pained voice, Tami said, “What are you doing? We are all Jews here. They are Jews, you are Jews. How can you hate each other? Everyone else hates us; we have to love each other. How could you have done this? We are all Jews!”
Needless to say, we all felt ashamed. Her message sunk into my heart and has remained there forever.
I try hard not to be critical of Jews who think differently than me, and my heart breaks whenever I see Jews belittling other Jews.
I learned a life-changing lesson that day, the importance of Ahavat Yisrael, loving your fellow Jew. As a result, I try hard not to be critical of Jews who think differently than me, and my heart breaks just as hers did that day, whenever I see or experience groups of Jews belittling or badmouthing other groups of Jews.
Bottom line, we are all Jews. We are not “Denverites,” “Atlantans,” “Israelis,” “Russians,” “Ethiopians,” and so on. We are Jews. Our level of observance or non-observance, our political beliefs, our customs and traditions – these are all things that tend to divide us. So I want to issue a challenge: reach out to Jews who are not like yourself and find your commonalities.
We can respectfully disagree with Jews with whom we do not see eye to eye without resorting to name calling. Let’s work on eradicating the anger and distrust amongst different groups of Jews. This three-week period is the perfect time for us to reflect on ways to increase our Ahavat Yisrael.
Think of ways you can reach out and spend time with your fellow Jews who are different than you. It may mean inviting the family down the block over, having lunch with a co-worker, or just saying a friendly hello to your neighbor.
For instance, every year I am blessed to be part of the Jewish Woman’s Repertory Company. The JWRC puts together a professional musical production by women, for women. With members from the entire spectrum of Jewish practice, it's an opportunity to rehearse and perform with Jewish women from all backgrounds bringing us together and creating lasting friendships between people who otherwise might never have met.
So I challenge everyone, including myself, to use this time before Tisha B’Av to focus on the ways we can truly participate in the mitzvah of loving our fellow Jews. Let's do our part to help repair the spiritual damage that has been done. I encourage anyone with suggestions and successes to share them in the comments section below. Perhaps together, you can help me erase the damage of the shaving cream, too!
(51) Mark Goret, August 2, 2020 2:56 PM
How do you love your fellow Jew wh we n you both are shooting each other ?
At the battle of Gettysburg . Two Jews com m Andes two regiments facing each other. The 12 Alabama was commanded Major Aldoph Proukser, the 82 I LL was commanded by Edmund Solomon . Both blowing each other up
(50) Charles W., July 13, 2017 4:33 AM
Suggestions
Joint Jewish picnic or kosher potluck to commerate the date the first synagogue was established in a community. Joint Jewish Maimonides study group. I have other ideas as well.
Batsheva Frankel, August 1, 2017 2:20 AM
Good suggestions!
Thank you!
(49) Igor Bartolic, July 23, 2015 7:23 PM
Tisha B,Av & Ahavas Yisrael
Thank You for this great e mail.Shalom and love.
(48) Ariella, July 23, 2015 2:01 PM
We all need this challenge, Even me, the friendly one
My heart has no joy to see Jews mistreating Jews. No joy in anyone mistreating anyone somedays when I see kindness missing in this world. This is a challenge we need daily. I go to the local market that's kosher and see many Jews unable to greet each other. I used to feel bad. I don't cover my hair so I look less religious to some. I don't dress fancy so I don't look wealthy, I don't wear makeup so I don't look trendy. Then I read an article like this and I immediately say I need the challenge just like the rest. Some days I don't want to talk to someone with a purse that looks like it could cost thousands. Some days I get turned off by tons of makeup and overly dyed hair. Some days I just feel insecure. There's a lot in this world out of my control.
So I need this challenge. Say hello and or smile at someone I wouldn't usually speak to. Will start right away. But truth be known, I'm usually willing to speak to anyone, no matter what they look like. Jewish or not doesn't matter. May G-d Bless the memory of Chaya - Mom who taught by example to not judge others by nothingness.. What you wear and how you dress in most ways is nothingness. It may not reflect who you really are.
(47) Anonymous, July 16, 2013 6:14 PM
Atlanta loves you
Thank you for your letter. You have an open invitation to come for shabbat in atlanta.
Batsheva, July 27, 2015 5:00 PM
I would love to!
Thank you! I have many wonderful, kind friends who either come from Atlanta or have lived for years in that warm, loving community. Who knows? May be some of those lovely Atlantans I've heard so much about from my friends recently were on that early Israel trip. Wouldn't it be great if I could spend a Shabbos meal with them? You never know!
(46) Moshe Herschel Halevi, July 10, 2013 10:13 PM
I still do even after being hurt so many times
I was robbed and taken advantage of many times because I wanted so hard to serve others in this mitzvah, loving each Jew no matter what their observance. I did not realize though through this I had been manipulated by other Jews, but I refused to hold anger towards them as they are Jews and if I have hate in my heart for my brother then we will never have redemption. Kol Yisrael is filled with Jews of all levels, but instead of labeling and trying to use this to pidgeonhole another Jew only perpetuates our lack of unity. I had been embarrassed and humiliated in a religious environment because I had just tried to figure out things. I had Jews repeatedtly try to break in and these were Jews, who come from frum backgrounds. After all that happened I still love the Jews and tried to tell them we are brothers and to hurt your brother is to hurt your self because one sin is placed on all of Israel. A Kiddush Hashem will be every time a Jew doesn't judge but does their best to love them and show them the same respect and treatment they would want back, since you are to love your neighbor as yourself. G-D cares most about how we treat our fellow man, but Israel is even more important in our love because loving someone who has sinned is tough, or hurt you. If you can fight that and see the good they do have then we are one step closer to moshiach and finally the restoration of the beis hamikdash and geula!
Love your fellow Jew! This commandment is loving G-D by loving your fellow man or woman. We must stop the labels though because that has been a problem for us for centuries and since our times before exile!
If you are a Jew no matter what you are my brother or sister and I love you like family. If I am not for myself who am I for? Love G-D and show genuine love and not with an agenda, and this will bring us closer together, from the divfision of Jews because we forget Hillel said love your fellow man as yourself and the rest is commentary!
FB, July 12, 2013 2:30 PM
You are G'd s Child just as well!
Hmmm.... Moshe Herschel Halevi... reading your comment makes me fear that you are writing out of a communion, where everybody knows everything better about G'd then you .... or so they think! Have you ever realised why He allowed you to be born? BECAUSE HE WANTED YOU TO BE THERE! So please, Moschele, quit pleasing everybody else first and START LOVING AND PROTECTING MOSCHE'S FEELINGS- G'd will be proud and loving you! Because ONLY HE/SHE WHO REALLY KNOWS WHAT LOVING YOURSELF MEANS AND PRACTISES IT, CAN LOVE ANOTHER....!!Go for it! May you be blessed and happy for the rest of your life and quit listening to all those frum horrible creeps that have nothing better to do then harass other people! Let them go to work! A Jiddische memme from Holland; 61.
Anonymous, July 27, 2015 5:10 PM
Sad to hear your pain
I'm so sorry to hear all that you've been through, and I really appreciate your efforts to retain love in your heart and to continue to struggle with this mitzva (as opposed to giving up on it altogether) when faced with hardships. It's easy to love our fellow Jews when they are lovable, do the right thing and our kind, it is much more challenging when they're not. Don't give up!
Shjoshana-Jerusalem, August 14, 2016 12:07 PM
wow wow!
Come on now. You couldn't think of any other bad things to add to your hate list against religious Jews? I mean, your love list?
(45) Chaim, July 10, 2013 1:34 AM
Box of crayons
We should make our differences be our best quality, like a box of crayon with all different colors that can make a beautiful picture.
(44) Sharlene Kark, July 8, 2013 6:44 PM
Start a "Forever Parents" group for Jewish parents of children with chronic prohlems.
Thanks for your vivid letter. We wil take it to heart. The Women's Rosh Chodesh Group, East Side Deli, Denver, Colorado.
(43) Wassim, July 8, 2013 3:02 PM
A festivus for the rest of us!
I think it might be a good idea to emphasize Jewish unity as a central theme to either an existing Jewish holiday or create a new one. I'm all for a new holiday to celebrate Jewish unity despite the diversity of individual Jews.
(42) Anonymous, July 8, 2013 11:57 AM
Jewsloving Jews
First, to Albert Hache, David Berkowitz is not a Jew. He was born to a Jewish father and Catholic mother, and practices Catholicism in prison. Second, unfortunately, the only times Jews realize that they are one and the same, is when the enemies point it out, such as Hitler, yemoch schmo. He didn't care what level of observance anyone was, a Jew was a Jew! Yet we, under more peaceful times cannot and will not get along. Let's see where should we start: Judgmentalism, assumptions, envy, suspicion. acting religious and not really being so, trying to out-do the next door neighbor. Pro-Zionists, anti-Zionists, Black Velvet yarmulke, knitted yarmulke, no yarmulke. Could that be why g-d keeps us in this state, and let's others hate us, otherwise we would surely kill each other. A thousand more Tisha B'av's will not change anything, nor will Yom Kippur, when people promise to do better, and then turn around and do the same thing.
On the bright side, though I witnessed tremendous chesed in my own neighborhood, after Hurricane Sandy, when a tree fell on my house,and we were homeless, and people were falling over each other to help us. That was beautiful. I wish it was like that all over and all the time.
(41) albert hache, July 8, 2013 4:34 AM
You shall have no other G-D.
Let’s try to be a bit more broad minded and see if it is at all possible to love our fellow humans. David Berkovitz A.K.A ‘the son of Sam’ was a Jew, one of the brothers whom, according to this article, we should endeavor to love. How easy do you think would it be for the parents of the Jewish boy he killed and cut into pieces to love him? Human beings are imperfect. How is it possible to love another flawed fellow human?
The Hindus have a beautiful and meaningful way of greeting one another. They join their two hands as if praying whenever they meet someone. A young lady in Madras once told me that it meant: “I love G-D in you!”. Most human loves are based on some form of possessiveness or selfishness. It is indeed impossible to truly love another without the most exclusive and intense love for G-D!
(40) Anonymous, July 7, 2013 11:36 PM
Love your fellow Jew is a lesson that both the Sephardic and Ashkenazaic communities need fellow. Too often there are negative feelings between the two.
(39) Sam Ghanouni, July 7, 2013 7:52 PM
And my heart breaks whenever I see Jews belittling others all together. We have a mission of enlightening the world period. The Mitzva of loving others CAN NOT be limited only toward other jews. It is global.
frank, July 9, 2013 2:55 PM
love
Very good point we have a billion wall around this world all we say don't come into my space the hatred must go. You hit the nail right on the head. All you need is love.,
(38) Jack bender, July 7, 2013 7:09 PM
Likening fellow Jews
How can one love or even like the Israel bashing Jewish writers,,rabbis,and professors who make it their life's work to further the Arab anti Semitic propaganda agenda...you tell me.
(37) Lynn, July 7, 2013 4:35 PM
Wonderful Bein Adam L'Chaveiro
Batsheva, such an important message. You say things in the most inspiring and clear way. Thank you!
(36) Anonymous, July 7, 2013 4:05 PM
but what about
What do you do about really evil behaviour?
Anonymous, July 27, 2015 5:20 PM
We are not commanded to love evil
When a person is truly evil to the core, with no hope for t'shuva, we are not commanded to love that person. But, if a person has made terrible decisions, we can pray that they will do t'shuva. Many times, people do. Our love comes in the fact that we are praying for them, and trying to help them (might even be "tough love").
(35) Andrew Stiller, July 2, 2013 3:19 PM
Excellent Article
Thank you for this thought-provoking article. Yes, as Jews, we may not see eye to eye on things. Nonetheless, we are admonished to love one another, and treat each other with respect and dignity. Thank you again for these important words of wisdom.
(34) Ziva, September 24, 2011 2:57 AM
Your articles are really moving to me tonight. Thank you!
(33) ADRIENNE F-Atlanta, July 22, 2010 6:45 PM
Susan--oops, Batsheva--I can almost hear you speaking these words, as I read them. Inspiring message.
(32) Lisa C., July 21, 2010 12:02 AM
Response to Mark G.
Although this article was mainly about respecting individual Jews as people, a Rabbi I once learned with had a line I like to share which is one answer to Mark's question (about how you can love a Jew like Bernie Madoff). He said "There's a difference between Jews and Judaism." We have ideals, along with all people, and we have free choice, as do all people. If an individual Jew makes a mistake, that is his/her own choice. What the Rabbi meant is that sometimes non-observant Jews talking to people about Torah Judaism sometimes refer to mistakes of observant Jews, as representative of the imperfection of Torah Judaism. He reminded us that althought G-ds Torah is perfect, the people he gave it to aren't. May we all connect just a little more, day by day, with those Jews different than ourselves...
(31) Carol Reese, July 19, 2010 11:03 PM
Love For Each Other
Regarding the proposed monopoly in Israel of conversions in exclusion of American Jewish conversions ( or other ), which would provide division in world / Israeli community related to the principles of this article. There has to be a solution.
(30) Tziporah, July 19, 2010 9:32 PM
Help other Jews through chesed
How about ahavas Yisrael through volunteering! Just google the suggestions below: Become a chavrusa -Partners in Torah - Project Inspire - Oorah Write to Jews in prison - Aleph Institute Start a gemach (for clothes, books, or just about anything you think another person can use) Contact your local Bikur Cholim (visit/help the sick) Invite someone for shabbos or help them make plans for shabbos Knit baby blankets/prepare food/send diapers to a family with a newborn Contact your local JCC/Jewish social service agency and find out about visiting the elderly/disabled/homebound Jews Sign up to daven (pray) for another Jew - Daven for me No ac of kindness is too small, every act of kindness makes a huge difference. Ner l'echad, ner l'meah (A candle for one is a candle for 100)
(29) Alexandra, July 19, 2010 1:42 PM
This is also our next challenge
I'm French living in Jerusalem for one year now. I 've been looking for the best way to bring my little stones to the re establishment of the Holy Temple; I've been studying the importance of goodmouthing his/her fellow jew and the obvious sequel of it: Achdut. We're a group of Israeli and French women who will organize a beautiful meeting with the different tendancies leaders of the jewish people to enhance to see the commonalities of our beautiful people and not our differences. Can I do more? I'd love to!!!! I hope to be in contact with the author to exchange ideas and take positive action.
beth harris, August 9, 2011 2:45 AM
an idea for unity
alexandra- you may want to join this group or others: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/146527
(28) aunt barbie, July 15, 2010 9:50 PM
Susan, as usual, I enjoy reading your pieces! As in our diverse family,& we are diverse..we are still one...
(27) Beverly Kurtin, July 15, 2010 3:41 AM
Am Yisroel Chai
Has anyone ever read Leviticus 19:18? Not only is it nice to love each other, we are COMMAND to love each other. Hashem told us to love our neighbors as ourselves. So any Jew who hates his or her fellow Jew is breaking a mitzvah. Sometimes it is hard to love another person, even another Jew. But we are ONE nation. For over 2,000 years we considered ourselves a separate nation because our land was not available to us. Now that we have our nation back, different groups of Jews don't like, let along love, other groups. I've read that some of the light skinned Jews don't like the darker skinned Jews. WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? A Jew is a Jew is a Jew. I live in Texas, so to me it sounds like the Jewish KKK and making a big deal out of the color is simply asinine. Could I love Bernie Madofff? Sure, why not? I do not in any way appreciate what he did, but can you imagine what he has to go through on a day-to-day basis? It doesn't make me happy, and he is getting what he so richly deserves but it still saddens me because a fellow Jew is incarcerated. So pick up a phone and invite a Jew to lunch or a get together. Do something for your shul. There are many ways to show love without getting mushy about it.
(26) Sarah H., July 14, 2010 4:39 PM
I know a family that exemplifies this attitude
I am not observant but I was at one time. During one of my attempts to take on "more" I met a family in Austin, Texas. They are observant, and a wonderful family to boot! Their loving acceptance of me into their home with "no questions asked" has made it possible for me to hang onto my identify as a Jew and not give up as I try to place myself back into Klal Yisrael. Thank you, Yudi and Esther!
(25) Deborah Schoen, July 14, 2010 3:55 PM
Lessons not learned
This article is very timely. Too bad it is falling on deaf ears in Eretz Israel. I guess the lessons from Tisha B'AV have still not been learned.
(24) Allison, July 14, 2010 2:57 PM
If it were easy it wouldn't be a challenge...
I have been struggling with this very problem recently. My inclination is to disengage when I hear fellow Jews saying things that are anti-Israel, but I know that cutting them out of my life will push them further from understanding that they have been listening to arab propoganda, and will estrange them from the Jewish people as a whole. Likewise, when I meet an intermarried Jew or learn that an acquaintance is dating or engaged to a non-Jew, I want to pull away. But now I am trying to maintain contact and extend a hand of friendship because I want to encourage them to return to their lives as Jews. If we close the door to the intermarried then we discourage them and their children from becoming observant Jews or even friends to the Jewish people. Though it's difficult for me to be welcoming to Jews who have chosen to marry "out," I still try because I know some children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers who decided on their own to convert and find Jewish spouses. You have never seen joy until you've seen a Jewish grandmother who had wept because her son married out, only to dance at the fully Jewish wedding of her grandchild and to hold her Jewish great-grandchild in her arms. I know it's a "long-shot," but we eliminate the possibility completely when we alienate intermarried Jews and tell them (and their children) that life in the Jewish community is closed to them forever.
(23) Anonymous, July 13, 2010 8:06 PM
thank you so much,here are some suggestions for loving our fellow Jews
thank you so much. here are some suggestions i learned from people, to love our fellow Jews more, Here are some ways which I believe may help us in this very difficult area: 1.Try to find the good in them. Everyone has something that is good about them. We just have to find it.(one of my teachers) 2.If the persons flaws annoy or bother you, by reminding oneself that everyone has flaws, I believe really helps.(Positive Word Power a book by the Chafetz Chaim heritage foundation) 3.Try to give to that person even in a small way. By giving to someone you come to love them.(A great rabbi's commetary on shema) 4.Say to yourself "He is who he is suppost to be, he is the man for his job."(Positive Word Power a book by the Chafetz Chaim heritage foundation) 5.They too have a part of Hashem in them, they are special and holy too.They too have special roles to play in this world. 6.Just by acknowledging that they are our brother or sister can help us come to love them. We all share the same Father Hashem 7.Even if one can't come to see the good in someone, sometimes just by knowing that something good is there, can hlep. 8.Hashem woke them up this morning and had hope in them. 9. We do not know this persons life story. Who knows???? Maybe they have overcame way more challenges than us and grown to enormous hights compared to where they started. So we cannot jugde just by how they look and dislike them just because they look or act different.(Very amazing people.)
(22) Sharona, July 13, 2010 11:39 AM
Look at the individual and not the group
Some people have commented on lack of respect among different groups and denominations of Judaism. This is indeed sad. I suggest trying to get past that and look at the individual. Forget about which group s/he comes from. If the groups are "fighting", it doesn't have to involve me. I can still be warm and accepting of other Jews. In my office (in Israel), I try to smile and be appreciative to the cleaning help, who are obviously on a lower socio-economic level that I am (otherwise they wouldn't be cleaning). That is my way of trying to spread Ahavat Yisrael.
(21) Keila Lucy Lemos Moura B. da Silva, July 12, 2010 10:47 PM
G'd Almighty bless your life, Ms. Frankel!!!
During all my life here in Brazil, my family lived closed with ourselves, 'cause we have some different costumes. We are jew descendants (cripto-jews) but that thruth ever was a big secret. My Granpa tolds me some facts, when I was 15 years old. This article was like water in the desert for my heart. Thanks a lot 'cause we, brazilian jews sephardic, cripto-jews, we are so ignored, we are considered non-jews because our Fathers disappears totally unknown, leaving the only inheritance, customs that only in certain families are observed, and ever 'cause "my Father, or my Grandmother did so..." Our tradition, is basically composed of fragments from memories and the reading from The Holy Bible. Particularly, all The Tanach. G'd loves us and He has take care about each israeli like us. He knows us, each one! He will repatriate in one glorious day, 'cause our name is the same Name of Our G'd. We are Jews , too. And we love, and pray, and fight for our beloved Yisrael, since ever. Shalom, Am Yisrael Chai.
(20) Arie, July 12, 2010 7:15 PM
One Love
Bob Marley Said it Beautifuly, Lets all get together and be One Love, We are all Jews No matter what we look like, skin, hair, orthodoxy, We are all ONE. There is too much hate in the world and not enough LOVE. We need to stop and thank Hashem that we are all brothers and sisters no matter what we look like and no matter where we are from!
(19) Elliot, July 12, 2010 6:05 PM
Look at today
I find this article very appropriate today. In Jerusalem today a woman was arrested for carrying a Sefer Torah in the women's section of the Kotel and the Knesset passed 1st reading of a bill that will change the definition of "who is a Jew" in Israel. Talk of tolerance and respect. Where is it in Eretz Israel?
(18) Anonymous, July 12, 2010 12:58 PM
Rob: Wow! Really! Are you not also displaying a "naked contempt for other Jews" when you say that assimilated and intermarried Jews have rejected "fellow Jews, G-d, and Judaism?" Instead of "destroying Judaism," I think that maybe the "non-observant" are strengthening both their own, and your Judaism. I believe that our strength, and indeed our survival has come from our diversity. And as for the "love shown," where exactly would one find that?
(17) Yehuda Kohn, July 12, 2010 5:32 AM
You make a great challenge!
Ms. Frankel, I very much like your message here. I will take on your challenge to invite more people to my family's Shabbat Table AND to take more time to greet the Jews that I meet on the street.. Dear "Anonymous," I think that you missed the point... When Ms. Frankel was a teen (over 30 years ago- Entebbe was in '76) she THOUGHT of another group of Jews as "snobs" She came to understand how wrong she was to think this way! I really doubt that any readers who take the time to delve into this message of "Ahavat Yisroel" will think of any of the fine Jews from Atlanta or Denver (or anywhere else) as anything other than the best our people have to offer. I for one am deeply moved by Ms. Frankel's story here.
(16) Moishe Yitzchak in Toronto, July 12, 2010 3:36 AM
Respect between denominations
It is so sad to see the mistrust and lack of resect between the various denominations. It is not just the sometime iopne contempt between Reform and Frum It is the rifts among different branches of each. It is the rifts in the Chasidish world, not just among different Chassidish groups, but even within. Just look at the state of affairs among Bobovers. Until we learn NOT to judge each other ,this will not end. Thank you for trying.
(15) Anonymous, July 12, 2010 3:28 AM
impossible ?
I just received an email from an " Arab Country ". The Chabad House in a major city had to close on account of the " obsessive " malingering of a non-Chabad Orthodox Jewish leader with connections to the Arab elite. There were no details, just the bottom line. It has been this disastrous for centuries. In my humble opinion, it will not change. I listen to optimists such as yourself, but have never yet seen that there way is close at hand. The message is nice. But given the base of human nature, is it possible ?
(14) Leah, July 12, 2010 1:45 AM
Excellent story
Nothing grieves me more than seeing Jews hating Jews. I've seen too much of it lately on facebook and in Israel. Everywhere we go we should have that instant connection to other Jews that Toby talks about.
(13) Anonymous, July 12, 2010 1:35 AM
Tzipporah: Are you saying that you would not want to sit down and eat with Jews who do not keep Kosher? If that is the case, then how would your meal be a reaching out to Jews who are different than you? Batsheva: It's a wonderful wish, Jews of every persuasion reaching out and communicating and getting along with each other, but do you really believe that it can become more than just a wish? If yes, then in your lifetime? If yes again, then how?
(12) Rob, July 11, 2010 11:45 PM
Love only goes so far
Love for fellow Jews has to go both ways. When a Jew assimilates or intermarries, he rejects his fellow Jews, G-d, and Judaism. When non-observant Jews sneer at "backwards" Jews who are shomer mitzvot, they display naked contempt for other Jews. It is the non-observant who are destroying Judaism through intermarriage, assimilation, and rejection of mitzvot and halacha. I wish they would reciprocate the love shown them by observant Jews.
(11) Bill, July 11, 2010 11:18 PM
How far do we extend this principle
I've been in love with this concept for years and have practiced it daily. Recently I had a debate with a friend who while visiting Israel became vehement about enforcing Shabbos principles through civil law as based in Torah. I became concerned that as good of an idea that it was 25K years ago to King Hezkiah, today it would stimulate enmity and hatred amongst the religious and secular; and therefore bring causeless hatred at a time we most need causeless love. She said Torah trumps all of those concerns so nothing was resolved. What are the readers' opinions regarding this significant and serious issue?
(10) Anonymous, July 11, 2010 9:35 PM
Really?
Anonymous: are you serious? I'm sorry, but I don't believe anyone normal comes away after reading this and thinking that Atlanta teens are snobby and Denver teens rowdy.
(9) Steven Kalka, July 11, 2010 8:50 PM
What about deeper philosophical differences
This article makes valid points. What I'd like to know is how do you deal with Jewish entertainers who back out Israeli commentators over the infantada? The silence of the Hollywood Jewish crowd? Dustin Hoffman backed out of the Israeli Film Festival over the recent flotilla incident. I'm sorry, but my opinion of Dustin Hoffman is extremely low. I really wish I could feel differently. Let me say something else. I have a higher opinion of non-Jews who still entertain in Israel like Elton John. I have a higher opinion of actor Jon Voight who isn't Jewish, but warmly embraces Israel and is active with Chabad. I'm sorry to digress, but i just had to get this off my chest.
(8) Leah, July 11, 2010 7:26 PM
AY Project
There is a beautiful campaign started by a few women that spreads awareness of Ahavas Yisrael and does a tremendous amount to increase Jewish unity throughout the world. I would strongly encourage everyone to check out the website www.ayproject.com.
(7) sheldan, July 11, 2010 7:21 PM
To Anonymous
I don't think that the author meant to say that Denverites are rowdy or Atlantans are snobby. I think the point was that the teens she encountered THEN struck her that way. It hardly reflects on ALL teens from those cities. Having lived in Atlanta and visited Denver, I can attest that both cities are great places to visit and live. On the other hand, your point about not judging others by the actions of some is valid. The author's point is still valid, and we should remember this everyday when we interact with our fellow Jews.
(6) Johnny, July 11, 2010 3:52 PM
Tehillim 133:1
Let us focus on the things we have that are alike and look for the good in every jew.
(5) mark goret, July 11, 2010 3:31 PM
how can I love jews who msitrated me? Or how can we love a Bernie Madoff ?
In my life the some of worst people who have mistreated me were my fellow Jews. I was exploited by my bosses who were Jewish. How can we love a Bernie Maddof who stole from lots of people including his own Synagogue? I go by who is good to me I am good to them. I have more in common with people who share my own views and interest. This question that you rasied have been troubling me for years. I would like to hear your views on what I jsut wrote.
(4) Batsheva Frankel, July 11, 2010 3:13 PM
Re: comment #3
Some of my dearest friends today come from the beautiful Atlanta community, and some of my my "rowdy" Denver friends are are now doctors, teachers, and great leaders of the Jewish community. My point was that as a teenager we made superficial (and wrong) judgements about each other in a fake rivalry instead of realizing that we are all fellow Jews and we should have appreciated each other and found our commonalities. The mention of actual cities is just to highlight the absurdity of the labels we gave as teenagers,.
(3) Anonymous, July 11, 2010 12:53 PM
You missed your own point
In naming the cities associated with your stories, you missed the point. Now a whole cadre of readers will think that Atlanta teens are snobby and Denver teens rowdy. The story would have been more effective with the cities being anonymous. If you would like to meet some teens in Atlanta who are not snobby, please call me and we would be delighted to host you for a Shabbaton with them.
(2) Toby, July 11, 2010 12:08 PM
Don't See This Often
One time I really remember seeing this in action was in a university class I was taking. In it were seasoned veterans in my field like myself and several undergrads. One was a Jewish woman much younger than I. Though I was certainly her mother's age, she made a point of speaking to me, remembering my name and being friendly. I wasn't that we had so much in common that she would naturally befriend me. It was that she knew I was Jewish. I know that G-d put it on her heart to be warm to me. Right around that time, I was going through feelings of alienation from the Jewish community, that through my intermarriage I was a bit estranged. I will always practice what this young girl taught me, to reach out to other Jews no matter where I meet them.
(1) Tzipporah, July 11, 2010 10:37 AM
Eating together
That is a good idea about eating together. That is something everyone can do. As long as you are in a Jewish community where people do keep kosher. Trusting each other's standard of kashrut and eating together. That definitely is a good way to bring people together. It says a lot when you can't even eat together.