I had the privilege of being in Israel, feeling very proud to stand with Israel at a time of hardship. I took a one-minute video clip of myself as I wished the world a Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, the heart of the world. My message was one of peace and love, anxious to share it with loved ones, friends and students from the four corners of the planet. I sent it off on Facebook, turned off my phone, and prepared to welcome 25 unique hours of holy Shabbat time and space.
At the conclusion of Shabbat, we recited Havdalah, to distinguish between the holy and the profane, and I slowly returned to my hotel room and switched on my phone. As I switched back on, I knew right away something was wrong. I was bombarded by private messages from friends as well as notifications from Facebook about someone spreading hateful comments on my Facebook page.
Someone had posted hateful comments to my message of peace, using vulgar language and spewing anti-Semitism.
To some extent I had been spared; the revolting messages had been removed from my page before I had a chance to see them. But it quickly became clear what had happened; someone had posted hateful comments to my message of peace, using vulgar language and spewing anti-Semitism.
I froze, unsure of my next step. I am, by nature, a people pleaser. I am not someone who seeks out heart-pounding confrontation. I felt as if someone had just slapped me in the face and was now derisively mocking me in my pain. I thought about shutting down my Facebook account and pulling the covers over my head.
I received a private message from a Facebook follower who I have never met…
Dear Eve, thank you for your inspirational video! After watching it, I wanted to comment, and saw that someone had already commented; here is a pic. Please delete that comment – so disturbing. Can't really understand why people are so evil. Shabbat Shalom and please keep us inspired!
I received a large number of similarly-worded messages of hope and support. I thought to myself, I guess it wouldn’t be the right thing to just shut myself down because of one person’s hatred. If I were to do that, it would amount to that person’s victory. Suck it up Eve. Be strong.
This week, on one of my favorite Facebook communities a friend posted:
As someone who has a lot of non-Jewish liberal friends in Facebook, I have to say that I am increasingly unwilling to share pro-Israel posts on my page. This is scary. I do not believe in the violence and apartheid that goes on in Israel but I do believe the Jews should have a home that should be shared with the other groups who call that land their home. Does anyone else have a similar experience?
This opened a healthy dialogue among the Portland Jewish moms, a very eclectic group of individuals representing many different backgrounds and levels of observance. Here are some of their comments:
A very fine line to walk. You have my empathy.
As a person who was raised in Israel, I would like to add that there is no apartheid in Israel and unfortunately most of the violence in the state is committed against the Jews. Please don't believe everything you see in the news, it is often distorted. Peace, love, and Shabbat shalom guys!
My entire family died in the Holocaust so that I could be here. It just brings me such fear and worry and that gets passed on as well. So I am working to have balance. But it's a struggle. It is helpful to come to a safe place and to hear that I am not alone in this struggle.
Taking a stand is not easy. We sometimes worry about what others may think, or even worry for our own safety. If I was a university student today, would I stand with Israel and show my support when campuses across the globe have become so outwardly anti-Israel? It would be much easier to simply remain quiet and not take a stand.
We live in world with an abundance of freedom, but that freedom can be tenuous and elusive at best.
On Rosh Hashanah we stand before God as a single individual, unable to hide behind our friends and larger society. We stand on our own two feet, taking full responsibility for our actions (or lack thereof) and opinions. What do we have to show for ourselves?
It is so important that we do put our best foot forward no matter what other’s may say. We can’t remain passive.
And we need to learn to respect other people’s differences, especially today, when our society is becoming so polarized.
As we head towards our High Holy Days let us make it our mission that we find the strength and courage to not be afraid of being who we are. And let us also unite as one family by hearing each other’s perspective with respect and tolerance.
Shana tova
(8) Miriam Shoshanah, September 10, 2020 5:11 PM
Inspired
Thank you.. Yesterday was my Hebrew birthday and today, my calendar birthday number 68, during the heart of ELUL. Your post was very imspiring.
(7) Michael Fine, September 6, 2018 10:31 PM
Thank you
Thank you for inspiring us. To tell the truth, until the advent of social media, I was mainly shielded from the insane, virulant anti-Semtism that seems to be hard-wired into the DNA of western culture. Like you, I was cautious about posting pro-Israel articles on Facebook but now is the time to stand up for our nation and people.
(6) Sharon, September 6, 2018 2:32 PM
stand strong against Israel's enemies
Eve, I well understand your discomfort after being verbally assaulted. I was lucky back in college. I went to a school with a large Jewish population and never felt threatened at all, so I can't be sure that I would have the guts to speak my mind. Fortunately I came to live in Israel after school, so I am not faced with those dilemnas. But when you hear a comment about someone opposing the "apartheid and violence" that goes on in Israel, understand that that comment is a complete adoption of the BDS fabricated "story" and simply has to be contested. It shows how even well intentioned individuals lack knowlege may be fooled. That is why everyone who knows better MUST speak up. Please imagine that someone spread a terrible lie about someone you loved dearly (a parent, spouse or child). Would you stay silent out of discomfort? Surely not! So please don't stay silent when Israel, the home of over 6 million Jews is maligned. Those who slander Israel are not intimidated, but there are too many innocent bystanders who don't know better and you have to protect them from falling prey to malicious propoganda.
If you're missing information, learn, but don't remain silent.
Thanks
(5) Sharon, September 5, 2018 7:04 PM
Be Proud
Always be proud of who you are. There will always be hate in this world that we can't stop, but we can always be proud Jews. Always stand up for what you believe. I also get hate posts,but sometimes no response is the best response! I am a Jew and a Proud Jew! I love Israel and will never be afraid of telling everyone that I am proud and I love Israel. I know I have rambled, But hold your head high be proud of who you are and where you are from! Sending blessing to you! <3
(4) Rachel, September 5, 2018 6:58 AM
Stand up and get off Facebook
Facebook and other social media are unnecessary. There are other ways to share special times without posting online.
anonymous, September 5, 2018 11:36 AM
Interesting Comment
I found this comment really interesting because depending on the audience the message could be perceived as salt in a wound. I had wondered if I would have publicly posted it.
Of course, the poster of the inappropriate response was 100% wrong, their hateful post was deleted as it should have been.
But, the end of the 2 state solution, the declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of all of Israel and no longer available for the capital of a Palestinian state, and the recent nation state law and the end of funding for the refugees, all of this at once, is creating a lot of powerful feelings and emotions.
The U.S. is not appearing neutral and there are Palestinians, people, who are not terrorists trying to survive.
So, the message of love and peace for one group wasn't for another if the post was public.
The sentiment was beautiful, but sometimes underneath what looks like hate and intense anger is intense pain and hurt.
I am trying to have empathy and use wisdom with my words because there are vastly different narratives, and it does not mean I am not standing for Judaism.
(3) Alaine Apap Bologna, September 4, 2018 8:37 PM
I'm on your side. Please continue to speak up. Anti-semitism is totally unacceptable, or any other discrimination in today's world.
(2) Nancy, September 3, 2018 12:54 PM
We must always stand up for Israel and Judaism
I get very angry when I read statements accusing Israel of being apartheid.
Raymond, September 5, 2018 12:24 AM
The Irony of It
Ironically, Israel is the only State in the Middle East that is NOT an apartheid government. In Saudi Arabia, for example, Jews are literally not aloud to take even one step there.
(1) Alan S., September 3, 2018 11:46 AM
Good for you for standing up in what you believe in.
There will always be haters, hating for no other reason than that they truly hate humanity, and themselves.
Yasher koach to you for posting your message/ comment on FB.
As on FB, many commenters on Aish.com clearly espouse anti-Israel views as well. Hateful anti-Israeli messages should be deleted.
While a comment need not always reflect harmony or be pro-Israeli, nonetheless, the comment should reflect wise judgement about Israel.
I am always amazed that there are comments that do not reflect the truth and are clearly just inane, regardless of the article they attach their comments to.
Many of the comments are anti-Israeli due to the Palestinian issue and the bds movement, regardless of whether Israel is right -- and sometimes wrong, though always trying to do their best in confronting irrational hatred -- but always dismissing or diminishing or irrespective of Palestinian wrongs. In other words, Israel and by extension, Jews are wrong no matter what is done that is good.
So, even if we Jews wish others 'peace', it is wrong to do so regardless of the fact that Palestinian behavior often 'wish' others death. How many times do we have to hear "death to America, death to Israel"? This is the modern 'intersectional' political issue, whereby Jews are wrong simply because of 'privilege'.
Please, keep sending your messages of peace and good will. It will touch those who can appreciate your message. It will never touch those who are consumed with hatred.