LOUDLY PROUDLY

 Not two minutes ago I came across an article written by a young lady which broadly details a personal journey of discovery and choice. Accidentally, as a result of reading her deceased grandmother' diary, she found she is Jewish. What did that mean to her, to her life.? To cut to the chase - she is now, "loudly, proudly Jewish" with all the traditional accoutrements - synagogue, Rabbi, community and her Star of David, prominent in heart and soul and in daily display of adornment, out there for all to see. 

No hiding - just there. For all to see, to know, her proud connection to a tradition she had not previously known, willingly, joyfully, adopting as her heritage, a long and proud one, living up to the truth of her Rabbi's statement: "A Jew is a Jew is a Jew". And ain't that the truth. That thought led me to yet another thought or impression and I, too, share in her "loudly, proudly" identity of being a Jew, with all that entails. 

As did the tens of thousands who showed up yesterday, declaring, shouting, demanding, singing, challenging the world. An in-your-face declaration of Jewishness, for the world to know that we are not going anywhere. Try your best, do your worst, but that is a fact - of will, of destiny, of history.

Yesterday on 5th Ave in Manhattan, the annual Salute to Israel Day Parade took place, its theme - One Heart One People. We had all wondered what would be of the parade this year. Could the traditional air of celebration, of joy, of reunion, of cheers, be reconciled with the angst of our present existentially challenged situation? As the world wallows in JewHatred in every facet and then some.  As the very legitimacy and integrity of the State of Israel is increasingly denied.  As the humanity of the Jewish people, their right to exist is denied, chants of death to them, to Israel, echoing round the world in a global sickness of toxic anti semitism. 

The ugliness of today harks back to previous times of horror focused on the Jewish nation. Denied humanity, used as deflection assets of evil rulers, forced from homes time and time again. Filth spewed at Jews, on Jews. Emulating Hitler and his advocates. Replicating the pogroms of a blood-soaked Europe, and equally blood soaked Arab and Moslem countries. The chanters on campus calling for the death of Israel and all Jews round the world.

How would this all play out at the parade on Sunday? Would people come? Would parents allow their children to march, to loudly, proudly, proclaim their Jewishness?  It is said that build a baseball field and they will come. Does that carry through that if one gives a parade, people will show up?     What would be? Uncertainty. The insecurity of the   security. Discussions ongoing in the offices of every Jewish institution, not only of New York, but of Israel and round this nation and of the world.

The result: a huge parade. A loud and proud announcement to the world. We are here. We will not be shut out. We will not be denied humanity. We will not be isolated. We will not be denied our rights. Haters will discover they have chosen wrong, picked the losing team. Jews once quiet, distanced from their Judaism are now showing up loudly, proudly. They joined in the shouts of "Send them home. Send them home." We have not forgotten the hostages for they are our family. We have not discounted their worth. We want them home. We demand their return. 

The power of the voices raised echoed in the canyons of Manhattan. They echoed in the hearts and souls of Jews. They echoed in the hearts of those who support their Jewish friends and neighbors. Those who choose the right, the correct, the moral. It is a parade that went far and above what we hoped for. So, world, hear the loudly, proudly Jews of the world. Loudly and proudly. There is a new understanding. that truly a Jew is a Jew is a Jew. If we do not accept that, if we do not proudly accept that, it will be forced upon us. With malicious intent and goals.

Attention world. We are all wearing Stars of David. Some hang on chains. Some are pinned on. Some are displayed on flags, placards and posters, tee shirts and hoodies. Some are etched into the hearts and souls. Never to be discarded. Never to be worn out. World, you need to understand. This is not arrogance. This is stubbornness. This is history. This is knowing that no, Biden, no, Trump, no, despicable legislative haters, no, Norway, no, Spain, no, Maldives, no, France, no, Ireland, no to all the haters out there, NO to all of you. You are not the boss of us. You will not determine our fate.

We have a better boss. A bigger boss. One who sometimes does not pay the attention that should be paid, but one whose attention will always return.   Thems the facts, folks. Loudy, proudly, we agree - A Jew is a Jew is a Jew and we all possess a Star of David, more than one. As the theme of the Parade stated loud and clear - One Heart, One People. Shylock asked, "Does a Jew not bleed?" Yes, we do, copiously, too often, but when we do, the blood spilled calls out, to be remembered, to be avenged, never to be forgotten or forgiven.

Am Yisroel chai - La' netzach.

The nation of Israel lives - forever.

Loudly, proudly Jewish. Yup!

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Yitzy, you always proudly flourished in your love of Judaism. You shared that joy with all of us. You inspired so many. Hopefully we have all taken a part of that love with us wherever we go, even as we take our love for you wherever we go.

We so miss you. 

Always and forever. Always and forever.