Standing up with Mordechai, Esther

his need for an “enemy” of the king, which would enable him to consolidate power in the name of protecting and securing the kingdom. We as a Jewish minority could easily be labeled “lawless” and “dangerous,” a fifth column, if you will, because we were different. King Achashverus, moved by Haman’s fearmongering, only too willingly gave Haman the power and authority to carry out whatever actions he saw fit.

Against this backdrop, Mordechai and Esther stood up against Haman’s hate. Esther was willing to risk everything to go before the king. She did not know whether her entreaties would be her head or whether, after all was said and done, Haman’s evil plan would succeed because she was too late to stop it. Mordechai and Esther’s resistance to Haman and his band of evil hatemongers demonstrated that while it is easier to stand on the sidelines, standing up for what is right can and does make all the difference.

Sadly, today hate in all its forms has steadily been on the uptick. Our polarized society has swung open the door of demonizing “the other” by evoking culture wars and blaming the other for the world’s problems. For our Jewish community, this has brought to the fore the old antisemitic canards that “we are the masterminds of a global plot/conspiracy to take over the world” or that “Jews control the media, the government and the banks.”

From pharaoh and Haman to Kanye West and QAnon, the hate against us is a viral disease that today is more easily spread through social media and seeps into the mainstream, poisoning even those who do not subscribe to a particular hate group. As a result, according to the Anti-Defamation League’s last complete report, in 2021, there were 2,717 antisemitic incidents throughout the United States (probably underreported). This is a 34-percent increase from the 2,026 incidents tabulated in 2020 and the highest number on record since the ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979. Of the 2,717 incidents recorded in 2021, 1,776 were cases of harassment, a 43-percent increase from 1,242 in

2020, and 853 incidents were cases of vandalism, a 14-percent increase from 751 in 2020. The 88 incidents of antisemitic assault (a 167-percent increase from 33 in 2020), involved 131 victims; none of the assaults were deadly (thank God!).

While the numbers might numb us, the reality is that we have experienced this rise in hate right here in the Lehigh Valley. In December a group of white supremacists wearing antisemitic shirts started screaming diatribes against us at Christkindlmarkt in downtown Bethlehem. I have personally been screamed at walking home from synagogue on Shabbat, and not so long ago a family mourning the loss of their mother was harassed leaving our cemetery. From threats, lockdowns, increased security, incidents on college campuses and what seems like weekly distribution of hate mail, the rise of antisemitism will not just disappear because we wish it to. And while we are a prime target of this hatred, we are certainly not alone. The ADL has seen a rise in hate across the board against Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and LGBTQ+ Americans as well.

But we are not resigned to this America. One of the most important and effective ways of pushing back against this hate is to bring together people of good heart.

In response to the incidents in Bethlehem, Mayor J. William Reynolds spoke at Congregation Brith Sholom on Shabbat, and the Bethlehem Interfaith Group (B.I.G.) came together for one of the largest hanukkiah lightings at Bethlehem City Hall. By creating relationships of loving presence, we can not only condemn the hateful actions and ideology of hate but also work to build understanding and communities of resilience. To educate, challenge stereotypes and confront our own prejudices.

Therefore, we the descendants of Mordechai and Esther cannot be silent. We not only are the witnesses of the 20th century’s most horrific and evil plot to wipe out our entire people, the Shoah, but also are charged with never looking the other way. Now is the time to cast aside any lingering doubts or questions about whether we should “keep a low profile,” “let this pass by” or “not call attention to ourselves.” No, now is the time for moral courage, faith in one another and what is right, and a resolute conviction that if we stand up to those peddling hate, we can save ourselves, others and our children’s future. So let’s not only cheer for Mordechai and Esther this Purim, but also stand up and make some noise against hate. Chag Purim sameach!

EVERY MONTH BRING A SMILE

FLOWERS FOR