Letter on anti-Semitism was shocking

Rabbi Marc Dworkin

On June 12, the Daily Pilot ran a news story on anti-Semitic

incidents in Orange County and Long Beach.

We, at the American Jewish Committee, believe that the intent of

the newspaper report was to assist in exposing incidents of

anti-Semitism as part of the Daily Pilot’s commitment against all

forms of racism, bigotry and intolerance.

This report, released by our colleague Joyce Greenspan of the

Anti-Defamation League, showed a nearly 25% increase in incidents

from 2003 to 2004.

The report documented incidents of vandalism, harassment and

threats, including acts committed in our public schools.

Given the intent of the news story, it is all the more shocking to

read Allan Beek’s response on May 19 in the Daily Pilot. Instead of

joining with the voices calling for tolerance and understanding, Beek

responds with an ugly tirade against the Jewish community.

For almost 100 years, the American Jewish Committee has been

working for a tolerant and accepting American society, and we cannot

allow this offensive letter to go unchallenged.

Instead of looking for solutions for anti-Semitism, Beek’s

obsession with the policies of the Jewish homeland of Israel leads

him to create excuses and even justifications for attitudes and acts

of bigotry and violence in the U.S. and acts of terrorism in the

Middle East.

His canard that politicians seeking financial contributions must

attend a “fundraising reception in an expensive Bel Air home” and

then pledge support to Israel’s prime minister is offensive and

reminiscent of preachers of hate who use false accusations to

discriminate against Jews and other groups.

Beek even goes so far as to justify terrorism and suicide

bombings: “Suicide bombers are the screams of a tortured people.”

Of course, any feeling person’s heart goes out to all who are

suffering in the Middle East. At the same time, there is no moral

justification for suicide bombers targeting families and children,

with the goal of killing as many as possible.

These acts of violence are repugnant and need to be condemned by

the strongest words possible.

In his final paragraph, Beek puts the blame for anti-Semitic acts

on the victims themselves and on the Jewish community.

He writes that when Israel will “obey the rule of law, then we

will see an improvement in attitudes toward the community and a

decrease in vandalism.”

Does this mean that we can scapegoat a people here for

governmental policies in a distant land with which we disagree?

Does Beek really want to give a justification for those who would

practice hatred and bigotry?

We, at the American Jewish Committee, will continue to embrace the

diversity that has become Orange County and will work to build a

tolerant and inclusive community.

Our hope is that Beek and others, who would use their words to

divide us, will see the need to build understanding among the diverse

groups within our county.

* RABBI MARC DWORKIN is the executive director of the American

Jewish Committee, Orange County.