by Elisa Garfagna
Ah, humanity! Always eager to find a target to vent its frustrations upon. And who better than the Jews? Let’s delve into why this people seems to be the preferred subject of a litany of unfounded criticisms. Why should we have anything against them? Allow me to explain!
Let’s start with the first point: intelligence and creativity. Jews are renowned for their extraordinary intelligence. From a plethora of Nobel Prizes to scientists providing us with incredible discoveries, it’s truly a shame they are so talented! But let’s face it—who wants to confront intelligence? It’s much more comfortable to remain in the limbo of ignorance and continue blaming those who have the courage to shine.
And what about traditions? Jewish culture is a vibrant tapestry of rituals, from Shabbat to the celebrations of Pesach, the Jewish Passover. I ask myself, “Why learn to play Dreidel when one can just watch TV, thinking that Jews are merely ‘strange’?”
Now, let’s talk about family and community. Jews have a beautiful custom: they take care of their families and communities. What an immense burden! We continue to complain about feeling lonely, don’t we?
And what about resilience and hope? Jewish history is a masterclass in how to rise after every fall. But who wants to commit to building a better future? It’s better to stay within our comfort zones, right? Between binge-watching reality TV and taking a trip to the mall.
Lastly, we cannot overlook the irresistible sense of humor among Jews. They possess an extraordinary ability to laugh at their own misfortunes. But who has time to laugh? Who has time to understand how humor works? Certainly not us!
The truth is that antisemitism is not merely a historical issue but a current plague that demands our attention. Every attack on the identity and dignity of the Jewish people is an attack on OUR humanity. Each of us has the responsibility to combat hatred and defend the rights of all. Our history has taught us that indifference is complicity.
Let us choose to be active allies. Together, we can and must eradicate antisemitism, firmly asserting that hatred has no place in our world. It is time to act and declare unequivocally that every form of hatred is unacceptable. Our voice is powerful, and together we can make a difference.
And as Woody Allen would say, “Humanity is a laboratory experiment, and we are the subjects. If we cannot laugh at our follies, then what can we laugh at?”