2008 Woodie Awards
The Importance of Being Active
Rebecca Stone
Issue date: 5/16/05 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
As an Orthodox Jew who has spent much time fighting for the welfare of non- Jewish people, I am constantly asked why I am spending so much of my time and energy on non-Jews and non- Israel causes. First of all, although I do not owe anyone a justification for choosing to spend my energy on saving Darfur, I do want to start off by saying that my resume (for those interested) is a clear indication that most of my time has been spent on Israel issues. I have worked with many terror victim organizations, I worked on the Lman Achai project, and I am working with Russian Orphans in a youth village near Haifa this summer. That being said, I still believe that fighting to end genocide for ANY race and ethnicity is one of the most important causes for Jews to be involved in.
From a purely halachik standpoint, the Talmud tells us that "he who can save the entire world, and does not, is responsible for the entire world." The talmud also talks about the importance of doing chessed for Jews and Non-Jews alike. But on a personal note, some of the greatest influences on my life are the righteous gentiles who risked their lives to save Jewish families in the holocaust. Thousands of gentiles helped Jews simply because their consciences told them to. My "self- sacriifice" is nothing compared to theirs. And yet, I am sure they were asked by their friends and families as well why they were risking thier lives to help a people who they had no responsibility to. Why weren't they giving their basements to impoverished Christians or to non Jewish orphans? Why risk their lives for non-family?Why not help their immediate community instead? My extensive holocaust education has left me with the basic outlook that the world betrayed the Jews, and it is because of all of the "innocent bystanders" that 6 million of my brethren were killed. How then, can I live with myself, if I too turn my back on a people who are being wiped out in genocide simply for being different than their oppressors? How can we as a Jewish community say the words "Never Again" if we allow others to suffer the atrocities that we once did? And how can we blame the world for not coming to our aid, when we show the same indifference towards anyone other than Jews. Lman Achai is an extremely important cause. And if we do not take care of our hungry brothers, no one will. But hunger in Israel pales in comparison to 15,000 victims dying a month from genocide. And if we do not fight for them, no one will. Let me remind Yeshiva University students that the role of the Jewish people is to be an Or Lgoyim, a light unto the nations. If we only care about ourselves, then we can not expect any other nation to act differently. If we can only see the plight in our own community, we are no better than the world we condemn.
With Yom Hashoa's recent commemoration, I can not help but think that it is time for reevaluation of the lessons we learn from history. The holocaust continuously reminds us how much we have been persecuted throughout the ages. We must be mindful that we are a persecuted minority to this day. But to end our analysis there is to limit the scope and importance of the holocaust in our people's history. If we only victimize ourselves, and do not see our potential to help other victims, we do not sufficiently honor the memory of the martyred, nor do we honor the heroes that risked their lives for them. Eli Weisel, a holocaust survivor, headed a delegation to Sudan, to express solidarity with the victims and to bring attention to this cause. Eli Weisel has been one of the major activists in fighting for the Sudanese victims. He directly connects his involvement in humanitarian issues with his experience in the holocaust. Not Now Not Ever has been supported by many influential members of the Jewish community, including President Joel and Malcolm Hoemlein, who applauded our efforts publically at the Yom Haatzmaut celebration. I have received many emails and phone calls from Jews who expressed to me that being at the rally made them "proud to be Jewish".
Perhaps those who criticize my priorities should dedicate their lives to different causes- ANY causes. But why these people waste their time criticizing my cause, when they could acquire their own, still boggles my mind. I am amazed by the diligence and passion that every member of Not Now Not Ever displayed over the past few weeks. If every YU student dedicated that much time and effort helping hungry Israelis, Israel would be in a different economic state. Perhaps My team should not be criticized for doing so much good, when so many are not doing anything (except criticize). I am so sorry that our passion is not ignited by "Relentless" showings, but I have seen the movie many times, and I have chosen to dedicate a few months to helping victims of genocide, instead of Israeli politics. With any new Israel initiative, I offer my support and help. I respect and feel YU's love for Israel, but I do not feel comfortable limiting myself to just one cause. To quote Eli Weisel, if we do not help these people, "what is at stake is our own humanity." When my grandchildren ask me why I stood by when Sudanese Africans were wiped out, I will tell them that I dedicated my time towards helping them, because of my Jewish principles. I hope that all Jews, especially Yeshiva University students, will be able to say the same.
Rebecca Stone is a graduating senior at Stern College for Women. She is the program director for Not Now, Not Ever, and will be a graduate fellows in the Office of University Life next fall.
From a purely halachik standpoint, the Talmud tells us that "he who can save the entire world, and does not, is responsible for the entire world." The talmud also talks about the importance of doing chessed for Jews and Non-Jews alike. But on a personal note, some of the greatest influences on my life are the righteous gentiles who risked their lives to save Jewish families in the holocaust. Thousands of gentiles helped Jews simply because their consciences told them to. My "self- sacriifice" is nothing compared to theirs. And yet, I am sure they were asked by their friends and families as well why they were risking thier lives to help a people who they had no responsibility to. Why weren't they giving their basements to impoverished Christians or to non Jewish orphans? Why risk their lives for non-family?Why not help their immediate community instead? My extensive holocaust education has left me with the basic outlook that the world betrayed the Jews, and it is because of all of the "innocent bystanders" that 6 million of my brethren were killed. How then, can I live with myself, if I too turn my back on a people who are being wiped out in genocide simply for being different than their oppressors? How can we as a Jewish community say the words "Never Again" if we allow others to suffer the atrocities that we once did? And how can we blame the world for not coming to our aid, when we show the same indifference towards anyone other than Jews. Lman Achai is an extremely important cause. And if we do not take care of our hungry brothers, no one will. But hunger in Israel pales in comparison to 15,000 victims dying a month from genocide. And if we do not fight for them, no one will. Let me remind Yeshiva University students that the role of the Jewish people is to be an Or Lgoyim, a light unto the nations. If we only care about ourselves, then we can not expect any other nation to act differently. If we can only see the plight in our own community, we are no better than the world we condemn.
With Yom Hashoa's recent commemoration, I can not help but think that it is time for reevaluation of the lessons we learn from history. The holocaust continuously reminds us how much we have been persecuted throughout the ages. We must be mindful that we are a persecuted minority to this day. But to end our analysis there is to limit the scope and importance of the holocaust in our people's history. If we only victimize ourselves, and do not see our potential to help other victims, we do not sufficiently honor the memory of the martyred, nor do we honor the heroes that risked their lives for them. Eli Weisel, a holocaust survivor, headed a delegation to Sudan, to express solidarity with the victims and to bring attention to this cause. Eli Weisel has been one of the major activists in fighting for the Sudanese victims. He directly connects his involvement in humanitarian issues with his experience in the holocaust. Not Now Not Ever has been supported by many influential members of the Jewish community, including President Joel and Malcolm Hoemlein, who applauded our efforts publically at the Yom Haatzmaut celebration. I have received many emails and phone calls from Jews who expressed to me that being at the rally made them "proud to be Jewish".
Perhaps those who criticize my priorities should dedicate their lives to different causes- ANY causes. But why these people waste their time criticizing my cause, when they could acquire their own, still boggles my mind. I am amazed by the diligence and passion that every member of Not Now Not Ever displayed over the past few weeks. If every YU student dedicated that much time and effort helping hungry Israelis, Israel would be in a different economic state. Perhaps My team should not be criticized for doing so much good, when so many are not doing anything (except criticize). I am so sorry that our passion is not ignited by "Relentless" showings, but I have seen the movie many times, and I have chosen to dedicate a few months to helping victims of genocide, instead of Israeli politics. With any new Israel initiative, I offer my support and help. I respect and feel YU's love for Israel, but I do not feel comfortable limiting myself to just one cause. To quote Eli Weisel, if we do not help these people, "what is at stake is our own humanity." When my grandchildren ask me why I stood by when Sudanese Africans were wiped out, I will tell them that I dedicated my time towards helping them, because of my Jewish principles. I hope that all Jews, especially Yeshiva University students, will be able to say the same.
Rebecca Stone is a graduating senior at Stern College for Women. She is the program director for Not Now, Not Ever, and will be a graduate fellows in the Office of University Life next fall.