Image: Kelly Blair

 

An old Jewish joke goes like this: "What's the definition of a Jewish telegram? 'Start worrying. Details to follow.' "

 

I am often asked by fellow Jews about contemporary manifestations of anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe. "Is this just like 1939? Are we on the cusp of another Holocaust?" Until now, my answer has been an unequivocal "no." I have criticized community leaders who, either out of genuine concern or to advance their own purposes, use Holocaust analogies to describe contemporary conditions. These claims are ahistorical. They overstate what is going on now and completely understate the situation in 1939.

 

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Yair Lapid

 

The Holocaust causes us all to ask of ourselves the same question: What would I have done?

 

What would I have done if I was a Jew in Berlin in 1933, when Hitler rose to power? Would I have run? Would I have sold my house, my business? Removed my children from school in the middle of the year? Or would I have said to myself: it will pass, it is just momentary madness, Hitler says all these things because he is a politician seeking election. Yes, he's anti-Semitic, but who isn't? We've been through worse than this. It's better to wait, to keep my head down. It will pass.

 

 

 

The four female paramedics that saved lives during Operation Protective Edge  (Photo: Gadi Kablo, Yedioth Aharnoth)

The resuscitation attempts inside moving tanks, the ceaseless shooting, the burnt aroma in the air - four paramedics, some of the only women who served in Gaza for a long period of time, tell of days filled with pain and pride.

This was the first time since the fighting began that they met each other and shared experiences. The three women in regular service and another in the reserves were part of the group of paramedics who were among the only women to serve in Gaza for several days straight during Operation Protective Edge.

 

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Federation has initiated an emergency "Israel Under Fire" Emergency Campaign in conjunction with Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) to send immediate and urgently needed funds directly to Israel during this conflict and have identified needs that include:

  

Ongoing trauma counseling- There are tens of thousands living in daily terror and in need of ongoing help and support

  

  

General Assembly

November 9-11, 2014

National Harbor, MD
 

The current crisis and the Federation response has been extraordinary. And it underscores just how important our work is as a community.

 

It is also a reminder of what makes the GA so important. It's not just an exciting event-it's the most powerful symbol of what we do.

With Israel in peril, we know that our solidarity as a global Jewish community is more essential than ever. But it's also essential that we, Federation volunteer leaders and professionals continue to explore new ways of thinking and new forms of leadership. That we discover how to strengthen and invigorate our communities in fresh ways. That's what GA 2014 is all about. And it's going to be electrifying.

 

So get ready to engage with dynamic speakers, from prominent political figures to renowned intellectuals and philanthropic visionaries. Get ready for unexpected and innovative thinking. Get ready to be inspired to new heights. And get ready to have an incredible time doing it.

 

Go to www.generalassembly.org to get the latest program info and to register now!