A CALL TO ARMS
By Rolene Marks
What does it mean to be Jewish? How do we identify as
Zionists in a world where to wear this identity loud and proud
often means we are vulnerable to attacks? At a time when
levels of anti-Semitism are rising around the world and to be
anti-Zionist means you support the current cause du jour, do
we dare stand out as supporters of Israel.
The answer is a resounding YES!!! A marketing guru once
said that the best time to advertise and promote your business
is during a recession. The same rule applies for Israel
advocacy. Standing up for Israel is imperative when the noise
from her detractors gets louder.
Nearly 80 years ago, the Jews of Europe had no voice. They were powerless against the Nazi
propaganda juggernaut. Today, all the tools are in place to give us a platform and a voice.
For me, advocating for Israel is just as much a part of my Jewish, Zionist identity as lighting my
Shabbat candles and the Israeli flag. It is a part of who I am and I believe that as Jews not only are we
responsible for each other but also for the Jewish state. Not everyone is a speaker or a writer – but we
are all senders of email, posters on Facebook and disseminators of information.
On occasions when I have been asked to address audiences, the most common question I am asked is
“why is Israel’s public relations so bad”. True, there is definitely room for improvement but I am also
of the opinion that at a time when levels of anti-Semitism are alarmingly high and budgets to counter
this are low, it has become incumbent on us as de facto representatives to be “Ambassadors of Truth”.
This means a call to arms. Arming yourself with the facts to counter the lies and hate filled invective is
a great way to not only make the case for Israel but to bring you closer to your identity. We serve as
examples to the next generation, the youth, and they are in the front line of defense.
But we also have to listen to our youth. In today’s social media driven world where they are
bombarded with information and are much savvier than we are, it is important to engage with them and
hear their concerns. University campuses are hotbeds of anti-Israel activity and many, once exposed to
the opposing arguments, especially when they are made with such conviction, start questioning their
own.
We cannot deny that there is another point of view or shield them from our own transgression but
hopefully through knowledge and conviction they can make informed decisions.
This is why it is important to be armed with facts. We cannot abdicate responsibility anymore by
saying it is the work of the government or politicians. We are all responsible for each other.
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