Dear Ice Cube,
I, like so many other Jews, understand why our African-American brothers and sisters are angry and in pain.
It is undeniable that your people have suffered throughout their history.
It is undeniable that many African-Americans still suffer from discrimination and poor treatment to this day.
I get it.
But none of that excuses many of the things we are now seeing. The looting, destruction of property, and violence.
Not to mention the hate directed towards MY people by people like you.
You clearly have been influenced by Louis Farrakhan, one of the worst antisemites of this day. A man who promotes the idea that Blacks are the true Jews, and we are “fake Jews” and the “Synagogue of Satan.”
And on a certain level, I actually understand why his teachings appeal to you and many other African-Americans. How nice it must be to feel that all of this time, you have actually been the Chosen People, chosen by G-d Himself! All those years of pain and persecution? All part of G-d’s plan to elevate you.
And how convenient to blame your plight on others, the “fake Jews” who took your rightful mantle.
I don’t know for sure whether you are part of one of the lost tribes of Israel (although there is no evidence you are). But even if you were, there is no excuse for besmirching Jews like me as “fakes”, and disseminating the most vile Jew hatred to your millions of followers on social media, especially knowing the current climate we are in, and the passions involved.
Are you trying to get more Jews murdered?
Antisemites like you like to point how Jews are disproportionately represented among the successful and “White privileged.” Well, for a start, we are not “White.” You might want to confer with your fellow antisemites on the Far Right who at least understand this point.
Being successful, as many of my co-coreligionists are, is no crime. Besides, you seem to be doing rather well yourself. Imagine (or maybe you don’t have to) having others trying to tear you down just because of it.
There are many reasons for the relative success of Jewish people: A religion and culture that promotes intellectual curiosity and rigor; hard work and determination to overcome great odds and persecution; a close-knit family unit and community.
But at the end of the day, it all boils down to G-d’s promise to our forefather Abraham in Genesis 12:2.
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you, and I will aggrandize your name, and [you shall] be a blessing
But you may want to pay heed to the very next verse
And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you.”
Of course, you want to believe this verse is referring to your people. And to do that, you feel the need to attack us pesky Jews who you see as being in your way.
Getting back to our “disproportionate representation,” there is something else we have in which we have enjoyed a disproportionate representation: the Civil Rights movement. So many Jews have historically stood side-by-side with your people, demanding justice and equality.
I mention this not because we need your thanks; but we certainly don’t need your incitement of hatred towards us either.
I mean, c’mon! I know you think you are the “true” Jews, but the level of chutzpah in fighting hatred and discrimination with your own hatred and discrimination is astounding.
Here’s a thought: Instead of denigrating another people who, despite having endured thousands of years of persecution, have managed to not only survive but actually flourish, how about you partner up with, and learn from, us?
Judaism starts with the premise that each human being is created in the image of G-d. We certainly believe that of you and your people. Perhaps it is time you started believing that of us.
