Reaction to Violence: A Jewish Center Doesn't Need Armed Guards
The shooting of innocent children and adults by white supremacist Buford O'Neil Furrow Jr. is causing me a lot of concern.
I run a Jewish center in the South Bay. It houses a day care, day camp, and school. Every morning I greet our 80 children, their parents, sometimes grandparents, and staff. It is important to them that a rabbi, man of the cloth, is there showing a true interest in their well being. First impressions are lasting impressions. I love my students and staff and take a personal interest in their lives.
My center has been called and been visited by the local councilmen, City Manager, Sheriff's Department and reporters. All want to know what we are doing for the kids' safety.
I am happy to state that, if anything, we are increasing our efforts to get more children into the Jewish center by offering reduction in fees and scholarships.
We counteract the negative publicity by making Jewish centers more available. The only answer to anti-Semitic acts of violence is doubling our efforts in teaching the joys and love for our tradition. Jewish people are called the chosen people. I teach that we are not chosen for victimization, but for adding to civilization.
No, we are not hiring security guards for the center. My kids are of an impressionable age. The crucial sponge years, as they are called. I don't need them to think that a Jewish school in America needs armed guards. Indeed, I have a good staff, strong locks and iron gates. I also have lots of faith in placing my trust in the Almighty G‑d for the ultimate protection.
Jewish tradition commands us to place a mezuza, a hand written scroll proclaiming G‑d's watchful and protective eye on our doorposts. All our doors have kosher mezuzas. Locks, gates, mezuzas, I am feeling safe.
No, I also don't need Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, to protect my center. His inflammatory, outlandish statement causes unreasonable fear and is totally out of order. He commented on the shooting saying the following "International significance in the expansion of terrorism against Israel and Jews all over the world." He makes it sound as if we are in crisis and the Israeli army is coming to save us. His statement overlooks or denies his own problems. The very same day he made this statement a terrorist driver injured 10 soldiers and civilians. Acts of violence are on the increase since he took leadership.
We are also not going to install metal detectors, cement barriers and bullet proof windows. What we are doing is sending get-well cards written by our campers to the recovering children. We are building a bigger and better school and hope Jews all over the world are doing the same. To our Sheriffs, FBI, Councilmen, Mayor, Governor and President, I thank you for your concern, we know you are doing a great job.
For me, overreaction would be carrying out the plan of the nefarious Buford O'Neil Furrow when he said his actions are a "Wake up call to America to kill Jews."