Nobody told me there’d be days like these
Nobody told me there’d be days like these
Nobody told me there’d be days like these
Strange days indeed — most peculiar, mama
John Lennon – Nobody Told Me – 1977
Every now and then, a song on the radio stops me in my tracks and makes me reflect on the state of the world. Recently, it was John Lennon’s “Nobody Told Me,” a nearly 50-year-old tune that seems even more relevant today.
What’s happening around us feels incomprehensible. Political turmoil grips Great Britain, France, and the United States. Russia continues its assault on Ukraine, and China eyes Taiwan. In the U.S., a lone gunman shot Donald Trump, and the Secret Service thwarted an assassination plot by Iran. With a general election approaching, Democrats are calling for their incumbent president to step aside.
Strange days, indeed.
Jewish life is also in upheaval. Israel faces terrorism on two fronts, antisemitism surges, and the unity felt after the October 7th attack is fading.
Even the sports world isn’t spared. Recently, Argentinian footballers sang a racist song about France after their Copa America victory. The most disheartening part? The silence that followed. Only Black players have acknowledged the incident publicly, leaving them to bear the emotional burden alone, while others remain silent.
As Jews, we understand the dangers of unaddressed discrimination. Outrage from victims alone isn’t enough; real change demands that friends and allies take a public stand against perpetrators.
Racism, antisemitism, and all forms of hatred are societal cancers. Left unchecked, they erode the values of equality we cherish. While we battle rising antisemitism, it’s crucial for the Jewish community to also stand against all forms of hate. We must come together not just in our own defense, but in defense of others as well. As Hillel taught, “If I am only for myself, what am I?”
The imperative to support others is a core Jewish value, especially in dark times. We must strive to be a light unto the nations.
Shabbat shalom, and may this be the week the hostages return home.
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