MEETING A NAZI’S DESCENDANT

A meditation on the challenge of choosing life’s paths


In this last week edition of the Jewish Press, there’s an article by Elliot Resnick, a reporter staff who wrote about a challenging task that a Holocaust survivor took upon herself: Meet the daughter of a former Nazi commander called Goeth; as the daughter of the Nazi called Helen Jonas out that she desired to meet her.

Now, after 60 years of the horrendous Holocaust tragedy they met in Poland; the meeting is going to be portrayed as a documentary airing on TV. I’m not so sure how genuine the documentary is going to be, but if it really is – it’s probably a story that catches attention due to its implication.

I’m aware that there are few descendents of Nazi commanders that even converted to Judaism and happened to give speeches; but this seems a different case, the daughter whose name is Monika Hertwig was willing to meet Mrs. Jonas who was saved by the real famous hero Schindler ( Schindler’s list by Spielberg) during World war II.

What would cause a daughter of a Nazi look forward to meeting a Holocaust survivor who used to live in her father’s village? Would it be due to a sense of trying to distance herself from the image of her father? Mrs.Hertwig only found out about her father's past either at the age of 11 or 13.

I think the whole curiosity itself involving the story is the reason to film a documentary. Should we blame a daughter of a Nazi for the behavior of her father? Whatever one may conclude about the complexity of this fact; she probably has to bear the fact of being connected with her father.

Human beings in general are judged in society by our family branches, because we happen to carry their DNA, whether good or bad. Nevertheless, every individual has their personal “marks” and personality character – though there might be tendencies.

When, one’s ancestors are good loving people, we hope to see that their descendants are going to be good and hopefully surface their Mitzvot. Yet, throughout the whole Torah we see all kinds of mixed cases.

As Torah describes some brothers acted good and some bad to name a few: Cain vs. Abel (good), Jacob vs. Esau (wicked) and what about Korach’s sons that not only didn’t agree with their own father’s wickedness, even endured the shame of being Korach’s son and they totally separated themselves from their wickedness's influence and were able to compose inspirational Psalms (Tehilim) to G-d due to their desire to reach higher divine levels.

What about the opposite path of Absalom? Having as a father the righteous David HaMelech( king David) chose the wrong path.

Korach’s sons chose the right path, removing themselves from the evil influence of their father; so how much easier it should be for all of us to reach higher grounds and win the battle of evil we face?

In regards to Mrs. Hertwig, we should consider that the fact that she wants to dialogue with a Jewish survivor may proof that she’s trying to expel herself from the darkness of her father’s ideology.

In resume, whatever the case of a person might be there's a choice; in the case of the Jewish nation - we must emulate the ultimate goodness of our forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.


By Carine


The trailer of the documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGAJpE3LOhs

Jewish Press article about the encounter: http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/37366/Holocaust_Survivor_M.html

Ps: P.O.V will be streaming film until January at http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2008/inheritance/fullfilm.html - if you click on the title you can be redirected to the streaming video.

GUN - A JEWISH PROTECTION ?

Hold on to guns in a Shabbat?


I had never thought about Jewish people having to carry a gun…and especially on Shabbat, but as terrorism is going Jew hunting all over these days, and after the Mumbai attack, I read an article in the India times stating that an Indian Jewish police officer happened to carry a gun on the Shabbat following the attack – regardless of any complication of Jewish law, due to the unknown course of matters.

I got curious about the issue and researched a little bit of such controversial issue involving Jews and guns. I particularly never ever dreamed of even thinking about it, but, noticing the vulnerability of many Jewish people in war zone areas or nowadays, just the fact of being alive, any western is a target.

Then, I came to realize that in Eretz Israel many Yehudim are allowed to carry guns on Shabbos , since it’s a matter of life safety – but, in order to do so they have to put it attached to their belts, and when in shul put it aside. For me, just to imagine such a reality is trembling enough, you probably have to be double careful in every step in every way.

Honestly it’s a confusing matter for me, but for many, especially in Israel it’s a reality; the world is becoming more and more dangerous, but would a gun save the life of those in the chabad house in Mumbai?

It’s hard for me to ponder whether a gun would save anyone’s life; first of all each case is different, but in general owning a gun requires lots more of responsibility 24/7. In many cases, people who aren’t prepared and trained happen to kill a loved one, partners, and relatives accidently or purposely willing do so, besides that some depressed person or mentally challenged person due to suicidal feelings could take their lives easily having a gun at hand.

The question rises when genuinely people become targets, like most Jews in Israel who need to get proper training and then get their guns on. Now, in the Mumbai case, the better option would have been that the Chabad house should have proper security system, security guards (well trained), safe locks, camera circuit and other equipments to facilitate the security of our Jewish brethren who selflessly engaged in the Mitzvah of caring for their fellow.

If some rabbis should get guns, honestly they should get proper training and before that get tested of capable of doing so. I have no doubts that Rabbi Gabi Holtzberg would have being able to handle it in a wise manner.

Nevertheless, we must acknowledge that having a gun many times doesn’t mean safety, but in a wrong hand can cause more harm and cause more risk.

I used to be in favor of gun control, but now, I came to think that most “bad guys” own guns and know how to use it to do evil; so, why not give a chance of good people who get good training have a chance of using it with wisdom for self-defense.

The times are not good and in America guns selling are increasing due to insecurity of all sorts. But learning how to shoot can be very expensive – in Israel it happens to be very affordable and there are several schools as seen at this site http://caliber3.webads.co.il .

It’s complicated to see such reality. I wouldn’t judge at such times, when unfortunately terrorism is dominant. I just hope and pray that the Jewish people shouldn’t need to be afraid; but, I think that we must make sure our homes have proper secure locks, windows and etc, and hope we won’t have to be counting on guns for our very lives, but on Hashem, our keeper.

I hope and pray all Israel enemies be scattered and we see the day that no Jewish person in Israel and in the world will ever have to worry about having to load a gun on Shabbat and weekday too!

Ps: As I just finished writing this text – I check an e-mail saying that the hottest bump sticker on the market now reads: I will keep my guns, freedom & money…You can keep the“change”!http://www.discountbookdistributors.com/illkeepmygunsbumpersticker.aspx

I guess it gives me more thoughts on the matter.

By Carine

DNA – CONFIRMS IBERIAN PENINSULA JEWISH ANCENSTRY

JEWISH DNA LIVES ON



Most Jewish people were already aware of the consequences of the inquisition, and that great part of the population of Spain and Portugal of the time who didn’t flee – had to convert or die.

The Jewish world is mostly composed by Sephardic and Ashkenazy Jews; we all know that most Sephardic origins come from families expelled from the Iberian Peninsula.

Now, many people from that region were probably unaware of their Jewish inheritance; actually a lot of them may have thought that since their families were there for hundreds of years – they were for sure native Spaniards and Portuguese…

Yet, for their surprise the genetic research lead by scientists Mark A. Jobling of the University of Leicester in England and Francesc Calafell of the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona reveals the truth that there was indeed a great level of “forced” conversion on the Jewish population that remained there.

The DNA study was based on the Y chromosome of Jewish men of several Sephardic migrating Jewish communities and it confirmed that this Chromosome Y remained from father to son.

Therefore, the scientists through this study reveal not only that 20% of the population of the Iberian Peninsula has Sephardic blood and only 11% of Moorish ancestry. It also confirms that the historical event of Inquisition wasn’t a Jewish invention. It really took place, hurting the Jewish nation as whole and leaving scars on those persecuted families that fled and some still lucky even “ converting” were able to disregard their forced conversion and pass on their Jewish heritage as a miracle.

In short, the Jewish nation has always undergone many challenges: exiles, inquisitions, persecutions, holocaust, anti-Semitism and recently terrorism. Yet, it has proved its strength to survive through it all. One example is that a lot of crypt-Jews are returning to its roots and that the Jewish DNA lives on.

Here goes a link of a video showing it - long before the scientist's confirmation...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoeQtKzmZ1I&feature=related



By Carine Silberstein

Mumbai Tragedy - a wake up call...

FAITH AMIDST TRAGEDIES


It’s terrible to see so much pain and death caused by this terrorist attack in Mumbai, India; it’s been hard for me not to take it personally. Seeing that selfless people suffer most of the times more than any other is very hard to comprehend.

I ache for all those that lost loved ones in this terrible assault: Indians, Westerners of any nationality, Israelis and Jews.

But, the death of Rabbi Gavriel Noach Holtzberg and his wife Rivka is a total representation of the peril times we live in and the contrast of the couple's good deeds – they were simply there for Ahavat Israel. They opened their hearts and house for all those in need, regardless of religion association or level of Yidishkeit.

How hard it is to give and most of the times, nothing in return receive in a humanistic perspective? But, empowered by an everlasting love for G-d and his ultimate good, they knew that only Ahavat Israel can bring the ultimate redemption.

At times like this, we might wonder, but how could G-d let this happen? First of all, it's not up to us to question our faith and sense of justice before the Almighty, who is righteous above all.

Yet, as humans we wonder. People always ask how come G-d allowed this or that. The fact of the matter is there is free will and each person is responsible for their own acts.

When the first murderer of humanity Cain killed his brother Abel who was a shepherd of sheep; G-d asked Cain where his brother was, and his reply was that he didn’t know, since he wasn’t his brother’s keeper ?

G-d responded: What have you done? Hark! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! And then, the Almighty G-d cursed Cain (Bereshit/Genesis 4:8).

Even before the killing, G-d himself told Cain that if he did right, there would be uplift, but if he wouldn’t do right, than sin would urge towards him.

As we can see, G-d had first paid heed to Abel and his offering – and due to his good work, he was killed. Thus, due to Abel’s righteousness, his blood cried out to G-d, and Cain was cursed.

So, people are countable responsible for their evil actions, even when it seems that they aren’t. There’s a true Judge that runs the Heavenly courts and give his verdicts.

The death of righteous people is very difficult in the Almighty’s eyes. He certainly suffers to see that mankind chooses evil. Yet, several times miracles happen and righteous people are spared.

In this particular case and in other cases as well, it shows that the world was not worthy of such unselfish people like the Rabbi and his wife – paradoxically, if there were more people with such love and sense of faith towards G-d, mostly like we wouldn’t have to see so much tragedy.

In resume, their unconditional love should inspire all of us – their death is a loud cry for more love for your fellow and a wake up call for those that seem only compassionate with terrorist’s ideologies. It’s a call of wakening to the West civilization, to democratic countries and for Jewish communities to unite and heed to G-d’s call for us to choose to do more good, until all evil is eradicated from our path.


Carine Silberstein