“Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” Alan Jackson’s country song captures how I felt one year ago. The first time I felt that way was in my fourth-grade classroom the day President Kennedy had breakfast here in Fort Worth, then was assassinated in Dallas by lunchtime. I felt that way again on 9/11 as the horrors unfolded. And a year ago, I was reeling from the most vicious and deadly attack against Jews since the Holocaust. Next week marks one year since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists unleashed the most inhumane attack imaginable against Israel. Laurie and I had just left Israel on one of the last American Airlines flights to take off before shutting down operations (and to this day, they have still not resumed service). October 7 transformed me. My life will never be the same after that day.
For a few brief moments, there was compassion for Israel. I knew from history that it wouldn’t last long. Indeed, within days, the sympathy for Israel vanished from the public square. The narrative was replaced with hate crimes against Jews and antisemitic rallies calling for the annihilation of Israel “from the river to the sea.” These protests have escalated at an alarming rate, become more and more hateful and violent against Jews. In particular, Jewish students are unsafe and unprotected on college campuses across the US.
Here we are one year later, and there are still over 100 hostages held captive in Gaza. Some are US citizens. Where is a worldwide, all-out effort to rescue them? The silence of the masses speaks volumes.
Although I expected some rise in antisemitism, what is actually happening far exceeds my worst fears and shakes me to the core. The level of hate that has surfaced is a harsh wake-up call, and a reminder of another time in history that we naively thought wouldn’t happen again in our lifetime. What we’re seeing eerily resembles the pattern of Jew hatred that took over Eastern Europe in the 1930s. Before calling me an alarmist, let me share that Jews in Europe were living a luxurious life before Hitler came to power. My son-in-law Ira has an uncle (affectionately called “Unkie”) who was imprisoned in concentration camps and lived to warn us: “You think you’re comfortable in America? Well let me tell you something, we were just as comfortable in Europe. You don’t think it can happen again. I’m telling you it can.” Pay attention to the signs—the noise is coming from the media, the internet, elected officials, professors and students on college campuses, the entertainment industry, all blaming the Jews. It’s everywhere. It’s even become a topic among Jews to ask each other: “If a Holocaust happens again, who would hide you?”
My wife Laurie had an intellectual Aunt Marjorie who lived in Israel. I once asked her to tell me the lesson of the Holocaust, and the simplicity of her answer surprised me: “When someone says they want to kill you, you should believe them.” Over and over, we say, “Never Again.” But here we are again. Israel is surrounded by enemies who openly shout their intention to kill every Jew and push Israel into the sea. We should believe them.
In spite of the horror, there are some silver linings. It’s times like these that I feel a deeper connection to my loved ones, both family and friends. To those of you who are on our team, siding with good over evil, I express abundant gratitude. Your support means the world to me.
On a very personal note, I’ll reveal a choice I silently made after October 7. I have always observed a semi-kosher diet, never eating pork or shellfish. But I’ve now gone all in and stopped eating all non-kosher meat. Every time I eat, I get a feeling of solidarity with my people. As Rabbi Mark Wildes teaches, stepping up our game awakens in us a very intense pride in being Jewish. I’ve been very private about this and only share this at my daughter’s urging. Perhaps others might find meaning in doing something similar, such as lighting Shabbat candles or saying daily prayers.
I’ll also share that I am extremely proud of our kids who have become strong advocates for our people. Adam was appointed by Governor Abbott to serve on the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission. Lizzy is a tireless and courageous activist supporting Israel in the public arena and on her social media Instagram platform LizzySavetsky. Speaking of their advocacy brings back an old memory from my high school days when I was the Texas chair of SSSJ (Student Struggle for Soviet Jewry) to bring awareness to Russia’s persecution of Jews. I’d tucked that story away and never even mentioned that to Laurie or my kids.
Standing up for our people is deeply woven into the fabric of our family. By taking action, raising our voices, and tightly banding together, I have faith that we will survive. And through that tight togetherness, our family is creating a powerful legacy to pass down from generation to generation — a legacy of faith, courage, and devotion to our people.
Tomorrow evening begins the Jewish High Holiday season. Wishing all a meaningful Rosh Hashanah and a more peaceful 5785.
Marvin Blum and his family celebrating a year ago in Israel for the “upsherin” first haircut of 3-year-old grandson Ollie, a glorious week that ended in horror.
