WHAT KIND OF SABBATH TALK IS THIS?!!

"In my opinion, it isn't a war, considering this has been going on for 75 years. The first day, I woke up and I saw what Palestine did, and I was happy because they're finally defending themselves. The fact that the whole world only saw that instead of focusing on the past...makes me sad, because it's my home country. It's important [to speak up] because thousands of people are dying every day. Just be aware and educate yourself." 
(name and number redacted for publication)

On one hand, there's a 15-year-old boy slated for sainthood. On the other hand, there's a 15-year-old girl who some people are calling the devil.

Here's the scene. It's the Sabbath, and services have concluded. I'm sitting at a table in the synagogue with three other women having a meal. 

The conversation turns ugly.

It's the story of pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel sentiment expressed in print, in a high school yearbook, by a 15-year-old girl of Palestinian descent.

We all knew about it. The incident happened at our local high school. There was a public meeting at the school, network news outlets covered it, and it was all over social media.

The word travels fast. Everybody was talking about it. I heard it from a friend the day before who went on to tell me that someone posted the child's name and phone number on Facebook, her home address, and the "doxing" began.

You may be wondering what "doxing" means. I never heard of it either. It's when a person's personal information is published with malicious intent to shame and harm an individual.

In response to this particular campaign, the comments on social media were vicious and included death threats against the young high-school girl.

Back at our Sabbath table, a one-woman tirade began. Even though we all agreed that publishing the girls' sentiments in the yearbook was inappropriate. And even though we all know about the atrocities that happened on October 7 to innocent people, "Paula" chooses to preach to the choir.

First, she briefs us on the murders, rapes, tortures, and kidnappings that happened on October 7. As if we were unaware anything was going on in Israel. 

Then she tells us how her grandchildren are suffering at their public school because they are so upset by the anti-Israel views of some of their classmates. "THEY ARE S-U-F-F-E-R-I-N-G!!!" she wails. 

Finally, she declares, "THEY SHOULD HANG HIM (referring to the child who wrote the yearbook post, and yes, she was uninformed that it was a "she," not a "he") BY HIS FINGERNAILS AND KILL HIM!!!"

The Sabbath is not a time to pick a fight, and a house of worship is not the place to do it either. It's not my style anyway, so, I chime in very cautiously.

"I am in complete agreement that the remarks by the student were inappropriate and insensitive. I'm happy the community spoke up, and the administration apologized and agreed to do something about it. Here's what scares me about the situation: to respond with a mob mentality directed at a child is cruel and never okay."

The shell-shocked lady on my left agrees with me. The lady on my right says nothing, but she nods her head with a 'yes' gesture. 

"Paula" continues, "KILLING ISN'T GOOD ENOUGH - WE SHOULD DEPORT HIM AND SEND HIM BACK TO GAZA TO LIVE AND DIE THERE!!!"

I say my goodbyes and wish everyone a good Sabbath.

A learning opportunity lost or a lost cause? I'm not sure you can change anyone's mind when they are in the throes of hysteria.

Maybe Paula calmed down and regretted her strong language. 

Probably not.

All I know for sure is that we can't stay silent against hate speech.

Speak up against hate, pray for peace, and remember that light always dispels the darkness.

By Susan Diamond
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