There is a certain respected figure in New York City who radically differs with me in political and sometimes religious outlooks. However, I heard that he fell ill recently, so I texted him to see how he was doing. His response was that, thank G-d, he is doing well. Then he continued, “You move out to Baltimore and suddenly the bridges start collapsing. Coincidence? I think not.” To which I responded, “Of course it’s not a coincidence. Baltimore is counting on me to be the bridge builder!” At least I got a winky smiley out of him.
If I’m building bridges, I will start by reaching out to Warren Hecht for his article critical of Charles Schumer (by extension, that includes Schumer’s boss). It was not easy for me to write a year ago or so that I had second thoughts about Donald Trump, who had hosted two anti-Semites in his house. I wish we had a different Republican candidate for president, but alas, we do not. So, I give a lot of credit to Warren for his article. He must have sucked in deeply before writing that.
If we’re on the topic, I must note that I was on target with something I wrote about Schumer a couple of weeks ago. I predicted that it was just a matter of time until the Jewish establishment would gush over him again. As reported in The Hill this week, the past presidents of the Presidents Conference and the Jewish Communal Fund, as well as many rabbis from across the country, signed a letter to Mr. Schumer in which they expressed their gratitude for his “leadership in safeguarding Israel.” It does not take much to forecast these people.
However, it’s hard to build a bridge over troubled waters. To Warren’s chagrin, I cannot find myself supporting Mr. Biden or any Democrat for office. We have seen the real damage that Schumer has done by emboldening Israel’s enemies. Yes, he criticized Hamas and Abbas for good measure, but everyone looks at the wart on the nose and sees nothing else. Schumer thought he was giving a masterpiece of a speech covering all bases. He must have figured this would gain him big-time popularity in the electorate. He received a well-deserved pie in his face. And it takes a lot of pie to cover all his faces.
The rav in my shul in Baltimore over Shabbos referred to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. It was a majestic bridge of old grandeur, although built relatively recently, in the 1970s. The rav took note of the fact that Key was the composer of the lyrics for the Star-Spangled Banner, which represented the heart of America.
To me, this may represent the fact that our country, like many others, is torn right down the middle and there is no bridging the two sides. Attitudes toward crime, immigration, racism, religion, and diversity are poles apart with no common ground in sight.
How can you build a bridge of harmony when one side tears at every moral fiber. That supports illegal immigration. That favors the criminal. That harbors the homeless in the streets. That reshaped the definition of marriage. That reviles religion. That sees no difference biologically between a male and a female. That excuses terrorism. That coddles the biggest state supporter of terrorism in the world. And that is increasingly anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic. It all goes together.
I just learned that Democrat Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has been a true supporter of Israel, endorsed Congressman Jamaal Bowman of Westchester for his reelection bid. Bowman is one of the most outspoken critics of Israel on the infamous “Squad.” (He’s also good at pulling fire alarms.) It just goes to show how even the best of Democrats must stick with their own. That is why I beg Jews to vote for Republicans (who are viable candidates).
So, my respected friend, I’m sorry I cannot build the bridge I would love to. But I will try to build a new span that will welcome anybody who crosses on a solid footing. Not one that is a shipwreck at its base.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
