Popeye said it best….

[Behind the Aegis]

“I y’am, what I y’am!”

I am a Jew. I was not born one. I was ‘married’ into the religion. I was converted at a very young age. However, it is all I know. I have explored other religions and I practice my own spirituality; one thing is clear, I am a Jew and always will be.

I often ask myself, why do I call myself a “Jew?” I don’t follow all of the ‘laws,’ and I don’t “look like one,” nor do I always agree with their ‘rules.’ So why do I identify as a Jew?

It is actually very simple. I was raised as one. It has become a part of my ethos. I feel the pain of our people. I know our history. I understand our challenges. I live our conundrums. I know, in my heart, I am a Jew. I know that no one, not even G-d, Himself, can forgive my offenses against others. I know I am solely responsible for my actions against others. It is because of these ‘understandings,’ I know I am a Jew.

Here we are, in 2006. Jews are still the proverbial scapegoats. We are responsible for things we have no control over, but that doesn’t matter to most. I hear how “anti-Semitism” isn’t a ‘real’ problem. Yet, I read in articles about the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and houses of worship. I read the statistics that show crimes against Jews is increasing (sometimes, it goes down, and we should “rejoice” in that fact). I still hear to get the “best deal” all you need to do is “Jew the person down.” I hear how someone “kiked” them (stole from them). I still hear how Jews killed Christ. I hear how Jews should “get over the Holocaust.” Never mind the fact that the number of Jews presently living still doesn’t match the numbers living before the Holocaust.

Some believe I should be ashamed because of Israel. I should be ashamed because Israel’s actions represent the will of all Jews? I should be ashamed because Jews have a “homeland?” I should be ashamed because of the actions of other nations that a Jewish nation was created? Well, I hate to disappoint, actually I don’t, and I am not ashamed!

I will not sit idly by and watch Israel attacked. I will not “excuse” or “understand” attacks against her. I will not allow attacks on me because I feel this way. I am an American and proud to be one! But, I am also a Jew, and so there is a place in my heart for Israel. I will NOT be ashamed of that fact! I will not allow attacks on Jews, in this country or others, to go unanswered or “excused.” I will NOT go into the “cattle car!”

I am proud of who I am. I will not allow anyone to take that from me; no matter what “side” the claim to be. Call me a “Likudist,” an “oppressor,” a “kike,” I don’t care! I know who I am and I know what I believe! If you believe any of those “charges,” then it is your loss, because like most Jews, I believe we should all be free, but not at the expense of others; we should all be proud of our heritage; we should all be proud of our lives; and we should be able to live our lives free of hate!

[Jim Sagle]

1. Thank you, bta. Wonderful post.