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Where Should He Go?

Susan Quinn
@SusanQuinn
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In Bari Weiss’ Free Press, I just finished reading an article by a Jew named Ben Freeman. His family moved to Britain in the late part of the nineteenth century and early part of the twentieth. I was deeply touched by his words. In one part of the essay, he shared a recent experience:

I worried about my physical safety every time I left my apartment. Yet I refused to hide. When strangers on the Tube pulled out their Star of David necklaces after seeing mine, I felt moved to tears by these connections. But those moments also underscored a painful truth: So many Jews feel they must hide who they are.

As I began reading his essay, I immediately wondered where he would go. Although Israel is a thriving and vibrant Western country, it could still be a cultural shock for him. Then before I learned where he was going, I wondered if he would come here: the U.S. And I realized that I would hesitate suggesting that he come to the United States. Would he be any safer here? Is law and order still ardently practiced on behalf of Jews?

As it turns out, he’s decided to go to Israel. I don’t know if he is only moving on his own or if he has a family. I know that I can’t go to Israel, and I don’t even know if I would want to; my husband isn’t Jewish.

But my heart goes out to Ben Freeman for this difficult decision. At least he won't be an outsider.

This post was promoted to the Main Feed at the recommendation of Ricochet's members.

Discussion (13)

  • Seawriter@Seawriter

    There are parts of the East and West Coasts unsafe for Jews in this country at present. To paraphrase Rick's advice to Major Strasser, there are certain sections of New York I wouldn't advise you to try to reside in. That said, most places in the US (generally, but not always in the South) are safe for Jews, even welcoming. Florida, where you live is one.

    Texas has a long tradition of tolerating and supporting Jews. Galveston has one of the oldest Jewish communities in the state. So did Palestine, TX at one time. Although the community there departed after WWII (mostly to Galveston as I recall, largely for economic reasons), the community remembers them fondly. Moreover, even if most Texans do not share the Jewish religion, they are tolerant of outsiders as long as outsiders remain tolerant of the Texas culture. (The Vietnamese have generally found welcome in Texas, for example.)

    More, Texans push back at intolerance. The pro-Hamas rallies here tend to be a lot more well-behaved than elsewhere. They have the right to peacefully protest, but know they will get smacked down - hard - if the indulge in violence. Plus, Texas is a gun-friendly and self-defense friendly state. Except maybe in Austin (we have to keep a blue-state enclave in Texas to remind us why they are so bad), if physical intimidation (or violence) is attempted and met with violence, grand juries here typically no-bill self defense and true-bill unprovoked attacks.

    I know how community-oriented traditional Jews are, but if you build Jewish communities in Texas, I believe they will be safe.

  • Susan Quinn@SusanQuinn
    ReplyingtoSeawriter

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    There are parts of the East and West Coasts unsafe for Jews in this country at present. To paraphrase Rick’s advice to Major Strasser, there are certain sections of New York I wouldn’t advise you to try to reside in. That said, most places in the US (generally, but not always in the South) are safe for Jews, even welcoming. Florida, where you live is one.

    Texas has a long tradition of tolerating and supporting Jews. Galveston has one of the oldest Jewish communities in the state. So did Palestine, TX at one time. Although the community there departed after WWII (mostly to Galveston as I recall, largely for economic reasons), the community remembers them fondly. Moreover, even if most Texans do not share the Jewish religion, they are tolerant of outsiders as long as outsiders remain tolerant of the Texas culture. (The Vietnamese have generally found welcome in Texas, for example.)

    More, Texans push back at intolerance. The pro-Hamas rallies here tend to be a lot more well-behaved than elsewhere. They have the right to peacefully protest, but know they will get smacked down – hard – if the indulge in violence. Plus, Texas is a gun-friendly and self-defense friendly state. Except maybe in Austin (we have to keep a blue-state enclave in Texas to remind us why they are so bad), if physical intimidation (or violence) is attempted and met with violence, grand juries here typically no-bill self defense and true-bill unprovoked attacks.

    I know how community-oriented traditional Jews are, but if you build Jewish communities in Texas, I believe they will be safe.

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the country, and specifically on Texas. And yes, I think we do well in Florida.

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