Protest: Silence is Not an Option

Silence Is Not An Option
 
Why I would go to today’s press conference about the murder of Yossel Raksin
 
By Rabbi YY Jacobson
 
With all that’s going on now in the Jewish world, there’s an extraordinary duty and opportunity for Jews of all stripes to speak up.

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in ways nobody predicted. Newsweek magazine devoted a cover story to a young Belgian Jewish woman carrying a suitcase, with the chilling title, “Exodus: Why Europe’s Jews are fleeing once again.”
Thousands of demonstrators marched through the streets of Paris, Berlin, and other European cities, many chanting: “Death to the Jews,” “Hitler was right,” “Jews to the gas chambers,” and “Reopen Auschwitz.” A demonstration in Sweden against anti-Semitism had to be canceled because the organizers were physically afraid. Numerous demonstrations took place on the soil of the USA in support of Hamas, whose objective is the destruction of our people.

We must never again remain indifferent or complacent. Our children will turn to you and me one day and ask, “what did you do while all of this unbridled hate against the Jewish people was contaminating the world?”

New York Jews must speak out too.

After the lame reaction of the Miami Police to the horrific murder of my friend Reb Yossel Raksin, dismissing it as a robbery that went wrong, despite lack of evidence, and after the NYPD in Crown Heights  let three assailants go free after an attack on 24 year old Avrohom Wolosow this past Wednesday, a News Conference will be held today, Monday, August 18, 2014, 5:00pm EST, at Albany Avenue and Union St. in Crown Heights, organized by the Jewish Leadership Council, led by Mr. Barry Sugar of the council, NYS Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Its objective is vital. We must make it clear to City Hall and our Police Department that the Jewish community will not remain silent as Jews become a target for bigots and racists.

The NYPD and City Hall are concerned with public opinion. Their hands-off approach is proving dangerous and we must use every resource at our disposal to expose the lack of diligence to stand up to Jew haters at this vulnerable time.
This is the time the Police and the City must rise to the occasion and demonstrate through actions that the life and safety of every innocent human being will be protected and Jewish blood will never be cheap again.

As a community, I believe, we ought to come out and show our political leadership that we are as strong and determined and united as ever to choose life and to battle the forces of hatred taking over our world.

Silence is not an option any longer.

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Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, NY State Assemblyman Dov Hikind and other elected officials and clergy request your participation at a news conference in connection with the increasing threat to the safety of Jews.

The conference will take place tomorrow, Monday August 18 and will begin at the exact site of last Wednesday’s violent assault on 24-year-old Jewish student Avrohom Wolosow.

Jewish and black leaders will then walk down to the Raksin home to meet with the family of Yosef Raksin who was brutally murdered in Miami last Saturday morning while walking to synagogue services.

The press conference will be held at 5pm in front of 339 Albany Avenue, between Eastern Parkway and Union Street. Leaders will then walk to the Raksin home at 738 Empire Boulevard, between Troy and Albany Avenues (near Troy). The Raksin family is expected to make a joint statement with officials.

Related articles:
+ “Knockout” Back in Crown Heights?
+ After Attacks, a Call to the Mayor
+ Yosef Raksin, 60, OBM
+ Woman Attacked on Eastern Pkwy