Identifying as a Jew
3 min read
I am not religious, I never publicly display my love for Judaism or Israel. But something is awakening inside of me.
I have always been a quiet American Jew. I am not religious. I am not kosher. My children do not go to a Jewish day school, and I do not go to synagogue on most Shabbats. Instead, I quietly celebrate the high holidays, quietly respond “thank you” when a stranger wishes me a Merry Christmas at Hanukah time, quietly pray to God when I am really desperate and quietly thank God for all of the blessings in my life.
I quietly try to instill a love of Judaism in my children, while quietly hoping that they will gain this love without putting in much effort. And certainly, I never publicly declare or display my love of Judaism or Israel, because, after all, I am just a quiet American Jew.
So why is a quiet American Jew so deeply affected by the atrocities in Israel? Why is the pain of a quiet American Jew so deep? Am I even entitled to feel so heartbroken or to express my anger and frustration when I am just a quiet American Jew?
Something has awakened inside of me. A profound love and connection to my people, to my brothers and sisters in Israel.
I don’t know that I can articulate the answers to these questions, as the answers are deeply rooted in the fabric of every Jew. Of course, as a human being, the horrors committed upon the Jewish people should elicit heartbreak and outrage in any decent person. Surely, if a quiet American Jew can recognize this, everyone should, right?
But, more than outrage and heartbreak from one human being to another, there is something else happening to this quiet American Jew, something so much more. Something has awakened inside of me. A profound love and connection to my people, to my brothers and sisters in Israel, and to the generations who came before me. The knowledge that antisemitism lives in the loud actions of our enemies, but also in the quiet silence of some neighbors and friends.
A deep connection to a strong community coming together in unity, both Jews and non-Jews alike, as my feelings of loneliness turn to solidarity. A bravery and resilience of my people that I had only read about and heard stories of, but now have the honor of witnessing firsthand.
And most importantly, I have awakened to the realization that I no longer have the luxury of being a quiet American Jew.
None of us do.
Quiet time is over! Never again. Support Israel anyway you can -- that goes for all who care about a civilized world.
now is the time to strengthen our unity, all Jews, of all walks of life. Why the high court is 'kicking the beehive' is beyond me. now is not a good time for this....
I have always loved Israel and the Jewish people, both in Israel and here in the United States....Since October, I have become even more supportive and almost feel like one of them being discriminated against...When they say anything critical against a Jew, I go into protective mode....We are them and they are us.... Let's not allow unkindness towards them in anyway..
YES!!! I feel the exact same way!! We do not have the luxury to be quiet anymore. Thank you for this beautiful article.
^^^Well, that's another one of the typical, stupid Jew h8ting memes going around lately.
Same ol', same ol'
Ugh!
🤮
Every religion is designed to control. You don't need a structured clown show to have Faith clowns.
Take all your religions and criminal governments and jam them where the sun don't shine.
To believe anything got near that fence unseen let alone cut through it is like saying Joe Biden is awake. By the way any clowns out there the cohanim instructs you to sit down and shut up.
Unbelievable. This is precisely the type of comment that is awakening everyone around. Judaism is more than just a religion. We all have DNA that tells the world we are Jews and this DNA does have direct links to the Levant no matter what our skin color looks like.
DAC, you are ignorant. There were a lot of quiet Jews who suffered in Nazi Germany. Heck, there were Jews whose parents converted to Christianity but they suffered in Nazi Germany, as well.
DAC, you are seriously part of the problem. How in the world did you land on this website so you could write your hateful comment?
Really. I am a Jew . You were there. My Uncle was and my Grandparents were. Wake up. The British hated Germany Winston Churchill in 1933 states the Bankers Rothschild were not getting their 20%. You believe Nonsense. Lies brainwashing. Wake up. The US is a Corporation Owned by the IMF
Ok chomsky-finkelstein worshipper. Getta grip. All those people shouting Hamas are freedom fighters, river to the sea, Zionists are racists, the star of David belongs in the trash (that one's curious, no?)--on college campuses and major cities all over the West--they don't care if you're an observant Jew, a secular Jew, or anything in between. If you identify in any way as 'Jew' (bc 'Jew' can mean you have a connection to one or all of the following: a people, a history, a faith, an ethnicity, or the land) they will get you to cower to their position or else. And if you don't agree to their demand, that Israel has no legitimacy, expect violence.That's the reason Israel needs to exist. Bc Jews of all kinds are done tolerating the m of their landlord countries, to paraphrase Herbert Pagani.
*The moods of their landlord countries ...
Herbert Pagani, 1975, "A plea for my land'"
"We are similar to welfare children. I don’t want to be adopted any more. I don’t want my life to depend on my owners’ moods any more. I don’t want to be a ‘rented citizen’ any longer. I’ve had enough of knocking at "History’s doors and of waiting until I’m told: ‘Come in!"
This is WONDERFUL! To never feel at home is an awful feeling. We have one tiny country and G-d willing, we will keep it.
And you do know Zionism began as a secular movement, right? I'm sure you're aware 50% of Israelis consider themselves secular, right? Do you also know that Israel does not have a "white" majority? 55-60% of Jews descend from parents and grandparents who fled countries all over the middle East and North Africa after 1948. Because they HAD NO WHERE ELSE TO GO. Then there are the 21% of Israeli Arab Muslims, Druze, Bedouin, and Christian citizens living their best life in Israel bc they're free to self-actualize in a democracy unlike the Muslim totalitarian countries they're surrounded by. i.e. Israel is not a theocracy. It provides safe haven and self defense of the Jewish people against persecution. Jews stand up straight in Israel and don't cower. That's its reason for being.
I believe hate is taught both ways. Maybe you are better off not teaching your children why two groups of people with religious differences can not learn how to have tolerance for one another. This is just an opinion. Until the two said groups come together to share a common ground, then neither of the two will never own that ground. As for religion goes, people should practice what they preach and have compassion for their fellow man. Jews and Palestinians share in the reason this conflict continues. What has been taught in the past and up to this point has done nothing to resolve this issue. So maybe it's time to reevaluate what you teach your children. What you have been teaching has only kept the conflict on going and going and going!
Congratulations for posting the most ignorant comment of the year. But then again, you just might be the run of the mill antisemite...
How you can interpret anything cam said as "antisemitic" is beyond ridiculous. So if a jew punches me and I fight back is that me being antisemitic? So if someone just suggests jews and palestinians working peacefully together is antisemitic? Stop living in fantasy land and grow up
It is you who is living in a fantasy land. Cam's comment is so out of touch with reality as to be either stupid or hateful.
I agree. It is totally and completely out of touch, reflects an absence of knowledge in the subject matter, plus a willingness to believe the legacy media's biased cultural Marxist, pro-terrorist view: a view that is always intentionally cushioned in the feminine language of nurturing and supporting the radically violent, terrorist individuals that the cultural Marxists always seems to call "defenseless, vulnerable victims."
I couldn’t have said this better myself !!
Looking at this the other way, there are people who seem to be implying that the pro-Jewish position can only be that Jews and Palestinians cannot work peacefully together. So if we accept this as "in touch with reality", then what?
Then stay in your lane when you don't know what you're talking about.
Unless you're capable of a Palestinian mind meld. They've held same intractable position for 140 years. No Jews (who aren't subservient, second class citizens) allowed in any part of the land. We are where we are bc of that position alone. Jews had always been willing to negotiate bc we're outnumbered. Arabs have never been willing to negotiate bc we're outnumbered. Arabs have always thought and continue to think they can just toss us if they wait long enough. Do you really think no ones tried sitting down to speak reasonably before? That if we're just nicer the whole problem can be resolved? Now THAT'S la la land. Israel takes a hard line every single time bc there is no other choice if it is to survive.
Well, which is it: their position of 140 (you mean 1400, I think) years is intractable (I'd say immutable), or you expect them to change their position?
You can't sit down and reason with people whose positions are founded on religious principles, and YOUR religious principles have no persuasive power with them especially in this case where their religion EXPLICITLY rejects your religion as being corrupted.
The la la land is thinking that somehow they will change their religious position and accept a Jewish state in their midst. The decision to establish the State of Israel was made without regard for the intractable opposition of those who lived in the region and we have been witnessing the consequences every day since then.
This is the reality, so now what?
I meant 140 years since the first Zionists started showing up. But, who would've thought the Gulf states would change their position on Israel and Jews. So much so that Saudi Arabia, one of the worst former exporters of antisemitism, is actually changing their textbooks.The UAE as well. And Bahrain. Palestinians aren't destined to be extremists. But the change has to come from other Arabs. After the defeat of the Iranian regime. Tall order, I know. But I hope you're not suggesting that bc Arabs are intractable Jews should just leave the region. That would be rewarding petulance. Aside from that, the one thing Arabs and the rest of the world don't understand is that most Israeli Jews are from Arab and North African countries that ethnically cleansed their Jews after the War of Indep.
In other words. They can't "go back to where they came from."
Pt 2 / However, I agree it's going to be a long wait. Generations maybe. In which case, the whole region depends on who tires out first. But again, the world doesn't understand, even the 1/4 of Israelis who come from European descent don't see the possibility of going anywhere else. Look around the West. Do you think America looks like a safe place for Jews? Britain? Certainly not Russia. Jews see themselves as refugees, not colonizers. They're simply seeking, "safe-ish" haven and believe their chances in Israel, as crappy as they are, are better than being spread out over the diaspora dependent on the goodwill of host countries and their populations. That's why Jews won't leave either. They're united in the physical defense of one another. That happens nowhere else in the world.
Good for you! Btw, there is no word for "compromise" in Arabic.
Please don't randomly invent things it makes up look bad
Yes, Cam, you are right about reevaluating what is being taught, but what if "practice what they preach" leads to conflict? Have you looked into what the "religious differences" are?
The tension 100 years ago was already a problem, but during the past 100 years both Jews and Muslims in the region have turned up the volume of their religions. When there is this much dissonance, we need quieter, not louder, voices.
How can two groups who both believe that God favours them over the other and has made promises to them learn tolerance for one another?
How can you learn tolerance for people who declare "Allahu Akbar" while slaughtering innocent people? They did what they did on October 7 because it was what they believed God wanted from them.
We need less religion.
I'm aware of the Jewish claim on the land, but where is there stated anywhere that God favours anyone else. The Jewish people (more accurately all the people of Yisrael) were intended to be remain a "light to the nations" as in something that can guide someone in darkness out of that darkness and into light. Where is there any other "favouring" as you put it being said. Cite sources please. Perhaps people are being taught something that is incorrect or who knows?
I meant to say "intended to be and still remain"
I'm not exactly sure what you are asking me. Both Christianity and Islam make claims about their relationship with God. I think that it is important for Jews to read and understand what these religions are saying.
I think every Jew should read what the Qur'an says about Jews; read at least the second chapter. Start by reading the information about this Surah at https://quran.com/surah/2/info It seems that many Israelis are woefully ignorant of what it is that they are fighting. There are now close to 2 billion Muslims being taught from this book.
It creates an impossible situation when groups stand proudly and arrogantly on contradictory religious claims.
Religion is not the problem. The nature of Islam is the problem. They struck out from Mecca after the death of M. and converted or killed all the Jews, Christians, and Pagans living on the Arabian Peninsula. Since then, over the centuries, that has been their modus operendi and they continue to this day. You need an education.
You are incorrect in so many ways. You are the one in need of an education.
The murder of Jews began in Medina and Khaybar before the death of M This is an important distinction. Because M ordered the murder of Jews, murder of Jews is part of Islam, forever. Had the murders begun only after M's death, it could be declared as un-Islamic and there would be a chance to change this murderous ideology.
It is utter ignorance to suppose that killing members of Hamas will change Islam and end the violence against Jews.
ADS is absolutely right by far that we need LESS religion!!!! ... & more plain pure RARE human decency understanding compassion trustworthiness cooperation constructiveness humane humanity ... oh, ... & some plain pure RARE PRECIOUS Human DECENCY!!!!
When people begin to realize that there is only “One God”…… the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (not Allah……a false god) or any other false deities, then and ONLY then can they truly accept the fact that God chose Israel as HIS own and made a blood
Covenant with the Jewish people and gave the “Land” to them only…..then maybe the fighting will cease….but I personally doubt it.
I hear your opinion, to which you are entitled under the first amendment, and kindly advise you to reflect upon it in the church or mosque of your choice.
You are profoundly wrong. The distinction here is clear. One side is for peace, the other for genocide. Judaism is the path to peace- all its edicts and principles are toward peace. All the paths and principles of Islam are for murder, war and death to the "non-believers". This is not merely theoretical. The whole Arab world ,until the Trump initiated Abraham Accords, has vowed to wipe Israel off the map. Though most of the Muslim world for decades taught their children to hate and kill Jews, now hopefully, that has begun to change in those countries now signatories to the Abraham Accords. The "Palestinians" ( I use quotes because they are a fake people- a people invented by Arafat and the Romanian KGB, which did not exist before 1964. You should read the Charter of Hamas and the PA
which clearly and shamelessly state their Hitlerian intentions. There is no such equivalent on the Israel side. Jews are not taught to hate or murder. Israel is acting in self-defense. As Golda Meir said, "if the Arabs put down their arms there will be peace. If Israel puts down its arms, there will be genocide". We certainly have seen much evidence that they mean it.
Wow! Someone who knows the truth. A fake people, fake flag but interestingly, Arafat couldn't come up with a language for his fake followers.
2 groups...you think this is about 2 groups? My friend you have been mis-informed or you haven't been paying attention
So go ahead Lenny please explain more&better what this is about, please go ahead & explain & ThankYou in advance!
GaryLA 🙂 I’ll explain this to you for Lenny….this has always been a “spiritual” battle since the beginning and will continue until the day that the Messiah comes!
Talk to Hamas and the Muslims about why two people who aren't both Muslims can't live together side by side? After statehood has been offered to them umpteen times including before Israel was even a state. Something about wanting a caliphate in the region.
You know absolutely nothing! Best to read, "From Time Immemorial" and when you're finished, you will be able to teach about the history of the Middle East as a college professor.
I feel that I have gone from being a loud Jew to a quiet Jew. I share my Judaism in places that I consider safe - to people who already know me and won't judge, hate, or misrepresent me for being Jewish or Pro-Israel. But in the world of unknown strangers, where I no longer can distinguish anti-semites from supporters, I keep more to myself. I have closeted my Judaism to feel safe.
I have done the opposite. The haters and criminals will not defeat us. In the end, they never have. Buy a gun.
And you are absolutely right sane & justified to safely protect yourself, & so Safe-Travels unto you!!!!
Gaza is being circumcised from Israel. as Sarah said "thou are a bloody husband unto me". Apparently, she was the first mohel, though I've never heard a discussion about it. Israel should have whatever it needs. As to anti-Semitism, the worst is always from other Jews.
"anti-Segmitism" hurts more from another jew because you are a nebish .
Sarah? I think you mean Tzipporah (Exodus 4:25), who was several generations after "the first mohel" - Abraham, who circumcised himself, Ismael, and Isaac.
I recently read an article from Academia.edu that women were the first mohels in Judaism. After the Temple was destroyed and Rabbinic Judaism began, women were banned from acting as mohels.
the jewish center here (open to all) had pictures up of all the kidnapped people, along with age and country of origin...that lasted 2 days. they were taken down. a few non jewish women i exercise with were FUMING....we were actually told that the pictures scared the kids (2-3-4 year olds) 'come on...then we were told there were "'complaints" and not by non-jewish people --- jewish people! we could not believe it...sometimes it does feel like our own are enemies! the in-fighting in Israel seems to be crucial in this dilemma....i was in israel in 73 right before that war - it was heaven and i wanted to stay there....my mom talked me out of it but at the time it took a year to get used to being back here.
the erev rav, mixed multitude, follows our people along throughout the generations constantly making problems for us. Perhaps first we should clean up our own house a bit and then things will be a better environment in which to be a light to the nations.
The Jew h8ters I battle online are always posting little videos of certain Orthodox Jews decrying the state of Israel, or other videos of Jews saying h8teful things to back up their h8te Israel stance.
Everyone should have their free speech, but the anti-Israel voices that come from Jews is definitely used as a political 'weapon' by the Jew-h8ters.
Plenty of irony going on.
They are used as propaganda but are a very small insignificant group. We are not sure they are even Jews.
Oh yes, they are Jews, but certainly akin to the fallen angel who became the Devil.
American liberal Jews are the true enemies of Israel and all that is Jewish. I became convinced of this during my Birthright trip in 2001, which was the best time of my life. We had a couple of liberal Jewish infiltrators in the group who lied in their interview about never being to Israel, and their sole purpose of going there. Which was not Jewish pride or the love of their people. It was to go to gaza to "help the poor oppressed Pal's" If you heard the genocidal things these monsters said about Israel, Israelis and Jews in general, you would not have believed your own ears. They didn't dare to say any of this to our faces, it was all done after the trip via yahoo groups.
Many of the Jewish students who protest against Israel do so because they never developed a connection with Israel 🇮🇱. Send your children at least to after school Jewish education, they need to learn our connection to the land and our people. Don't be quiet, stand up.
I respectfully disagree - Palestinians have stewed in and been educated in Jew Hatred for 100 years - even an UN agency is in on this.
Surely you have ready recent surveys showing overwhelming support by Palestinians for the Oct 7 atrocities (around 80% I believe). Hamas may treat the Gazans cruelly, but it does not mean Jew hatred is not alive and well in the greater population. When someone who has killed says they want to kill more, they should be believed. The Palestinians are grown ups and should be held responsible for their own actions which has been to reject peace with the Jews for 100 years - there would have been a functioning Palestinian state a long time ago if they actually wanted one.
exactly+
They have rejected 5 opportunities to have a State. What they really want is to murder Jews. They revel in it.
I agree that the evil inflicted on the Jews is unspeakable - I literally don't have words to describe the depths on f my feeling. But where were all the quiet Jews when the Gaza strip was being terrorized by a Jewish authority? We must learn to speak out against injustice no matter who is the perpetrator. Every bomb now hitting Gaza is creating heaven knows how many more terrorists. This is not what we want. We need a humanitarian cease fire. Remember, Hamas is only 2% of the population being attacked. Remember who the enemy is and it's not all Palestinians.
The Gaza Strip has never been terrorized by Jews. Why have the Gazans been suffering? Because their corrupt Hamas government (which they elected) uses all funds for terror, not to provide services to the citizens. It is absurd to think Hamas is only 2% of the Gazan population. Did you not see how they danced in the streets and passed out candy on October 7? And as to creating more terrorists, don't think they wouldn't be fomenting terror if we did not retaliate for this attack--there were terrorists long before there was a State of Israel (Hebron 1929 ring a bell?). A ceasefire would put our IDF soldiers at greater risk--unacceptable. Hamas must be crushed. Period.
We gave Gaza to self rule in 2005. They elected Hamas to power, just as Germans elected Hitler in 1933. Instead of developing Gaza, Hamas, supported by most Gazans chose war against Israel. Only 7% of Germans were members of the Nazi party, but German civilians suffered in a necessary war. No humanitarian ceasefire was promoted to allow Hitler to rearm. A resounding victory has ensured that we are no longer afraid of terrorists from Germany. A similar resounding victory must be obtained against Hamas.
And Americans elected Trump. Is Elon Musk and his ilk the cause? The symptom? I ask that question sincerely.
And what does victory look like, exactly? I'm not being snarky. I'm being sincere.
The people of Gaza elected Hamas. True be that. The people of Israel elected Netanyahu. True be that. Elect extremists and this is what you get. America elected Trump. True be that. Soon after, Nazis marched in Charlottesville shouting the German chant "Jews will not replace us".
This quiet Jew saw our country try for many decades to be brokers for peace in that region. The thanks we got? 9/11. And our civil liberties have been curtailed likely forever. True be that.
And peace be with you? Probably not.
Your first 2 lines just delegitimized any arguments. Hamas and Netenyahu are not to be compared. One is a terrorist org and the other is a politician in a democratic country.
Israel, like the USA is a democracy, true. If we can keep it. Israelis have made a choice and have chosen leaders that are more than willing to systematically destroy the pillars of their democratic institutions. We in America are on the cusp of doing the same thing. When we've lost the moral high ground we are democracies in name only. The Republican Party in the USA, with its election denying titular head, is a terrorist organization. I fear we will never have a peaceful transition of power again. So puleeze, don't throw Hamas at me. I know exactly who and what they are. But Israel and America? I don't recognize us.
Stuart where is your democratic party today? The Harvard elites and other socialist groups who cannot condemn Jewish Genocide and march with pro hamas savagery???
Obviously we have enemies from both extreme but save yourselve from insanity and remember that if Jews don't stand up for Israel no matter what government-"even" netanyau who by the way did give peace a chance thru Bill Clinton's peace negotiations with y"ms Arafat which lead to more terror killings-then no one will!!!!
Am Yisrael Chai!!!
What you write is blatantly untrue. Give us all an example of how Israeli leaders are destroying their democratic institutions. I await your reply.
Maybe you're too young to remember Al Gore trying to prove that he really won the presidential election. And maybe you were just a toddler when Hillary complained incessantly that it was she who won the election of 2016. Poor baby...
I strongly dislike Netanyahu. In fact, dislike is too mild a word for what I feel.
But there is simply no comparison between Netanyahu and Hamas.
Expanding the settlements in Judea and Samaria is a bad idea, IMO. While most "settlements" are legal, despite the common rhetoric, that does not make them wise.
But anyone who equates building homes (which can be sold, or torn down, if needed) with gang-raping, torturing, and massacing innocent people (who can never be brought back to life), has a serious lack of moral clarity.
Judea and Samaria are essential parts of Israel and always have been. Parts of those areas are currently Occupied by illegal Arab settlers. You need to educate yourself. You really are a know nothing. I hope you know and understand more about math than you do about the history of the Middle East and Israel in particular including the British Mandate and the Mandate from God in the Torah which is even more important. Within the next year, Iran will have a nuclear weapon which they intend to use against Israel and the US. If our treasonous moron President doen't stop them Israel will, thus being on the front line protecting Western Civilization. Your comment has not done you proud. Get an education. A little learning is a dangerous thing.
Calling Netanyahu an extremist is absurd. Trump said "there are good people on each side" which he clarified by saying there are also evil people on both sides, all of which was true. He condemned the Nazis and extremists on both sides. People like you who don't seem to be interested in facts, are easily fooled by the corrupt leftist media and swallow their lies whole.
You're the problem. Moral equivalence simply excuses hatred and violence
It is disheartening to bear witness to the absurd ignorance and subsequent statements of even well meaning people.
The region and conflict that so many allow themselves to speak of, and yet know so little of, is what inflames an already aggravated situation in a country and on a people-the Jewish people, who have been subject to terror for time immemorial.
When a persons only narrative is the one that lopsided media present, and whose knowledge of the world and its discrepancies are based on memes and Instagram feeds and clips of information that are either out of context or misconstrued context, then I can understand this well meaning but misguided stance.
If there is a true interest in truth and justice, we’d all be living in a very different world…
Yes to what you write.
That is not true, Langdon. Did you see the so-called "innocent" palestinians doing anything when hostages were paraded through Gaza, women raped and being paraded around naked in front of the "innocent" population who spat at them and threw things at them? What about the "innocent" palestinians at shifra hospital in Gaza who watched and cheered as hostages were being smuggled inside? Please also do not forget that hamas was ELECTED to represent the "innocent" people of Gaza. Just out of curiosity, where on earth do you get that hamas only represents 2% of the palestinians in Gaza? Please look at the facts and leave your anti-Israel agenda at the door.
Do u live in Gaza or something? Stop believing the lies. Israel has not ruled Gaza since 2005. While Palestinians has a pay to slay policy against Jews. Israel will respond to any act of terror against it's people. And come after terrorists wherever they are. You need to stop believing the Hamas stories and believe "your people" over murderers.
Very sad you didn't read the other comments especially the one above yours..."up to 80% of Palestinians agreed with the Oct 7th attack" in what reality are you living in????
Wrong. Israel left Gaza totally in 2005. Before that, they kept military control because there were constant attacks against Israeli civilians on a regular basis. 80% of "Palestinians" approve of what Hamas did on Oct 7. The "innocent Poor people of Gaza" danced in the streets with glee as dead and alive ut gang raped woen were exhibited from the back of pick-up trucks. They dismembered babies, roasted a live baby in an oven, tied father and son together and burned them alive, ripped open the belly of a pregnant woman and chopped up the fetus, then shot the mother in the head. You should go live in Gaza for a while. They are occupied by Hamas, not by Israel.
Having a hard time believing someone named "Langdon Hagen- Long" is the moral authority for a foolish ceasefire giving up all the progress, nullifying the deaths of numerous Israeli soldiers, allowing Hamas to survive, and ceding momentum to the enemy. Living in a peaceful world of rainbows, with little concept of political realities and guilt for being powerful, assertive, and proud of oneself as a Jew in a non-Jewish world is what might motivate someone to live in a world where Jewish blood is cheaper than that of all others. I personally think all lives matter, but will not discount my brother's blood before that of the rest of the world. If it comes down to it, Jews will have to come first if my primary identity is that of a Jew, unless, of course, I don't believe in any religion.
I pray the Jews people will defeat and destroy Hamas and Israel will be peaceful. May God bless Israel.
Thank you for writing exactly how I feel!
Thank you for writing what I am feeling. Fortunately, I have recently moved to an erea that has a strong Jewish community where I can be present to share my solidarity. Blessings to all.
Thank you so much for sharing. If you are/were a "quiet" Jew, I would have to call myself a "loud" Jew, with my obvious head covering, modest dress and husband and son's with their tzitzis and paiyos. BUT I still don't see any differences between us because you are a Jew and I am a Jew. Whether we are loud or quiet, at the end of the day, we are the same; we are ONE!!!
Heather- I salute you! As the Torah says, we need to be unified- " Like one man, with one heart."
I was born right before WW2 and I have memories of it. I support Israel's right to exist but have not been that knowledgeable about the conditions for those the Israelis have replaced. I want to think that the Jewish people learned compassion from our long experiences with prejudice, but seeing the plight of the Palestinian I think this attack was inevitable. Doesn't mean I support this horrific attack, but from what I'm seeing, videos of the prison Israel has made of Gaza, Turning into our enemies is not a good look. There has to be a better way for Israel to respond than to bomb those not involved. Israel needs leaders who will set a better example for the world, not the usual respond evil with evil. We're the smartest people on the planet. We can and should so better than this.
Dear Dubby, I live in Israel. Our people have NOT made the life of the Palestinians awful. Hamas and the PA have. If you could see the enormous mansion that Abbas lives in while he scoops up the money from the US, EU and UN, you would be shocked. Hamas has used all the millions to build tunnels and terror infrastructure instead of creating a flourishing Gaza. Before the withdrawal, it was a beautiful place. Do not succumb to the antisemitic reporting of the US mainstream media. I live in the WB and there is a community of PA Arabs near me that live in palatial homes. Not us! The poverty and suffering are and continue to, be created by Abbas, Hamas and Hezbollah. The Israeli government has given so much, has been so patient and for what? To kill, rape, torture and kidnap.
This is known to people with eyes wide open and share the truth.
Hamas is evil. This we know. Don't let Israel be evil, too. An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.
Would you have advised the Jews to behave with restraint in the face of the Nazis? That is, in effect, what you are doing. No country on earth is expected to defend itself with restraint.....except Israel. What does that tell you? It tells me that antisemitism is alive and well. Catchy sayings; "an eye for an eye" etc. mean nothing in the face of barbarism and defending against barbarism is not evil. It is required of all decent and moral people. Be glad that you live in a country where you will never have to know war and injustice as do Israelis. If you want to help, encourage Palestinians to throw out their true oppressors and get their own act together.Encourage them to embrace education and investment and justice for all, as do Israelis. They are responsible for their lot.
Gaza is not going to throw out Hamas. Palestinians believe in their hearts and minds that Jews colonized the land of Israel, stole Palestinian land, and should be evicted so Palestinians can reclaim the land. They have passed on their hatred from generation to generation. Everything to them is about revenge. The United Nations created the State of Israel, but Jews have lived in Israel for thousands of years. The war that Israel is waging is not about revenge - it is truly about self-defense. There are 300 miles of tunnels beneath Gaza. Those tunnels must be blocked or destroyed before there can be peace. That is what Israel is trying to do - Israel is not using this war to intentionally kill Palestinians.
I agree with everything you say, Kathryn, but...
Once the tunnels have been destroyed, then what? Shouldn't we have known the answer before such a campaign was carried out?
Not only will the hatred remain; it will be further inflamed. Hamas will not be destroyed, just the tunnels, and much of the housing and schools and hospitals and the infrastructure to live in Gaza. Israel will not be secure. Even the total destruction of Gaza would not make Israel secure.
Israel needs leadership that can see beyond reacting to an immediate crisis.
I can assure you the leadership of Israel understands much more than you do about what needs to be done. As is obvious to anyone with half a brain, the first step is the complete annihilation of Hamas. After that, a reversal of the brainwashing they get from the moment they are born. Israel has great leadership. You don't live in that neighborhood- they do. Arrogant of you to think you know better.
The U.N. did not create Israel-God did. The Jews who miraculously defeated 7 Arab armies in 1948 received no help from anyone except for Czechoslovakia which sold them antiquated rifles, fought desperately and shed their blood to re-establish the land to its rightful owners.
This is not a retaliation, It is protecting and preserving Israeli citizens. Israel goes out of their way to avoid harming Palestinian citizens-although at least 75% of those "innocent" Palestinians support the slaughter that took place on October 7th, celebrating the deaths of the Israelis in the streets-loudly and without remorse. Thousands of Palestinian men and male teens came over with Hamas and engaged in the slaughter. Some of them were Palestinians that had work visas and worked along side of residents of kibbutzim - they knew their victims. Israel has always supplied Gaza with their water and electricity - with Abbas refusing to 'pay the utility bills'. Palestinians that are treated in hospitals in Israel also are not forced to reimburse for their treatment. Do your research.
"Those who are merciful to the cruel will be cruel to the merciful" Midrash on Samuel
Are you not aware of the Jewish law to kill a would be murderer!!!????
Again a stupid response. Self-defense is not evil. In fact it is a good deed to protect people from attacks by vicious criminals and beasts. This is not an eye for an eye. This is defeating evil.
You sympathise with those who want to kill us?
Shame on you!
I could t agree more. Of course I'm outraged by this atrocity. But Israel can't be surprised and certainly shouldn't be surprised. There must be a better, more responsible way to respond. With every bomb falling, every child killed, Israel is creating more terrorists . It looks like Israel is trying to solve the " Palestinian problem", by exterminating all Palestinians. That didn't work for Germany and it won't work for Israel. Please, please be better than this!
Did anyone suggest during WWII to allow Nazi Germany a peaceful resolution ???? The only resolution is when Hamas surrenders unconditionally and releases all hostages which obviously they will not...wake up to reality!!!
If you have a better solution, let us know. Complete victory worked in WW2. Nothing that we have tried since then has worked well
Thank you for your heartfelt comment.
A heart has no purpose without a brain... Obviously you have some deep seated problem that keeps you, like Dubby, from processing October 7th. Jews have always done everything possible for peace. To create a welcoming home in Israel for Jews, but also the hundreds of sects of Jews, Christians and Muslims. You are either unwilling or unable to see what is being literally shoved down your throat; Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP and dozens of other Muslim terrorist organizations solely exist to kill every Jew everywhere. And they won't stop until they are either dead or have exterminated the last Jew. EVERY person walking Gaza has been taught this since birth, and as they are being treated in Israeli hospitals, when they walk out they will raise every child to kill Jews.
Dear Dubby, if you know your people you would know that Jews want peace and love for everyone. It is in the essence of who we are. But if someone comes to your baby and slaughters your baby you should be prepared for the wrath of God. If you know your people you would know your people and not believe the lies.
Israel gave Gaza to the Arab Palestinians, as a test case, to see what they would do with autonomy. Israel removed every single soldier and every single Jewish civilian and handed the land over, including many greenhouses and other structures and infrastructure to help Gaza start its economy.
The Gazans turned around and elected Hamas, a terrorist organization with the stated goal of committing genocide against the Jewish people. They destroyed the infrastructure that was bequeathed to them.
Israel sends potable water to Gaza because the Gazans, under Hamas, tore up the sewer pipes to make rocket launchers, and then the sewage seeped into the fresh water aquifer that should have supplied them with water of their own! And they've done the same with the replacement pipes.
And when Israel withdrew in 2005, there was no blockade, and no restrictions on crossig the border; many Gazans worked in Israel.
But the terror campaign that killed hundreds and maimed thousands, and cost millions of dollars in damage, made the border fence and the blockade necessary.
And despite the fact that Gaza has been in a constant state of war with Israel since it got its independence, Israel sends food, water, and medicine into Gaza, and provides it with fuel and electricitiy, because once again Hamas and PIJ and other terrorists scavenged parts they could use for weapons or tunnels from their power plant, leaving it to fall apart.
What other nation provides such humanitarian aid to the people who are trying to destroy them?
Israel has not turned Gaza into a prison. Their behavior has. Egypt shoots dead any Gazans trying to sneak into their territory. No Arab country will allow them entrance. They are poison wherever they go- a group of murderers who bring chaos with them. Why blame Israel for fighting to protect its citizens from constant attack for decades? Israel allowed 20,000 "Palestinians" into Israel every day for work and a good income. As a way of giving thanks for that great opportunity, they mapped Israeli Kibbutzim and cities for Hamas to make it easier for them to attack. When Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2005 they left an industry in tact for the "Palestinians" to use to make a living- a prosperous living. Instead, on the first day, they destroyed the greenhouses and turned it into a terro
terrorist base from which rockets were launched into civilian Israeli neighborhoods making life impossible for residents. Wake up and find out what is really happening instead of mouthing Muslim and leftist propaganda.
I thought you had read my mind and wrote my story. Perfectly articulated!
Only Militancy can save Israel and Judaism!
Do not hide!
Men! Wear your kippah!
Women! Wear your tichel!
Unite!
What israel is doing now makes it embarasing to be jewish!
Pardon me for suggesting something that is probably not very Torah, but have you considered joining some other religion?
A response I would expect of a Christian, not a Jew. If anything, Jewish people think and debate. They do not as a rule use emotion where reason is called for. I would like to think that responding in kind to brutality is something Jewish people have learned does not work.
Yet the Jews are bombing innocent Palestinians. Where is the logic reasoning? What separates them from Hamas - just the fact that it wasn't a surprise attack? Not good enough.
Seriously, what separates the IDF from Hamas? How about this: we didn't barge into their homes and slaughter them. We didn't BAKE their babies. The IDF is the most moral army in the world--search what British Colonel Richard Kemp says about it. We make every effort to avoid killing civilians. They target civilians deliberately. Do you actually think Hamas can continue to exist after what it perpetrated Oct 7? That is immoral in the extreme.
I think the person to whom you reply is in love with their own ideology. It's completely devoid of reality. Typical American gobbledygook.
Logic??? Reasoning??? Langdon, it says it all that you can't tell the difference between Jews and Hamas. And Dubby, take a moment and think about Cappy's response. Has Hyam considered learning about other religions? Langdon brought up "eye for an eye". In Judaism there are entire tractates of Judaism's most learned who explain that to Jews it is the basis of the concept of indemnification. Muslims cut off a thief's arm, not Jews. There has been enough hate, give love a chance, but first we must do what we have to do, and give life a chance. Focus on what it takes to bring every last hostage home, everything else is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Israel is attacking HAMAS, the terrorist government and army that attacked Israel, and that has sworn to carry out genocide against the Jews.
Hamas uses its own people as human shields. What do you propose that Israel shhould do, short of giving up and allowing themselves to be slaughtered?
If someone is shooting at your family and trying to kill them, and has already killed many of them, and they have their own baby strapped to their chest as they shoot at yours, would you allow them to continue slaughtering your family, in order to spare their baby?
Or would you, like a normal human, shoot back, even though you would regret the death of their innocent child, because the lives of your innocent family are more important to you, and you are the defender?
Did the USA and England kill "innocent" Germans during WW2? The Allies did whatever was necessary to defeat evil which is exactly what Israel is doing now. The Gazans are not innocent- they put Hama in power and support the terrorists to this day. In fact many of the raiders on Oct7 were Gazan "civilians. Only Jews are not allowed to exercise the right of self-defense. I'll bet you never criticized the "Palestinians" who murdered Israelis regularly over the past 75 years.
OK. Someone breaks into your home, rapes your wife, murders your neighbor and does it on a frequent basis- what do you do- you virtue signaling ignorant fool. Jewish people still think and debate- but we also act. Now, after centuries in exile when we had no land, no ability to exercise the right of self-defense we will not allow ourselves to be put back in that situation. Am Yisrael Chai.
You are a traitor.
I disagree. You have to destroy hamas or they will do this again and again. Their attack on Israel is the worst I have ever heard of.
Yes. I agree. It is the worst since Hitler. Hamas must be destroyed, but not by killing innocent Palestinians,who are also victims of Hamas. They are the children and grandchildren of Palestinians who were forced from their homes, with a promise they could return. The promise was broken. They are still refugees. Now they are told to leave their homes again, so that Israel can bomb them. No one believes they will be able to return. They are even being bombed in their places of refuge. Even in hospitals. In ambulances.
In hospitals from which rockets are being launched? In ambulances in which Hamas fighters are hiding? (And by the way, do you still think Al-Ahli Hospital was bombed? An Islamic Jihad rocket aimed for civilians in Israel misfired and hit the parking lot--not even the hospital.) Tell us how you think Hamas should be destroyed without moving a single Gazan civilian.
Stop believing Hamas and do your homework.
Bla, Bla, Bla. There you go again. Their are no innocent Gazans, but I doubt you care about facts.
Proud to be ashamed to be a Jew, are you? Understand that you have swallowed a false narrative.
Hyam - your voice speaks for so many American Jews that are hurting and confused, and yes, embarrassed. That was the point of this article. In your own way, you are a quiet Jew. In the same way that the Arabs have been brainwashing generations of terrorists, American Jewish mainstream has promoted intermarriage, secularism, assimilation and denial and reason to be embarrassed for who we are, Jews. And Peace, that the only way to appease murderers is to offer them our throats. The creation of Jewish pejoratives and euphemisms; two-state solution, west bank, settlers... was to lie and deceive our own fellow Jews. And generations that are castigated if they recognize that the emperor has no clothes. Good luck now that you are seeing beyond the matrix.
I doubt that Hyam will ever see beyond the Matrix. His name may not be Hyam at all, More likely Achmed or Ali.
What would you do if your family was slaughtered and the perpetrator was coming after you next? I agree with Cappy.
IDF soldiers are losing their lives to save not only Israeli citizens from terrorists but to also save the free world from them - and that includes America. NOT EMBARRASSED!!!!
I do not see any credible research in your post-just the typical response of a lefty.
Shame on you!!!
There is a term for this called 'the pintele yid'. If another quiet american Jew would like to connect with me or someone else to study a jewish text and form a new relationship with another member of the tribe, check out Parners in Torah athttps://www.partnersintorah.org/
Thank you for your article. I have been a longtime Aish.com reader and it's good to have the "quiet" Jews join in. Please keep sharing. We are in this together.
By not being religious, you have left yourself without a complete understanding of the evil truly plaguing the world.
I'm grateful to G-d you are awakening.
I may not be religious but I am the child of Holocaust victims who suffered horrors we will never comprehend. We are seeing it again and even worse in some ways. We Jews,. regardless of any political views need to stand together. I am almost glad my parents are not here to see this happening again....
The best legacy to your parents is to embrace our glorious heritage. Wish you well.
I'm with you Barbara- and when I think that Hamas is holding Holocaust survivors in Gaza it turns my stomach...I am an Orthodox Jew but my prayers are for EVERY Jew EVERYWHERE! Am Yisrael Chai!
My prayers are for Palestinians and Jews. Israel is wrong in their response to evil, just as the U. s. was wrong when it went to war with the wrong country after 9/11.
If everyone thought like you - Israel would not exist. Terrorists continue to go after Israel because they know that Israel will do everything they can to avoid deaths of citizens that are used as human shields. Christians believe in turning the other cheek and not defending themselves. Perhaps that is your cup of tea!
No I am. Christian also...sorry but not sorry. destroy Hamas anyway that you have to..I am not a person that hates..it's not within my soul to hate..but what happened on Oct 7th..shouldn't of happened..I say and cried for two days.. even to this day i get teary eyed.
If Christians truly believed in "turning the other cheek", a lot fewer people in the history of the world would have suffered or died at the hands of Christians. The Jews who were expelled from countries throughout Europe throughout the centuries were expelled by Christians. Christians expelled the Moslems from France and Spain, through wars and expulsion. The Catholic Church has a "Just War" doctrine. The Crusades were not peaceful. The Spanish Inquisition was not peaceful. The Holocaust was not about "turning the other cheek." Christians have never failed to defend themselves, and typically initiated wars.
This may sound fanatic to the dormant silent Jews and future converts but learn Torah. It’s all in Torah and the End of Days.
Messiach (messiah) IS COMING EITHER WAY.
We don’t need the world to like us; no apologies
Sadly, quiet silent hidden Jews in the diaspora will never fit in. No matter how many christmas trees one puts up. How many goyish schools you shove your kids into how many intermarriages you think is good.
Hashem demands his Jews to stay Jewish.
Marry Jewish, raise your kids Jewish.
Proud Jews. We can be friendly, kind, successful in our adopted countries but he will not let us live outside Eretz Israel indefinitely- So Tie Tefillan, stop assimilation (to fit in) and pray to Hashem
I am a Jew in the diaspora and I am committed to Judaism and Israel. All of my grandparents, Orthodox Jews, came to America before 1910 (they are all in the 1910 US census in New York City). My paternal great grandfather, Solomon Kanarek, was a Rabbi in Scranton,PA and NYC. Though I was raised by my mother as a Reform Jew, I was the only girl in weekly Hebrew classes at my synagogue when I was 9 years old. I was the first woman in my mother's family who was even taught to read Hebrew. I was trained to read B'reshit in Hebrew when I was 11. I was confirmed at my synagogue. I did intermarry, but we only practiced Judaism before I was divorced (I found out later that my then-husband hated Judaism). I never remarried. I buried my mother in a Jewish cemetery and bought the plot next to hers.
Amen
At age 79, I began my journey to convert last Spring. While I (already) feel the urge to correct anyone wishing me "Merry Christmas," I'm concerned that folks could think I jumped on a political bandwagon because of the current (unimaginable) political/human crisis. But, then, reality check--(at my age,) who gives a #@$@#?
I look forward to being able to say "not Christmas, please, but Hannukah," with pride.
Wishing you tremendous hatzlacha! How wonderful!
I am an American Gentile and a Democratic voter who followed a link to this article. I have Jewish friends and have been utterly appalled by the brutality of Hamas's recent attack. I would simply like to point out to the many so-called "progressives" marching with "Free Palestine" and other related signs that American Gentiles are also at risk from Hamas and other Islamic extremist groups. Have the horrors of 9/11 already been forgotten? Twenty-two years ago we were labeled the "Great Satan" and were also attacked and murdered simply for being Americans. We must stand in support of and solidarity with Israel. Today this is Israel's fight, but in a larger sense it is but a segment of the larger struggle of civilized people against savage terrorism.
and as a person u should be appalled at the blatant anti-Semitism in your party
This isn't the time or place for this comment!
It certainly is timely. The Democratic Party openly harbors and tolerates anti-Semitic BIGOTS, like Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, in their ranks. They can no longer afford the luxury of allowing such monsters to continue affiliating with their party.
There is no fence-sitting here.
OK then, when is the time?
It is certainly well past time to for traditionally liberal people to wake up to what your supposed political allies are saying and doing.
You get it. Thank you!
My awakening came with the '67 war! I was 27 years old, married with two daughters, a recent graduate of the Harvard Business School. From undergraduate through Harvard [8 years], I too was a quiet Jew, although I was suppressing my Judaism to "fit in" with the academic scene. But now I was out of School & embarking on a career, in a new community. I remember I wanted to go out and shout, "Those are MY people!" I wrote the biggest contribution check [as of that time] to UJA = $100! That was a big number for us. My salary was $168/week, good starting money for entry level engineering manager. Well, after that burst of pride, I was never again a "Closet Jew." IMO being Jewish is a privilege, I am, we are, members of the Tribe who gave humanity the foundations of Western Civilization!
Supportive and uplifting message. Thank you, Martin.
אמנ
Thanks for sharing your story. Thank you for no longer being quiet.
Heather, i am an 82 year old British Jew had attended at times a brutal TalmudTorah, Bar Mitzvah’d and was finished with official Judaism.
1967 changed all that when Israel was yet again left to her security with broken western promises
The world looked in prior to, during and after WW2
I experienced Yom Kippur war in 1973 and was called up to serve in the artillery and miliuim reserve duty afterwards. Only when Dr Kissinger decided Israel had spilled enough blood did the USA supply weaponry. The only country!
Biden only follows on fromObama and for reasons unknown to me has openly sympathised with Israel this time. Yet to push Netanyahu in giving aid to Gaza while our brethren are being held captive is a disgrace (Reminiscent of the Yom Kippur war aid to the beleaguered Egyptians)
Biden is afraid of losing Jewish money and Jewish votes. I wish I could say it was more than that.
It IS more than that. Israel has been America's ally since it was established in 1948. Our Jewish population stands at the forefront of America's achievements in so many fields and is a backbone of our citizenry. Without America's Jewish population, we would be a vastly diminished nation, and most of us know that well, even if we tend to fall within what was once called the silent majority.
Yes, this is your Jewish neshama awaking! May it continue to grow as you connect with more Jews and with the Source of your neshama!
As others have said, Christians and all who value life are appalled too.
you speak for so many of us. Thanks for helping me clarify my pain.
I agree that we cannot be quiet. The atrocities seen here are the same as in Nazi Germany but instead of cowering or blending in with the mainstream, I believe in wearing my Judaism proudly.
I have awakened to the realization that I no longer have the luxury of being quiet
-is a shouting message to us all for- NONE of us do!
This is the prayer of Christians who support Israel. That all Israel, God's chosen people, will be moved inside them, and acknowledge and observe what God has asked of His people. We pray that all would have this change of heart.
As I was finishing reading the article, I was waiting and felt like you were just beginning your story. I feel you have much more to say that we would love to hear.
Thank you so much for your article. May I also add that we speak out the right words, in the right places and the right times?! B"H" Shabbat Shalom
The awakening - never comes too late. But for some Jews like you - “Courage - does not always roar.
Sometimes - courage - is the quiet voice - at the end of the day - saying - I will try again - tomorrow” Anonymous.
May you also consider this - and pass this on - to your children. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."~ George Santayana, Ph.D. Harvard University; Cambridge, MA, USA(P.S.: Sourced from the walls of Auschwitz).
I was supposed to be landing in Israel on the 17th
Wow was this old lady excited!!!! It was my dream
To stand on the southern steps and be baptized in the Jordan. 2nd trip that’s been cancelled.
I’m not planning to try anymore. God Bless Israel!!!
Please don't quit on your dream, we went to Israel 9 years ago at the height of THEM, stabbing and running people over with cars. I was 20 days from having a heart attack. This was the best trip of my life, don't cheat yourself. Our guide, called Isreal Disney Land for non Jews, and he was right.
Beautiful story. God bless you and your family. I am praying for Israel!!!
This was my experience in the opening days of the 6 Days War (1967) . . . when Israel maintained radio silence and Egypt spewed its lies world wide. Then on day 4 Israel's reports began . . . and by day 6 we realized that we had been party to a miracle.
Life changing. The beginning of our attachment to our friends in Israel and to our 7 million other brothers and sisters.
"The world will be destroyed not by those that do evil but by those that stand idly by." (A. Einstein) A quiet American Jew is the same type of Jew that was quiet when Hitler and other antisemites destroyed the Jews . . . It's also the same type of Jew that remained silent when the Jihadist terrorist from Kenya and his team of evildoers were devising and implementing the final nuclear solution to the "Jewish question," through the nuclear Iran . . .
There's only one word for your comment: Bull.
Mocos.
This is inappropriate. Let’s focus on who our real enemies are. There’s no need to slander our political opponents. Shabbat shalom.
Obama’s external political decisions had been a total disaster. $billions to Iran and a sympathiser of the Muslim Brotherhood-which, seemingly is the umbrella for all the Islamic terror organisations
Not for nothing was his greeting in the Cairo University in Arabic grammatically that from one Muslim to another
Baruch you are correct
The LORD has awaken his people! Scales are being removed from their eyes. Now is the time to see evil for what it is.....it is EXPOSED!! I'm not a born Jew, but in spirit have been born. I am proud and excited you have "awaken" and join in this experience with you. Like the centurion in front of Peter's eyes awoke, Christians who are born spiritually Jew have awaken too!! We will walk this awakening together!!
I am a Christian with a deep love of Judasim and I am outraged and enraged by what has happened to Israel. I stand with Israel, always.
Sue- you have no idea how much the pro Hamas support hurts, compounding our agony. I am a 50 year old American and New Yorker and I have never felt closer to my Holocaust survivor grandparents. Those that stand up for us are a light in this great darkness- and surely G-d will reward you for this beyond measure!
I agree - thank you for your support, Sue.
amen
They have awaken a Giant!
Nothing will ever be the same!
Hello my dear Sister.
What a beautiful moving article coming straight from your Neshama, your Soul.
I would love to get to know you and learn and grow with you.
Sending you oceans of love,
Chanie
amen,contact,me