The vigil included remarks by Democratic Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and special guest Yonatan Reguer, an Israeli journalist and TV host.
Auchincloss' remarks were well received as he pointedly condemned both sides of the political spectrum for tolerating anti-Semitism. He also made a point of saying that it is easy for him to condemn Trump and his allies' anti-Semitic misdeeds, but that he was equally obliged to condemn the anti-Semitism of groups aligned with the Democratic Party such as the Democratic Socialists of America whose various factions have condoned Hamas' attack on Israel as well as last month's shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum which killed two Israeli Embassy staffers. Auchincloss further noted that we all know full well that those who claim to be anti-Zionist are also anti-Semitic.
However, Fuller drew the ire of many in the crowd when she stated that anti-Semitism shouldn't be weaponized to target institutions of higher learning. The crowd shouted her down yelling, "No politics" and "Bring Them Home!!!" I share some of Fuller's sentiments as Trump's measures against Harvard University as they have little to do with combating anti-Semitism.
However, this weekly event is a vigil to keep the public aware of the 55 hostages, living and dead, still held by Hamas as well as to express solidarity and sorrow for what happened a week ago in Boulder. The merits of Trump's policies against Harvard and other institutions of higher learning are a different conversation for a different day.
Reguer spoke of the families of the hostages he has interviewed and showed some excerpts from his documentaries of the families he has interviewed. He recounted the story of how the mother of former hostage Omer Shem Tov kept his bedroom untouched including leaving the light on until he returned home as a way of keeping him alive. Last month, Tov threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park during Jewish Heritage Night.
The proceedings concluded with a reading of the hostages who are still believed to be alive along with the singing of "Aleinu". "Hatikvah" (the Israeli national anthem) and the "Star Spangled Banner". As was pointed, the pro-Intifada gatherings on campuses and elsewhere hate America as much as they hate Israel and that one will never see an American flag at their gatherings.
On a personal note, I have to admit I didn't use my best judgment. I did not eat prior to leaving the apartment but brought along some lox for the train ride to Newton. I also carried a pair of scissors to open the package.
Alas, the security personnel were not amused with the fact that I was carrying scissors. When I was asked why I had brought along the scissors, I produced the empty package of lox. I'm lucky I didn't throw it out because I could have possibly got into a lot of trouble. Nevertheless, my scissors were confiscated, and I had to buy a new pair when after leaving the event.
Given what happened in Boulder, I understand that every precaution must be taken. But in so doing, I didn't exactly feel very welcome there. Between that and the heckling directed Mayor Fuller, the atmosphere at this gathering was quite tense.
Frankly, I don't think I will be back. It doesn't mean I don't want the hostages to be freed. What it does mean is that I am better suited to make those thoughts known by other means such as this post.
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