Rational Explanations for anti-Semitism

by Jewish Star staff

Issue of November 20, 2009/ 3 Cheshvan 5770

Cedarhurst resident Yaakov Gade was the featured speaker at a memorial program sponsored by The Red Shul in Cedarhurst to mark the 71st anniversary of Kristallnacht.

The chosen topic was “A rational explanation of anti-Semitism,” and Gade made the proposition that “Nietsche has an answer” as to the root cause of Jew hatred. “He says a people can withstand any ‘how’ as long as it has the proper ‘why.’ In other words, we as Jews can withstand any atrocity that comes our way, as long as we understand why we are being persecuted. The fact that we are here today is a demonstration of the fact that we know why we are being the target of so much hatred,” Gade explained.

The program was sponsored by Zev Ash and Menachem Ash, in memory of Joseph Ash, who fought with the Bielski partisans; by David Klein in memory of Cecile Klein, hidden during the war by Righteous Gentiles; and by Robbie Schoenfeld in memory of Ossie Schoenfeld, who survived slave labor camps during World War II.

Jewish Star columnist Alan Jay Gerber was the event chairman. The Red Shul, Kehillas Bais Yehuda Tzvi, is led by Rabbi Yaakov Feitman.