Said to Myself

Speak Out

Published by

ravhiorlow

on

First they came for the Zionists, and I did not speak out—because being anti-Zionist is not Antisemitic.
Then they killed civilians and took hostages, and I did not speak out- because Israelis are colonialists.
Then they raped Jewish women, and I did not speak out- because I did not believe the victims or the bodycams.
Then they came for the Jews in traditional attire, and I did not speak out—because they chose to set themselves apart.
Then they came for the Jews who dress like me, and I did not speak out—because they are white and are excluded from our DEI policy.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
The west is next.
—adapted from Martin Niemöller

One response to “Speak Out”

  1. Arthur Schwartz Avatar
    Arthur Schwartz

    Hi Avi;

    Wow!

    I’ve forwarded your heart-wrenching reflection to my friends.

    Thank you!

    Arthur

    Reply

Leave a comment

Previous Post
Next Post

Recent posts

Quote of the week

But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then erase me out of the book you have written.

~ Exodus 32:32

Said to Myself

About

My name is Rabbi Avi Katz Orlow. I have always had a deep love for the Jewish people and making the world a better place. It was while building community in the Former Soviet Union for YUSSR that I realized the transformative power of being a rabbi. After spending time learning in Israel, I moved to New York to be a charter student in Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, the Open Orthodox Seminary. After graduating in 2004 until 2008 I served as the Rabbi and ran the program at St. Louis Hillel at Washington University. Now I have the great pleasure of thinking about how Judaism is seriously fun. In my mind I am up at camp every day in my work at the Foundation for Jewish Camp. My wife, Cantor Adina Frydman, and I are the proud parents of Yadid, Yishama, Emunah, and Libi.

Said to Myself

When my son Yadid was four years old he came home from daycare and reported to me that he got into trouble. He got put into timeout for throwing sand at another child. Yadid said,” Myself said to myself, I do not want to be in timeout. Myself said to my cry, I do not want to cry”. And with that we started a conversation about his conscious life. It seemed only fitting to continue that conversation with a blog with the same name.

אָמַרְתִּי אֲנִי בְּלִבִּי

My son spoke in the words of Ecclesiastes, “I said in my heart: ‘Come now, I will try you with mirth, and enjoy pleasure’; and, behold, this also was vanity.” (Kohelet 2:1) My mission is to model a life that is personally meaningful, universally relevant, and distinctly Jewish. I aspire to be frank and to speak of Torah in real life.

Topics

Follow Us

Blog at WordPress.com.