“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Jewish author and Holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, from his Nobel Prize acceptance speech From the Rabbi Each year Jews around the world observe Yom HaShoah — Holocaust Remembrance Day — commemorating a horrific chapter not only in the history of the Jewish people, but also in the history of the world. Motivated by a fanatical hatred of Jews and a desire to rid society of “undesirable” elements, the Nazi regime that ruled Germany during the mid-20th century engaged in a systematic and brutal campaign to destroy the Jewish people. Harvesting the fruits of seeds sown through centuries of anti-Semitism, they nearly succeeded, murdering six million Jews, or about one third of the world’s Jewish population at the time. The full name of Holocaust Remembrance Day in Hebrew is actually “Yom HaShoah Ve-Hagevurah,” meaning “Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day.” This reminds us that even though many ignored evidence of Nazi crimes, there were those who went to great lengths to save Jews. Many of these heroes are remembered today as “righteous gentiles.” In Holland, Corrie ten Boom sheltered those fleeing Nazi oppression. In France, Pastor André Trocmé helped to make an entire town, Le Chambon, a safe haven for persecuted Jews. Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish Chris- tian, rescued thousands of Jews from the Nazi death machine. And there were, of course, many more who are less well-known, but no less deserving of our gratitude. Some say the Holocaust is too terrible to remember. But there is a reason why the Jewish people have vowed to “never forget.” They remember so that they may prevent such horrible events from ever occurring again. Today there seems to be a trend to forget the lessons taught by the Holocaust, or even to rewrite history as if it never occurred. The radical Islamic regime of Iran, which has dedicated itself to Israel’s destruction, held a “Holocaust denial” conference in recent years that attracted not only Islamist fanatics, but Western academics and other public figures as well. Recent events in North America, Europe, and around the world, where Jews of all ages have been targeted for intimidation, vandalism, and even death in radical ter- rorist attacks, are a stark reminder that “those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Indeed, my friends, the threat of anti-Semitism remains very real today. It is my hope and prayer that as you read the stories that follow of those who survived the horrors of the Holocaust and learn more about the history of anti-Semitism that allowed the unthinkable to occur, you will join The Fellowship not only in caring for and helping the survivors of this horrific event, but also in continuing to fight anti-Semitism whenever, and wherever, it occurs. With prayers for shalom, peace,

President and Founder International Fellowship of Christians and Jews of Canada NEVER FORGET Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of children, whose bodies I saw turned to wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky.

Elie Wiesel, Night, (New York: Hill & Wang, 1960), 43–44

t has been more than 70 years since the Holocaust — the year 2015 marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. For some, the events remain real and ever-present. For others, the Holocaust seems Ilike ancient history. But, since those horrific events, the Jewish people have adopted a motto: Never again. Never again will they allow such a catastrophe to occur. From the ashes of Auschwitz, Treblinka, Dachau, Belzek, and oth- er Nazi death camps, the Jewish people have vowed to live. As Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein wrote in his book, How Firm a Foundation, “Like the psalmist long ago, Jews today collectively declare, 4 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

“I will not die but live, solemn day. Some Jewish people light and will proclaim what the six candles to represent the six mil- LORD has done.” lion Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust. (Psalm 118:17) Holocaust survivors are encouraged to share their stories at public events. In Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Israel all public entertainment venues Yom HaShoah, was inaugurated in 1953 are closed, and at 10:00 a.m., sirens are as a day set aside to memorialize the sounded throughout Israel, and every- six million Jews murdered during the one stops what they are doing for two Nazi reign of terror. As befits the event minutes, even on busy highways, to it commemorates, Yom HaShoah is a stand in silent remembrance.

How should we respond to the Holocaust?

As Rabbi Eckstein has noted, “All Jews live after having been tormented and alive today regard themselves as Holo- persecuted for centuries. She epito- caust survivors since Hitler’s plan was mizes the Jewish rebirth as a dynamic, genocidal—to eradicate the entire living people … The existence of Israel Jewish nation. All bear the awesome re- goes to the very core of Jewish identity sponsibility of telling the story of those today,” says Rabbi Eckstein. excruciating years.” But how does one He concludes that, “The primary address something so devastating; imperative Jews have elicited from the something that is at once unfathom- Holocaust is to live, and never allow a able, yet real; something unspeakable similar Holocaust to occur again.” And that we nonetheless must discuss in or- for the Christian, the Rabbi adds this der to prevent it from ever happening challenge: “The primary imperative again? Rabbi Eckstein proposes that, to be elicited by Christians from the “The appropriate way to confront the Holocaust is equally as compelling as Holocaust is first through silence and is that of the Jews — to expunge any then through well-considered words. and all traces of anti-Semitism and Only after mourning the terrible loss anti-Judaism from their midst … They, dare we speak of that tragedy; only too, are divinely obligated to ensure after reverential silence may we risk Jewish survival and to prevent a future talking about it.” Holocaust.” Of the many responses to the Will you join with us, Rabbi Eckstein, Holocaust, support for Israel is per- and millions around the world of all haps the most widely accepted and faiths and backgrounds to reflect, to most deeply felt. “Israel is the symbol be on guard, and to declare “Never of the contemporary Jewish resolve to Forget” and “Never Again”?

5 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

TELLING THEIR STORIES One significant way that we “never forget” is to keep the voices of the Holocaust alive and strong through hearing the stories and experiences of those who lived through this horrific chapter in history. Below are accounts from two such individuals who were courageous enough to share their story.

JOSEF KATZ osef, a 75-year-old Ukrainian Jew, 58 program, he began telling his story. is a Holocaust survivor. During The centre is a place of hope for Josef, World War II he was imprisoned where this impoverished man receives Jat the notorious Nazi death camp at food and medical assistance on a reg- Auschwitz. For many years, Josef kept ular basis. And now, it has also given his horrific stories of the events during him a means of release, and a sense the war to himself. that his history will not be forgotten. But recently, after encouragement “I was working in a coal mine when from a worker at a local Hesed centre the frontline of the fighting was ap- supported by The Fellowship’s Isaiah proaching,” Josef began. “We were 6 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

marched away in lines wearing pris- on clothes. We had wooden soles on our boots. It was cold and people were weak. Those who couldn’t go further were killed and stayed where they lay. We were driven forward this way for three days, day and night. When the front was coming too near, we were put into carriages where the coal was usually kept. We were piled one on top of another. “As we rode in the carriages, some- how people in one of the villages we were passing through learned that prisoners were in the carriage, so they threw us bread and meat. We were weak and hungry. We tried to catch the pieces of food. People were so hungry that the crowd crushed each guards. It was night, dark. We saw a big other trying to get the food. The Nazi barn. Very carefully, we approached guards shouted, ‘Halt!’ and they shot the barn, crawled in, and slept there the prisoners. A lot of people were all night. We didn’t hear a tank coming

“We arrived one night at Auschwitz. The train cars slowed down. We heard a lot of shouting in German and the dogs were barking. They opened the carriages and there was light everywhere. They arranged us into col- umns. I was on one side and my mother and two sisters, who were four and twelve, were on the other.” killed. The guards made us take the near. But then we looked out and saw a bodies and stack them inside the car- five-angled star.” riage like a bench. Then they made us At first, Josef and the others thought sit on them. Three more days we lived they were seeing a Russian tank. “We through that, imagining the day when started whispering, ‘It’s a Russian tank, we could escape. it’s a Russian tank,’” he said. “Then we “Finally they took us from the car- understood that they were Americans. riage. Then they put us in columns We didn’t know that the English and and we began marching again. Many Americans had a five-angled star, too. days passed. We found ourselves in “When the Americans found us, a small forest. Suddenly we stopped they were struck dumb at what we and looked around and there were no looked like. We were kids and there 7 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

were middle-aged people there, too. I will remember them all my life. There The soldiers handed us chocolates and were about 80 of us at that time. They vitamins and water. I felt the strength took us to a town in Germany and set- tled us there, in former Nazi housing. We took off our prison clothes and “A German soldier drove me to they showed us piles of clothes and the gate, away from my mother told us to take what we wanted. We and sisters. He pushed me with a washed, they fed us, and there were stick. I fell, and when I turned my doctors there.” head I saw a dead man lying in a Josef is grateful that he was able to pool of blood. I was frightened. That share his story. And we, too, should be was the last time I saw my mother. I grateful to him. It is the testimony of saw my sisters on the other side of people like Josef, who witnessed first- the barbed wire fence. I called for hand the horrors of the Holocaust, my mother, and the soldiers hit me that can help us strengthen our resolve with the stick again.” to fight anti-Semitism wherever it oc- curs. We cannot give back life to those who perished. But we can help ensure BROWN coming into my muscles again. The that the eternal rallying cry of the Jew- soldiers told us how to get to the road. ish people - “Never again!” - is fulfilled.

“You cannot tell how many people died. When I was in the camp, they brought us to the coal mine. The people were so thin and weak. When they came out of the mine all black from the coal, their arms were like twigs of a tree and their legs were like matchsticks. Every three or four days, the soldiers would load all those thin dead bodies and take them away like wood, like trees. Only God knows why I stayed alive. There was no strength in me at all. If the Americans hadn’t saved me at that moment, I would be dead, too. It must be a miracle.” 8 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

MAGDA BROWN The stench from the chimneys of burning flesh, it will live with me as long as I live.

Editor’s Note: This story was written by The Fellowship’s Christina Johns, Creative Director, on her experiences attending a Fellowship-sponsored Holocaust awareness event. Although this event occurred several years ago, Christina remains in contact with Magda, who continues to share her story.

9 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

everal years ago, I attended a met the eyes of Magda, our guide Fellowship supported confer- and an 83-year-old Holocaust sur- ence on Holocaust awareness vivor, and was suddenly overcome Sat the Illinois Holocaust Museum with shame, anger, and sadness. and Education Centre in Skokie. My When Magda was 17, not much main task was to interview one of younger than me, she stood in a the Holocaust survivors who would railcar just like the one we were serve as our guide through the ex- standing in. Magda, her mother, hibit. and other victims were packed into When we stepped into a replica of the train cars, given little informa- a railcar that had been used to deliv- tion as to their destination, and left er Jews to the concentration camps, to endure yet another phase of the a wave of panic washed over me. I Nazis’ “final solution.”

Magda shared her memories:

There wasn’t enough room in the cars to sit down. So in order to allow my mother to sit, I stood for three days. There were all kinds of people there. Some just prayed, others yelled, and some didn’t know what to do. There was no food, no water, and the only bathroom facility was a bucket in the corner. The smell was terrible, but the thirst was so intense that it was all I could think about. Everything was secondary to the torture of being denied water. It was maddening. At one point I was pushed into the corner where there was a small window with barbed wire across it. I looked out the window, and my memory is so vivid. I saw a boy close to my age herding a flock of sheep. I thought to myself, Why is he out there and I’m in here? You see, I thought the whole world was in train cars. Then, I thought, What did I do to deserve this? I am good girl. Eventually the trained stopped, the box car door was opened, and some men motioned for the people to get out and leave their be- longings behind. I grabbed my mother’s hand as the thousands of people poured out of the train cars. I looked up and saw people that looked like skeletons wearing striped uniforms staring back at us with an empty, detached glare behind a barbed wire fence. I thought to myself, Why did they bring us to an insane asylum? I thought we were going to work.

10 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

When we got up to the front of the line, there was an SS man point- ing people where to go. Some went right, others left. People were screaming and crying as they were pulled from one another. They saw me holding my mother’s hand and now I look back and think that was a mistake. You see, my mother looked young and they probably would have let her live if they thought that. Instead, they knew she was my mother, and they pointed her in the opposite direction from where they pointed me. I kind of waved to her and I said, “Mother, I’ll see you later,” not realizing that would be the last time I saw my beautiful young mother. And then everything was systematic. You become a zombie. You’re no longer a person. You just move. You follow directions or else. After they shaved our heads and gave us our ill-fitting uniforms, people started talking to other Jews who had been at Auschwitz longer and asked if they knew where their relatives had gone. I listened; I wanted to know when I would see my mother again. They pointed to the five chimneys in the distance and very coolly said, “There is your family. There are your relatives.” The stench from the chimneys of the burning flesh, it will live with me as long as I live. It is the most horrible thing imaginable.

Magda’s eyes were glassy as she monster of hatred and anti-Semi- shared this part of her horrif- tism has not ended. ic story. I felt my eyes well with The war on hate is being waged tears as pictures of my mother all over the world. We need to know flashed through my mind. The fear the threat and be a voice of reason Magda must have experienced and amongst a chorus of ignorance. It the strength she must have had in is not just up to those who survived order to survive I will never be able the Holocaust to ensure we remem- to comprehend. ber – it is up to all those who wish to Tragically, the war against the live in a world that is just and moral.

11 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

NEVER AGAIN LEARNING ABOUT ANTI-SEMITISM Another importantQ&A way to combat anti-Semitism is through educa- tion. What is anti-Semitism? How pervasive is it today? How does it impact Jewish-Christian relations? Below are a series of questions and answers from Rabbi Eckstein’s book, Ask the Rabbi, about the history of anti-Semitism from a biblical and theological perspective, and what Christians can do today in response.

1. When and How Did Haman, long ago, exhibited the Anti-Semitism Begin? classic traits of the virulent disease of anti-Semitism. He made unfair Anti-Semitism is one of the most stereotypes, projected negative char- ancient and tenacious prejudices acteristics from individual Jews onto ever to afflict humankind. And an entire nation, and called for the its beginnings are ancient as well. liquidation of all the Jewish people th Already in the 6 century B.C.E., in because of the perceived misdeeds one of the earliest records of ancient of one Jew. Let us examine what the anti-Semitism, the Bible records that Bible says about Haman’s hatred Haman sought to wipe out all the for Jews and about the hatred of all Jews of the Persian Empire. Why? other anti-Semites, as well. Because Mordecai, a Jew, refused to In the book of Esther we find bow down to him. Haman saying to King Xeres 12 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

(Ahasuerus in Hebrew) of Persia: concept of anti-Semitism reflected “There is a certain people dispersed a fundamental shift in attitudes. among the peoples in all the provinces What was once historic anti-Jewish of your kingdom who keep themselves prejudice that flared up in response separate. Their customs are different to offensive Jewish behaviour or from those of all other people, and beliefs, changed to a view that was they do not obey the king’s laws; it is anti-Jewish on genetic grounds. not in the king’s best interest to toler- ate them. If it pleases the king, let a 2. How Did Anti-Semitism decree be issued to destroy them, and I Change and Flourish up will give ten thousand talents of silver to World War II? to the king’s administrators for the Though anti-Jewish prejudice has royal treasury” (Esther 3:8–9). been around for thousands of years, NEVER AGAIN it took a significantly new form in Seeds of Hate the late 1800s. It shifted from a his- Haman despised the Jews because toric prejudice that was anti-Jewish they lived and believed differently and flared up as a negative reaction from others. He accused them of to Jewish behaviour or beliefs, to being clannish, unpatriotic to their a view that was anti-Jews based on nation, and disloyal to the king. He irrational racial hatred. planted doubts in the king’s mind In previous centuries, Jews could about the safety and wisdom of hav- theoretically change their actions ing Jews living in the Empire. Haman or beliefs, and thereby avoid being finally succeeded in rallying the king and the masses to his anti-Semitic subjected to anti-Semitism. But with cause by cleverly appealing to their the introduction of the new racial greed. He assured them that by (i.e. genetic) dimension, they could destroying the Jews they would not not escape. Even if they converted to only rid themselves of their national Christianity, for example, they could problem, they would also reap great not escape being branded as Jews. financial reward in the process. Isn’t The root problem, according to this this kind of thinking typical of many new kind of anti-Semitism, was not anti-Semites? Are not most con- in Jewish behaviour or beliefs, but in sumed by greed and hatred? Jewish flesh and blood. Anti-Semitism is actually a term of recent vintage. It was coined in Nazi Obsession 1873 by Wilhelm Marr, a German who As is well known, this theory of Jew- believed that Jews as a group were ish racial impurity was reintroduced unalterably tainted and “racially de- in a most monstrous form a few termined.” Their goal, in his view, was decades later by Adolf Hitler. This to overrun society and corrupt the hypothesis constituted the ideolog- pure Aryan German nation. This new ical backbone of the Nazi onslaught 13 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

against the Jews. Thus, modern hatred of Jews is not prompted by anti-Semitism involves pathological anything the Jews themselves do or racial hatred, in contrast with the don’t do, but simply by the reality of historic prejudice against Jewish who they are — Jews. actions and beliefs. For example, a Jew living during 3. How Do Stereotypes Extend the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisi- Anti-Semitism? tion, or even the pogroms of the late What are the historical causes and 1800s, could have been spared from ideological roots of anti-Semitism? persecution and death by converting Is it a chronic disease? Is it cur- to Christianity. But in the 20th centu- able? Is it rational? Obviously these ry Holocaust, with the new racial (i.e. are very complex issues that we genetic) understanding of anti-Sem- cannot fully address. We can say, itism, such a conversion would have however, that anti-Semitism has been an entirely futile gesture. been spawned and nurtured by Is anti-Semitism then a rational economic, social, political, and even phenomenon that we can somehow try to comprehend? Many people religious forces. believe it is not. They declare the very In many respects anti-Semitism existence of Jews somehow, almost entered into the mind and psyche of supernaturally, evokes hatred in the Western civilization through Chris- hardcore anti-Semite. Such hatred tianity, as will be addressed later. At is not based on the Jews’ personality, times, anti-Semitism is so enmeshed beliefs, actions, or social mores, but in Western culture that we fail to the simple fact of being Jews. For even recognize it. anti-Semites, the urge to destroy Jews is a central, irrational, passionate Ingrained Stereotypes obsession. Ask yourselves what happens to chil- History provides many examples dren when they read in school about of inconsistent accusations against Shylock in Shakespeare’s Merchant of the Jews. In fact, Jews seem to be criti- Venice? What is the result of viewing cized no matter what alternative they church Passion Plays, or movies por- choose. At various points in history, traying Jews as evil, hostile, and even for example, Jews have been accused murderous toward Jesus? of being too poor or too wealthy, Such experiences, which are not too politically domineering or too at all uncommon in our society, politically uninvolved. Jews have reinforce some of the most vicious been accused of being too spiritual anti-Jewish stereotypes and canards and too secular; unambitious and that have plagued Jews for centuries. overly aggressive; too separated from Particularly damaging is the notion others and too assimilated; capital- that Jews were somehow responsi- ists and communists. The obsessional ble for killing Jesus and are divinely 14 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

intended to suffer for that sin for the messiah had arrived and that man generations. could attain salvation through him. Sometimes, of course, anti-Semit- Meanwhile, Jews, by their very ic stereotypes can take a far more existence, seemed to be a counter- subtle form. Look at how Jesus is por- testimony. Stubbornly, Jews con- trayed in the artwork found today in tinued to irritate and embarrass most museums and many churches. Christians by insisting that the true Usually, he (and the apostles, except messiah had not yet come, that God’s for Judas) is depicted with straight covenants with them remained light-coloured hair, smooth features operative, and that the Hebrew Bible and benign expressions. Meanwhile, (not the New Testament) was still the (other) Jews are pictured with the complete and definitive Word of black, unruly, curly hair, large noses, God. Jews simply refused to acknowl- and conniving eyes. These pictures edge the Christian claim that, with silently deny Jesus was a Jew! We Jesus, God had made a major change cannot call this overt anti-Semitism, in salvation history. but it certainly reinforces and gives Christians maintained that Jesus credence to common derogatory had come to bring salvation first perceptions of Jews. and foremost to his fellow Jews. But Thus, anti-Semitism is often man- by their overwhelming rejection of ifest blatantly and overtly, but it can Jesus, the Jews severed their cove- also assume a more subtle, deceptive nantal relationship with God and guise, as well. We need to be on guard forfeited their rights and position as lest it slowly and subtly work upon God’s chosen people. the minds of unsuspecting people, especially impressionable children. The New Israel? Covert anti-Semitism can insidious- Christians proclaimed that they ly shape strong negative attitudes constituted the “New Israel,” that the toward Jews. Gospels were God’s “New Testament,” and that Christianity had become the only true faith and the only means of 4. What Role Has Some Specific salvation. Christian Theology Played in In other words, Christians Anti-Semitism? declared Jews and Judaism were dis- Jewish rejection of Christian beliefs placed in God’s plan by the Church is widely believed to be a major cause and Christianity. The continued of historical Christian negativism existence of Jews after Jesus’ death toward Jews and Judaism. Since the was, for centuries, a thorn in the time of Jesus, the Christian gospel Christian side, constantly needing has been inextricably linked with explanation. Christians even main- Jewish denial of that message and its tained that non-Christian Jews messiah. Christians proclaimed that had ceased to be true Jews, i.e. the 15 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

true descendants of Abraham. The of the Jews and their refusal to accept concept of “Jew” was spiritualized Jesus were an ongoing aggravation. and applied to Christians instead of Both challenged the Church’s claim biological Jews. that it was the inheritor of God’s Paul’s writings were a major covenant and promises and that it source of this “replacement theolo- was the new “True Israel.” gy.” For example, he wrote in Romans In the book of Romans, Paul 2 and 9, “For he is not a Jew, who is admonished the Gentiles regarding one only outwardly . . . but he is a Jew such attitudes, warning them not who is inwardly one.” Later, the term to be haughty nor to forget who “the Jews” was transformed into a supports whom. It is the root that negative symbol describing all who supports the branch, not the reverse, rejected Jesus, not just the real flesh said Paul. (See Romans 11:18.) and blood Jews. It was not a major theological step for Jews of succeeding generations Divine Ordination to become collectively viewed as Paul goes further and suggests that “sons of the devil,” or the incarnation the Jewish rejection of Jesus was of evil. In Christian eyes, Jews were somehow divinely ordained. When the people who crucified Jesus out Paul says that a temporary blindness of sheer malice; those who shouted has come over the Jews, he means it is “Crucify,” as well as their descen- not their doing but God’s. Moreover, dants, were all murderers (see John Paul insists, the Jewish rejection of 8:44 and Matthew 27:25). Jesus was for the Gentiles’ benefit, so This theological antipathy toward that they could be grafted onto the non-Christian Jews built upon prior rich (Jewish) olive tree and share in negative views of Jews. Paul had a covenantal relationship with God warned against undue pride, telling (Romans 11:11). Christians not to take theological Unfortunately, however, as the hostile positions toward the Jews Church became increasingly Gentile, (e.g. Romans 11:17–24). This theme its Jewish roots were increasingly will be explored further in our next denied. All that was remembered question. from Paul’s admonition was that the Jews rejected Jesus. The second half of his statement, that the rejection 5. How Does a Christian’s View was “divinely ordained and for the of the Jewish Roots of Christi- Gentile’s sake,” was tragically anity Affect Anti-Semitism? forgotten. (See Romans 11:28–29). We have described briefly the evolu- This replacement theology was tion of a hostile attitude toward Jews not, however, an isolated or unique in the early Church. We also dis- phenomenon. The early church, in cussed how the continued existence its formative centuries, tended to 16 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

shape a distinctive Christian iden- Christian view of Jews and Judaism tity by denying its Jewish roots and for centuries to come. origin. Consistently, the Church By the 4th century, John defined itself over and against Jews Chrysostom, for example, declared, and Judaism. The Jewishness of Jesus, “the martyrs especially hate the for example, was virtually forgotten. Jews, for the reason that they love The Jewish origins of rituals and so deeply the one who, by them, was concepts such as the Passover meal, crucified.” He explained that Jewish baptism, circumcision, and salvation suffering came as a divine punish- were either denied, spiritualized, or ment “because you [the Jews] killed radically transformed in meaning. Christ. It is because you stretched Christianity has been much like out your hand against the Lord. It is the teenager who rebels against his because you shed the precious blood parents in order to define his own that there is now no restoration, no separate identity. The Church broke mercy anymore and no defense … this with its Jewish origins and parent- is why you are being punished worse age, and tried to shape a distinctive now than in the past … if this were identity by claiming it displaced not the case, God would not have Judaism and superseded the Old turned His back on you so complete- Covenant. ly … thus, you who sinned against Yet, the encouraging news is that Him are in a state of dishonour and among some Christians there has disgrace.” been a renewed interest in exploring the Jewish roots of their faith and in rediscovering the Jewishness of The Deicide Charge Jesus. Our ministry’s vision at The The average Christian today is, in all Fellowship is that Jews and Chris- likelihood, totally unaware of such tians will reverse their 2,000-year statements by outstanding leaders history of discord and replace it with in the early Church. Unfortunately, a relationship marked by dialogue, such ideas were promulgated respect, and cooperation. and widely accepted during the important formative centuries of the Church’s development. 6. Has Blaming Jews for Killing At the very heart of Christian Jesus Stirred Anti-Semitism? anti-Semitism was the deicide charge By the end of the third century, that, as a people, Jews killed Jesus the primary motifs of theological and were doomed to suffer divine anti-Semitism were firmly implanted wrath and rejection eternally for in the Church. Indeed, the argu- that act. “If someone killed your son,” ments and ideas posited by early wrote John Chrysostom, “could you church leaders and apologists in stand the sight of him or the sound the first few centuries formed the of his greeting? Wouldn’t you try to 17 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

get away from him as if he were an begotten Son. Through such theo- evil demon, as if he were the devil logical filters, Christians interpreted himself? The Jews killed the Son of and accepted Jewish suffering. From your Master … Will you so dishonour such theories of deserved punish- Him as to respect and cultivate His ment, Christians went on to derive murderers — the men who crucified approval for administering unto the Him?” Jews that very suffering. Hippolytus and other church fathers expressed similar sentiments, explaining that the Temple was Society’s Scapegoats destroyed “because they [the Jews] During the Middle Ages, Christian killed the son of the Benefactor, contempt for Jews and Judaism for he is coeternal with the Father.” brought about devastating conse- Prudentius, a fourth century quences throughout Christian-dom- Christian poet, said the Temple inated Europe. Jews remained the was destroyed as, “the penalty for only unconverted minority, and their murder and for having stained their very presence was a source of dis- hands with the blood of Christ.” comfort to Christians who regarded For centuries thereafter, the church as the “New Israel.” Jews Christians believed that “the Jews” suffered terrible persecution and as a nation rejected and crucified often mass slaughter from frenzied Jesus and assumed collective Christian mobs during the Crusades. responsibility for his death when During the Inquisition, they were they vowed, “His blood is on us and expelled or forced to convert or die. our children” (Matthew 27:25). Jews were compelled to engage in theological disputes with church leaders, which usually resulted in the 7. How Does Christian persecution or forced conversion of Anti-Semitism in the entire Jewish communities. There Middle Ages Still were mass expulsions from Euro- Reverberate Today? pean lands. The Jews were falsely As we have seen, for many centuries accused of libels — the charge that some Christians have maintained Jews killed Christian children and that the Jews brought upon them- used their blood for the Passover selves and their descendants the seder. When the drinking water was divine retribution of eternal wander- contaminated, the Jews were blamed ing and suffering. The destruction for poisoning the well. When there of the Jerusalem Temple and exile of was an epidemic of typhoid or black the Jewish nation were seen as proof plague it was presumably the Jews’ that God had rejected His ancient fault. Jews became handy scapegoats people as punishment for the crime for all the ills of society in Medieval of rejecting and crucifying His only Christian Europe. 18 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

The history of Jewish persecution democracy. Jews have thoroughly at the hands of Christians is a signif- believed in North American icant factor influencing how Jews ideals and have trusted the legacy even today perceive Christians and of tolerance toward religious the prospects for dialogue with them. minorities. Defensive mistrust is the starting point for most Jews in their relations with Christians. Christians, on the Horror of the Holocaust other hand, are generally not aware The Holocaust, however, shattered of these tragic pages of their history much of the optimism and security and tend to have different starting that pervaded North American Jew- points in their relations with Jews. ry. Our shared worldview has been radically altered toward the negative by that cataclysmic event. The Holo- 8. How Have Jews in North caust brought into sharp focus the America Fared on the Matter entire question of Christian-Jewish Of Anti-Semitism? relations. The stereotypes promoting Jews encountered anti-Semitism and contempt toward Jews, from which discrimination in the early decades the Nazis drew, were rooted in those of the 20th century in North Amer- held by the Church for centuries. ica, too, though certainly not to the The Holocaust took place in the degree of outright persecution they very heartland of enlightened Chris- had experienced in Europe. North tian Europe. Pro-Nazi leadership American Jews were excluded or re- was often in the hands of baptized stricted from participating in many Christians. With some exceptions, areas of society. They were often the Christian church was essentially discriminated against in jobs, hous- silent and demonstrated passive ing, education, and business. There acquiescence. The monstrous crime was a proliferation of anti-Jewish of genocide was committed by propaganda disseminated by groups baptized Catholics, Protestants, and such as the Ku Klux Klan, and acts of Orthodox Christians. violence against the Jews were not It is true that many factors uncommon. contributed to the outbreak of the North American Jews countered Nazi Holocaust. But certainly one these challenges by organizing into contributing factor was the long groups like the Anti-Defamation tradition of Christian contempt for, League. They fought against all and persecution of, the Jews, which threats to the democratic fabric of by the 20th century was deeply North American life from the right ingrained in the minds of European and the left, viewing these as threats Christians. The Holocaust did not to Jewish life itself and believing that erupt in a vacuum; it built upon the Jewish life thrives best in a strong past. Centuries of Christian antipa- 19 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

thy toward Jews implanted the seed- He wrote: “Evangelicals are rightly bed within which the germ of Nazi exhorted to ponder the heart-break- anti-Semitism grew and drew its ing pages of Israel’s tragic saga: ideological nourishment. In their realize that it is Christianity which evil design, the Nazis were able to at bottom has been either primarily, gain moral and theological support or at any rate largely, responsible from traditional Christian views of for the centuries-long persecution Jews and Judaism. A Holocaust of that reached its nadir in the Nazis’ Jews would have been unlikely, if ghastly final solution of the Jewish not unthinkable, without an almost problem!” These are very strong, 2,000-year history of Christian hatred and hostility. compelling remarks.

9. How Shall Christians Confessing and Repenting Respond to Anti-Semitism? The editorial in this same issue — Part I of Christianity Today noted that, In recent years, Jews have made “On the whole, Evangelicals tend to tremendous strides in fostering slough off suggestions that they are better relations with Christians and anti-Semitic. They admit that nomi- in fighting anti-Semitism here in nal Christians, particularly medieval North America. Nonetheless, the Catholics and some members of the problem continues to plague us liberal church in modern Germany, today, at times overtly. Anti-Semi- were anti-Semitic; but Evangelicals tism is a force constantly lurking stand opposed to this. beneath the surface of Western cul- “Beyond that, however, we must ture, vulnerable to violent eruption confess that Luther and the Reform- if given the right political, social, ers and many evangelical Protestants and economic conditions. since then have made statements Of concern to us now is the that Jews certainly have a right to question of how Christians, par- consider anti-Semitic. We regret ticularly Evangelical Christians, these anti-Semitisms of the past and should respond to the challenge of present.” anti-Semitism. A few years ago, the Clearly, a spirit of recognition and prominent evangelical magazine, Christianity Today, devoted almost penance are essential for Christians. Christianity Today an entire issue to the subject of The editors also Jews and Evangelicals. Let me quote pointed out that though they detect- briefly from a column by Dr. Vernon ed “a spirit of repentance among Grounds, president emeritus of Den- Evangelicals … repentance without ver Conservative Baptist Theological restitution, like faith without works, Seminary in Colorado. is useless!” 20 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

10. How Shall Christians in a cultural vacuum. His persecution Respond to Anti-Semitism? of the Jews was the end product of — Part II a long history of anti-Semitism in which, alas, Evangelicals, too, played That editorial, which appeared in the an ignoble part. Incipient anti-Sem- 1979 issue of Christianity Today, in the itism leads to gross anti-Semitism, estimation of many, marked a major which may terminate in genocide. So turning point in Evangelical-Jewish Evangelicals must root out even the relations. Citing from that same edito- incipient forms we often think are rial are six ways that the editors urged harmless. born-again Christians to respond to anti-Semitism. These are listed below: 5. Evangelicals must guard against the unconscious anti-Semitism 1. It is important that, where guilty, in themselves and others that lies Christians publicly acknowledge past concealed in the structures of society. anti-Semitism and declare it to be Jews, naturally more sensitive to this, sin. If Evangelicals are unwilling to can help Evangelicals here by forth- set the record straight on this matter, rightly pointing out such attitudes. any mouthing of repentance is right- A public school English teacher, for ly suspect. example, can instill prejudice for life by his treatment of Shylock in Shake- 2. Evangelical leaders must avoid any speare’s Merchant of Venice. direct or indirect support for anti- Semitic causes. We believe Evangeli- 6. As Evangelicals demonstrate in cals pass this test fairly well. tangible ways their abhorrence of anti-Semitic actions, they will declare 3. It is not enough just to condemn a crucial truth to the Gentile world anti-Semitism in the past and at large: to attack Jews is to attack remain aloof from anti-Semitic caus- Evangelicals, and such attacks will es. Evangelical leaders and pastors be resisted by Evangelicals as attacks must also use their teaching minis- against themselves. tries to present solid instruction as to the anti-Biblical and anti-Christian At The Fellowship, we strongly believe nature of all anti-Semitic attitudes or that Christians today must help stem actions. the tide of anti-Semitism and show restitution, if you will, by educating 4. Further, Evangelical leaders must themselves about the Jewish roots of ferret out, expose, and actively Christianity, extending love and com- oppose incipient and overt passion to their needy or persecuted anti-Semitism that creeps into a Jewish brothers and sisters, and society structured for centuries along supporting Israel and her struggle to anti-Semitic lines. Hitler did not arise survive. 21 HELPING HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS TODAY Below are just a few of the thousands of stories we could share about how The Fellowship with the generous support of its Christian friends is today helping the needy and often forgotten elderly survivors of the Holocaust by providing them with lifesaving food and medicine and much-needed friendship and compassion. Masha from Belarus The Fellowship is helping to maintain Masha lives alone in crushing poverty her tiny home so she can live with in Belarus. She is nearly 90, but most dignity. Most recently, The Fellowship of her long life has been marked by replaced Masha’s toilet and sink, hardship. As a child, Masha was forced which were broken and unusable. to run from her home and hide in Masha also receives a food card from Kazakhstan to escape the advancing The Fellowship, which allows her to Nazi army. While Masha and her moth- choose the nutritious food she needs er were in Kazakhstan, her father was to stay healthy. She is so thankful for killed in the war. your loving support! For years, Masha worked as a math teacher, and her students and cowork- Natalya from Minsk ers provided all the social interaction As a child, Natalya experienced the hor- she needed. Masha never married, and rors of war firsthand. During World today she can no longer work, so she is War II, when the Soviets and the Nazis all alone. As a teacher, she never made were battling for control of Minsk, her much money, and now she struggles home was hit by a firebomb. Natalya to live on a tiny government pension. and her siblings barely escaped in time, Masha’s apartment is nearly empty – and they were traumatized by the ex- she never had much money to spend on perience. furniture. And every year it seems like A few years later, Minsk was liber- one of the few items she owns breaks. ated from the Nazis, and Natalya and Despite everything she has gone her brother went out to celebrate. The through, Masha is in relatively good young children found a box of bullets health. As she lives out her final years, and picked it up – tragically, one of the 22 NEVER FORGET NEVER AGAIN

bullets exploded in Natalya’s hand, many miles on foot. While Sophia’s causing her to lose three fingers and father fought on the frontlines, Sophia disfiguring her face. Natalya required and her siblings starved. Often, they intensive surgery and was hospitalized only had potato peels to eat. for a year. Although she recovered, she The family returned to Vitebsk af- was left with physical scars she still has ter the war, only to find that their house today. Throughout her life, children had been destroyed in the fighting. and adults have tormented her and With no money to rebuild, the family laughed at her disfigured face. lived in a rotting shack. Sophia’s father As an adult, Natalya studied eco- had lost his eyesight during the war, nomics and then went on to work for and could no longer support the family. the government. But despite her 42 Sophia’s school provided her with years of work, today Natalya’s pension food and clothing, necessities which is less than $300 a month, which is far her family simply could not afford. too little to live on. When her mother had her fifth child, Natalya, now 77, is a widow, and is Sophia, then 16, dropped out of school living alone in a small apartment in to go to work. Determined to finish her Minsk. She suffers from heart disease, education, Sophia worked all day and hypertension, and back pain. In the went to school at night, earning a high- past, Natalya reached out to The Fel- school equivalency degree. lowship and the local Jewish commu- When Sophia met her husband, her nity mostly for companionship and life seemed to improve. She married emotional support, but today, because and had three children. But then her of her poor health, she is in need of husband fell ill and medical malprac- material assistance as well. tice made his condition worse. Sophia Thanks to your support of The Fel- spent years caring for him before he lowship, Natalya receives food packag- passed away. es, personal and home products, and, Now Sophia is herself in poor most importantly, homecare. Natalya’s health. A bad case of the flu left her homecare worker helps her with all the with rheumatism and heart com- household chores she can no longer plications. Sophia also suffers from do on her own and serves as her main severe arthritis. The vast majority source of social contact. Natalya is so of Sophia’s $165 monthly pension is grateful to you for looking out for her spent on medicines to treat her var- when nobody else is! ious conditions. Sophia’s main source of assistance Sophia from Belarus is The Fellowship, which, with your Born on the eve of World War II, support, provides her with desperate- Sophia, now 75, spent her childhood ly needed medical supplies, as well as in evacuation in Tatarstan, as the Nazis food boxes during the Jewish holidays. had invaded her hometown of Vitebsk. “Thank you so much for this help,” says The Nazis bombed the railway taking Sophia, “I am exhausted from my dis- them there and the family had to walk ease and your help is invaluable to me.” 23 HOW WE NEVER FORGET. HOW WE SAY ”NEVER AGAIN.“

The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein to promote understanding between Jews and Christians and build broad support for Israel and other shared concerns. Resting on this foun- dation, The Fellowship began work in Canada in 2003 and since then has been instrumental, with the generous help of our Christian and Jewish friends, in providing lifesaving care to needy Holocaust survivors in Israel and the former Soviet Union. The Fellowship also offers these programs:

ON WINGS OF EAGLES — Helping bring thousands of needy or persecuted Jews to the Holy Land and assisting with their resettlement needs once they arrive in Israel.

GUARDIANS OF ISRAEL — Assisting needy elderly, Guardians children, and families in Israel to cope with poverty by of Israel® helping provide much-needed food, clothing, and medi- cal care.

ISAIAH 58 — Delivering food, clothing, medicines, and other lifesaving care to elderly Jews, orphans, and impoverished families in the former Soviet Union and other countries where Jews are in distress.

TO SUPPORT OUR LIFESAVING PROGRAMS Visit The Fellowship’s website to find out how you can donate, get involved, and stay involved. Go to: www.ifcj.ca P.O. Box 670, Station K, Toronto, ON M4P 2H1 888-988-4325