(Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)
Here is how prejudice works: I am taller if I am standing on you.
If I compare myself to others, when I feel insecure, I can be tempted to reduce you so that I can feel bigger and better. I have empathy for myself, but not for you. I accept myself and judge you. I do NOT do onto to you as I would have you do unto me. I do not think of you with empathy, compassion and patience. I would consider MY needs, not yours.
Prejudice breaks the Golden Rule of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The development of mature faith arises when we compassionately confront ourselves and subsequently compassionately confront others. We are human. It is healthy for us to see ourselves how we are, how we are human and flawed, with resiliencies and deficiencies. It is good to see ourselves and have both remorse and acceptance. Seeing, Remorse and Resolve are a healthy mix for real self-knowing and growth.
When we see and accept ourselves in this way, we can offer these precious tools of caring, acceptance and perspective to others. Even confrontation and hard feedback can be received if we are caring, measured and truthful when we offer that feedback.
I speak of this dichotomy of prejudice and compassion as a Jewish person in this time when anti-Semitism is a political currency. Anti-Semitism is used to unite and divide groups in places around the world — even countries with virtually no Jews. It is sad and frightening to me that Jews are targets in this way. As if the question of whether or not Jews feel safe and at home in one country or another is a chip that can be played. It’s a discussion that can be had.
Jews are well aware of multiple prejudices that infect civil discourse. I am not saying our suffering is unique or worse than other pernicious biases. As a White Jew of middle class means, I have some share of privilege. And I too am a target of hatred. My resiliencies and capacities do not spare me from undue suspicion and unexamined projections. Others are taller, if they are standing on me.
The opposite of this social fragmentation is compassion. Compassion calls us to empathy for self and others. Compassion — in the measure we can manage it — brings us to acceptance of the good and bad in each and all. Compassion holds us, human and flawed, in an updraft of good will and possibility. Compassion seeks commonality, not exclusion.
In her wonderful book on religious prejudice, Sister Mary Boys asks, in the name of Biblical Esau, “Has God but one blessing?” Can more than one Path or Religion be correct and true? Do we all need to stand on each so we can be taller?”
I love my Jewish path because it offers me good tools for the personal, communal and spiritual work I want to do in this world. To me, it is no better or worse than the language and practice of faith that anyone else has. I trust that when we follow the deepest teachings of all of our religious paths, we will find that all roads are leading to compassion.
Temple Israel has been the vibrant center of Jewish life of Franklin County for over a century. Temple Israel hosts engaging programs on faith, family, Jewish culture and activism, with indoor and outdoor offerings. TI’s school serves people from the youngest ages up through adults. Active social projects include a gleaning program, support of local and international refugees, and the activities of Interfaith Council of Franklin County. Year-round programming, including services, hikes, classes/trainings and celebrations can be found at www.templeisraelgreenfield.org.
Rabbi Andrea is currently offering coffee talks for churches, called “What Do Jews Believe?”