Two weeks ago, a simple Uber ride in my hometown of New York City shattered a long-held belief. New York, a city that often proclaims itself a global beacon of tolerance, revealed a disturbing undercurrent during a seemingly ordinary commute.
The driver, with unsettling calm, articulated a worldview where the devil reigns and only a caliphate could restore order. He spoke of women inviting assault based on their attire, delivering these pronouncements not as whispers, but as accepted truths – in broad daylight, in Midtown Manhattan.
This wasn’t the fringe of society; it was a mainstream expression of dangerous ideology. This climate didn’t materialize in a vacuum, but was nurtured by the normalization of antisemitism and extremist rhetoric from figures like incoming political leaders.
When elected officials erode the moral boundaries protecting minority communities, it sends a chilling message. It’s a tacit permission for others to push even further, to embrace ideas that directly contradict American values and endanger Jewish lives.
Just hours after this jarring experience, I found myself in Jerusalem for the Sabbath. The contrast was immediate and profound. My children played freely alongside Arab children in Liberty Bell Park, a scene of effortless joy and acceptance.
At the skate park, Israeli and Arab teenagers shared equipment and laughter without a second thought. A young Arab boy, Ayub, ran to me with open arms, his mother’s smile radiating approval – a moment devoid of tension, division, or fear.
Later, in Tel Aviv, I met a gay Arab-Israeli man enjoying a level of personal freedom unimaginable in many parts of the world. He spoke openly and comfortably, a testament to Israel’s commitment to diversity and authentic living, despite its own challenges.
This wasn’t a curated image; it was the lived reality. A powerful demonstration of coexistence, a truth often obscured by narratives focused on conflict. It was a stark counterpoint to the darkness I’d encountered just days before.
While New York City, with its self-proclaimed moral clarity, allowed a driver to outline a theocratic vision and hint at justifications for violence, Israel was actively upholding the values of freedom and inclusivity.
The legitimization of antisemitism by political leaders isn’t harmless rhetoric. It fundamentally alters the tone of a city, creating an environment where extremist views feel validated and emboldened, leaving Jewish communities vulnerable.
The incoming mayor-elect’s actions are not isolated incidents. They shape the city’s atmosphere, fostering a climate where a Manhattan driver feels comfortable articulating a worldview that echoes the horrors of October 7th.
This is not normal. This is not acceptable. And this is not the New York built by generations who fought tirelessly for freedom and against persecution. I feel a profound responsibility to protect my children and their future.
That’s why I dedicate my efforts to organizations confronting antisemitism in schools and preserving the memory of those who suffered during the Holocaust. The fight for truth and freedom is more critical now than ever.
Two weeks, two cities, two vastly different realities. Only one is actively safeguarding the values the world claims to cherish. New York faces a critical choice: continue down a path of extremism or reclaim its legacy as a beacon of freedom.
Lady Liberty, I am deeply worried. The principles you represent are being tested, and the future hangs in the balance.
