Shooting In California

The recent shooting in California of two Jewish men on there way to morning prayers is a great concern. The police detain but at this time has not arrested the suspect of the shooting who is Black. Three months ago a White man shot a Black security guard at the Holocaust Memorial in Washington. There have been incidents of violence against Jews all over the world, not just the United States of America. Makedah and I worry because we live in a community in which the people are Christians and Muslims. Since moving here, we have yet to meet any other Jews. There is a old saying " there is safety in numbers". However, we have no such safe haven to retreat to should someone wish to harm one or both of us. There are people in this world who are filled with hate and bitterness. Instead of welcoming diversity, they run away from it. My mother used to tell me, "it is so easy to hate and so hard to love in this world". It saddens us to know people have chosen to cause Jews to fear for our personal safety. These haters have so many misconceptions about what Judaism is about. It is doubtful they have ever had a relationship with Jews. They only know what they have been told and heard from others who are antisemitic. No one should be fearful of gathering to worship G*d nor those who live outwardly as Jews.

Micaiah b. Malachi

Halloween

Well tonight is Halloween. A night when children dress up in costumes of varies super heroes and other persons, going door to door and getting lots of candy and other treats. While Makedah and I have no children between us, we plan to give candy to others people's children who come to our door. However, in the 8 years or more of us living in this house, we have yet to have even one trick or treater. Even though we are nice to everyone we meet, our efforts usually are met with being ignored or racist stares. It is difficult to live in a community which does not welcome Blacks, Hispanics or Asians. Neither does they welcome non-christians. Unfortunately for us we are a Jewish couple and one Black man and Asian female. It is hard to see all the little children and know we will never be able to get close to them, without having lots of trouble with their parents, other family members such as uncles, aunts,grandparents and their friends. We know these people are aware their isolation, racist attitudes and their disgust for disabled people hurt us. We also know they do not care. It seems their families, their homes and their jobs are closed systems to people like us. Many of these white families object to having mixed raced children, non-white son and or daughter-n-laws. They object to their children investigating and or converting to other religions. Makedah and I have met many open-minded children since moving here. We see them wondering the streets looking for unconditional love and unconditional acceptance from strangers, who are often children like them or adults. I have not wrote much since the death of Michael Jackson. I really respected him and his message of unconditional love and unconditional ac ceptance. There are many in this world who feared him. They feared his message. They were angered when this Black man wanted "white" children and went around the racist roadblocks put in his way. They were jealous and afraid of the respect and adoring fans he had amassed. I agree with Michael Jackson. Change must begin at home and in the home. We must change our conceptions about what makes up a family. Why can't a family be composed of a White man and Black woman and a family composed of White and or Black children whether by adoption or natural birth? Why can't a Black man and an Asian woman like Makedah and I have white and mixed race children in the same family? Why must a family be composed of a man and female? Gay and lesbian couples can raise a good family as any male and female could. The fact is this world is greedy, selfish, racist and evil. Halloween maybe a holiday in which children get candy, but it is also a day for children to be taught to be just as greedy, selfish and racist, sexist as their parents. I would like to see these children learn more about humility, sharing and caring. People who are unable to having children should not be shut out or made to feel bitter because they cannot share in the excited feeling of watching children have fun. Children are our future. Without them, there is no way we can change this world for good.

Micaiah b. Malachi