Mirror Mirror On The Wall

                                                            Mirror Mirror On The Wall

                                                            Micaiah Ben Malachi

           

 

Makedah and I post our thoughts on issues, which are directly Jewish related.  However, there are times non-Jewish issues, events and subjects cause us to be moved and we must speak.  Makedah posted her thoughts and feelings about the new Michael Jackson DVD, "This Is It".  Before that, in our private blog, she wrote her book review on "The Michael Jackson Tapes".  What does Michael Jackson have to do with Jews beyond the reported story that Michael's older children " Prince and Paris" have a Jewish mother?  Two words come to mind, "social change".  Michael not only sung about change but put it into action in his public and private life.  There are a group of words and phrases that describe man who dared rewrite his story and thereby history.  They are compassion, generosity, sensitivity to others feelings and unconformity.  Although Michael Jackson was not Jewish whether by birth or conversion, he demonstrated the core values of Judaism better than almost any Jew I have met to date.  I say "almost" because there are two other Jews who come to mind.  I wished I could say their names, but I know they would be embarrassed.  They are selfless individuals, who reached out to Makedah and myself with no regard as to whether we looked Jewish or not or whether we had white enough skin to pass the "whites only" religious test that so many minorities and poor white perspective converts to Judaism have and still encounter.  In addition, there are those who are adopted and those have one or both parents being Jewish, that come for inclusion. 

One of these individuals reached into their meager purse and gave to us when we could not do for ourselves.  Neither of them expected us to come to them for inclusion, they came to us.  In some of our worst days when we did not think we could go on, one got behind us and pushed, while the other pulled us up that steep mountain pass.  Being Jewish, is not a label to us it is our identity. It is our reason to fight.  We are in a constant battle for our and other Jews recognition, by fellow Jews.  All of us are Jews regardless of our skin color(s), ethnicities, nationalities and branches of Judaism we are affiliated with.  Our existence as Jews is directly based on how we accept or reject our Jewish brothers and sisters.  

Acceptance and recognition alone will not forge a strong defense against an anti-Semitic world.  Compassion, generosity, sensitive to others feelings, charity, social responsibility and social change are the very shields that will sustain our faith and our people.  Peoplehood is not merely attending religious services, serving on various committees, donating to various Jewish causes.  Peoplehood is an oneness that is inclusive of "all" Jews.  It is not only reaching out to those who belong to our Jewish communities and congregations but those that do not.  We do not have to attempt to change this world in one sweeping motion. But we should not allow our communities and congregations to be satisfied with the status quo either. A wall is strong not because of the bricks but the mortar as well. Our Jewish communities and houses of worship may appear strong. But, they are only strong as the people within them. How many times do we see the same names on mailings? Usually, they are the socially connected, financially well off, higher educated and conservative among our communities and houses of worship. These people are not the Jewish community. They are but a small part of it. Social change cannot occur if it is being carried on the back of one person or a small group of people. Unfortunately, for all his efforts, the late Michael Jackson learned he alone could not change the whole world.  Without you and me, nothing can happen.  If we focus on only those Jews who can afford to be Jewish, on those that look Jewish, on those with Jewish sounding last names and those who meet our expectations of a Jew; we will miss those Jews who are able to help us change our communities from those dying to those that are revitalized.   In conclusion, the late Michael Jackson's song "Man In The Mirror" illustrate the path our Jewish people, our Jewish houses of worship and our Jewish communities must follow, if we are to save our faith for those who come after us.

                        I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror,

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways

No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make The Change

You Gotta Get It Right, While You Got The Time

Cause When You Close Your Heart

You  Close Your . . .Your Mind!