New Jewish Organization to Combat Anti-Semitism

Throughout history, the Jewish people has been threatened by nations wishing to destroy it for various reasons. As dissenters from the majority religions of their countries, they were subject to religious persecution. As a minority group they were made a scapegoat for the problems of times. During most of history, the Jewish people was represented and defended by Jews who loved their own people and made saving their brethren the highest priority.

In the twentieth century, however, matters took an unfortunate turn. New leaders arose who proposed to rescue the Jewish people using hitherto untried methods. They proposed sweeping solutions whose end result was more power for them and more danger for the Jewish people. Organizations arose to defend the Jewish people, but they have contributed to anti-Semitism instead of reducing it.

Alarmed by the current rise in anti-Semitic sentiments and hate crimes around the world, a number of New York Jews from various circles have decided to come together and take action.

"We feel a strong sense of our peoplehood, and a responsibility to do something to reduce the danger our people is currently in," said Leo Greenbaum, one of the founders of the group. "We feel the Jewish people will be best served if we return to the days when preserving life was our highest priority."

With that in mind, they have founded Jewish Response. The goal: to foster better Jewish-gentile relations by spreading mutual understanding. Unlike the larger, more powerful organizations, Jewish Response says it will not engage in finger-pointing and vilification campaigns. Its writers and spokesmen will focus on the substance of the debate, not on the people involved. They will undertake to explain the Jewish Torah and Talmud to the gentile world, in the process clearing up misconceptions fostered by anti-Semites.

The organization's first major project will be its website, www.jewishresponse.com.

"We look forward to the day when Jews can live in peace and security with non-Jews in all parts of the world," said Greenbaum. "Our activities are a small step toward that end."