Action speaks louder than words in dealing with antisemitism and violence

On Friday, December 12, three attackers shouted antisemitic vulgarities at the occupants of a home displaying Chanukah decorations in Redlands, California. Then they fired approximately 20 rounds at the home from what police believe was an airsoft handgun. No one was injured.

On Saturday, December 13, a single attacker opened fire on students and teachers at a final examination review session for an economics course at Brown University. Two people have died, and nine were wounded. Late that same evening reports reached the United States that a Chanukah party at Bondi Beach, near Sydney, Australia, was attacked by a father and son wielding rifles. Sixteen people are dead, including one attacker, and 40 are wounded. Those killed include children and an elderly Holocaust survivor.

We all know what happens next. Politicians announce that their “thoughts and prayers” are with the victims and their families. Secular organizations issue statements condemning the violence. In the Jewish community there will be statements issued by rabbis, lay leaders of prominent organizations, and K-12 schools, yeshivot, and universities under Jewish auspices, including by the two of us.

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On the one hand, this outpouring of statements is useful. “We must take sides,” Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel wrote. “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote: “Morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings. Indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, [and] in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.”

On the other hand, we recall the lyrics of a song from the Broadway show “My Fair Lady”:

“Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
“I get words all day through; first from him, now from you!
“Is that all you blighters can do?
“…Sing me no song! Read me no rhyme!
“Don’t waste my time. Show me!
“…Never do I ever want to hear another word.
“There isn’t one I haven’t heard….”

In the battle against antisemitism, it’s time to couple words with a show-me attitude and convert earnest messages of sympathy and sermons into actions. Here are a few places to start:

First, hate speech can foster crimes. Social media and digital platforms can become an echo chamber that spreads hatred. Hatred is often weaponized in public discourse for political gain. Hate speech, stigmatization, and discrimination are a toxic brew. University leaders and others in positions of responsibility need to exert a firm hand in disciplining those who breach codes of conduct regarding hate speech. In particular, at universities the phrases “free speech” or “academic freedom” do not exempt people from exercising sound judgment on what they say or post on social media. If they don’t have the good sense to do so voluntarily, their supervisors should hold them accountable.

Second, those who finance the spewing of hatred should suffer economic consequences. In the 1930s, when Henry Ford actively promoted antisemitism, many people refused to buy a Ford automobile. When Hitler came to power, some American business boycotted German goods. Nowadays, the companies that sponsor television and radio talk shows that give platforms to antisemites and promulgators of conspiracy theories should hear from consumers that they’ll take their business elsewhere.

Third, we should put our philanthropic money where our values are. Universities that don’t take firm action against bigotry should not only receive disapproving words from their alumni, they should also hear the sound of checkbooks closing.

Finally, Australia has relatively strict gun control laws, but the perpetrators of the murders in Australia appear to have used a loophole to obtain their weapons through membership in a hunting club. Many states in the U.S. forbid carrying weapons near or on school grounds.

While we recognize that there are a range of views on personal firearms, surely we can agree that the regulatory system is demonstrably inadequate. Rather than being  “in the thoughts and prayers” of some politician; it would be better if that politician advocated for public policies to keep people safe from gun violence.

As we read all the well-meaning statements of the past few days, we would be well advised to heed the advice given by Benjamin Franklin in his Poor Richard’s Almanack of 1737: “Well done is better than well said.”

Edward C. Halperin, MD, MA, of Saddle Brook is the chancellor and CEO of New York Medical College and provost for biomedical affairs of Touro University. Alan Kadish, MD, of Teaneck is the president of Touro University and New York Medical College.