Just Do Something

This last week we were reminded that Indiana’s history includes the Klan, that Indiana is one of only five states without legislation defining hate crimes, and that bigotry and hatred are alive and well in our cities, state, and country.  For those who had chosen to ignore the existence of such ignorance, the disgusting vandalism at Shaarey Tefilla, our neighbor, should have been a startling wake-up call.

Much has been said about the event in the past few days – and with much more eloquence than I am capable of. But I want to add just one simple, short comment.

The following quote has been attributed to Edmund Burke, although there is substantial discussion as to who actually first said it. Nonetheless, it is an important observation – and very true.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

However, Burke did make a slightly different statement, a statement of even greater truth, a statement of great importance for us today.

Burke wrote, “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle”.

The core of our battle against bigotry and intolerance lies in our building alliances with like-minded people who share our commitment to justice, acceptance and love.

May we build such alliances and change the world in which we live into a world in which we want to live.

B’Shalom
Rabbi Stanley Halpern