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Holocaust denial and anti-semitic slurs by world leaders, attacks on synagogues, bombs exploding in Jewish community centers, Jewish students being targeted on many college campuses; these are no longer the exclusive domain of muslim countries or fringe “wackos”, but are fast becoming fashionable in mainstream American and Canadian consciousness.

When General Dwight Eisenhower walked through the newly liberated concentration camps of Europe, he was sickened by what his senses took in. Hearing that the local populace were trying to distance themselves from the horror of what their own countrymen had done by claiming to have no knowledge of the events, in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, General Eisenhower required all nearby residents to tour the death camps. All did so, very reluctantly and shamefacedly.

The world’s response, for one brief moment in history, was universal condemnation of the Nazi’s treatment of their Jewish victims. The Nazis had been meticulous record keepers and wished to proudly document for future generations of their people what they considered to be their finest hour.

The filmed war crimes trials which followed were filled with the testimony of victims, perpetrators and collaborators. The mountains of evidence presented came from the Nazis’ own archives, and although many attempted to defend what they had done on the basis that they were just following orders, it is of note that not one person on trial attempted a defense which stated that the millions of Jewish victims who were murdered never existed or suggested that the events themselves had never happened. In other words, as you watch the defense of Göering, Frank, Streicher and a host of other Nazi mass-murderers, there were no holocaust deniers among the accused... justifiers yes, but not deniers.

Perhaps viewing video of the Nuremberg war crimes trials should be part of our required educational curriculum, in order to equip young people to combat the new “never happened” propaganda. Certainly a visit to a local video store or library would be highly instructive, as anyone can watch the Nuremberg Trial films. There, you will hear accused Nazis, in their own words, justify their own actions rather than deny them. Watching these documentaries ought to be mandatory viewing for present day deniers. Why? Because the past may be repeated in the present, if Jews and non-Jews aren’t vigilant at exposing and opposing anti-semitism. General Eisenhower had the right idea to require people to face unpleasant truths.

In April 2006, American Nazis, with police protection, held a rally on the steps of a government building in Minnesota, screaming their hatred for the Jews. One man yelled lies to the assembled crowd while holding up a Jewish commentary on the Bible, while police held back protesters. Click here to view a video of this event. (Warning: language may be offensive.)

In Montreal during Passover week this year, a Jewish community center was bombed. Adding insult to injury, the police downplayed the incident saying that the bomb appeared to be “homemade” (Is there any other kind?) and that nobody got hurt, and that there was no evidence that this was a “hate crime”.

What sort of a crime was it, if not a hate crime? The bomber did not target a shopping mall with no religious or ethnic purpose to it; he chose a community center which was specific in its religious and ethnic purpose. He chose a Jewish religious holiday, almost three years to the day after another Jewish school was destroyed in Montreal in another bombing. In fact, this is the city’s third bombing in three years which targets Jewish institutions. Numerous other incidents of anti-semitic activity pepper the same timeline. No evidence that it was a hate crime? What further evidence is required before it is labeled what it is?

When police spokespeople downplay crimes against Jews, we cannot help but remember how things began in Europe at the outset of the Holocaust. Police stood by downplaying the incidents while Jewish businesses were being destroyed and Jews were beaten. Many pled in vain for the police to protect them. Are we seeing a repeat of those dark days?

Does anyone really believe that if a police station had been the target of the Montreal bomber, that police spokespeople would have downplayed the intentions of the terrorist or the severity of the blast (nobody really got hurt)? Would they be quick to rush to judgement, stating that there was no evidence that the bombing had been an attack against law enforcement? Of course not. This speaks of gross hypocrisy, in this writer’s opinion.

Across Canada, overt acts of anti-semitism have risen by 12.8% since last year, but have risen in the province of Quebec (home to Montreal) by 70%.

In the United States, anti-semitism is on the rise as well. In September 2006, an orthodox Jewish man on a flight from Montreal to New York was asked to leave the plane because, while remaining seated, he began to pray quietly after takeoff.

Airline personnel later stated that they knew he was not a muslim, and that he was only praying, but they were concerned that the other passengers might be uncomfortable with the gentle rhythmic nodding of his head as he silently prayed to G-d.

After the plane turned back and landed, the Hebrew (non-English) speaking passenger was removed. However, passengers were puzzled why flight attendants were worried about them, when they had not complained. “The man was not bothering anyone”, they told reporters.

Apparently, a man cannot silently pray on an airplane if his prayer involves a movement of his head. (This is called “davening”, the way of prayer for observant Jews for thousands of years.)

Anti-semitic crimes during just Passover week this year were reported in: San Francisco CA, Chicago IL, Bergen County, NJ, at Princeton University, and a popular blog used by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama and many other politicians for the dissemination of their ideas began to feature anti-semitic graphics, posted by one of the contributors to the blog. The Daily Kos Blog claims to receive an average of 600,000 hits a day, translating to roughly 14 to 24 million hits each month. As of the writing of this article, the blog has not removed the posting.

In Britain, France, Australia and numerous other countries unopposed anti-semitism is swiftly reaching a feverish pitch. Click here to read an article less than a year old describing the problem. As the climate of hatred grew in Europe in the last century, some Jews, fearful of the approaching storm clouds escaped to friendlier countries. Where does the endangered Jew go today? If he tries to go home to Israel, he has no guarantee of safety, as he may be asked to vacate his house so that the land which G-d deeded to the Jewish people forever may be handed over to non-Jews, people who have sworn in writing, to wipe every Jew off the map and eliminate the State of Israel.

To whom do we go for justice? Who will hold the nations and individuals accountable for perpetrating hatred or for mutely standing by and allowing these things to occur against the people of Israel? Who will reward the righteous among the nations for their support and love of the Jewish people? Who will do these things? The G-d of Israel will.

No matter what Bible you read, He never calls Himself the G-d of any other nation. He says that out of all His possessions, which includes the entire universe, He calls Israel His “Ahm Segulah” (“people of a priceless treasure prized above all others” - a singular honor). He loves His Jewish people still. Do you love the Jewish people? Does your behavior reflect your love to the Jews G-d has put into your path... in your own city, state and country?

Recently, the Anti-defamation League (a Jewish watchdog agency) conducted a poll of Israeli youth, aged 15-18 years. Of the 500 who participated in the survey, 37% said that they believe that another Holocaust is possible. 6% believe that there is a "significant chance" that it will happen again. Fmr. Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has compared our time to 1938 Germany. He is right to do so. Most of the world stood by silently, then.

What are you prepared to do in our day and age?

Learning From the Past May Not Stop the Future