דער קערפער פֿון השם"Years ago, at a conference on combating #antisemitism, the discussion turned to how best to train the police officers assigned to guard #Jewish institutions. When my turn came, I offered something less ambitious: make sure they have coffee, a sandwich, and a smile.
The room laughed. I was not joking.
#Shammai taught that one should receive every person with a pleasant face (bsever panim yafot, Avot 1:15). He was not describing manners. He understood that the way we meet another human being decides what becomes possible between us.
My own thinking was shaped by the experience of the #Jewishcommunity in #Turkey. In November 2003, #terrorists #bombed two of #Istanbul’s #synagogues, #NeveShalom in #Galata and #BethIsrael in #Şişli.
Among the dead were members of our community gathered for #Shabbat prayers and people who happened to be passing, including #YoelKohenUlcer, and also #Turkish police officers and guards[...]
Liam O'Mara IV, PhD
UNLTD
Se7h 💻 🐃 🐧 ⏚ ☮