If Only We’d Gone to Israel

#38, Auschwitz Album Revisited

Oil Painting by Dr. Pat Mercer Hutchens

Imagine how people grieved bitter tears of regret right up to the moment of death. If only they had immigrated to Zion. If only we’d gone to another country when we could have. If only we’d seen the signs of the times. If only we’d listened. With countless warnings from history, it is hard to grasp how anyone remained hopeful in hostile places.

Yet even today Jews in many countries, European and otherwise, are surrounded by growing attitudes similar to the 1930’s. Even in our beloved America, we see open anti-Semitism and some “liberal” American Jews think “it can’t happen here.” It can happen anywhere. Jews are often the first target of blame for stock market problems, unemployment, and crime. Some main line churches, yes, and even synagogues, join in calls for boycott and divestment of Israel.