To Be Born a Jew

My dear friend Gary Brant sent me the following email:

"In the States I was always afraid of being Jewish and here in Israel it's not even a question".

  

To be born a Jew

What does this label mean?

Does it define the person?

Who is the person to define?

To be born a Jew

Why are we born anything?

 

The teacher asks the class –

Who is taking off

For the Jewish holidays?

Being the only Jew

I was afraid to raise my hand

Afraid of BEING… judged

Because Jews are hated

And it’s easier to hide

 

A jewish girl wore a cross

In order to fit in

Otherwise she would be hated

For no apparent reason

Other than a label

She too was afraid

Afraid of BEING… judged

Because Jews are hated

And it’s easier to hide

 

Who is this David?

Why does David even have a star? 

Is he a star?  Or just a legend?

The Star of David

Why has this shape become

Such a significant symbol

To so many people?

History, history, history… tick tock

 

It represents pride

Love, hate, strength, weakness, death

And in the end

It all comes down to fear

Because jews are hated

And it’s easier to hide

History, history, history… tick tock

 

 

There are people who simply

Love the history

Behind the shape

Then there are people

Who are attached to the history

OF THE SHAPE

OF THE SHAPE

 

Then there are people who simply

Love the shape,  love the shape

Finding beauty in its

Simplicity and depth

I on the otherhand identify

With it from the side of confusion

Because Jews are hated

And it’s easier to hide

Fear from being hated

For being born and labeled – Jewish

Tick tock…