Jew

     I have friends and acquaintances of all ages, nationalities and religions, if any.  I have listened to all their stories, their loves and their sorrows.  I consider all this a gift.  Last night I attended a Jewish Senior home to hear a vocalist group sing.  My friend is a WW11 vet in his nineties and I was unaware until last night that he also sings.  I brought along another friend of mine who seemed to know all the music and sang along beside me.  I was thanked when I said that the singing didn't bother me and I was thanked because I was told that it bothers some other people.  I became aware that talking loud at a theatre would bother me but singing never has.  Something to think about for myself.  The singing and music was wonderful.  But what I realised was how powerful the presence of these elderly Jews was for me.  Lately, in Toronto, my beautiful city which I love so much, there has been controversy  about anti Jew associated with one gay parade.  There has also been a controversy of the use of space of a public school to what I will call Muslim extemest because I have studied and developed friendships with Muslims who have no hate in their hearts what so ever.  This group however was teaching how horrible the Jewish people are to young children.  Actually, it was more derogatory than horrible.  I asked a Jewish aqaintance of mine if hate was such a reality for the Jewish people here and now in Toronto.  As she spoke, I saw her pain and I could feel my inner tears want to emerge.  But I kept that inside me, because this was about her.  "Why do you think there are so many doctors and........among us?  No one wanted to hire us?"  As I sat listening to the music surrounded by these beautiful elderly, I wondered how many had experienced the concentration camps.  I have visited two which I will speak of in my second book which will not have the constant humor of my first.  I will say that all concentrations camps should remain as they are, so people will always be reminded that this should never be repeated, "Lest we forget."  As I looked over at the war veteran singing among these proud people who have suffered so much, I thought how beautiful this all was.  We began with the Canadian National Anthem and we ended with what I presume was the Israel's national anthem.  I saw a man proudly hold his fist against his heart.  I have seen this many times while celebrating Jul 4th in the States (I hope I have the date right).  It is being proud of who are are.   I am in awe of these people.  How many Christians have attempted to eliminate them as a whole.  Vatican 11 arose from this hatred.  How can Christians hate Jews when Jesus was a Jew?  There is no room for hate in Toronto.  There is no room for hate in Canada.  Ignorance is no excuse for crime.  Someone needs to be accountable.  As I sat there side by side with Jews who never try to convert others from their religions, who remain proud and strong, who I sat and learned with in high school, who never made a fuss about my celebration of Christmas, who I went to Kenya with, I felt privledged to be in their company as one people.