For too long, Jewish life in the West has been trained to apologize for its own sFor too long, Jewish life in the West has been trained to apologize for its very survival. We have built institutions that know how to issue statements, organize vigils, light candles, hire consultants, and schedule yet another panel discussion on antisemitism. We have perfected the grammar of grief. We know how to mourn beautifully. We know how to condemn attacks with polished language. We know how to ask governments to protect us, universities to include us, police departments to patrol us, and philanthropists to fund yet another security review.

Survival. We have built institutions that know how to issue statements, organize vigils, light candles, hire consultants, and schedule another panel discussion on antisemitism. We have perfected the grammar of grief. We know how to mourn beautifully. We know how to condemn attacks with polished language. We know how to ask governments to protect us, universities to include us, police departments to patrol us, and philanthropists to fund another security review.

But somewhere along the way, we forgot how to raise Jews who do not wait helplessly for rescue.

Jewish self-defense is not a political slogan. It is not a fantasy of violence. It is not some crude attempt to turn synagogues into barracks or Jewish children into soldiers. It is the simple, ancient, moral idea that Jewish blood is not cheap, Jewish bodies are not public property, and Jewish communities have a responsibility to defend themselves with dignity, discipline, courage, and seriousness.

This should not be controversial. Every normal people understands this. Every nation teaches its children that life is worth........

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