The Home Run, Final Pitch, and Question for a New Year

When we heard that Boy George was coming to Vancouver, we knew there was an opportunity.

For nearly three years, Jews around the world have watched many of the voices we once expected to stand beside us choose silence, distance, or worse. So when someone consistently and unapologetically stands with the Jewish community, we notice.

Boy George has been one of those people.

My initial thought was simple. Perhaps a group of us would attend the concert at Vancouver’s PNE and find a way to thank him. To recognize someone who had demonstrated genuine courage at a moment when courage has often been in short supply.

Then the opposition began.

A few hundred extremists attempted to pressure organizers and make their presence felt.

What happened next was a reminder that loud and large are not the same thing.

Hundreds of extremists were met by thousands of Jewish and allied voices around the world. Our office and that of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs went to work. Letters were written. Community members mobilized. Friends and allies stepped forward. We were determined to ensure that the voices of negativity would not prevail.

Just as importantly, the leadership at the PNE got it.

They understood that communities should not be bullied into silence. They understood that friendship should not require permission. And they stood firm.

And then Rabbi Dan Moskovitz pointed toward the outfield fence. Like Babe Ruth calling his shot.

While most of us were thinking about how to thank Boy George at a concert, Rabbi Dan was imagining something much bigger. What if we brought him into the heart of the Jewish community? What if we didn’t thank him backstage? What if we thanked him from the bimah?

Never doubt Rabbi Dan.

Two days later, more than 700 people packed Temple Sholom for one of the most meaningful Jewish communal evenings I have experienced since October 7.

The event raised funds for our collective fight against antisemitism. It celebrated an extraordinary ally. It reminded us that friendship still matters and that solidarity still exists.

Others can tell the story of Boy George’s conversation with Rabbi Dan, his authenticity, his curiosity, and the powerful moment when he declared that “Jew love is true love.”

And just like Babe Ruth, Rabbi Dan connected.

The home run cleared the fence and landed in the middle of a packed sanctuary.

Boy George’s conversation with Rabbi Dan, his authenticity, his curiosity, and his declaration that “Jew love is true love” deserve a story of their own.

But I want to focus on what came next.

Before the featured conversation began, Emet Davis stepped forward to deliver their final public remarks as Director of Stakeholder Relations........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)