I’m not much for social media, but have been corresponding with colleagues on Instagram, and this revised proud Jewish ‘Superbowl’ advertisement by Daniel Lubetzky came up on my feed. It is wonderful and heartening and demonstrates Jewish resilience and strength of character to transcend hatred and bullying.

It probably reflects many of our life histories, even if we didn’t grow up to be medical researchers or doctors. Bullies harassed us. Sometimes they were antisemites, racists, homophobes, sexists, etc. We didn’t let that stop us. We all need friends and allies as the Blue Square Superbowl Ad by Robert Kraft suggested, but ultimately the power to transcend and make the world a better place in spite of our oppression lies within ourselves.

Take a moment and take it in. Thank you to Daniel Lubetzky and to all the Instagram folks who have been posting and reposting this video globally.

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DUiVQAmk_E_/

As my Bubbie and George Herbert used to say, “Living well is the best revenge.” We cannot always control what happens to us, but as I once learned in a self-defense class, even if we are not responsible for creating the conditions that oppress or threaten us, let’s take responsibility for changing the situation.

Many Times of Israel bloggers and columnists and commentators have been reflecting on Robert Kraft’s Blue Square Superbowl ad and Bret Stephens’ recent remarks, as they should. We are facing unprecedented levels of harassment and hate crimes.

Again, I would say that we all have a role to play in our Jewish communities and we must take the time and effort to develop strong, proud, educated Jewish identities, but ultimately the strength and will to do so must come from ourselves.

I like this ad very much. It feels authentic, humble, intelligent, hardworking, and genuinely Jewish in content and values like so many of our colleagues and lives.  More power to it and to people like this!

Every culture has a degree of pride and cultural chauvinism. Our morning prayers thank God for creating us as the Jewish people and also admit humbly it is not for our perfection that we are coming before God in prayer, but we acknowledge our unique place in the world, in relation to God, and in world history.

As Purim approaches, let’s take pride in our Jewish heritage and culture. Please support Jewish advocacy groups against hate crimes and antisemitism, as well as food banks and gifts to the poor in Israel and abroad. And please, let’s support our local Hebrew day-schools and Jewish education to allow us to contribute to the world in ways that make us legitimately proud.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)