I Can Emphasize With Sarah Rabinovitch But...

.....I wonder if she and her daughter had stayed and confronted "the protesters" would that have accomplished more than "running" away. I believe the strength of Jews today lies in the fact that they will not turn the other cheek.

Mom, daughter too frightened to stay at event
September 19, 2009

On Tuesday night I attended an event at Ryerson University with my 17-year-old daughter. The event was a discussion of the recent filmmakers' protest of TIFF's "Spotlight on Tel Aviv." My daughter, like me, is deeply interested in the Israeli/Palestinian situation, and we went hoping to find out more.

But 15 minutes into the event we had to leave because she was so afraid the event would disrupt into violence. We had seen the protestors from the Jewish Defence League at the door when we came in, and, in her words, there were some "very angry people" sitting in front of us from the same organization. Her 17-year-old imagination couldn't stop picturing scenes of violence.

As I left with my daughter I was distraught and deeply saddened to see her upset and that we were missing an important opportunity to learn and listen. I ask you, members of the JDL, and others who attempt to shut down dialogue on this issue, is this your aim?

To frighten Jewish youth to such an extent that they can't hear or participate in an information-sharing event? To scare people into agreeing with you? Think about it.

Sarah Rabinovitch, Toronto