By Amy Zewe
One would assume any educational institution would have the search for truth as a primary objective. The very reason for education is to discover the truth of the world—whether it is the hard sciences, where truth is discovered and unraveled, or the humanities where the search for in-tangible truth like justice, fairness, life’s purpose, and the human experience is examined.
Studies such as political science, history, anthropology—these studies seem to mix empirical evidence with subjective elements such as motive, perspective, accurate documentation and completeness of facts and events.
It is under these more nuanced studies that Israel, and by extension Jews, is being maligned, slandered, and demonized for the sake of a modern agenda with ancient roots: Antisemitism, or the notion that Jews are the origin of all current ills. This notion includes that they must be subjugated or eliminated—and the message is both overt and subtle.
History reveals this rally against Jews starts at regional levels throughout history starting in Persia with the events we read about in the Book of Esther. The recurring theme of annihilation, displacing, or otherwise persecuting Jews extends itself to each generation through European and Western history (thanks in part to the church and its erroneous Replacement Theology). It all culminated in its most heinous manifestation during the 20th Century with the Nazi’s attempt at a final solution. This attempt left a severe dent in the Jewish population: Six million were killed, under the noses and right beside their neighbors and within communities they resided for generations.
So why bring this up? Too many people (Christians, Jews, and others) I meet each week, of any age, are surprised when I tell them antisemitism is alive and well in our society. Most have no idea Jews are attacked on the streets of NY, LA, or Paris at record levels. Most have no clue what the UN has been doing to vilify Israel for decades and how school curriculums at all levels are fostering antisemitism right inside its textbooks and lessons.
Encouraging today’s members of the community—no matter their age—to educate themselves on antisemitism and its rise in America and Europe, including the reasons behind it, is vital to preventing another version of the Holocaust. Never again means we understand when it is creeping up on us, again.
Critical Race Theory (CRT) and curriculums are key components fueling antisemitism under a guise of progressive and innovative education for humanity “to evolve.” CRT diminishes the entire history of Israel, Jews’ connection to the land, the experience of Jews in Europe (and elsewhere) over centuries, and even the numbers and reason why Jews were targeted by Hitler and his Regime are downplayed.
Many resources exist examining the antisemitism of CRT, but here is a well-written essay from a student’s experience. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read it.
Replacement theology is still rampant in many churches, leading them to omit or teach lies about the modern state of Israel and fail to examine Israel and the Jewish population in a Biblical context.
We love Israel and Jews and are committed to solidarity with them because God is committed to Jews and Israel. He has laid out His plan plainly in Biblical texts, and it is evidenced by the very establishment of the modern state of Israel.
Two quick reads on replacement theology can be found here: One article from a Liberty University scholar and one from a Messianic Rabbi. We don’t have to be full-time college students to be continually educating ourselves on what is going on spiritually and practically.
College campuses, for over 15 years, have been drumming into students (who are not experts on any of the history or modern issues of the Middle East) that Jews are white supremacists who invaded and occupied a land by displacing Arabs and oppressing the populations that remain. For quick education on what is Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS), check out this page on the Maccabee task force website.
Lies about Israel’s (and Jews’) place in history as well as its modern presence in the region are building up a new generation of haters. This latest generation is viewing Israel and Jews in the same light Hitler did at the pan-European level last century, and what happened to Jews on regional levels for centuries prior. This can all easily be cleared up with an intellectually honest study through biblical, archeological, and historical evidence and texts.
But this time, with the internet and social media—which is a conduit of both truth and lies—depending how you use it, the poison of Jew-hate is leaching farther than ever before.
The Jerusalem Connection is committed to combating this poisonous tide through education and information to any who will partake and choose to actively seek truth.
To this end, our Hebrew University Scholarship fund is established to send a college-aged American student to Israel to study for a full semester—to immerse him or herself in the community and culture of Israel and to learn firsthand the happening and pulse of the society: one that is eclectic and diverse.
Our 2021 scholarship recipient, Joshua Sherril, shares this message with us about his experience in Israel: Please view the June 22 Red Alert video for Joshua’s personal message.
We are thrilled to have been a part of Joshua’s walk in God’s plan for his life.
Please help us send more Americans to Israel so they can bring back truth and share it on their home campuses, at their churches, and within their communities for the rest of their lives –no matter their career or path. Donate to the scholarship on our website or follow the instructions to mail or phone in a contribution. Consider a recurring gift as this scholarship is a recurring effort. We will send more than one student to Israel if the funds are available. You can read more details about the program on our site as well as make an application or refer students you know to make an application.
Shavua Tov: Have a great week