Jewish Leadership Apparent

"Jews of Mumbai, a Tiny and Eclectic Group, Suddenly Reconsider Their Serene Existence"

By Jeremy Khan

A16

December 3, 2008

Khan's article belabors the point that India has long been a country without anti-Semitism, in which Jews lived without fear of persecution. This point is made to emphasize the change that has occurred in the aftermath of last week's attack on the Chabad House. 

But the attack was perpetrated by outsiders - not Indians. According to the best available information, the attackers were Pakistanis. An attack by non-Indians should not alter the Jew's sense of security in India, as long as their fellow Indian citizens stand with them at this time. 

Khan's failure to use the term anti-Semitic to describe the attack on the Chabad is extremely disappointing. If targeting and murdering Jews is not anti-Semitism, what is?

One of the interviewees in the article demonstrates a model for Jewish leadership. President of the Indian Jewish Federation, Jonathon Solomon "said the attack convinced him of the need for India’s Jews to seek official recognition as a minority group." American Jews should support Solomon's efforts.

Moreover, Solomon offered advice that we can all follow about how to respond to this anti-Semitic attack - and others like it.

“Next time it opens, I will make it a point of going to show my solidarity with them,” Mr. Solomon said.