Posted on 09/06/2009 10:51:56 AM PDT by Ari Bussel
A Shanda! By Norma Zager
Childhood memories of my grandfather remain bright. So often he’d watch the handful of television programs offered. Ed Sullivan and Milton Berle were among his favorites.
From time to time he’d turn to my grandmother, point to a singer or comedian performing on the ancient black and white screen and announce proudly, “Yidden.”
She would nod and answer, “yes?”
He’d nod the affirmative and return to his program.
I failed to understand then the importance of these “outings,” but now it is clear.
There is a sense of pride for any minority when one of the tribe achieves a certain status, has beaten the odds and “made it” in a Gentile world.
Who wouldn’t be proud to welcome Sammy Davis Jr. into their circle, point with pride at Uncle Miltie sporting a dress and cigar or burst their buttons when Henry Kissinger was called to sit at President Nixon’s side?
In the Fifties people were terrified at the mere mention of Polio. Just the sight of an iron lung was scarier than the latest Invasion from Mars thriller at the Saturday matinee. To know that Dr. Jonas Salk, one of us, ended its reign of terror was a source of significant pride for a people suffering the indignities of an anti-Semitic, post-war America.
Names like Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel were whispered and followed by a shake of the head, and the comment, “a shanda,” a shame. Shame, yes this was big. We didn’t look kindly on Jews who’d strayed from the flock and inflicted shame on their long-suffering people.
Throughout the centuries Jews were hated and reviled for their brains, contributions and intelligence. What the world fails to understand is they have paid a heavy price for these gifts.
Jewish people have endured, but so have many other minorities. The State of Israel is not a country, but a unique testament to the struggles and achievements of an ancient religion, a people cast out who returned home at last.
There is a joke that is told often. “What is the definition of every Jewish holiday? ‘They tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat!’” In truth there is humor, and this joke never fails to bring a smile. Although a sense of humor is often credited as a Jewish survival technique, lately laughter seems of little use.
The ability of Israel to control and dictate use of its own land has been attacked. Settlements are constricted, like an iron lung allowing a person no movement. Communities are prevented from living and enhancing their property. Foreign governments, who have enough of their own problems to address, are adding their two cents to the mix.
“Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”
News that President Obama may mediate the talks between Netanyahu and Abbas at the United Nations is perhaps another attempt at Jewish humor. Comical indeed, were it not so tragic.
Akin to letting Bernie Madoff (another shanda!) oversee the stimulus package, I can’t imagine a more inappropriate moderator in a more hostile environment.
President Obama is seen as pro Israel by only 4% of the Israeli population. Abbas is dedicated to the destruction of Israel. The United Nations is the most racist, anti-Semitic body since Hitler’s cabinet.
Perhaps rethinking these options may be to Israel’s benefit.
What shocks me is the Israeli government agreeing to this scenario. A shanda!
Despite the hatred, Jewish people have risen to a higher level of public service.
They use brains, not fists, to conquer – disease, ignorance and severe water and food shortages. Brought the gifts of medicine and science to a world that despised their very existence and were ousted not applauded for their contributions.
Now, Jewish people have Israel and instead of strengthened by this gift, they return to their victim mentality and submit to the bullying tactics of a pitiless world.
Where is the pride in accomplishment? Is Israel not the greatest testament that we have “made it” in the Gentile world? Why are we reaching into our pockets to hand it back with both hands?
How can so many Jewish people fail to be proud of their own homeland, proof they have survived and overcome?
No other country cares what the world thinks about its actions. Great Britain is battling accusations it traded a mass-murdering terrorist to close an oil deal. President Sarkozy has awakened to his internal problems and is attempting to outlaw burkas. Darfur murders, rapes and starves its citizens and turns its nose up at the world. Need we even mention North Korea’s head maniac in charge? A double shanda!
WHY IS ISRAEL HELD TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD? Simply put, because we allow ourselves to be.
How would the United States react to Alaska or Hawaii deciding to go it alone and the world agreeing they should? How would Obama react if Gordon Brown flew to Washington and urged him to let Hawaii go? Are you kidding me? This is a president who has heart failure and a hissy fit if a Republican tries to add his two cents to the mishmash that is now our government.
Okay, so a little humor here and there still helps.
If my grandfather were alive and saw the way Israel were allowing itself to be treated, he would turn to my grandmother and say only two words. “A shanda.” And that, my friends, would pretty much say it all.
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In the series “Postcards from Israel,” Ari Bussel and Norma Zager invite readers throughout the world to join them as they present reports from Israel as seen by two sets of eyes: Bussel’s on the ground, Zager’s counter-point from home. Israel and the United States are inter-related - the two countries we hold dearest to our hearts - and so is this “point - counter-point” presentation that has, since 2008, become part of our lives. Feel free to share with others.
© Postcards from Home, September, 2009 Contact: aribussel@gmail.com
I just learned a great term.
And this administration is A Shanda!, indeed. On every level in every area.
Is this a dialectical difference?
One of the prettiest and sweetest girls I have ever known was named “Shanda”. I always wondered if she or her parents ever knew what the word means.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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Forget about Meyer Lansky, Buggsy Siegel, even Bernie Madoff. The epitome of "shanda" today is/are Rahm and Zeke Emanuel and David Axelrod - Obama's closest "Jewish" henchmen!
From my grandparents I learned the phrase as
a shandeh un a carpeh!
which translates roughly as “a shame and a disgrace!”
Bernie Madoff and Meyer Lansky were pikers compared to the 0bamanation and his kapos..
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