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Home  /  Advocacy • Politics • Recent  /  Jewish Values: Supporting #BlackLivesMatter
03 June 2020

Jewish Values: Supporting #BlackLivesMatter

Written by Michael Bihovsky
Advocacy, Politics, Recent Leave a Comment
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As Jews, being allies to anyone facing oppression is not a choice – it is a commandment. There is no question about this – the only debate is over whether the Torah says it 36 or 46 times. Exodus 22:20. Leviticus 19:34. Deuteronomy 10:19. And on, and on, and on, and on.

The oppression and genocides that have plagued and followed us for over 3,000 years mean that we cannot close our eyes or remain silent in the face of the pain of our Black brothers and sisters, because we are all-too-familiar with the deafening echoes of silence. When we say “never again,” it does not mean never again to us, but never again to anyone. That is our duty, our pain, and our purpose. To fight against oppression wherever it may be, and to combat injustice and senseless cruelty with which we are all too familiar.

#BlackLivesMatter. I will always be an ally in the fight against racial injustice, even while recognizing that I am but one indescribably small cog in a wheel that is far greater than myself, and far greater than anyone. I know that the most important thing I can do right now is to listen, and I am, and I will; but I also know that I must use what voice I have to pass along what I have learned from those going through a pain and anguish that I can barely conceive of, so that we as a community can educate ourselves in these vital issues, and purge our own communities of whatever prejudice and hostility we may find.

I call upon all of my fellow Jews – and all decent human beings – to do the same.

But words are not enough. Here you’ll find an article with multiple options for actions you can take to make a tangible difference in this struggle. Please find a way to help, however you can. Because these aren’t just matters of principle; they are core Jewish values. Tikkun olam (repairing the world). V’ahavta l’reacha k’mocha (love your neighbor as you love yourself). Din (justice). Bina (understanding). Derech eretz (righteous action). Rodef shalom (pursuit of peace). And achrayut (responsibility for others).

I will always strive to live by these principles, and I hope you will, too. For as the Talmud teaches us:

“Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.” (Jerusalem Talmud, Sanhedrin 4:1 (22a))

Let us save the world – one precious, precious life at a time.

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Michael Bihovsky
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Michael Bihovsky is a musical theater composer and performer, and an “invisible illness” advocate. He is best known for his viral YouTube video “One Grain More,” an award-winning musical parody of Les Miserables about the plight of the food allergy community. Michael has written the music, lyrics, and book for four original musicals, including the semi-autobiographical “Fresh!” which was presented Off-Broadway as a finalist in the “Scene It: New York” competition. Michael’s musicals, plays, and screenplays often revolve around themes relating to physical and mental illness. He has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and facilitates EDS support groups in Philadelphia and New York City. Michael is also a recurring columnist for the Stanford Medical Journal’s SCOPE Project, and is currently writing a book titled “Live Because: The Philosophy of the Broken, and the Journey Toward Wholeness.”

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Recent Posts

  • RIP Herbert Kretzmer – You Dreamed a Dream, and Shared it With All of Us Saturday, October 17, 2020
  • RIP RBG – Champion for Women, Role Model for All Friday, September 18, 2020
  • RIP Major Van Winkle – The Master of Freestyle Wednesday, September 16, 2020
  • The (Entirely Unnecessary) Cost of “Herd Immunity” Monday, August 31, 2020
  • Jewish Values: Supporting #BlackLivesMatter Wednesday, June 3, 2020
  • The Show Must Be Paused Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Michael’s Favorite Posts

  • When Your Heroes Surpass Expectations (Amy Lee of Evanescence) Monday, November 6, 2017
  • Composition Premiere at the Kimmel Center! Wednesday, March 22, 2017
  • Rare Disease Day 2017: Reaction to EDS Video by AJ+ Tuesday, February 28, 2017
  • 5 Acting Tips to Nail Your College Musical Theater Audition (or any other audition) Tuesday, December 27, 2016
  • An Open Letter to My Beard Thursday, August 6, 2015
  • The Creation of “One Grain More” Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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