Disloyal?

August 27, 2019

Dear Friends, 

              The rhetoric of the President of the United States cannot be tolerated any longer.  The reference to Jews as being “disloyal” if they vote freely is not acceptable regardless of partisan beliefs or convictions. The language of the President is simply and clearly anti-Semitic.  This dangerous language compromises the safety and well-being of Jews, opening the door to violence against anyone who dares to articulate their displeasure with the current Administration.  This language fuels white supremacy and nationalism.

              Some speculate that a robust economy or a successful trade deal with China are reasons to give the President a pass.  We disagree.  Economic success does not nullify a people’s right to live in peace.  Successful economic policy does not justify threatening Jews because of the way they might vote.   

              The Interfaith Peace Project calls upon the Interfaith Communities and all concerned people to stand in solidarity with our Jewish Sisters and Brothers.  All of us at The Interfaith Peace Project are “Disloyal Jews” as we stand up for the rights and dignity of all peoples.  We proudly profess the Oath of Disloyalty.

Oath of Disloyalty
by Reb Irwin Keller

I am a disloyal Jew.

I am not loyal to a political party.
Nor will I be loyal to dictators and mad kings.
I am not loyal to walls or cages.
I am not loyal to taunts or tweets.
I am not loyal to hatred, to Jew-baiting, to the gloating connivings of white supremacy.

I am a disloyal Jew.
I am not loyal to any foreign power.
Nor to abuse of power at home.
I am not loyal to a legacy of conquest, erasure and exploitation
I am not loyal to stories that tell me whom I should hate.

I am a loyal Jew.
I am loyal to the inconveniences of kindness.
I am loyal to the dream of justice.
I am loyal to this suffering Earth
And to all life.
I am not loyal to any founding fathers.
But I am loyal to the children who will come
And to the quality of world we leave them.
I am not loyal to what America has become.
But to what America could be.
I am loyal to Emma Lazarus. To huddled masses.
To freedom and welcome,
Holiness, hope and love.¹

Peacefully,

Thomas P. Bonacci, C.P. and The Board of Directors of
The Interfaith Peace Project

¹Reb Irwin Keller lives in Sonoma County California and is a student member of Ohalah, the Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal. Learn more about his website here.  Reprinted with Permission.