Protective Edge-Muslims and Jews: A Bow Shot Away

“And she (Sarah) said to Abraham, divorce yourself from this women, and her son (Ishmael): for this woman shall not inherit with my son, with Isaac. And the thing was very bad in the eyes of Abraham on account of his son (Ishmael). And God said to Abraham, do not let this be bad in your eyes because of the boy, and because of your bondwoman; in all that she, Sarah, said to you, listen to her voice, for in Isaac shall your offspring be called from you. And also the son of the bondwoman (Ishmael) I will make into a nation because he is your offspring…and she went (Ishmael’s mother), and sat down over a bow-shot-far away from him (Ishmael) ; she said let me not look at the death of the child; and she sat opposite him, and she raised her voice and she wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar (Ishmael’s mother)...arise, lift up the boy, and hold him strong in your hand: for a great nation will I make of him.” (Genesis 21:4-18).

At 7:40 every morning the children of the E.E.E Sassoon and Sir J. Sassoon schools gather in the courtyard to chant the morning songs and anthems in the compound’s courtyard. There are nearly 5000 students enrolled of which 95% are Muslim. A space that once echoed with the Shabbat songs, and holiday communal meals, has now become a story of the Jews, and a present reality for the Muslims living in Byculla, Mumbai.

Muslim woman comes to attend to her children in the E.E.E Sassoon High School, just across from my window.

The Magen David Synagogue is open daily from 8:45-6PM, and is guarded 24/7 by nearly a dozen Indian soldiers. In this picture, one will notice the children of Sir. J. Sassoon school being picked up by caregivers and/or parents.

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Of the remaining 5% that are not Muslim at the school, there are Hindu, Jain, and yes, Jewish students. There are four families, ten Jewish children, in attendance at Sir J. Sassoon School. (located at the entrance to the compound, while E.E.E Sassoon school located at the far end of the compound) Sharon and Sharona, send their three girls Teferet, Tehillah and Emunah to the school.  As I spend more time with their family, on Shabbat and late-night tea and musical gatherings, I have learned they feel quite safe and welcomed by the school and believe they are accepted for their Jewish practices and beliefs. Sharon says its safe, and believes that one should still be careful. Sharona says her friends from school understood her dietary restrictions and that they occosanially laugh about it with each other. When walking with Sharon after Saturday morning prayers, with smiles he greets the locals he knows. With “faith in HaShem” as Sharon puts it, his family feels blessed and safe in the nearly all Muslim community of Byculla… and the words of King David ring in their walls:

“Because I have heard the whispers of many, terror on every side, while they join to counsel against me; planning to take away my life. But as for me, to you I trust, HaShem; I have said you are my God (Psalms 14:15).”

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It is Ramadan now. The nights are packed with street-food vendors because of the breakfast, the call to prayers can be heard from my bedroom window, and decorum’s of men praying in white garb can be found through all the hours of the night at different street corners. As a foreigner and a undercover orthodox Jew, I cannot help but think back home to my childhood community of Monsey, NY  around the high holiday season and feel like I am somewhere between West Maple and Voila. I think to myself: If only I can get a little closer, I may hear Yiddish in a India accent…maybe.

Since being in India I have had many conversations with local Muslims around Islam and religion. Once or twice I revealed my identity (not to locals but in other areas of India) and have found our conversations stimulating and spiritually arousing. I look to brother Yishmael and I am saddened by our arrow-shot distance and closeness, but I still attempt to connect, and I do.

But then my heart reminds me of Zion, my prayers get intermingled with the saddening state in which my people must live; helplessly I must acknowledge the reality is not as fancily fit, and there are those who will do anything to see me at the bottomless abyss of the Mediterranean Sea.

In India, After the Pakistani-terrorist attacks in 2008, all security at Jewish institutions have increased.

The Thane (pr. Ta-nay) Synagogue also has constant surveillance and Indian soldiers with fire-arms.

Anti-Semetic and/or anti-Israel activities are found all around Mumbai and greater India. Just Saturday a Muslim boy was killed during an Anti Israel rally in Kashmir, India. Ramadan, the death of a influential Muslim leader’s family member, and the recent escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict has caused a wave of concern for the safety of Jews around the world, including India, but as any, life must go on, and we must not be afraid of the meditations of our enemies, and must continue to fight for justice and truth, along side the never ending battle for our right to existence and freedom.

The war in Israel, the murdered youth, the hundreds of casualties and the media’s ridiculous need to paint each side not as people who are hungry for something but as ravenous dogs who will hunt until satiated, I cant help but feel different about my neighbors here. I cant help but walk around with questions…

Why does this need to be the way our peoples relate?

Don’t we share the values of Abraham!?

Why do our peoples need to be seen by the world as the source of disaster and destruction?

I do not need the sources of praise that Maimonides mentions to appreciate this great people, I survey the streets of Byculla to do so. But at the same moment I question what the Almighty has in store for our peoples. I respect you brother Ahmed, but you believe that the covenant of our God to my people is no more, you have turned against me, but I I will not turn against you, for indeed “God was with the boy (Ishmael), and he grew; and dwelt in the wilderness” and I hope God continues to be. But I still can only ask “why?”

Why did he (Ishmael) have to turn away from peace and “become an archer (Genesis 21:20)?”why do bow-shots of missiles need to be the way in which you call to your brother? Why threaten those who simply want to live without numbers on their arms, in peace?

The Protective Edge for All

Fortunately, during the last 70+ years, the Jewish people, began the return, the return of all Jews to their city Jerusalem, to Zion. From the far corners of the earth communities began to leave their haven for centuries, we were gathered, and the new age of the Jewish nation began. Protective Edge is not a story of Chamas and Israel, but the story of Israel for nearly seventy years. If only we had a Protective Edge as our house was burned by Titus and the Romans or Nebuchadnezzar and the Persians, it was that Protective Edge that was missing, but not today, today our people stands for all in need, and all who seek refuge sincerely. The day will arrive when the Protective Edge will not be against any, but will be for all, we call on Jews and Muslims to follow our prophet:

“The world will be filled with the awareness of the ONE, just how the water of the ocean covers all (IN ONENESS) (Isaiah 11:9)…” together.