Mussie and I were in DC this week, where we were warmly welcomed by Secretary Noem at DHS, Senator Rounds, Congressman Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader Thune’s office. We discussed matters relating to the Jewish community in South Dakota and across the country, as well as the importance of the U.S.–Israel alliance.
The architecture of our institutions is magnificent, and recognizing the power held in those offices inspires awe and reverence. They say when you're in Washington, you never know who you'll bump into…
While waiting in the security line at the Hart Senate Office Building, I noticed standing right in front of me none other than Mahmoud Khalil. I figured that would be the end of it, but as we both walked toward the elevators, it became clear we were heading in the same direction and ended up in the same elevator.
There I was, face to face with a man who has become the symbol of the protests and hate at Columbia University, someone whose words and actions caused fear among Jewish students, and their parents. Just a day earlier on CNN, he couldn’t bring himself to say a negative word about Hamas or Palestinian terrorism.
A lot ran through my mind at that moment. But as I stood there in the elevator looking at him, I saw him look down, clearly uncomfortable standing next to someone he recognized as a religious Jew. He seemed unsure of himself, even ashamed. 
I saw him not as the symbol the media portrays of resistance, not as a figure of courage or strength, but as a very small man who, most likely, had come to plead his case before Congress and speak his mind, as is his right.
Reflecting later, I realized how much the tables have turned from previous generations, how fortunate we are to live in this country. My great-grandparents, who lived in Russia and Europe, would probably have been terrified to step foot near the halls of their governments, and to pass a known personality who spewed hateful rhetoric would have likely struck fear in their hearts. But here in America, we feel safe and secure. Here, it is those who promote hate and support our enemies that find themselves uncertain walking these halls. I was very comfortable walking in Congress with my head held high. That stark difference was not lost on me.
I grew up reading the stories of Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, and how he defiantly visited government offices in Moscow, risking his life to to advocate for the needs of Soviet Jewry. The danger for the Jews then was very real. But here, thank G-d, we are blessed. We are treated with honor and dignity. We can walk in our government offices confidently. We feel safe, like we should.
The overwhelming majority of Americans support and appreciate the Jewish people, and we pray that continues. That support is strongly reflected in Congress in their support here at home and for our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land of Israel. And I was able to hear it in my conversations, and feel it in the air.
It reminded me of the words of the prophet Jeremiah: "Seek the peace of the city where you dwell… for in its peace, you will find peace." And of G-d’s eternal promise to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you." May G-d bless America.

This week we read in the Torah how Balak, the king of Moab, summons the prophet Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Balaam attempts to pronounce his curses; each time, blessings issue forth instead, and he says:
“How can I curse whom G-d has not cursed, and how can I invoke wrath if the L-rd has not been angered? For from their beginning, I see them as mountain peaks, and I behold them as hills; it is a nation that will dwell alone, and will not be reckoned among the nations.” (Numbers 23:8-9)
Reading these verses reminded me of two conversations the Rebbe had on the topic of the people of Israel being "a nation that dwells alone...,” one with Yitzhak Rabin, and one with social critic, author and professor, Harvey Swados. 
Rabin recalled how the Rebbe spoke with him about his position as Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, and Israel's position on the world stage, and quoted this verse reminding Rabin that while Israel may have friends, they still would still be “alone” and looked at differently. There was something to embrace about this. During their conversation, the Rebbe explained that what historically kept the people of Israel “alone” was a result of both the positive aspects of Judaism, our faith, and our commitment, as well as the negative forces of Jew-hatred, which helped quell assimilation and kept us together as a people. (Watch Rabin retell it here). 
The conversation with Swados took an interesting turn. What follows are notes taken by Swados, published by the New York Times, read the full piece here:
“...Earlier, you asked me about the future of Judaism. Suppose I ask you how you explain the past, the survival of Judaism over three millennia.”
“Well,” I said a bit uneasily, “the negative force of persecution has certainly driven people together who might otherwise disintegrate. I'm not certain that the disappearance of that persecution, whether through statehood in Israel or through the extension of democracy in this country, wouldn't weaken or destroy what you think of as Jewishness.”
“Do you really think that only a negative force unites the little tailor in Melbourne and the Rothschild in Paris?” the Rebbe asked me.
“I wouldn't deny the positive aspects of Judaism.”
“Then suppose that scientific inquiry and historical research lead you to conclude that factors which you might regard as irrational have contributed to the continuity of Judaism. Wouldn't you feel logically bound to acknowledge the power of the irrational, even though you declined to embrace it?”
The conversations the Rebbe had with Rabin and Swados give us so much to think about. In the meantime, let's embrace our beautiful heritage by deepening our Jewish education, and strengthen our observance of Torah and Mitzvahs so we can live our faith with pride. 

I recently participated in the signing of a bill that will make it easier for South Dakota law enforcement to hold antisemites accountable. Though anyone can stand in the street and say whatever they’d like, HB1076 makes it easier to protect Jews in our state from hateful conduct. 
If sometime in the future, a Jewish child in South Dakota will be safer and more protected, it will be because of this bill. That is why I wholeheartedly supported it and am grateful to the South Dakota legislature for their overwhelming and bipartisan support, and to Governor Noem for making it a top priority this session.
Will it destroy the haters and completely eradicate antisemitism? Unfortunately not. 
So what, if anything, can be done to stop Jew hatred? Some argue we should be less visible and hide our mezuzahs, megillas and menorahs. Others suggest we need to be less supportive of our brothers and sisters in Israel and that Israel should defend itself less, to pacify and win over the rest of the world. The news and rhetoric today can be frustrating and isolating. 
During the time of the Purim miracle Jews were threatened with genocide by the evil Haman. It all changed when Mordechai met a group of children and asked them what they learned that day, and they began reciting verses of Torah to him.
It was at that moment that Mordechai knew the Jewish people would be okay. When there is proper Jewish education, there are knowledgeable Jews. When there are knowledgeable Jews, there are proud Jews, and where there are proud Jews there is a Jewish future. Incidentally, it was at that moment that Haman also knew that, try as he might, he would not succeed in getting rid of the Jews. 
When it comes to finding a career and making a living, we understand this idea well; if we want our children to succeed we must provide them with an education. We know this for their lifestyle and hobbies too. A parent recently told me they want their child to show an interest in soccer. So they started showing soccer games and championships on their TV screen at home and hope will build an interest in the child to sign up for the neighborhood soccer team. 
The same applies to Jewish identity and lifestyle. When a child can hold a siddur the right way up and read the Torah in its original Hebrew, they will be passionate as a teen and adult to attend services and participate in Torah classes. If they introduce themselves to their college friends as a proud Jew, it will only happen if they've been educated as one.
This is also our best weapon against antisemitism, as we say in the Passover Haggadah “In every generation they rise up to destroy us, but the Torah that has stood by our ancestors and for us, and You (G-d) save us from them.” 
Yes, we must always do what we can to ensure hateful perpetrators are held accountable, but as individual Jews, we can’t forget that the most important thing is to focus on and invest in Jewish education. Imagine what the Jewish community would look like if every dollar spent on educating the world about antisemitism was spent instead on educating Jews about Judaism; Jewish education.
Think about the astonishing fact that you and I are here today as  Jews continuing our 3,500 year old heritage and tradition. Answer these questions to yourself Who are we? What in fact is our heritage and tradition? What makes us Jewish? The “Chosen People”? What is our purpose here on earth? What is our privilege and responsibility as a Jew in 2024?
When we have a good sense of our Jewish identity, we may not be able to change the haters, but we will accomplish something far greater: We will have changed ourselves in ways that the antisemite will no longer be able to instill fear in us as they did before. When we are fully confident and proud of who we are, much of the antisemitism won’t matter anymore.
And if there is indeed any way to change how others look at Jews, this itself might be the best approach after all. In the words of the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, "Non​-​Jews respect ​Jews who respect ​Judaism."

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This past Wednesday, Governor Noem signed HB1076 into law, incorporating the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of antisemitism into the Human Rights Code. This bill received overwhelming, and bipartisan, support in the Legislature. 
Contrast that to Georgia, where for five years, the Klan (Neo-Nazis) and CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) joined forces to oppose the legislation. Incredibly, what brought the KKK and CAIR together, was their common Jew hatred.
In preparing this bill, experts from national Jewish organizations offered insights into the legislation. Kenneth Marcus, Chairman of Brandeis Center for Human Rights told the committee that "passing this bill is the number one thing the State of South Dakota can do right now to protect Jews."
These experts shared that while they encountered challenges and opposition in other states, their experience in South Dakota was unique. Here, legislators debated not whether to support the bill, but how to strengthen it further, intensify the fight against antisemitism, and provide even greater protection and support for the Jewish people and Israel.
This reminds me yet again how fortunate we are that in South Dakota the vast majority of citizens stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
Later this month we will be celebrating Purim. Mordechai is referred to in the Megillah as “Mordechai Ha-Yehudi.” The term "היהוד Ha-Yehudi" holds several significant meanings:
היהודי means "the Jew" from the word "Judea," in the Holy Land of Israel. It means the one who was מודה (“modeh”), recognizing and accepting G-d while rejecting the popular idol of the day, even at the risk of his life. And it means the one who is אודה (“odeh”), giving thanks.
These three connotations carry relevance in our daily lives today. To be a Jew means recognizing our identity, origins, and heritage. Only by understanding and embracing these aspects can we truly live life to its fullest, all while maintaining an attitude of gratitude.

This week I was able to give a warm Sioux Falls welcome to NBA G League player Ryan Turell. Ryan is here to play in the Sioux Falls Skyforce vs. Motor City Cruise game. He is not only a skilled player with great moves, but also the first kippah-yarmulke wearing player. 
In the recent Torah portions we have been reading about our ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah, the founders of the Jewish people. Each of them had pivotal moments at which point they demonstrated who they were and what they were about.  About Abraham, for example, we are told he was called "Avraham Ha-Ivri," also because "the whole world stood on one side, and he stood on the other other."
Being a Jew, sometimes we are called upon to take a stand, even when it may not be so popular. To stand up for who we are, for what we believe, and for what is right for others. 
In his own way, and in his career, this is what Ryan Turell is doing. Very publicly and very proudly displaying his Judaism. When someone is that well-known, it may be easier or simpler to remove the kippah while playing. His fans would love him and he would be able to advance in his career easily. Does he really need to make such a fuss of the fact he is Jewish?
But if there is anything that history has shown us, it is that the best way of ensuring that our children and theirs continue to be Jewish, is if we are knowledgeable and proud of who we are.
As Ryan will be enjoying challah, wine and Shabbos dinner this evening, before playing tomorrow with his yarmulke, I'll be thinking what I could learn from him so that I too can be a prouder Jew. 
This might also just be our best answer to the Kanye’s of the world. Put on that Kippah!