Nothing wrong to ask people’s identify

Sivan Price

I greeted her innocently; she had an African-American accent and she said something to the effect of “being in Africa”. I shared some humour with her about being welcome here.

I recognised a CSO official and was glad about his  presence in the Jewish area.

I was glad that the Rastas had ventured into this part of Johannesburg, which is known to be culturally Jewish. Some craftworks are sold during the daytime at KosherWorld and I thought they (the Rastas) might be involved with that.

I participate in guard duty at my shul once a month on Shabbat morning. The other week a (recognisably to me) Jewish woman wa;ked past us and the team leader messaged me to follow her up the stairs. I did and asked her: “Are you new here? I’ve not seen you around.” Without emotion, she told me her name and said that she sometimes came to this shul.

I am delighted that South African Jews have established a community security programme and that we are not living with our heads in the Kimberley hole. It’s obvious and no longer unspoken, that Jews are being intensively targeted again on the planet – physically, verbally, emotionally and fatally too – and by Jews too.

There is nothing to apologise for. This is how 20th and 21st century Jews respond to the threat to life, imagined and real. It is called “Pikuach Nefesh”. You save a life or you prevent a death and you go to any lengths to do it.

For example, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein initiated the Glenhazel Active Patrol which has virtually eliminated the danger, if not the fear, of people being murdered and brazenly robbed in this area. Well done, to the Chief Rabbi!

It’s what you’d call an adaptation – erring on the side of survival and life preservation – rather than playing Russian roulette.

There is nothing to apologise for. If people want to come to a Jewish neighbourhood, event, or synagogue these days, be prepared to be questioned or asked to show your identity document. With anti-Semitism as it is, there is no risk to accommodate and no need to feel any shame.

It’s not an insult. You too may come to be protected from the person who has indeed come to do harm.

Jews and non-Jews may be subject to the same process where it is deemed to be necessary by those who have the experience and intuition. This may be called discrimination. And so?

To take offence is to seek personal victimhood and martyrdom and to justify the vilification of Jews.

Johannesburg