It’s extremely rare for me to jump into social media wars, but when I do, oh boy… Recently, I got into a debate on Instagram with the most evil, vile, off-the-wall bunch of people. 

These folks are anti-circumcision crusaders who call themselves “Intactivists.” (I call them fools, frauds, and downright liars.) Beyond spreading junk science, their main ideology seems to be an obsession with sex and also a large amount of anti-Semitic and anti-Islamic feeling. 

Sparked by my post about Iceland trying to ban circumcision, these trolls went crazy. I was hit with a full-force barrage like nothing I’ve ever experienced. I was sworn at, called terribly vulgar names (the “C” word) and viciously slurred (the “K” word.)

In addition to telling me why I’m no good in general, I was then told that the Jewish community, all because we choose circumcision, are, and I’m quoting here: “child abusers, child molesters, rapists, blood drinkers, and rusty-knife users who belong in prison for life.”

No, I am not exaggerating, and yes, it hurt me to my core. I was left crying, shaking, and very near vomiting. I would never injure anyone, least of all a child, and to be told that I’m sick for following Judaism is just unbearable. 

To think that somebody could ever believe such lies is not only shocking, it’s horribly offensive. No one I know would ever associate those behaviors with circumcision!

I suspect that the “Intactivists” have never even witnessed one in person (I have seen many). It is not bad, not barbaric, and it’s definitely not child abuse. It is done for both religious and health reasons and it does not hurt anyone, in any way. 

When people push a fringe agenda, to suit their own twisted views, it hurts everyone, because an uninformed person may fall prey to their evil. And, it’s yet another way to spread unwarranted fear and hatred of other religions. (Look at the current state of Europe as a perfect example.)

Every medical study has shown that circumcision reduces infections for both men and women, cancer rates for both men and women, and it’s also more aesthetically pleasing to both men and women. 

If “Intactivist” parents choose not to circumcise their sons, that’s their choice—live and let live. But I sincerely don’t understand why they’re trying to interfere with our practices, which are safe, legal, and healthy.

Regardless of their cruel lies, the Jewish community knows it’s moral (and over 1 billion Muslims do it too). We will not stop practicing God’s holy commandments, period. They can slur me, lie about me, and even threaten me, but there is nothing they can do to separate me from the truth.

Words can hurt, and they did, but they’ll never make me pretend something that’s so good and decent could ever be wrong. If I had 100 sons, I’d make sure each and every one was circumcised according to Jewish Law. If that makes me a villain to them, so what? They don’t have the moral authority from which to judge.

An intelligent person respects all people, all faiths, and all ideas, even ones contrary to their own. I don’t tell them what to believe; they need to extend the same courtesy my way. 

Anne Frank House, a museum in Amsterdam whose stated mission is to fight anti-Semitism globally, banned employees from wearing yarmulkes. 

The employee in question, Barry Vingerling, was told on his first day of work to remove or cover it with a baseball hat. When he demanded to rightfully know why, officials claimed it “might endanger the museum’s neutrality.”

Let this sink in for a moment: An Orthodox Jew working at a museum named after another Jew who was murdered by Nazis in a concentration camp was not allowed to display a visible sign of Judaism. Absolute, utter insanity!

After months of heated discussion and Vingerling having to apply for special permission, he has finally been “granted” the right to wear it. (As if anyone needs special permission to worship.)

I understand that Europe has a different attitude towards religion than we do here in America, but this kind of behavior is blatant prejudice. Anne Frank’s young life and tragic death are supposed to be honored by the museum that bears her name. Her diary has influenced generations of people, me included, in a very profound way.

Anne was proud of her Jewish heritage and even though she was persecuted literally to death, she never wrote anything negative, always saying that she supported freedom, tolerance, and love. I think she would be sickened by such bias. 

If Jewish museums have to pretend to be neutral, it makes a mockery of every victim of anti-Semitism, past and present. If someone chooses to wear a yarmulke, that’s their right and should never be looked down upon. The directors should be replaced immediately because they clearly don’t understand. It’s flat-out impossible to claim that you care about fighting Anti-Semitism if you’re oppressing Jewish worship. 

Interfaith couples face many challenges, but one of the most overlooked area is in regard to Israel. Those of us who grow up Jewish are taught about Zionim from an early age, if we choose to marry a non-Jewish spouse, they may not have the same feelings and level of interest.

Honeymoon Israel has come up with a unique idea to tackle this issue: providing trips to Israel for Interfaith couples. Similar to Birthright for the younger crowd, this program is designed to form deep and lasting bonds with Israel’s people, land, and culture.

Participants must be ages 25-40, married, and one of the partners has to be Jewish. The 9-day trip’s value is supposedly $10,000 per couple, but only costs $2200 since it’s subsidized by donors. Each trip includes 20 diverse couples that are from the same city, which will hopefully provide lasting friendship with similar folks when they return home.

Personally, I think this is a great idea! With 70% of the Jewish community now intermarrying, we need to explore every avenue possible to embrace the non-Jewish spouse and welcome them into the fold.

Jews of Color, Jews that don’t speak English, multi-cultural families, refugees, and yes, even Donald Trump supporters, can find a Haggadah that will serve their needs.

Rather than rely on the tried and true—stained and tattered?—Maxwell House version that most of us grew up using, there truly is now something for everyone—no matter how diverse.

These 5 new Haggadahs barely scratch the surface. I think it’s wonderful that different versions are available, but we always use the same old thing at my house.