At the end of the day, Turkish Jews are facing an increasingly difficult choice, as have Jews in numerous lands before them:
1. Leave the comfort of your home, and the ancient land where you were born and generations before you – and of course your property; its value will be slashed and you will gain almost nothing from its sale; you may also have to leave most of your possessions; 2. Stay and risk the capricious, likely lethal attacks that may await, or 3. Convert to Islam, and thereby leave your People and your faith, knowing that you will still be known as one with Jewish roots no matter what you do.
These are not theoretical choices. They are drawing closer to the Jews of Turkey by the day. A kosher foods supervisor attacked in the country several weeks ago has already made his choice. He is gone. Ditto for a few others who have seen the writing on the wall. Another Jewish leader quietly managed to ensure his wife and children remained safely outside the country for an extended “vacation” while he continues alone to serve his community. For how long? That depends on whether it is ever safe to return. Others quietly shared with relatives or friends that they are seriously contemplating doing the same. They know the time is drawing near.
Thousands of French Jews have streamed into Israel over the past several months, traumatized by anti-Semitic attacks. Others in Europe – and eastern Europe – are also agonizing on whether and when to leave, for the same reasons.
Anatevka, we thought — we believed — you were relegated to a past era…