"I am one of multiple Jews that are here today, proud to be in solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine," Fischer said. "And I know that my tradition, the Jewish tradition, is a religion of tzedek, meaning justice, and shalom, meaning peace." Fischer's statement was a declaration to reconnect Jewish identity with social justice, emphasizing that, while rooted in tradition, his advocacy for Palestinian rights is firmly grounded in Jewish teachings about peace and justice.
The synagogue sent a letter to the congregation saying it "had no choice but to release a teacher from his employment ... effective immediately" and that after Oct. 7, with the dead being buried, the savagery of Hamas being brought into living rooms every night, the subtlety of one's personal politics cannot be allowed to cause pain and insult to our community, who have so many family and friends in Israel." This reflects the pressures individuals face within their communities when attempting to express dissenting political views.
Fischer had previously been lauded by Sinai leadership for his work, with the education director writing, "I know 3 [years] in a row is a big ask, but I love having you as a teacher and would love to have you back." This highlights the contradiction in Fischer's situation, where acknowledgment of his contributions was quickly overshadowed by political backlash, questioning of loyalty, and community sentiments in a time of crisis.
Now, Fischer saw his job gone and his reputation muddied with the implication he supported the Hamas attack and, as Sinai's leader Rabbi Michael Friedland put it in an email to In These Times, was "not being respectful or compassionate" to grieving Israelis or those with friends and family in Israel. This speaks to the broader struggle within the Jewish community regarding how to balance advocacy for Palestinian rights while also exhibiting care for those affected by violence.
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