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I’ve gone ‘there’ again. It’s what I saw. Thanks to K Rawson for hosting this group. Below is the photo I chose from Pegman’s Buffet.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 150
HATH NOT A JEW EYES?
Do you know the word “Jew” is a common insult among Norwegian teens? Should this bother me? After all, I am a Norwegian Jew.
“If you prick us, do we not bleed?”
Reptilian? I’ve been called this. Do people seriously believe this mishegoss—that Jews are lizard creatures from another planet?
“If you tickle us, do we not laugh?”
I will never forget holding my father’s hand as we strolled along a mountain path. Two youths shoved him and shouted, “Child murderer!”
The memory of warm spittle dripping down my face sickens me still.
“If you wrong us, do we not revenge?”
Not in Norway. Instead, we hide in plain sight.
Last summer a group of Hasidim invited all of us to a Jewish gathering in Oslo. We cranked up the music and danced in front of Parliament.
I’ve heard that work makes us free, but we’re not falling for that again.
.
.
.
Here is a link to the video that informed my story. It’s over 20 minutes long so I don’t expect everyone to have the time. However, if you do…
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Love the last line. A troubling thing is that if we now replace “Muslim” with “Jew” in the speeches of our national leaders, they sound exactly like Eichmann and Goebbels.
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Dear J Hardy,
I’ve noticed the similarities. It’s disturbing. Although the Muslim stance on Jews is equally disturbing to me. I have to quote Rodney King. “Why can’t we all just get along?”
At any rate, thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good, eye opening story. I did watch the entire video clip. If we could all interact with music and laughter, what a wonderful world it would be.
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Dear Jan,
I found the video, for the most part, chilling. We don’t learn. Music and laughter are healing…we should do more of it. Thank you for reading, watching and commenting.
Love,
Rochelle
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Wonderful post. I love it when folks write something that tugs at the heart, for we would all to do well to understand and know the stories of our past – good and bad. Our human history is fraught with incidences of one human thinking he/she is better than another human and is the starting point of strife. My heart bleeds over that history, but heals at knowing that we are trying to overcome…maybe not with the current US political situation, but I take solace in the fact that a lot of people are waking up.
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Dear Cynthia,
I can only hope that we are learning. The video interviews made my heart stop. It’s one thing to reflect on history but to see that there are people who’ve learned nothing from it hurts. Thank you for your comments on my story. It was one I had to write.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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one of my best loved Shakespearean quotes. And so well used. Thanks for sharing.
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Dear Dave,
I’m glad you caught that. Also one of my favorite quotes. As I was writing it just begged to be in the story. Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Brilliant. I am in awe of you, once again. And please, do continue “going there” because you shine oh so bright when you do.
I am so disappointed to find out Norwegians are racist too… I don’t know why I thought they wouldn’ be…
Now, back to the video…
Dale
xo
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Dear Dale,
Esther mandated that we go there. 😉 I dutifully followed. I, too, was disappointed about the Norwegians. I knew the Swedes and Danes weren’t. Who nu?
Thank you re your generous compliment for my story. I’d say, “enjoy the video” but it really made my blood run cold.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am so shocked and disappointed. I truly thought Norway was like Sweden and Denmark… eye-opener…
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When I started the research trail this morning, that video was the last thing I expected to find. 😦
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I’m speechless
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Rochelle,
Disheartening to learn of this racism, but I love your gift of shining light on the darkness. Thanks 🙂
Karen
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Dear Karen,
Thank you for those affirming words. I couldn’t help myself once I saw that video. Unbelievable. I couldn’t wrap my head around it in this day and age.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, once again, for opening our eyes to what’s going on the world. Just when you think you kind of know it all or at least suspect it all, there’s “one more thing.” You are so good at leading us to those things. Keep it up.
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Dear Lish,
I was personally horrified to find this “one more thing.” It seems to have become my mission in life to pass it along. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad you did and do.
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Like others have said, an eye opener I was completely unaware of. Why can’t we just all get along indeed? How disheartening that you have to still shine a light on these views. Well done Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
Yep, this one both saddened and frightened me. I never would’ve pegged Norway for being such an antisemitic country. I guess writing these stories is doing my part. Thank you for for reading and taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“If you prick” indeed. I have had similiar experiences as a Native American in my own country. It is sad. 500+ thousand live in my state, but you don’t see us for who we are because we hide behind the guises of society. But, we do gather amongst ourselves and dance, sing, drum, and eat til we passout from gluttony! 🙂 You might prick, but you CANNOT stab! We won’t allow it! 🙂 ❤ Love the story, Rochelle.
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Dear Jelli,
You have put a mental image in my head, ie the dancing, singing, drumming and eating until you pass out. Sounds like great fun. Not enough can be said about how horribly your people have been treated. thank you for your kind words, kindred sister.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am stunned and horrified.
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So was I, Dahlia. So was I.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
I think that there is nowhere in the world from the Northern Lights, to the equator, to the Southern Hemisphere — North, South, East, or West — where someone is not prejudiced towards someone else. I despair. It’s ridiculous. We might have different pigmentation, but we all have the same colour blood. Although I do often question if everybody is in possession of a soul!
Well told. I will return to watch the video and let you know what I think after.
By the way, my bit of Norwegian blood is only prejudiced against the prejudiced…
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
That video was horrifying to me. I knew nothing about Norway, so I started my usual digging with ‘famous Norwegians’ and went from there. Who knew the trail would end in such a dark place?
I think if I were truly from another planet I’d be looking for a way to get back there.
Thank you for stopping in for a read and a comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I think that if there are any extraterrestrial beings out there, they’d be wise to stay away from us, apart from coming to rescue any of their kind who are among us already!
All best wishes,
Sarah
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This is indeed horrifying in this age Rochelle. To live in a country and not feel secure. The video was touching and saddening.
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Dear Samra,
No one was more stunned than I when I came across this video. After that, the story had to be written. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a very frightening video, but with a happier ending.
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Dear Hilary,
This video certainly sent shivers of anger through me. Can’t say I’ll make plans to visit Norway anytime in the near future. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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very eye opening piece, Rochelle. So much in 150 words….
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Thank you, Y. This was an eye opener for me as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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have a nice week, R.
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It’s chilling to think…but I feel, especially in these last few months, that history is about to repeat itself.
I ask my friends often…will we fight to stop it, or will we just stand by and watch?
Thanks for giving us a reminder of what we must do.
– Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
We do live in “interesting times” don’t we? I hope and pray that history isn’t repeating itself but I’m not so sure. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my story. I feel it’s one of my most significant to date.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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