The Anti-Semite
and Chinese Food
by John-Mark
“F***ing Jew.” Those words, the words that will change me for the rest of my life, those two small words have caused shock waves that flow through my life. But to understand this event, you must learn where it begins.
I first came to the synagogue here in New Bern, North Carolina before I could ever remember. My brother had gone there and studied Hebrew and I followed directly behind in his footsteps. There I spent three years every Sunday at noon learning Hebrew in lessons with other children. My mother was the director of the children group at Temple B' Nai Shalom. It was there we had an instructor who would work with us to help us learn Hebrew.
I spent close to two years learning and mastering the language and understanding its, words that seemed so unfathomable to me to begin with. After my time I learned not only Hebrew but the way of which we Jews live. I dove into the world of what it meant to be a Jew. To live by the laws of G-d, and the Talmud. I still spend my life attempting to truly understand the true meaning and reason of Judaism; a task that I will never truly master.
As I grew older, more became interested in learning about the culture and faith. The most interested was my eighth grade World History teacher, Mr. Fitzgerald (or just Mr. Fitz). He was a World Religions teacher as well for the high school students. He seemed very interested in the Jewish faith and the traditions of Jews. So interested, in fact, that he asked my mother and I to give a guided tour of the synagogue. We told him that we would and he was set to come on a Friday.
I can still remember the day, a windy Friday in the beginning of fall, the leaves starting to change and the sound of cars driving by. The time was around 2:00 pm. I had been checked out of school by my mother so she could take me to help her give the tour. I had my kippa on - a small round hat that Jewish men and boys wore to show their signs of faith. As I strolled outside waiting for the van that carried sophomores, juniors, and seniors to the downtown temple. As they approached the area I could see Mr. Fitz and the group making their way to me. The next words I heard would change my approach towards religion. “F***ing Jew,” and the sound of a Chevy Silverado driving away.
The look on the eyes of the students was shock and disbelief. They approached with these expressions and asked me “Why did he say something like that?” I shook my head and said “It happens.” As my mother and I gave the tour, I could still hear the words come out of his mouth. I know that is what all the students were thinking too. At the end of the tour, Mr. Fitz thanked my mother and myself and said that something the books and the tour couldn't teach them, and that was what the the man said.
That night I remember eating Chinese - the typical dish for Jews - and asking her why someone would say such things. She responded “Because the world knows nothing of us or what we believe.” That sent a message through my head, a message that told me that I needed to stay a Jew because it needed people to stay strong and overcome things like that.
Author’s Note:
This selection of work captures the true nature of what we as people can go through on a daily basis. Although the driver was the first to ever say it to my face, I knew that others thought something similar. I felt as though this was something important to share. Even 70 years after the crimes of Hitler and his regime, this idea of hatred and bigotry still plagues the thoughts of our minds. I was hoping this piece would give people a more in-depth look at the world that is around them, and possibly inspire them to focus more on tolerance and compassion for their fellow man, so that one day we may all feel safe to express ourselves in whatever ways we choose. This town holds open its arms to all those whom come to express themselves. This great city is a true spirit of how we as humans can truly understand how we may live, and how we may be accepted. I thank Mr. Smith for giving me this opportunity to write this and share it with the world.
With Great Regards,
John-Mark
I first came to the synagogue here in New Bern, North Carolina before I could ever remember. My brother had gone there and studied Hebrew and I followed directly behind in his footsteps. There I spent three years every Sunday at noon learning Hebrew in lessons with other children. My mother was the director of the children group at Temple B' Nai Shalom. It was there we had an instructor who would work with us to help us learn Hebrew.
I spent close to two years learning and mastering the language and understanding its, words that seemed so unfathomable to me to begin with. After my time I learned not only Hebrew but the way of which we Jews live. I dove into the world of what it meant to be a Jew. To live by the laws of G-d, and the Talmud. I still spend my life attempting to truly understand the true meaning and reason of Judaism; a task that I will never truly master.
As I grew older, more became interested in learning about the culture and faith. The most interested was my eighth grade World History teacher, Mr. Fitzgerald (or just Mr. Fitz). He was a World Religions teacher as well for the high school students. He seemed very interested in the Jewish faith and the traditions of Jews. So interested, in fact, that he asked my mother and I to give a guided tour of the synagogue. We told him that we would and he was set to come on a Friday.
I can still remember the day, a windy Friday in the beginning of fall, the leaves starting to change and the sound of cars driving by. The time was around 2:00 pm. I had been checked out of school by my mother so she could take me to help her give the tour. I had my kippa on - a small round hat that Jewish men and boys wore to show their signs of faith. As I strolled outside waiting for the van that carried sophomores, juniors, and seniors to the downtown temple. As they approached the area I could see Mr. Fitz and the group making their way to me. The next words I heard would change my approach towards religion. “F***ing Jew,” and the sound of a Chevy Silverado driving away.
The look on the eyes of the students was shock and disbelief. They approached with these expressions and asked me “Why did he say something like that?” I shook my head and said “It happens.” As my mother and I gave the tour, I could still hear the words come out of his mouth. I know that is what all the students were thinking too. At the end of the tour, Mr. Fitz thanked my mother and myself and said that something the books and the tour couldn't teach them, and that was what the the man said.
That night I remember eating Chinese - the typical dish for Jews - and asking her why someone would say such things. She responded “Because the world knows nothing of us or what we believe.” That sent a message through my head, a message that told me that I needed to stay a Jew because it needed people to stay strong and overcome things like that.
Author’s Note:
This selection of work captures the true nature of what we as people can go through on a daily basis. Although the driver was the first to ever say it to my face, I knew that others thought something similar. I felt as though this was something important to share. Even 70 years after the crimes of Hitler and his regime, this idea of hatred and bigotry still plagues the thoughts of our minds. I was hoping this piece would give people a more in-depth look at the world that is around them, and possibly inspire them to focus more on tolerance and compassion for their fellow man, so that one day we may all feel safe to express ourselves in whatever ways we choose. This town holds open its arms to all those whom come to express themselves. This great city is a true spirit of how we as humans can truly understand how we may live, and how we may be accepted. I thank Mr. Smith for giving me this opportunity to write this and share it with the world.
With Great Regards,
John-Mark