Iran Airport Customs – A Gateway to a New Life |
Customs was the last obstacle in our escape to America. It was 1979 – the year of the Iranian Revolution. I was seven years old. While my father braved the lines at the US Embassy, I remember packing our bags. Our entire life in six suitcases. We were not allowed to take anything of value.
In my own small bag, buried beneath my doll, a journal and a book by Samad Behrangi, my parents had concealed envelopes containing not only our money and documents, but also those for others who were already scattered abroad. Hoping that they would not check a child, my mom instructed me that, when we walk through customs, I should walk with my head up, with confidence, and pretend I only had a bag of toys.
To be a Jew throughout history has, in part, meant to be forced to pick up and leave our home in the face of hatred towards Jews. Since the nation of Israel was exiled from Israel thousands of years ago, chances are that just about every Jew reading this, has ancestors that were forced to leave one country for another. Or maybe like me, it was you who had to escape. Yet escaping is often a double-edged sword.
Growing up in America, I was always keenly aware of my outsider status. My American Jewish friends did not understand why I felt like an outsider. Though there have been some tough times, Jews in America have lived in incredible freedom and acceptance overall. Jews have been part of the fabric of building this incredible democracy.
But I experienced some hate while others did not. People felt comfortable showing their prejudicial side to me, either because they did not think I was Jewish or they saw me as an easy target – the kid with the accent, who looked different. I thought about identity from a young age. I asked myself: “Do I do everything I can to fit in and or do I stay separate and different?”
That is the message we all get in one way or another. Be like others; we are one human race. We are all the same. On the outside that sounds incredibly accepting and loving. But from the inside, it eats at our souls. Why? Because at the end of the day, people need their pack. We need a sense of belonging to a group. Just being a part of humanity, working daily to fit in with the larger crowd, doesn’t work. It is exhausting and impossible, as social media has shown.
For me, science has settled this issue. Happiness within can only thrive when we are part of a community. Without our groups, people wither. Loneliness is a crisis of epidemic proportions.
Fitting in is not an option.
Saving our sense of self is about knowing ourselves and our people and being proud of the heritage that has been transmitted to us for thousands of years. We’ve tried hiding, we’ve tried fitting in. We’ve even tried explaining ourselves to fit in better.
It is time for all of us to step up that sense of Jewish peoplehood and pride. Not just because a bully rarely bullies someone who is loud, proud and standing with a crowd, but, ultimately, because peace within ourselves and with others is only possible with a deep sense of pride and understanding of who we are and what we give to this world. We are a necessary part of the beautiful tapestry of our world. It’s time for every single one of us to own this.
Loud and proud is not embedded in our Jewish DNA. Through the years of hate spewed at us, we learned to run, hide and then support each other in our new homes.
It’s no surprise that post-October 7, many of us said, “Okay, here we go again.” And how many of us asked, “Is it time? Do we get those passports ready? Where do we go next?” This thinking has certainly saved many, but it’s time for a different playbook.
This is now abundantly clear to me as I observe the people in Iran fighting for their freedom. On some level, I was more shocked and indignant to see the most recent mass murder of Persians in Iran. I feel that, as Jews, we have somewhat gotten used to people wanting to murder us. You know the often-cited joke, “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” But that is not how Persians see themselves. I remember, as a kid, tremendous pride being instilled in us because we were a GREAT EMPIRE!! I can’t tell you how many times I would hear that sentiment. And that is what was awakened in me during these most recent brutal massacres (which were more massive than the government has inflicted in the past). How dare they? We were a great empire. We don’t deserve this.
As if Jews deserve this? Enough with the heads bent down, getting ready for another beating, getting ready to run again. We can’t keep giving the benefit of the doubt to any negative statements about us; rather, we need to give ourselves the benefit of the doubt, remembering that we are a necessary part of this tapestried world.
I think, perhaps, that many of the Jews who live in Israel (about half of world Jewry) are of the prouder kind, having breathed and grown up in our Jewish homeland. They grew up as part of a majority, a vibrant part of Israel.
But what about the other half of our nation of Israel, living outside of Israel’s borders? What about us? Do many of us stand loud and proud in our daily lives, let alone in the face of hatred toward Jews? Perhaps many of us don’t. Honestly, I know I can do better.
We are a people who believe that each individual has a unique mission in this world. It is time that each and every one of us shows our leadership. Stand up for and be a greater part of this extraordinary thousands-of-years-old nation of Israel. It is not up to the few in “leadership positions.” It’s up to every single one of us to stand up, as the leader we each are.
For me, it’s small actions that make a big impact. Join me! Here are some things we can all do:
Be Loud: Speak up or show Jewishness in a space we currently don’t. We can follow a Jewish thread and comment on social media or put on that Jewish jewelry.
Be Proud: This week, we can wish Shabbat Shalom (a peaceful Sabbath) to someone we normally wouldn’t. And if this is not something you have done before, find one person you feel comfortable saying it to, in order to strengthen pride and peoplehood.
Stand with the Crowd: Most importantly, let’s be open to Jews on the other side of an issue. Truly learn, understand and respect their point of view. Yes, we Jews question and argue, but it doesn’t end there. The purpose is to bring us together to bring peace to the world.
I write for myself as much as I write for you – as a reminder. When we walk with our heads up, with confidence, clear about our identity and proud of who we are, no one will bother us – not even the customs agents at the airport, when we walk through that gateway to live our mission of bringing peace–shalom–to our world.