(by Dov Hikind)

My recent objections to CUNY legitimizing terrorist propagandist Linda Sarsour and her glorification of radical Islamic fanatics has caused a small stir among her supporters. “Kill the messenger!” they scream. One can only hope their plea is figurative. Regardless, they’ve called into question, and asked like-minded reporters to delve into my own personal history. It’s a shocking non-surprise. Why address the immediate issue of Sarsour’s hate-Tweets and anti-Semitic incitement if they can divert media attention with a sideshow?

To wit, The Huffington Post thought themselves terribly clever looking into my early life as a Jewish activist—as if they were uncovering something novel. But to be quite frank, I couldn’t recall those days with greater fondness.

Over 43 years ago, I was very proud to be part of the Jewish Defense League. Founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane of Brooklyn, the JDL’s early exploits received a fair amount of attention. After all, the notion of Jews standing up for themselves was still rather novel to some who preferred when Jews didn’t. I came late to the organization but was gratified to work on behalf of Soviet Jewry, Syrian Jewry, fighting anti-Semitism and helping the Jewish poor. These were the days of the Civil Rights movement and people everywhere were awakening to the necessity of getting involved.

During those years I was arrested on numerous occasions at the Soviet mission for chaining myself to their fence. We took actions like these to bring attention to urgent matters and demand change through non-violent protest.

When Rabbi Kahane decided to emigrate to Israel, I was no longer involved with his work. I remained in Brooklyn and had work of my own. Some people have suggested that I was Rabbi Kahane’s right-hand man. If so, then I resent having not been mentioned in his best seller, The Story of the Jewish Defense League.

The truth is I continued to watch and admire Rabbi Kahane from afar. Did I agree with him on everything? Alas, I don’t even agree with my own wife Shonni on everything. Almost everything.

Looking back on my JDL days, I’m proud of what we accomplished. Countless Russian Jews are no longer trapped behind the Iron Curtain. Natan Sharansky, the celebrated refusenik who became a prominent leader in Israel, notes how vital our civil rights protests were on behalf of our trapped and mistreated brethren.

Another time attention was vital was when Ugandan leader Idi Amin had Israelis kidnapped and held hostage. Israel was successful in rescuing everyone except Dora Bloch, a 78-year-old grandmother who had been hospitalized. When Dora went missing, we needed to bring attention to her plight even if it meant bedeviling the people at the Ugandan mission with a few pranks… for which I was never charged. The story grows in the re-telling (especially by my detractors), but when we recall how Dora was finally found after being burnt to death, one can hardly blame me for trying to free her.

After Rabbi Kahane was assassinated, murdered by one of the terrorists who would attempt to blow up the World Trade Center, I was invited to speak at his funeral. It was a very sad day. Everyone who knew Rabbi Kahane recognized that he was one of the most dedicated individuals when it came to standing up for his people. He was certainly the one man most responsible for helping to free Soviet Jews.

How would Rabbi Kahane respond today hearing that two women rabbis attempted to kosher someone as transparently dangerous and anti-Semitic as Linda Sarsour?

“I warned you!”

(YWN Headquarters – NYC)