By Ed Koch

During my call-in radio program last week, which airs live every Friday at 6 p.m. on Bloomberg 1130 (WBBR-AM), a caller asked me to define a number of words relating to the Jewish community. I thought it might be interesting to do so in my written commentary. 

First, “Jew.” There are at least two ways to become a Jew. One is birth. Under Orthodox law, being born to a Jewish mother makes one a Jew. Children born of a non-Jewish mother and a Jewish father must undergo a ritual conversion. Both the Orthodox and Conservative wings of Judaism subscribe to the requirement of a Jewish mother. The Reform wing accepts anyone born of either a Jewish mother or father as a Jew. 

I accept the Reform definition of a Jew as someone having either a Jewish mother or father. I identify myself as a Jew in the Conservative tradition and a member of an Orthodox synagogue where I attend services on Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah led by Rabbi Arthur Schneier.  

The other path to Judaism is through conversion. The best-known convert is Ruth who spoke to her mother-in-law, Naomi, in these stirring words:

“Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God” 

Some Jews convert to other religions. Columnist Robert Novak identifies himself as a “cultural Jew,” even after he converted to Catholicism. To sum up, one can be a Jew as a result of birth—ethnicity—or as a result of identifying with the religion. Most would accept both designations.

Second, “Zionist.” The term is used for the philosophy espoused by Theodor Herzl (1860-1904), who concluded that the anti-Semitism then prevalent in Europe would only end once Jews had a state of their own.  

Zionism is the national movement of the Jewish people whose aim was to create an independent state for the Jewish people. As anti-Semitism declined and Jews approached full and equal status in their countries of citizenship, (e.g., the United States and Great Britain,) many Jews modified their concept of Zionism. They redefined it as support for building the Jewish state in Israel, while they themselves remained in countries where they were full citizens. The relationship of Jews and Israel is similar to that between Irish Americans and other ethnic groups in the U.S. and the countries of their ancestors. 

I support the Jewish nation and have visited Israel many times, but I will never leave the United States permanently, where I enjoy full citizenship. This country has given so much to my fellow Jews and me. I support the State of Israel, because the Jewish people like other nations, are entitled to a homeland. Had the State of Israel existed pre-World War II, it would have been a refuge for those Jews permitted to escape Germany and Europe when no country would accept them.

Third, “Anti-Semitism.” Coined in about 1860 when anti-Jewish feelings were riding high, particularly in Austria, Germany and Prussia, the phrase means hatred directed against Jews.   

There is little agreement as to why anti-Semitism has persisted for at least 2,500 years. It began well before the destruction in 70 A.D. of the Second Temple built by Herod, King of Judea. Under Roman rule, anger at the Jews culminated in the destruction of their state in part because of their refusal to accept the Roman Emperor as a God. The most important Jewish prayer, said several times a day by religious Jews, is the Shema. “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” The Jews would not accept other Gods in addition to their one God.

Anti-Semitism has also persisted because of the efforts of some Catholic and Protestant church leaders to destroy Judaism—from which Christianity is descended. Using the phrase of Pope John Paul II, Catholics now describe Jews as  “our elder brothers.” Before Vatican II, one source of anti-Semitism leading to pogroms, particularly in Eastern Europe, Poland and Russia, was the charge of deicide, meaning that the Jews collectively killed Jesus. That charge was removed as a result of the efforts of Pope John XXIII. Catholics who accept Vatican II believe it is a sin to hold the Jews of today responsible for the actions of any Jews who collaborated with the Romans in the death of Jesus. Jesus lived and died as a Jew and was believed by his followers to be the Messiah, referred to in the Old Testament as coming to redeem the world.

Three of my heroes are the late Popes John XXIII, John Paul II and John Cardinal O’Connor, late Archbishop of New York. They sought to restore and enhance the relationship between Catholics and Jews.  Their goal has been my highest priority as well. 

Achieving that goal is particularly important today as we collectively combat Islamic fascists, as President George W. Bush refers to as “Muslim terrorists.” The goal of these terrorists was clearly stated by Abu Mus’ab Al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al-Qaida in Iraq, who was killed by an American bomb. He said, “Killing the infidels is our religion, slaughtering them is our religion, until they convert to Islam or pay us tribute.” Infidels are defined as Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and other Muslims with whom they disagree on religious issues.  

We are no better and no worse than any other religious or ethnic group. All we ask for is equality, to be judged as individuals, and that the State of Israel be treated fairly in the council of nations—the U.N.

Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch can be heard every Friday at 6 p.m. on Bloomberg Radio.