Today is Yom HaShoah, Israeli Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day I remember those who were murdered and those who fought and died so I could have a homeland. I honored the day by confronting terrorists.
There was an encampment at the university. This was billed as free speech. The First Amendment is not now and never was absolute. You can’t yet fire in a crowded theater. But you can call for the genocide of Jews and the obliteration of Israel, my homeland. That’s perfectly acceptable.
I went to take photos to send to the FBI. Depending on how much walking I need to do, and I needed to do a lot, I have to use a walker. The terrorists called the police. And that’s the extent of the details I can talk about because of the possibility of criminal charges. I had hoped the officer would accept my passport as my ID. My passport has my post office box address rather than my home address. Unfortunately, he asked for my license which has my home address. Never have I been so glad to be living next door to the sheriff. I’ve sent her an email explaining the situation and saying there might be a problem if the terrorists get my home address. That’s not supposed to happen, but life doesn’t always go according to the script. I’ve told Jim to call 911 immediately if he sees anyone he doesn’t recognize around the house. I’ve got security cameras on the front, back and side of the house.
When my great-great-grandparents along with my 10-month-old great-grandmother left Europe, they came disguised as German Lutherans. They were Polish Jews. My grandmother, who thought she was a German Lutheran, was taught never to do anything that would make people think she was Jewish. I was always horrified by that.
Today, to my shame, I hid. I wore nothing, said nothing, and did nothing to make the terrorists think I’m Jewish. Because I hid, I’m home scared rather than in the hospital wondering what my insurance will cover.
Am Yisrael Chai! The people of Israel live.
Deb's Art 
I completely understand why you did not identify yourself. And I am appalled at the America I believed in falling apart in all sorts of ways. I am sorry for your distress and apologize for my fellow citizens who behave in such terrifying ways. 60 years ago I was in Boston and had a Chinese friend visit me to study in a tiny apartment in what was then called Little Italy. I was told never to do that again or he would not make it back to the subway next time. Terrifying then and terrifying now when you have no real defense against the bullies.
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Even worse when the campus police won’t investigate hate crimes. Now that there’s a police report, the terrorists can access it. Once they have my name, all they need to do is look up the voter registration records and they will have my home address.
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