2024 Columbia University, NYC is 1938 Nazi Vienna University, Austria

We couldn’t believe it happened there (1938).

Then, it was followed by the Holocaust.

The church did not speak out for the Jews.

It’s shocking that it is happening here (2024).

Now, what will it be followed by?

Remember this poem by Martin Niemoller? It was a popular poster in my college years.

It was written by Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) a German Lutheran theologian and pastor. A conservative who initially voted for Hitler, Niemoller openly criticized Hitler once he came to power for his interference in Protestant church workings, and subsequently, spent seven years in Nazi concentration camps.

The quotation expresses Niemöller’s belief that German Protestant church leaders (Lutheran, Reformed, United) had been complicit by their very silence in the imprisonment, persecution, and murder of millions of Jews before and during the Holocaust.

The Poem: “First They Came”

“First, they came for the communists, but I did not speak out – because I was not a communist.

Then they came for the socialists, but I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, but I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, but I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out for me."

Will the mainline church speak out for the Jews now, or in their silence be complicit in what follows?

Purpose Statement https://www.israelipalestinianprimer.com/