Year Zero will be when Jews outside Israel will be trapped

The phrase, 'Year Zero', refers to one moment in time--a specific year--when a set of events change everything. 1917 could have been such a year, for that was when the Russian Revolution brought to the world the oppressive scourge we now call 'Communism'. 1860 could have been another such year, as that was when the war over slavery in the US began in earnest. That war changed everything in America.

1776, when American colonies declared their independence from England, was another 'Year Zero'. That year changed also 'changed everything'.

1939, when Nazi Germany invaded Poland, was another 'Year Zero'. That attack changed everything, especially for Europe's Jews.

You can build a parlor game,  called 'Year Zero'. Participants could be challenged to identify their own choice for a 'Year Zero'--for their own lives, or for their families or country.

A 'Year Zero' is distinctive. It's when life, as we know it, changes dramatically. It's a moment when new realities shatter the life-order we had come to know. While a 'Year Zero' is not necessarily a moment that brings change through some kind of violence, that's how we typically think of a 'Year Zero', for it is unwanted violence that shoves extraordinary change down our collective throats. 

The Jews of Twentieth Century Europe had their own 'Year Zero'. That  might have been 1935, when Germany's Nuremberg Laws were passed, essentially stripping Germany's Jews of their citizenship--and the right to vote, along with other rights and benefits. For Germany's Jews, that was the beginning of 'and everything changed'. 

Perhaps 1935 in Poland was another 'Year Zero' for Jews, this time in Poland. 1935 might be the year when physical, violent attacks against Jews increased in number and intensity. 

Today, a 'Year Zero' could begin anywhere in the world, for any country or any people. It could begin in France with the election of an anti-Semitic regime to high office. It could begin in America with--some say--the election of a radical Democrat President in the November, 2020 national election. It could begin in Britain with new laws that, perhaps, bring Sharia law to the UK. 

Each of these changes could be a 'Year Zero'--a time when  everything changes.

For Jews in Western countries, a 'Year Zero' could begin with a Court ruling that Jewish day schools and Yeshivot that teach only Jewish children are henceforth illegal because such facilities do not represent 'equality'. A 'Year Zero' for Jews in any Western country could begin with wide-spread, explosive riots that turn on Jewish businesses, homes, neighborhoods and Jewish wealth.

Sound impossible?  If you think so, you haven't been keeping up with news coming out of Europe and North America.

A 'Year Zero' for Jews could mean finding yourself (a Jew) being trapped in a hostile political environment where those with power (either nationally or locally) aim to commit evil against 'the Jews'. Worse, wherever a 'Year Zero' dawns, it will dawn with little fanfare. Jews won't get advanced notice about it in text messages or a whatsapp. They'll have little-to-no time to escape or to prepare for escape. 

Can you name a group or two in your own country which wouldn't hesitate to attack Jews if given the opportunity? Do you think such groups exist in your own city?  Do you know if they exist in your own  city? Have they already attacked--or inspired someone else to an attack?

If, for Jews, the proverbial '#^** hits the fan', will there be time to escape? Or, as has happened recently around the world, would there exist at that very moment--when an escape route should open but can't because--a nation-wide lock-down is in force because of a pandemic--or rioting? What happens to Jews then?

You'll have no escape. You'll be trapped. 

The only 'good' news with a 'Year Zero'--if there is one in your future--is this: before a 'Year Zero' actually happens, Jews (almost) always see signs of it. You'll see increases in physical violence against Jews. You'll see increases in various forms of verbal, social, job-site and intellectual "troubles" perpetrated against Jews. Your children will see an explosion of raw,  disgusting, hate-filled tweets on social media. They may not tell you about what they see, but they'll see it.

This represents 'good' news because it signals what may lie ahead. Those 'signals' might give you time to get out--if, that is, you heed the warning signs. 

Unfortunately, the history  of 'Year Zeroes' hasn't been kind to Jews. Jews have almost always been asleep when a 'Year Zero' strikes. Few heeded the signals. Few escaped. 

That's how a 'Year Zero' has presented itself to Jews in the past. It's also how it will present to Jews in the future--with clues building slowly, providing signs, warnings and hints that whisper to you to pick up, pack up and leave. 

Look around. How good is Jewish life today in your country? How good was it fifteen years ago? By comparison, how good is Jewish life now in your country? Are you safer now than fifteen years ago? 

I cannot predict that you are destined to see a Jewish 'Year Zero' in your future.  But you can answer three questions: 

-Can you see what swirls around you? 

-Can you see the clues that assault your senses almost every week or  month--the hints of anti-Semitism? 

-Do you know that, in 2018, there was a worldwide surge of anti-Semitism that has many Jews "concerned" (here)?; Are you concerned?

Keep looking around. Do you know what's happening to your Jewish children on America's college campuses (here)? Do you know what's happening on Britain's college campuses (here)--or on France's campuses (here)?

Do you see what's been happening to Jews, synagogues  and Jewish property in Los Angeles (here), Portland (here here), Seattle (here), New York (here) and Chicago (here, here) --or in cities in the United Kingdom (here) and France (here, here)? 

If you're like most Jews who live outside Israel, you--or someone you love--may be clueless about the hate around you. You--or someone you love--may simply not know what you (s/he) don't (doesn't) know about anti-Semitism. Or, if you do know, have you chosen to ignore it? 

'Year Zero' is real. It creeps towards you (here). When, or if, a 'Year Zero' strikes your country, will you be caught flat-footed--or will you have already joined your people in Israel and become one with us?

It's your call. It's your future. It's your life.