Being Jew'ish: My First-Ever Speech at a Political Rally

We had an anti-Hamas rally here at Indiana U. last spring, a couple of blocks down from the pro-Hamas encampment. I just now finished writing up the story. That’s not me in Jeremy Hogan’s photo, by the way— it’s Rabbi Levi.¹

Before the anti-Hamas rally, I’d thought seriously about getting arrested with the Pro-Hamas protesters who’d set up shop down the street, to underline the point that even someone who is pro-Israel should support the right to protest under the rules in place at Indiana University. President Whitten broke those rules and arrested people a couple of times. I visited the pro-Hamas encampment to scope things out, and I discussed getting arrested with some of the faculty, but the Administration stopped arresting people, so it came to nothing. I talked about that in a previous Ras-Stack. I did go to one of the anti-Whitten rallies, but it was uneventful.

I went to the anti-Hamas rally intending to simultaneously sit and watch a zoom seminar on my laptop— economist Tyler Cowen talking about artificial intelligence— but I ran into wireless problems and gave up. That’s just as well, since it prompted me to get more involved. Two rabbis spoke (the Hillel lady and the Chabad House man), three students, and me. I hadn’t planned on speaking, but I had an idea for something to say that would be encouraging and entertaining, inspired by Rabbi Levi. I passed a note to the rally’s organizer asking if he’d like me to come up and say something along these lines of my idea, and he invited me to be the last speaker. So at age 65, I finally have spoken at a rally. Here is my recollection of what I said.

Hello folks, glad to see you here. I'm a retired professor of economics, Eric Rasmusen, from the business school. I'm not Jewish, but I am pro-Israel. 

I really liked Rabbi Levi's t-shirt. He’s over there (pointing), if you want to look at it again. It says, "I love being Jewish." I can't wear that t-shirt, but I feel like ordering one saying, "I'd love being Jewish, but I'm not, I'm Norwegian" (much laughter).

It's hard being different. And it’s a little scary these days. It's scary to come to a rally too, so I'm glad you did. It's safe today, but some time in the future, you might get arrested or something. If so, be proud of that, if you've done nothing wrong. Don't worry. There are lots of people who will help you if there’s trouble. Be proud to be Jewish. Even though I’m not, I want to stand with you in solidarity. I'm wearing my Rural King cap now, because in Indiana it’s good to show that the kind of people who wear Rural King caps are on Israel’s side. But I went online a couple of days ago and bought a yarmulke (pulling it out), and I won't mind if I wear it and people think I'm Jewish. Though I don't really know how to wear it right (I took off the Rural King hat and put on the yarmulke, awkwardly, again provoking laughter).

Rabbi Levi, what is it you told us to say in your speech? “Something Yisrael Something”? 

(“Am Yisrael Chai,” he said after a moment, surprised that I’d picked him out of the crowd and asked him a question.)

OK, let’s say it again:

(I led a chant of about three of “Am Yisrael Chai! Am Yisrael Chai!” and stepped down).

It was fun. I'm happy that I wasn’t mentioned in any news write-up. I did appear in a photo, though. Can you guess which one is me?

Footnotes

1. I emailed Mr. Hogan for permission to use his photos, which he gave me for free. He is the owner, editor, reporter, photographer, and typesetter for The Bloomingtonian, a position much like that of Dutton Peabody in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. To sponsor him, contact him at jeremy@bloomingtonian.com or subscribe at Patreon. The Bloomingtonian is free, and everybody in town ought to subscribe (for free or with payment). I think he represents the wave of the future in journalism.