Thread by @SharkawyMD

Want to know something? Some of my dearest, trusted colleagues, the ones I confide in in my moments of greatest distress, the ones with whom I share the best camaraderie & have the most in common...are Jewish. They embody the essence of the word "mensch" 1/

When I trained many years ago at (what was) Mt Sinai Hospital as a medical resident, many patients thought I was Jewish. At first glance, I looked it. After a few of my silly jabs in Yiddish, even I wondered if I was Abdu or Avram? 😉 2/

I marvel at how many words in Arabic & Hebrew have such striking similarity. Some, like "Shabbath" for Saturday (Sabt) are less colorful in connotation than "meshuganah" (majnoonah) for crazy, intended in playful spirit of jest more than insult/offense 3/

I make a point of recognizing every Jewish high holiday that I can to share a greeting of peace & goodwill with my Jewish friends & colleagues. They share pictures of Seder, Passover. I share mine for Eid. Our families see what we share, how we bond. 4/

When one of my Jewish friends invited me as a "virtual guest" at his pandemic Seder, I was overwhelmed by his graciousness. Not a distant relative or even Jewish. Deeply honored. 5/

There is simply NO acceptable excuse for anti-semitism of any sort just like there is none for Islamophobia. At their core, Judaism & Islam are far more alike than different. If it's not "kosher", it's probably not "halal" either. So try. Try again. 6/

I say this today because my heart aches with too much grief as I witness a world descending further into tribalism, racial injustice & xenophobia with each hate-filled tragedy that visits itself upon us. It cannot go on unchallenged. 7/

I'll end with a plea for hope, healing, & a humanity that builds bridges not fences. Who wants to kibbitz, kvetch, kvell with the klutz who penned this? I'll gladly be that meshuggah if I gain another mensch. Shalom & Salaam. 8/End