The phrase "Never Again" was coined initially to refer only to the Shoah--& to emphasize its biggest lesson (the biggest lesson from all Jewish persecution thru history): self-determination & acute awareness of the threats arrayed against our ppl are necessary for our survival.
Never Again has been co-opted & twisted to refer to a vague universalist 'anti-genocide'-ism. But the real lesson of the Shoah isn't "never again for anyone". That's what any genocide should teach us. The lesson of the Shoah is the *unique* virulence, power, & appeal of Jew-hate.
The lesson of the Shoah is that we can't assume others will protect us. Ppl are fickle, & can turn on us. Never Again means we must take responsibility for our own people's safety first. Once we are whole & self-reliant can we begin to repair the rest of the world.
So what really makes a mockery of "Never Again"? When Jews are expected to bend over backwards to appease ppl who hate us--under the guise of "human rights". When Jews are expected to condemn the existence of the only Jewish state in order to be 'allowed' in 'liberal' spaces.
When only Jews're expected not to put survival of our own tribe, family over others. When we're shamed, vilified for supporting the only state we can trust to prevent a 2nd Shoah. When we're expected to dismiss threats of a 2nd Shoa as bluster, & not prepare for the worst.
As humans, we Jews should *of course* oppose, fight evil dictators & genocides--from Pol Pot to Stalin to Darfur & Rwanda. BUT we mustn't forget that we ourselves may not be safe, & to be completely disengaged from Jewishness/ Israel is exactly what the Shoah warns us against.
We must always remember who we are, & while it is important for each of us to do our part of Tikkun Olam, we can't let vague universalism supplant our obligation to our own. To do so, to assimilate entirely to standard 'social justice' culture, that's being the "good" Jew.
The "good" Jew doesn't make waves or rock the boat. He doesn't demand the same respect he gives to others. He ignores Islamist Jew-hate b/c it might offend others to call it out. He devotes himself completely to the salvation of strangers. He obediently "checks his privilege."
I'm not a "good" Jew. I will reject injustice where I see it, but I won't allow others to pressure me into abnegating my Zionism--my Jewish identity. I will not absolve Jew-haters of responsibility--even if they are of "victim" demographics. I will not "check my white privilege."
I will be proud of my heritage and my tribe. I will not cover my Jewishness for the sake of others' sensibilities. I will love myself and my people even when we screw up. I will not be embarrassed by who we are.
