Jerusalem – Representatives of the Amish community from the United States and Switzerland paid a visit to the Western Wall on Saturday night, during which they asked the forgiveness of the Jewish people over their group’s silence during the Nazi’s extermination of Jews during the Holocaust.
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Part of what made the visit so special is the fact that Amish, a split-off from the Mennonite Church who largely reject modern technology, do not normally use contemporary transportation forms such as the aircraft on which they made the journey to the Holy Land.
According to an announcement issued by the office of Rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites Shmuel Rabinovitch, with whom the group met, the Amish delegates saw a great importance in coming to Israel and expressing their contrition, as well as declaring their unreserved support of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
The delegation members stressed that they are neither seeking any kind of gesture from the Jewish people nor to proselytize, only to support Israel for the simple reason that they haven’t in the past.
Rabinovitz was presented various tokens at a ceremony in the Hassmonean chamber, including a parchment with the request of forgiveness in the name of the entire Amish community. The Amish representatives also gave a commitment that from this time on, they will loudly voice their support of the Jewish people, especially in the wake of the expressions of hatred by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinjad and his extensions.
The delegation left Israel on Sunday.
so where were they until now?
The amish are really nice and generous people they live like in the 18 century but they respect and they are friendly to everyone.
The Amish are incredible people as are the Mennonites. There is a large Mennonite community where I live and they are wonderful neighbors. They are extremely industrious and most are very successful. As a group they contribute amazingly large amounts of money to the general community as well as to their own causes. The Mennonite Central Council (similar to the Jewish Federation) is a worldwide organization and they are always amongst the first groups to arrive at worldwide disaster areas – with shiploads and semitrailers full of needed supplies. They provide medical aid as well – often they and the Israelis are the first medical aid at the scene. I would not fault them for not speaking up until now, even though they have been subjected to terrible religious persecution throughout the years.
I feel much better now.
This is a moving moment. The Aimish are generlly detached and insulated from general society. Their decision to publicly identify themselves with the Jewish people and State of Israel is nothing less that earth shattering. May HaShem bless them with all the berachos in his basket of good wishes.
Considering their German origins, I am not certain how I feel about their support of the Jewish people.
As long as they don’t have a hidden agenda ..as the Evangelical Christians do to convert Jews and to see Israel as the path to the return of their claimed messiah JC, their good words of support should be welcomed.
In the movie, the “Frisco Kid” (1979), a Rabbi, who was the victim of a robbery, was aided by Amish people. The Rabbi, who first saw the Amish from a distance, thought that they were Chassidim, and started speaking Yiddish to them.
So when are official American Jewish organizations going to apologize for their silence?
The fact that a big portion of their yearly Income comes from Jewish families visiting their homes and pouring money into their wallets, is not the reason for their apology. We have to be dan likaf zechus all Amalakys that are not proven to drink Jewish blood.
Having the Amish as allies is certainly a huge plus. If Israel is ever attacked, the Amish will step in with the mounted cavalry musket units and newly developed cannons!
That was a really amazing thing to do. ‘Shkoyach to the Amish. I guess guys in black hats with beards should stick together.
While there were individual condemnations of the holocaust by church figures, EVERY church, as an organized institution (e.g. The South Baptist Convention as opposed to individual Baptist preachers), kept mum during the Shoah and have spent the lasr 65 years in a grand display of public denial of there utter disregard for the value of Jewish lives (I would submit that the only value they see in Jewish lives is their potential conversian to their faith).
That being said, I think what the Amish (who have no agenda in missionaizing Jews) did here is salutory. It’s a BIG step for them to admit they were wrong — which christians NEVER do as regards how they have treated Yidden.
Let’s give credit where credit is due.
#24 – You have way too much time on your hands making a case out of another person’s point of view. You seem to thrive on throwing insults and if I am to correct anything I have said, it would be that the one with the hidden agenda is you. I’m not sure what your issues are with me but I do get the whiff of either a self-deprecating Jew or an overt antisemite just looking for a fight. In either case, I have expended more than enough energy in replies and if you wish to continue slinging insults, feel free. Any further comments by you should be viewed by the editors of this fine Jewish site as abuse. Your privilege of commenting should be seriously considered for removal. Zie Gezundt!!!