If not me, who? And If not now, when?

If not me, who? And If not now, when?

By Eli Mogil

I have always been a proud Jew, but didn’t need to “do much” publicly to demonstrate it. While anti-semitism no doubt lurked in our society, it is only most recently that “doing something” feels more necessary than ever. As Rabbi Splansky mentioned last month when I was given an Aliyah, I’ve been honoured to be the pro bono lawyer representing UJA in its case against the bus companies involved in the December Ottawa rally. Most of you know the story: lots of buses rented, lots of Jews going, many buses didn’t arrive, just as had happened s at the Washington DC Rally. People were upset. I was one of them. But being upset wasn’t going to get us anywhere (literally it wasn’t going to make buses appear, and figuratively it was insufficient to register our opposition to what sure seemed like a blatant act of antisemitism).

Here was a chance to “do something” using my skill set – law – to help combat antisemitism and communicate to the public “enough.” While I can’t get into the details of the case as yet, rest assured, I’m on it.  I am not special, but I have one skill that can be deployed. No doubt, many of you have your areas of expertise and networks; public relations, art, community membership, medicine, technology, music, writing, and teaching. Yes, I admit to have worried for a moment about what it might do to my career as the case got some well-earned publicity (what if I have a client or colleague on “the other side”?). But, it turns out we have more support than you might think; people from all walks of life have supported this case and are outraged by what happened.  Even if it pushed some unknown potential client away, so be it.  I encourage you to use your political, professional and social capital now. That’s why you’ve earned that capital – to use it.  Because, as Hillel said, “If not me, who? And If not now, when?”