Late this afternoon, members of Chicago’s Jewish Community celebrated the seventh night of Hanukah while also figuratively shining the shamash on the crisis unfolding in Gaza. Presumably many of the participants are members of IfNotNow, Never Again Action, Jewish Voice for Peace, and other Jewish groups calling for a cease fire, demanding that restrictions on humanitarian aid end, and urging President Biden to deny Israel additional U.S. funding.

Several speakers were associated with Tzedek Chicago, an organization seeking,

a universalist Jewish identity – one that seeks a greater engagement in the world around us. Within our congregation, we view our diversity as our strength. Membership is not restricted to Jews or those who are partnered with Jews; our community welcomes all who share our values.

I assume it organized the rally, which was held on the sidewalk immediately adjacent to Daley Plaza—currently the site of Chicago’s Christkindmarket. Logistically, Federal Plaza would have made more sense because with the exception of some intrepid skateboarders, it is largely vacant during December afternoons and evenings, but the organizers likely chose Daley Plaza because the City’s ceremonial menorah is located there.

At several junctures during the program, the demonstrators repeated the now familiar slogans, which often sound strident when chanted by large groups, but these demonstrators exuded warmth and joy while standing as a unified family.

The kids were enthusiastic and playful; cantor Adam Gottlieb led the group in song; and Rabbi Brant Rosen offered his thoughts, as well as a prayer. Several speakers addressed the situation in Gaza, including one woman from ‘Jewish Fast for Gaza.’ Until the situation in Gaza resolves itself, members of this group will fast on Sundays, symbolically demonstrating their affinity for the many in Gaza who are deprived of food daily due to the blockade that has created the current humanitarian crisis.

After 35 minutes, Rabbi Rosen announced that the group would march to Boeing’s corporate offices on the west side of the river. After last Friday’s pro-Palestinian rally outside those offices, 100 North Riverside Plaza apparently is becoming a go-to site for demonstrations against the war in Gaza.

Interestingly, last Friday, the police required the demonstrators to stand on the southside of Washington, positioning them across the street from Boeing’s offices. Tonight, the police permitted the demonstrators to line the sidewalk at the foot of the steps leading up to the entranceway to Boeing’s officers. The bicycle cops, however, did deny the demonstrators access to the elevated plaza in front of the entranceway, using their bikes and bodies as physical barriers. While precaution was understandable, the group did not pose any visible threat.

I needed to be somewhere else at 6:00 PM, so I only stayed for two or three speeches. No new ground was covered, with the speakers focusing on Boeing’s role in supplying munitions to Israel.

As is often the case, I was struck by the kids holding signs and singing. I still have not determined whether it is appropriate to bring young kids to demonstrations; for me, the answer remains elusive. On the one hand, the parents deserve commendation for instilling in their children the importance of civic engagement. On the other, I question whether a young child can hold a reasoned viewpoint. Were these kids simply parroting their parents’ viewpoints? Are they props?

As someone who was subjected to attempted parental indoctrination, I am sensitive to kid autonomy. Parents must strike a balance between inculcating their children with values and beliefs that the parents hold sacrosanct, while simultaneously providing their children with the resources necessary to question those values and beliefs. It is a difficult balance to strike, particularly for parents who hold strong opinions.

As Aristotle pointed out more than 2,000 years ago in Nicomachean Ethics, justice is one of several core virtues—one that each person must address if he or she is to live a fulfilling life. In the war between Israel and Hamas, one side believes justice warrants Israel’s fierce response to Hamas’ October 7th attack, while the other believes justice requires Israel to recognize the Palestinian people’s autonomy and humanity.

Nobody can fault a parent who teaches a son or daughter the tenants of justice as a virtue worth pursuing. The question is whether the child has been given sufficient facts and historical background to reach his or her own conclusion as to which of the competing viewpoints represents the just one.

Despite my ongoing concerns and uncertainty when it comes to striking an appropriate balance, all the kids seemed to be enjoying themselves on Hanukah’s seventh night. Undoubtedly, some were eagerly anticipating the festive dinner and presents that awaited them when they arrived home. In the meantime, they received a lesson in civic engagement, which probably undoubtedly outlast all the other presents, making it the best of all.

[Post Script: I ran into a fellow photographer at a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Saturday, December 16, 2023. He asked why I left Thursday night’s demonstration early, informing me that 13 demonstrators had been arrested when they blocked the bridge just east of Boeing’s offices. According to him, this act of civil disobedience was a peaceful one, with no tear gas or resistance.]

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