19.04.2005 ANTI-SEMITISM IN KARELIA

Most of Jews usually try to do fine for thremselves what anti-Semitism is, just some hatred of them or something else, lying deeper. When do they ask such a poser? When they openly face some signs of it.There are quite many Jews in Karelia, especially in such centres as Petrozavodsk and Kondopoga. So there is a certain basis for anti-Semitism. For example, about a year ago our jewish cemetery situated in the city centre (Petrozavodsk) was defiled and some graves and the arch were painted with swastika. It caused reaction and row in the jewish organisations of our city and in the general department of Saint-Petersburg. Jews have got used to different signs of anti-Semitism, but it was an unprecendented case. The members of the Jewish community had done a lot for the restoring of the neglected cemetery, some american and german organisations invested money for those aims. Jews usually draw together at the cemetery on such days as the ninth Ava, the day of the national jewish mourning (in memory of the two temples that were ruined). Fortunately, neither hesed nor our synagogue were touched.
Our republic has the level of anti-Semitism not much higher than in other regions. There are several pro-Nazi organisations in our city which propagandize such sentiments and can take the responsibility of those actions, because such behaviour is common for them. They also issue some literature and newspapers based on their ideology. The most popular organisation is the Russian National Unity which, for example, spoils walls of buildings with such notes as «Jews should leave Russia», «Jews-go away», «Kill the Jews and save Russia». But our society confims that there is no governmental anti-Semitism and there is just a group of people who behave so. And there is just every small flock that has not a black sheep. But Jews wish the government was less loyal towards open fascism and react and take measures on awful escapades.
We know that agressive-oriented rabble exists in all other countries with democratic traditions such as France, the USA. But now with the growth of Jewish communities Jews feel safer and more defended. But the real roots of anti-Semitism are much deeper than we can imagine. They are in the up-bringing of children whose surroundings, especially family atmosphere and society, on the whole, influence them greatly. In general both intelligent and educated people and children, who haven ? t formed their drive yet, show their negative attitude to Jews. Nobody rebuffs both of them and that`s the problem. In our city youngsters are recruited and zombied, they take drugs and behave violently. Some of them are skin-heads. And in most cases their behaviour passes unnoticed. Now when somebody allows himself or herself some saying against Jews, other take it easy as if it ? s not the issue.
There are few ways to struggle against anti-Jewish sentiment, but first of all, all pro-Nazi and radical organisations should be abolished immediately, only by some cordinal steps something can be either changed or solved.
Natasha Ghin