I don’t normally write pieces like this, but then again, Stuart Perelmuter isn’t a normal person—and I mean that as a compliment.
Let me back up for a moment.
Anyone who follows my work knows my commitment to universal human rights is absolute. Whether its in countering the systemic violence men are committing against women, the anti-immigrant rhetoric dominating our political discourse, the cruel and backwards ~600 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation proposed in the last year alone, the systemic racial injustices in our criminal justice system targeting Black and brown communities, or combatting the hatred towards Jewish and Muslim communities—I do not mince words when calling out these injustices.
Human rights do not come with an asterisk.
Recently my friend Stuart took an opportunity to address his congregation at his Synagogue on the topic of Israel and Palestine. I share his example not as an isolated circumstance, but of a narrative I’ve seen repeatedly from Jewish voices standing up against the injustices of the Israeli government. But, sadly, a narrative denied in corporate media too often. Unfortunately, messages of unity don’t drive clicks.
I’m here to help change that.
So, I requested Stuart’s permission to share his remarks above, because I believe more people need to hear him. Stuart shares the pain and suffering imposed upon Jews in the Holocaust, and draw parallels to Palestinian pain and suffering in Gaza. He does so not to ‘compare scars,’ but to exemplify the shared humanity we all have—Jewish or Palestinian, Black, brown, or white. His words come from a place of deep pain and deep love of all humanity. His remarks are full of pain, but also of hope. They’re a reminder of humanity in an inhumane time, and a lesson for anyone willing to listen. And this is why I hope you take a moment to listen.
We can do better as humanity. We must be better as humanity. And we will do better as humanity—as long as we stand up for one another regardless of faith, color, or creed.
Returning to my comment about what it means to be ‘normal’ this day in age. Here’s the thing—the “norms” of society is what has gotten us into this mess. The norms of access journalism. The norms of throwing some marginalized community under the bus for political or media gain. The normals of transactional humanity.
To hell with these dehumanizing norms.
It is far past time to discard those destructive norms, and instead build a new unapologetic vision of universal human rights. One in which no community is left behind, and every person’s inherent humanity is cherished and protected. And that new normal is what Stuart exemplifies with his comments and leadership. So yes, he is not normal by what is currently accepted as normal—because he demands that new vision of unapologetic universal humanity. Indeed, none of us should allow the current normalization of the atrocities we’re witnessing in real time.
As a final thought, I often think about this fact: Islam and Judaism both share the beautiful teaching that “to save one life is to save all humanity.” What a beautiful and unifying message. My gratitude to Stuart for courageously speaking up as a Jewish person for his Palestinian siblings in humanity. Leadership matters, and Stuart exemplifies it every single day. May we continue the journey to collectively speak up for all humanity without any asterisks—as that is the truest path to save all humanity.
Qasim Rashid is a human rights attorney, author, and host of Let’s Address This — a platform dedicated to human rights, accountability, and the justice our society demands. Subscribe, share, and let’s remain relentless in our mission for a more perfect Union.
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