Rick goes back with me to those days when journalism was an honorable profession, which it is no more, especially in terms of antisemitism.
He says, “Is it really that bad?”
We had both worked as newspapermen for competing newspapers. We were friends. The topic of religion never came up.
He was Catholic. I was Jewish. So what?
Been years since we’d been in touch, until he phoned.
“Jack,” he says. “i came across your latest work, Writings, that collection of your latest op-eds, and gotta say, you’ve still got that light touch.”
“Thanks.”
I was truly thankful, because from Rick you never knew.
He says, “Your piece on Esther Williams is a real charmer, first of all because it is so good, and second because it is not political.”
I knew sooner or later we would come to this. In the past, we usually squared off on hockey and horse racing.
My Forego for his Secretariat. My Rocket Richard over his Gordie Howe. Terry Sawchuk? No, Bernie Parent; led the Flyers to two Stanley Cups.
More important, he once treated me to the best steak I ever had.
Those were the days.
These days?
“Jack,” Rick says, ‘’why all this talk about antisemitism?”
“Because it’s out there.”
“But most of the hand-wringing is coming from Jews.”
“As well it should, Rick.”
‘’I disagree. I think you guys are taking this too far. I mean you are making an issue where there is no issue.’’
I was stunned to hear this. Rick is not and never has been an antisemite. So something else is bothering him.
“Granted,” he says, “that antisemitism has always been around, that, as you write, it is the way of the world…so why treat it as if the sky is falling?”
“But it is, Rick.’
“No, it isn’t, Jack.’
“Are you familiar with Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and this new kid on the block, Nick Fuentes?”
“But why raise an alarm every time they dish the dirt? Why pay them attention?”
“Because if we do not raise an alarm, they spread. We have to keep fighting back. Silence does not work, Rick.”
“Okay, but remember, you also have friends at home and out there in the big world.”
“Sometimes it is hard to believe this.”
“Cheers old buddy. Better days are coming, even for the Eagles.”
Now available, a collection of Jack Engelhard’s op-eds, “Writings.”
Jack Engelhard writes a regular column for Arutz Sheva. Engelhard wrote the int’l bestseller Indecent Proposal that was translated into more than 22 languages and turned into a Paramount motion picture starring Robert Redford and Demi Moore. New from the novelist, the anti-BDS thriller Compulsive. Website: www.jackengelhard.com
From the esteemed John w. Cassell: “Jack Engelhard is a writer without peer, and the. conscience of us all.”