Skullcaps 'n' Switchblades by David Lazerson

Author:David Lazerson [Lazerson, Dr. David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626752917
Publisher: BookBaby

24

Go Help Your People

A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE, known as Big Mo, started a Jewish Defense League, (JDL), chapter in Buffalo. Big Mo, now known as the wild, crazy, hard-working Rabbi Mordy Siev, currently works at Ascent, located in beautiful Tzfat, Israel. I've done some concerts and Shabbatons for him in the past, especially when he was running a Chabad House a bit closer to home at a university in Pennsylvania. He does incredible "kiruv work," with his students, (helping others get closer to the Torah). Most are not used to a rabbi who puts on Rabbeinu Tam tefillin in the morning, (special phylacteries usually worn by Chassidim), then throws bodies around on a football field in the afternoon. (Big Mo was known as The Enforcer on his college ice hockey team).

Big Mo once told me the secret of his success with university students. "It's simple," he said. "First, I explain the reasons and the beauty involved in fulfilling the commandments of the Torah. If they still refuse, I take 'em in the corner and work 'em over!"

The word "big" in his nickname is a direct reference to his 6'3" 280-pound, nose-tackle body. It also refers to his attitude. When it comes to his Jewish identity, he don't take nothin' from nobody!

On numerous occasions, I've seen Big Mo in action. Once, Big Mo and two friends were walking back to the dorms. They were obviously Jewish and they were wearing their yarmulkas. A car with three college students drove by.

As the car passed by, one guy shouted out, "Turn on the gas chambers."

Big Mo and company ran after the car and caught up with it in a parking lot.

After their initial surprise, Big Mo said, "What you said before, I want you to say to my face now!"

They panicked and begged for mercy. Big Mo broke off the car's antenna and proceeded to carve a Jewish star on the hood.

"Here's something to remember me by," he said.

Another time, I saw him battle four guys in the middle of Main Street on a Friday night. They had made the mistake of shouting a rather unpleasant remark about Jews in Big Mo's direction. Here, too, he chased and caught up with their car at a traffic light.

Both of us were actively involved in anti-cult work on campus. While I disagreed with many of the violent methods of the JDL, I was immensely pleased about the growing number of young proud Jews, even in Buffalo, New York.

Every couple of years, Rabbi Meir Kahane, former head of the national JDL and former Knesset member in Israel, gave a speech in Buffalo. His appearances were always controversial and usually frequented by hecklers of all persuasions, including university students and Arabs. It was not only a learning experience, but quite entertaining as Kahane made mince meat of his opposition. He usually did it with clear, level-headed answers, quite in contrast to the people who were yelling hot-headed emotionality at him. Since Big Mo had been instrumental

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