As I wrap up a perfectly lovely and loving Father’s Day, my children are nowhere nearby but I have had wonderful phone conversations and know that they are well.

Before I can put this day to bed, I feel compelled to comment on the terrible coincidence of Father’s Day and the horrors unfolding at our borders. As the Trump administration pursues its zero-tolerance policy toward illegal border crossings, 2000 terrified children have been torn away from the arms of their parents.

A bit of bible, since our Attorney General thinks that’s a good way to justify thuggery. It was only last week that we read (in parashat Sh’lakh L’kha, Num 14:18) how God will visit the sins of the parents upon their children. I suppose I can understand how some might (arrogantly and insolently) believe they are God’s representatives on earth and therefore empowered to go after someone’s kids. But I know of no religious tradition that wouldn’t do everything it can to AVOID having children suffer for a parent’s actions. Judaism interprets the verse above as meaning that “sin” serves as a metaphor for a parent’s values — these are what will be transmitted to the next generations, and if our values are “sinful” (ie, mean and hurtful), that’s how a parent’s sins are visited upon their children.

We Americans need to be very careful what we’re teaching our children right now.

The terrible policies this administration has unleashed on innocent children must end, and soon. Not one but two populations of children are at risk: immigrant children whose parents only want to reach the safety of American shores, and our own children who are watching these events and who, if we’re not careful, will think that this is how Americans are supposed to behave.

As the sun sets on this Father’s Day, let us act quickly to restore justice and compassion to our national policies, so that no more children are taken from their parents, and our own children’s children will not have to suffer the sinful actions of their parents and grandparents.

Billy

P.S. You can take action online through the Religious Action Center.