Metropolitan Opera auditorium. Photo: Wikipedia.

On October 21, 1985, before a crowded sanctuary of mourners at the funeral of Leon Klinghoffer in Manhattan, Rabbi Harvey Tattlebaum spoke of his murder as a “Holocaust of one.” He also spoke about the need to fight against the disease of terrorism and against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The next speaker, a childhood friend of Klinghoffer, arose and stated that the “death of this one man shattered the lie of the PLO.”

Twenty-nine years later the fight against the PLO and its lies continues.

The Metropolitan Opera production of The Death of Klinghoffer is now murdering the memory of Klinghoffer by spreading lies and distortions about Israel in his name.

As “The Death of Klinghoffer” opens on October 20, some will attend the production to be entertained by scenes that will glorify genocidal acts of Arab terrorists, but others will also gather to protest and remind the world of the need to fight the threat of terrorism. The advertisement for the upcoming protest states, “We are all Leon Klinghoffer.” Indeed, the forces of radical Islamic terror threaten us all.

By attending the protest, the world will be reminded that there is not an open license for art that glorifies terror, that there are limitations. Would these people attend an opera defending Klansmen who lynched African Americans in the old Jim Crow South? Certainly not! But attacking the very existence of a nation by giving credence to the lies of its enemies is open game.

The Death of Klinghoffer is another example of capitulation to political correctness – of not identifying the perpetrator out of the fear of offending. The Murder of Klinghoffer demonstrates a loss of moral clarity.

Jewish day schools: join the protest! Show your students by deed how to stand up for Am Yisrael. Congregational rabbis: pick up the mantle and lead your congregations in protest to the Met.

On October 20, come to the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center on West 65th Street at 6:00 p.m. and pay homage to the memory of Leon Klinghoffer. Awake the slumberers from their sleep. Be a light unto the nations and speak truth to power. Show other freedom loving people that there can be no capitulation in the fight against forces of evil.

It is not about what others are doing, it is about you. It’s about your participation. Your voice counts. Where will you be on October 20? Be at the Met and make your voice heard against this travesty.