Addressing Stoudemire About His Antisemitism

Dear Amar’e Stoudemire,

I address you with a heavy heart, one that is filled with deep sadness and concern. The Torah teaches us that we must rebuke those who go astray from the path of righteousness, and it is with this in mind that I reach out to you today. You have strayed from the derech, and it is my duty to help guide you back to the true path of Torah and Judaism.

Your recent statements about Judaism and Jewish identity are not only misguided but also deeply offensive. Your willingness to align yourself with those who accuse Jews of being associated with the “synagogue of Satan” is a complete distortion of Jewish tradition and history. Your comments about Jesus Christ as the Messiah demonstrate a lack of understanding and respect for Jewish beliefs and traditions. As Jews, we do not recognize Jesus as our Messiah, and your statements suggest a willingness to undermine and dismiss centuries of Jewish thought and scholarship.

It is written in the Torah that we must love our neighbors as ourselves, and this includes those who are not of our faith. However, we must also be steadfast in our commitment to the truth and our obligation to uphold the principles of Judaism. The Torah commands us to be a light unto the nations, to show the world the way of Hashem, and it is only by living according to these values that we can truly fulfill this mission.

The Torah also teaches us that we are responsible for one another, and it is with this in mind that I urge you to reconsider your statements and to seek out accurate information about Judaism and Jewish identity. We need allies who will stand with us against hatred and bigotry, not those who will perpetuate harmful myths and falsehoods.

It is not enough to simply say that you are Jewish, my friend. You must live as a Jew, with all of the responsibilities and obligations that come with that identity. You must learn Torah, observe the mitzvos, and strive to be a mensch in all aspects of your life. This is the path that has sustained us as a people for thousands of years, and it is the only path that can lead us forward into a bright and hopeful future.

I implore you to return to the derech, to come back to the fold of Torah and Judaism. Let us work together to build a world that is guided by the principles of justice, compassion, and kindness. May Hashem guide you on your journey, and may you find the strength and courage to return to the true path of Torah and Jewish identity.