This is an excellent article and Amir Pars, the writer, exhibits what is so dearly lacking in academia and the media -- a sense of history, proportion and effective critical thinking. Just one error: he wrote that Jews are forbidden from praying at the Wall. The wall is where Jews pray; they are restricted and forbidden from praying atop the Temple Mount.
Yes, I agree on the fine quality of the essay and your Comment. The correction suggested regarding "sto pray at the wall" needs Edited. Also, the paragraph about covid should be deleted.
This is one of the most profoundly enlightening essays you have published so far, Josh. Hopefully the author is sharing his story far and wide on social media (to anti-Semitic sites in particular), on YouTube and elsewhere. His answer to the reasons for anti-Semitism is the most accurate one I have ever heard: It's because Jews exist.
It’s not just that we exist but how our existence is perceived by others. I’m thinking the root of antisemitism is that Jewish existence represents freedom (we have stayed true to our origins and resist religious and national coercion) and coexistence (we do not proselytize or declare war on non-Jews), both of which threaten authoritarianism and religious absolutism, which then enrages the extremists and their supporters.
This externally perceived “stubbornness” and insistence on existing and thriving makes Jews, and by extension, the world’s one tiny Jewish state, “guilty” and a target for envy, hate, suspicion, blame, blood libels, violence, death, destruction. This is our history, but our history also is perseverance, strength, sense of purpose, survival, and making the world a better place on so many levels.
I don’t know how to make the haters not hate, but I do know that we have to see the core of the hate for what it is in order to combat it. Appeasement and self-blame only emboldened the haters and stoke more hate.
As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I heard horrific tales from my father about the antisemitism that claimed his parents, his community and his people. Peter Farago was an atheist, but also a Jew. When I asked him if that was a contradiction, he said, if I am not a Jew, what am I?
Many Holocaust survivors - and their descendants - turned atheist because they couldn't understand how G-d could allow such a horror to befall his so-called "chosen" people. My answer to this as someone who's faced many major challenges in life, is that G-d gave humans free will to do good or evil. Sadly, too many humans choose the latter. It is also true that religious Jews in the concentration camps seemed to suffer less than those who were not religious. Dr. Viktor Frankl, renowned pioneer of "logotherapy", details these observations and his own experiences in the camps in his famous book, "Man's Search for Meaning".
Thank you for sharing your story with us. And you are right that the full and complicated story in this conflicted part of the world is not understood. Amidst the ongoing conflict, one often forgets about the everyday lives of individuals caught in the crossfire. Take, for example, a Jewish mother living in Jerusalem who fears for her children's safety from Hamas attacks.
Yet, amidst this fear, she still expressed her trust and gratitude towards her Palestinian Arab teacher. This same teacher had swiftly led her Jewish students to a bomb shelter during a recent attack. But other stories go untold, like that of Alaa Amara, an Israeli Arab shop owner from Taibe. Despite facing discrimination and backlash from his own community for helping Jewish children affected by a violent Hamas strike on their border communities, he generously donated 50 bicycles to them.
Sadly, his noble actions did not go unnoticed, as his store was set on fire just days later by extremist Israeli Arab adolescents. However, amidst the darkness, there is still hope and solidarity as a successful crowdfunding campaign in both Hebrew and English raised over $200,000 within days to help him rebuild his damaged store. These are just a few examples among many of the complex realities and untold stories in this conflicted region.
And I, a Jew, used to be a racist. I grew up in a racist society (in Providence, RI). I lost my racism through simple exposure to Black people. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make you see the light. As a Jew, I always try to be friend, an example to antisemites (when possible). It's worked at least once. Thank God.
Wow! Thank you for this incredibly powerful article. You have put into words the problem facing the Jewish people today. The creation of this irrational fear of Jews and indeed their history that Islam has created. Well done for reaching the conclusion you came too.
Kudos for having been drawn to the truth of the matter, Amir, and thanks for your article’s honesty about your process of arriving there. I wish there were more folks like you out there.
Yes, your explanation is compelling. I, too, have thought it's because Judaism challenges their desire, essentially, to remain barbaric creatures. But it’s more than that. Certainly, early Christian and Muslim leaders did not take it kindly when we Jews refused to embrace theirs as the "one true faith". They hated each other for the same reason. But while they fought each other in numerous wars for religious and territorial dominance throughout history, we Jews were too few to engage in the fight. Eventually, Christianity and Islam retreated to control different parts of the world. All the while, we survived, essentially, by our wits and because of a faith with all the attributes mentioned in your post. We could not be annihilated like the Pagans were or nearly annihilated like the aboriginal religions in virtually every land the Christians or Muslims conquered. Our sheer perseverance enraged them, so for millennia, they used every trick in the book to vilify us, convert us or murder us. Jew hatred became the stuff of lullabies and folk tales. Not even The Enlightenment in the West could erase what the Christian churches bred into the bones of their followers. Not even the so-called enlightenment of today, with all its platitudes about human rights and equality. I have heard gentile hockey Moms make Jew jokes when they didn't think I could hear them. My cousin recently lost what she thought was her best friend (a gentile) when that friend couldn't understand why Israel was killing “innocent” Gazans. While I think Amir Pars’ essay sends an important message, I’m sure it won’t win hearts and minds that are incapable of change. This is why I, personally, don’t even bother trying to convince non-Jews to like or understand us. Those who want to already do. What I believe in – strongly – is making Israel the most technologically advanced nation in the world; capable of destroying all enemies without bending to the whims of American presidents. And, in making Jewish communities in the Diaspora powerful, too. It’s said that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” which is why I pray that our faith continues to empower us while preventing us from becoming like the barbarians.
Our sheer perseverance enraged them, so for millennia, they used every trick in the book to vilify us, convert us or murder us. Jew hatred became the stuff of lullabies and folk tales. Not even The Enlightenment in the West could erase what the Christian churches bred into the bones of their followers. Not even the so-called enlightenment of today, with all its platitudes about human rights and equality.
A long time ago I read an article made the assertion that people in the small town south aren’t nicer but rather that when people move to a city environment they are more indifferent because that’s how others around them behave also the reverse being true. It’s easy to become what you are steeped in. I am more impressed by your understanding of what it means to feel hate viscerally than the intellectual awakening because without that recognition it’s impossible to open your mind even if it did seem to happen the other way around.
Thank you for your courage Amir to write this. 🙏🏻 The expression “it was in my bone marrow” is one to remember… I’d love for you to write more about your perspective on why Arab societies are so immune to any kind of progress / accountability / self-reflection… is it really only Islam or a collective denial pill in terms of ‘self-responsibility’ and accountability? Thank you again. I enjoy your writing and the perspective it comes from.
This was so important and well thought through. Thank you. I appreciated this insightful perspective and the thought process Amir went through in understanding the basis of Anti-Semitism was entirely wrong. I hope many will carefully read this essay.
This is an excellent article and Amir Pars, the writer, exhibits what is so dearly lacking in academia and the media -- a sense of history, proportion and effective critical thinking. Just one error: he wrote that Jews are forbidden from praying at the Wall. The wall is where Jews pray; they are restricted and forbidden from praying atop the Temple Mount.
Yes, I agree on the fine quality of the essay and your Comment. The correction suggested regarding "sto pray at the wall" needs Edited. Also, the paragraph about covid should be deleted.
This is one of the most profoundly enlightening essays you have published so far, Josh. Hopefully the author is sharing his story far and wide on social media (to anti-Semitic sites in particular), on YouTube and elsewhere. His answer to the reasons for anti-Semitism is the most accurate one I have ever heard: It's because Jews exist.
It’s not just that we exist but how our existence is perceived by others. I’m thinking the root of antisemitism is that Jewish existence represents freedom (we have stayed true to our origins and resist religious and national coercion) and coexistence (we do not proselytize or declare war on non-Jews), both of which threaten authoritarianism and religious absolutism, which then enrages the extremists and their supporters.
This externally perceived “stubbornness” and insistence on existing and thriving makes Jews, and by extension, the world’s one tiny Jewish state, “guilty” and a target for envy, hate, suspicion, blame, blood libels, violence, death, destruction. This is our history, but our history also is perseverance, strength, sense of purpose, survival, and making the world a better place on so many levels.
I don’t know how to make the haters not hate, but I do know that we have to see the core of the hate for what it is in order to combat it. Appeasement and self-blame only emboldened the haters and stoke more hate.
Let us be strong, proud, clear-eyed, and brave.
As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I heard horrific tales from my father about the antisemitism that claimed his parents, his community and his people. Peter Farago was an atheist, but also a Jew. When I asked him if that was a contradiction, he said, if I am not a Jew, what am I?
Many Holocaust survivors - and their descendants - turned atheist because they couldn't understand how G-d could allow such a horror to befall his so-called "chosen" people. My answer to this as someone who's faced many major challenges in life, is that G-d gave humans free will to do good or evil. Sadly, too many humans choose the latter. It is also true that religious Jews in the concentration camps seemed to suffer less than those who were not religious. Dr. Viktor Frankl, renowned pioneer of "logotherapy", details these observations and his own experiences in the camps in his famous book, "Man's Search for Meaning".
Very well said
Thank you for sharing your story with us. And you are right that the full and complicated story in this conflicted part of the world is not understood. Amidst the ongoing conflict, one often forgets about the everyday lives of individuals caught in the crossfire. Take, for example, a Jewish mother living in Jerusalem who fears for her children's safety from Hamas attacks.
Yet, amidst this fear, she still expressed her trust and gratitude towards her Palestinian Arab teacher. This same teacher had swiftly led her Jewish students to a bomb shelter during a recent attack. But other stories go untold, like that of Alaa Amara, an Israeli Arab shop owner from Taibe. Despite facing discrimination and backlash from his own community for helping Jewish children affected by a violent Hamas strike on their border communities, he generously donated 50 bicycles to them.
Sadly, his noble actions did not go unnoticed, as his store was set on fire just days later by extremist Israeli Arab adolescents. However, amidst the darkness, there is still hope and solidarity as a successful crowdfunding campaign in both Hebrew and English raised over $200,000 within days to help him rebuild his damaged store. These are just a few examples among many of the complex realities and untold stories in this conflicted region.
And I, a Jew, used to be a racist. I grew up in a racist society (in Providence, RI). I lost my racism through simple exposure to Black people. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make you see the light. As a Jew, I always try to be friend, an example to antisemites (when possible). It's worked at least once. Thank God.
The Muslims in the Occupied Territories don’t need a State, they don’t need “from the river to the sea” - they need a societal intervention.
Wow! Thank you for this incredibly powerful article. You have put into words the problem facing the Jewish people today. The creation of this irrational fear of Jews and indeed their history that Islam has created. Well done for reaching the conclusion you came too.
Kudos for having been drawn to the truth of the matter, Amir, and thanks for your article’s honesty about your process of arriving there. I wish there were more folks like you out there.
Wow. Just wow. What an incredible piece. Thank you for sharing.
All protesters convicted of criminal activity should be instructed to read this and be forced to explain their behavior
Yes, your explanation is compelling. I, too, have thought it's because Judaism challenges their desire, essentially, to remain barbaric creatures. But it’s more than that. Certainly, early Christian and Muslim leaders did not take it kindly when we Jews refused to embrace theirs as the "one true faith". They hated each other for the same reason. But while they fought each other in numerous wars for religious and territorial dominance throughout history, we Jews were too few to engage in the fight. Eventually, Christianity and Islam retreated to control different parts of the world. All the while, we survived, essentially, by our wits and because of a faith with all the attributes mentioned in your post. We could not be annihilated like the Pagans were or nearly annihilated like the aboriginal religions in virtually every land the Christians or Muslims conquered. Our sheer perseverance enraged them, so for millennia, they used every trick in the book to vilify us, convert us or murder us. Jew hatred became the stuff of lullabies and folk tales. Not even The Enlightenment in the West could erase what the Christian churches bred into the bones of their followers. Not even the so-called enlightenment of today, with all its platitudes about human rights and equality. I have heard gentile hockey Moms make Jew jokes when they didn't think I could hear them. My cousin recently lost what she thought was her best friend (a gentile) when that friend couldn't understand why Israel was killing “innocent” Gazans. While I think Amir Pars’ essay sends an important message, I’m sure it won’t win hearts and minds that are incapable of change. This is why I, personally, don’t even bother trying to convince non-Jews to like or understand us. Those who want to already do. What I believe in – strongly – is making Israel the most technologically advanced nation in the world; capable of destroying all enemies without bending to the whims of American presidents. And, in making Jewish communities in the Diaspora powerful, too. It’s said that “absolute power corrupts absolutely” which is why I pray that our faith continues to empower us while preventing us from becoming like the barbarians.
hear hear!!!
Our sheer perseverance enraged them, so for millennia, they used every trick in the book to vilify us, convert us or murder us. Jew hatred became the stuff of lullabies and folk tales. Not even The Enlightenment in the West could erase what the Christian churches bred into the bones of their followers. Not even the so-called enlightenment of today, with all its platitudes about human rights and equality.
101%
Thank you so much for writing this.
A long time ago I read an article made the assertion that people in the small town south aren’t nicer but rather that when people move to a city environment they are more indifferent because that’s how others around them behave also the reverse being true. It’s easy to become what you are steeped in. I am more impressed by your understanding of what it means to feel hate viscerally than the intellectual awakening because without that recognition it’s impossible to open your mind even if it did seem to happen the other way around.
Thank you for your courage Amir to write this. 🙏🏻 The expression “it was in my bone marrow” is one to remember… I’d love for you to write more about your perspective on why Arab societies are so immune to any kind of progress / accountability / self-reflection… is it really only Islam or a collective denial pill in terms of ‘self-responsibility’ and accountability? Thank you again. I enjoy your writing and the perspective it comes from.
They say when Non-Jews are starting to defend the Jews and Jews are starting to defend the Anti-Jews it is the first sign that something horrible is going about to happen - https://www.jns.org/antisemitic-persecution-always-happens-in-stages/
This was so important and well thought through. Thank you. I appreciated this insightful perspective and the thought process Amir went through in understanding the basis of Anti-Semitism was entirely wrong. I hope many will carefully read this essay.
Brilliant