Have your books and want you to know that your work helped me greatly prior to Oct 7, as I struggled with what I was seeing slowly boiling here in the US. The Jew haters don't realize that they make the case for Israel with every word and action. I am happy for you! It's a difficult and brave decision to make, and I wish you every happiness in the homeland. Mazal Tov!
America is much younger, stronger and bigger than Western Europe and is still a dymanic civilization (however crass), whereas Western Europe is a dead man walking, a museum attached to a nursing home, and has no larger goals than a peaceful euthanasia and has no ability and little interest in fighting any enemies. (And hasn't been historically very fond of Jews anyway.)
American Jews just need to stay far away from "Left spaces", that is anywhere controlled by the Social Justice dispensation, as these are now fully committed to Critical Anti-ZIonism, which is essentially the belief that Israel (and its Diaspora supporters) need to be attacked and defeated in the name of justice, equality and liberation.
21st-century American Jews may need to be less urban, but they can still be safe here. (Hopefully!)
I find your comparison of Western Europe and the US fanciful and lacking in specificity. I don't live in either place, however, my impression of the US is that it is imploding under the cocoon of relative ignorance it continues to live in and the depleting values it shows in regard to what is really important in life, viz. celebrities, consumerism and BIG everything having sway. Being younger, stronger and bigger are not the only features necessary to success and quality of living.
The point of the story we are speaking to, the writer's intention to leave Britain for Israel, is that Jews should not need to stay away from 'Left spaces' or any other spaces, shouldn't have to counter Critical Anti-Zionism zealots, et al. Why should 21st century American Jews have to live a life that is 'less urban'? How can you say they can still be safe in the US with what we see day after day reported as happening in the streets of so many cities and towns? Indeed, with the violence and use of guns entrenched in American society and inscribed within the brain as an inalienable right, I do not see that any Americans are particularly safe.
I agree that my comment was "fanciful and lacking in specificity", but pls remember this is just a comment box, not a treatise or essay.
I will try to address your points:
"....my impression of the US is that it is imploding under the cocoon of relative ignorance...."
America has always been much wilder, more open and somewhat barbaric (for lack of a better term) than Europe, which is mostly due to its being a very young country in the New World rooted in commerce, meaning made out of various colonists and immigrants all mostly devoted to business and getting ahead financially. (I'm writing from California, which was essentially founded by a Gold Rush, which led to its statehood and population boom.)
If we look back around 100 years ago America was culturally unsophisticated, known for tent revivals, carnivals, penny arcades, and the Scopes trial, while Europe was the home of Picasso, Duchamp, famous writers and literary salons, as well as magnificent opera houses. But none of this glorious culture saved the European Jews, as we know. America has always had its booms and busts and ugly civil struggles, but we always seem to have enough space for religious minorities to find safety and community (Amish, Mormons, etc), if they're willing to explore.
"Jews should not need to stay away from 'Left spaces' or any other spaces, shouldn't have to counter Critical Anti-Zionism zealots..."
I couldn't agree with you more, but that's a should or an OUGHT, when we have to deal with what IS. There is no guarantee of safety and yes America is flooded with guns (which are mostly used by poor people to kill each other), but I still stand by my comment: the Critical Anti-Zionism "Left spaces" have embraced an extreme ideology that posits Jews as enemies (unless they denounce the Jewish state) and that is devoted to destroying Israel, by any means necessary. The first way to safety is to know who your enemies are, know where they congregate, and knowing how to steer clear of them.
It is truly sad and tragic that the Ivy League, the MSM, Hollywood and most of our most prestigious cultural institutions have surrendered to the Anti-Zionism jihad, but they have and there's no point ignoring this or wishing it were otherwise.
Thank you for your honesty and effort to address my points. Yes, of course, this is only a Comment box, but still words matter and I don't think there's a problem with making them more succinct rather than general. Please forgive me, as a poet, for focussing on precision; it's often a knee jerk reaction.
I understand US history and its relative youth. As an Australian, I live in a country just a bit younger than yours, although ancient in terms of its First Nation people.
I believe that in the earlier 20th century and post-WWII, Jews were discriminated against in the US insofar as university attendance (numbers of) and membership of all kinds of institutions and clubs were concerned?
As you say, there's no point ignoring the reality we face as Jews currently, which is why I countered what you had to say about Jews being safe in the US.
We are through with the days where we have to flee to the forests from cities or towns or suppress and/or hide our identity. That academic and cultural institutions, as well as human rights lawyers and organisations, have basically become antisemitic, both in North America and Australia, is a truly terrible thing, something I could not have imagined 20 or 30 years ago. And that celebrity film and sports stars are getting in on the act and suddenly becoming spokespeople for the Palestinians and experts on the Middle East
is plain ridiculous.
Thank you again for your response. Best wishes to you.
Kol Chavod on your decision. As you elude to but don't make explicitly clear, while anti-semitism exists in pretty much every society outside of Israel, the problem in Britain is that it has imported a pretty substantial class of immigrant who are EXTREMELY anti-semitic. This is the problem that must not be spoken. The other truth is that the political left has become so openly hostile to Israel that it makes common cause with the above mentioned immigrant group. The third truth is that the British government, under the rule of the Labour party is doing NOTHING to fight it.
This problem does not yet exist to this extent in the United States but it very well could.
The US is not that far away from the same given the surge in the 'Democrat Socialist' movement which is gaining momentum among the young and surprisingly educated white population.
Enjoyed this article. Except for for Israel there is no place where Jews can be Jewish without looking over the shoulder to see the latest Islamic-driven hatred for them whether in Britain or the rest of Europe. The barbarians are on the march in Europe and all because the politicians are making it possible for some insane reason.
It will be probably be the toughest thing you ever do. You will look up plane tickets out a hundred times in the first year. That’s normal. It will change you into someone you know you were meant to be and it will change what it means to be Jewish and you’ll discover your family has 9 million people in it.
Your move to Israel is logical, and I am not far behind you. Europe lost 6 million Jews in the Holocaust, and bearing in mind there are only about 16 million Jews in the world today, it was a huge percentage. 80 years on, Europe and many other countries are facing being over run by Muslims. Many of whom are not happy in the countries from which they come, and are ruining the countries in which they settle.
Filled with Jew hating Muslims and centuries long antisemites, no jew should visit, support and certainly not live in Europe. It is a continent in rapid decline and we jews should pay them back in every way we can by competing against their failing industries and put them out of business. Islam will take care of the rest.
Britain’s loss will be Israel’s gain. Best of luck.
baruch haba... may you have a soft landing... shabbat shalom
Wishing you the best of luck and love in the Jewish Homeland. I live in the US. And may follow you soon.
Me too. I don’t feel safe here anymore now that Trump and Vance are siding with Qatar, Turkey and Iran. How disappointing. And scary.
Have your books and want you to know that your work helped me greatly prior to Oct 7, as I struggled with what I was seeing slowly boiling here in the US. The Jew haters don't realize that they make the case for Israel with every word and action. I am happy for you! It's a difficult and brave decision to make, and I wish you every happiness in the homeland. Mazal Tov!
Brilliant post...food for thought!
I read this elsewhere but couldn’t comment. Within 20 years the UK will be under sharia law. Good to get out before that happens
"Britain has also struggled to confront forms of anti-Jewish extremism that exist within parts of its Muslim population."
Well, that's generous. Probably more accurate to say it hasn't even tried.
cmon, there have been many strongly worded statements! ;)
🤣
Indeed. The British Labor and Green politicians have appealed to the radical Islamic Jew-hate to get elected.
Now we know how Herzl felt when he covered the Dreyfuss trial. Travel in peace our friend.
You are going home!
And in your home, you will be at home.
I'm glad for you.
very moving. The US has always been to me the "land that I love." and yet i wonder if we have a future even here?
America is much younger, stronger and bigger than Western Europe and is still a dymanic civilization (however crass), whereas Western Europe is a dead man walking, a museum attached to a nursing home, and has no larger goals than a peaceful euthanasia and has no ability and little interest in fighting any enemies. (And hasn't been historically very fond of Jews anyway.)
American Jews just need to stay far away from "Left spaces", that is anywhere controlled by the Social Justice dispensation, as these are now fully committed to Critical Anti-ZIonism, which is essentially the belief that Israel (and its Diaspora supporters) need to be attacked and defeated in the name of justice, equality and liberation.
21st-century American Jews may need to be less urban, but they can still be safe here. (Hopefully!)
Well said re left spaces.
Thanks
I find your comparison of Western Europe and the US fanciful and lacking in specificity. I don't live in either place, however, my impression of the US is that it is imploding under the cocoon of relative ignorance it continues to live in and the depleting values it shows in regard to what is really important in life, viz. celebrities, consumerism and BIG everything having sway. Being younger, stronger and bigger are not the only features necessary to success and quality of living.
The point of the story we are speaking to, the writer's intention to leave Britain for Israel, is that Jews should not need to stay away from 'Left spaces' or any other spaces, shouldn't have to counter Critical Anti-Zionism zealots, et al. Why should 21st century American Jews have to live a life that is 'less urban'? How can you say they can still be safe in the US with what we see day after day reported as happening in the streets of so many cities and towns? Indeed, with the violence and use of guns entrenched in American society and inscribed within the brain as an inalienable right, I do not see that any Americans are particularly safe.
I agree that my comment was "fanciful and lacking in specificity", but pls remember this is just a comment box, not a treatise or essay.
I will try to address your points:
"....my impression of the US is that it is imploding under the cocoon of relative ignorance...."
America has always been much wilder, more open and somewhat barbaric (for lack of a better term) than Europe, which is mostly due to its being a very young country in the New World rooted in commerce, meaning made out of various colonists and immigrants all mostly devoted to business and getting ahead financially. (I'm writing from California, which was essentially founded by a Gold Rush, which led to its statehood and population boom.)
If we look back around 100 years ago America was culturally unsophisticated, known for tent revivals, carnivals, penny arcades, and the Scopes trial, while Europe was the home of Picasso, Duchamp, famous writers and literary salons, as well as magnificent opera houses. But none of this glorious culture saved the European Jews, as we know. America has always had its booms and busts and ugly civil struggles, but we always seem to have enough space for religious minorities to find safety and community (Amish, Mormons, etc), if they're willing to explore.
"Jews should not need to stay away from 'Left spaces' or any other spaces, shouldn't have to counter Critical Anti-Zionism zealots..."
I couldn't agree with you more, but that's a should or an OUGHT, when we have to deal with what IS. There is no guarantee of safety and yes America is flooded with guns (which are mostly used by poor people to kill each other), but I still stand by my comment: the Critical Anti-Zionism "Left spaces" have embraced an extreme ideology that posits Jews as enemies (unless they denounce the Jewish state) and that is devoted to destroying Israel, by any means necessary. The first way to safety is to know who your enemies are, know where they congregate, and knowing how to steer clear of them.
It is truly sad and tragic that the Ivy League, the MSM, Hollywood and most of our most prestigious cultural institutions have surrendered to the Anti-Zionism jihad, but they have and there's no point ignoring this or wishing it were otherwise.
Cheers
Thank you for your honesty and effort to address my points. Yes, of course, this is only a Comment box, but still words matter and I don't think there's a problem with making them more succinct rather than general. Please forgive me, as a poet, for focussing on precision; it's often a knee jerk reaction.
I understand US history and its relative youth. As an Australian, I live in a country just a bit younger than yours, although ancient in terms of its First Nation people.
I believe that in the earlier 20th century and post-WWII, Jews were discriminated against in the US insofar as university attendance (numbers of) and membership of all kinds of institutions and clubs were concerned?
As you say, there's no point ignoring the reality we face as Jews currently, which is why I countered what you had to say about Jews being safe in the US.
We are through with the days where we have to flee to the forests from cities or towns or suppress and/or hide our identity. That academic and cultural institutions, as well as human rights lawyers and organisations, have basically become antisemitic, both in North America and Australia, is a truly terrible thing, something I could not have imagined 20 or 30 years ago. And that celebrity film and sports stars are getting in on the act and suddenly becoming spokespeople for the Palestinians and experts on the Middle East
is plain ridiculous.
Thank you again for your response. Best wishes to you.
Kol Chavod on your decision. As you elude to but don't make explicitly clear, while anti-semitism exists in pretty much every society outside of Israel, the problem in Britain is that it has imported a pretty substantial class of immigrant who are EXTREMELY anti-semitic. This is the problem that must not be spoken. The other truth is that the political left has become so openly hostile to Israel that it makes common cause with the above mentioned immigrant group. The third truth is that the British government, under the rule of the Labour party is doing NOTHING to fight it.
This problem does not yet exist to this extent in the United States but it very well could.
The US is not that far away from the same given the surge in the 'Democrat Socialist' movement which is gaining momentum among the young and surprisingly educated white population.
Well said!
Enjoyed this article. Except for for Israel there is no place where Jews can be Jewish without looking over the shoulder to see the latest Islamic-driven hatred for them whether in Britain or the rest of Europe. The barbarians are on the march in Europe and all because the politicians are making it possible for some insane reason.
It will be probably be the toughest thing you ever do. You will look up plane tickets out a hundred times in the first year. That’s normal. It will change you into someone you know you were meant to be and it will change what it means to be Jewish and you’ll discover your family has 9 million people in it.
❤️
GOD BLESS ISRAEL AND ITS PEOPLE
Your move to Israel is logical, and I am not far behind you. Europe lost 6 million Jews in the Holocaust, and bearing in mind there are only about 16 million Jews in the world today, it was a huge percentage. 80 years on, Europe and many other countries are facing being over run by Muslims. Many of whom are not happy in the countries from which they come, and are ruining the countries in which they settle.
Filled with Jew hating Muslims and centuries long antisemites, no jew should visit, support and certainly not live in Europe. It is a continent in rapid decline and we jews should pay them back in every way we can by competing against their failing industries and put them out of business. Islam will take care of the rest.