Excellent article. That said, I encourage everyone to read "The End of Race Politics," by Coleman Hughes. It contains an extremely strong case for doing away with all racial identity politics (anywhere you find it).
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate and agree with much of what you’ve written here. That said, I really hope everyone reads this; I resent the framing of Ashkenazi Jews as white, and I don’t think our community should be using “white” and “Ashkenazi” interchangeably
Yes, yes, and yes. I am so ashamed of Jews who claim to be so observant, so learned, they can quote Torah so well but let someone, anyone we ho does not fit the Ashkenaz mold and immediately they are challenged. The question begs, what does a Jew look like? We have been dispersed to the four corners of the Earth. Yet in America if you don't fit the mold, you don't fit. This is painful for me, although my skin maybe "white" and I hate that label as in my view white is no great badge to be proud of, I have been excluded by many whom I worked alongside and the subtle push to one side, you do not belong with us. But my biggest bone to pick I'd with those Jews who consider themselves to be such great Jews. They observe all the holidays even the minor ones. They observe Shabbat. They can b even quote Torah. But the snide remarks, the non verbal put downs all show how shallow they truly are. I do not recall where the Torah talks about skin color as a disparaging physical condition yet Jews react as though a very pale skin color is the only one that counts. How hypocritical can you get. We who have been persecuted by everyone for centuries how can a self respecting Jew be concerned with a person's skin color much less any other part of them that you find less than fitting. I feel we need to address this situation in all of our Synagogues no matter what facet of Judaism you ascribe to. For a Jew to be less than accepting of any other human being is an affront to Torah and our teachings. In my book you cannot be a good Jew and be intolerant of anyone else. It is something that only we Jews can clean up. No one but us is even remotely qualified for the job. I especially call out any Rabbi that would allow even the smallest hint of segregation in any Synagogue. As the spiritual leader of our community yours is the first point to set the example and include everyone and to be watchful when such a slight is allowed. We as a people are better than that. Our heritage demands that of us. If we do not uphold all that Torah teaches us who will. It is our Torah, ours alone and we need to set this wrong right.
My wife feels exactly the same way. You are either part of the tribe or you're not. What particular shade of color you are is irrelevant. For the record, I am of the mayonnaise branch of Jews. My parents liked my wife, more of the tobacco branch, more than they liked me I'm convinced :)
I remember when my youngest (half Yemenite/half Polish) was about to go to Ramah and worried about being accepted... I asked why would she worry? and she responded... because I'm black... which threw me for a loop... needless to say... and of course it never came up in her camp experience...
Personally... I don't care for the whole colour narrative... if anything... we are hues...
"But it was the opposite of historical correctness. Heschel had in fact been at Selma, in the front line. The photograph of him marching with Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the best-known of the civil rights era. Removing him from the scene was, rather than a historical corrective, a political act done in the service of protecting the revisionist ideological narrative that runs counter to the historical facts".
I am Ashkenazi. I have never identified as white. And growing up in mid-20th century America, I was not encouraged to, either by my Jewish community, or white Americans.
Forgive my non-intellectual approach here, but I find this endless dissection of prejudice by separate ethnic groups more damaging than helpful. Simply pointing out a problem doesn't work to fix it.
As a Jew, it is painful to see the racism, however prevalent, within my community. It is also painful to see it used as an excuse for antisemitic rhetoric and acts.
The sad reality is that the Hard Left who despise religion are equally as bigoted in their attitudes towards the secular as the Taliban et al & seem to be inspired & driven, by a need to create divisive polemics to introduce more divisions than existed before, & even more worryingly an extremely aggressive & hostile environment where no discussion is allowed.
By creating a hostile environment they’re able to deflect & justify their own bigotry by categorising any criticism of their conclusions as being inflammatory & instantly exemplifies prejudice. They’re good but steeped in ignorance.
The historical reality of being a Jew is that it doesn’t matter what you think or believe who or what you are - antisemites will decide for you.
They don’t care what you think or what you want to believe. For them a dead Jew is all that matters.
My friends partner’s father made it clear that he looked forward to the day he could shove her Jewish non practicing South African partner & her children into the ovens.
The Rapper Nissim Black is on record saying that he’s never experienced racism from the Jewish community but if anything he’s experienced more antisemitism than racism.
Plus, non Jewish Africans will risk their lives to break into Israel
Who’d have ever thought that the history of the word « Jew » would retain such an inflammatory trigger cross the centuries of our existence & return centuries later to the cradle of its birth the ME
From what I have seen, it’s only the leftist Reform Jews that are obsessed with “of color”, “diversity”, and feminism.
Indeed. Intellectual diarrhea!
Excellent article. That said, I encourage everyone to read "The End of Race Politics," by Coleman Hughes. It contains an extremely strong case for doing away with all racial identity politics (anywhere you find it).
Coleman is amazing! You are 100% right! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate and agree with much of what you’ve written here. That said, I really hope everyone reads this; I resent the framing of Ashkenazi Jews as white, and I don’t think our community should be using “white” and “Ashkenazi” interchangeably
https://open.substack.com/pub/mallorymosner/p/are-ashkenazi-jews-white?r=2rotpz&utm_medium=ios
This is arguably the most important thing I've read this year, Mijal. Incredibly incisive, insightful, challenging, and thought-provoking.
Yes, yes, and yes. I am so ashamed of Jews who claim to be so observant, so learned, they can quote Torah so well but let someone, anyone we ho does not fit the Ashkenaz mold and immediately they are challenged. The question begs, what does a Jew look like? We have been dispersed to the four corners of the Earth. Yet in America if you don't fit the mold, you don't fit. This is painful for me, although my skin maybe "white" and I hate that label as in my view white is no great badge to be proud of, I have been excluded by many whom I worked alongside and the subtle push to one side, you do not belong with us. But my biggest bone to pick I'd with those Jews who consider themselves to be such great Jews. They observe all the holidays even the minor ones. They observe Shabbat. They can b even quote Torah. But the snide remarks, the non verbal put downs all show how shallow they truly are. I do not recall where the Torah talks about skin color as a disparaging physical condition yet Jews react as though a very pale skin color is the only one that counts. How hypocritical can you get. We who have been persecuted by everyone for centuries how can a self respecting Jew be concerned with a person's skin color much less any other part of them that you find less than fitting. I feel we need to address this situation in all of our Synagogues no matter what facet of Judaism you ascribe to. For a Jew to be less than accepting of any other human being is an affront to Torah and our teachings. In my book you cannot be a good Jew and be intolerant of anyone else. It is something that only we Jews can clean up. No one but us is even remotely qualified for the job. I especially call out any Rabbi that would allow even the smallest hint of segregation in any Synagogue. As the spiritual leader of our community yours is the first point to set the example and include everyone and to be watchful when such a slight is allowed. We as a people are better than that. Our heritage demands that of us. If we do not uphold all that Torah teaches us who will. It is our Torah, ours alone and we need to set this wrong right.
Your articles reveal your educated discourse.
I was disappointed to read about your adverse experiences in this article.
Hate or distain inflicts pain
Wherever your group originates from.
Besides that,
I’m reminded of a Torah verse, which advises us
To treat the stranger as yourself, and
Remember you were strangers in Egypt!
Therefore G-D wants you to treat strangers with care, respect…
And, also, one of the Prophets writes,
“Have we not all One Father? One G-D?!”
In anywhere in the Bible, is a group mentioned by its color? I don’t think so.
So maybe we shouldn’t be mentioning it either.
My wife feels exactly the same way. You are either part of the tribe or you're not. What particular shade of color you are is irrelevant. For the record, I am of the mayonnaise branch of Jews. My parents liked my wife, more of the tobacco branch, more than they liked me I'm convinced :)
I remember when my youngest (half Yemenite/half Polish) was about to go to Ramah and worried about being accepted... I asked why would she worry? and she responded... because I'm black... which threw me for a loop... needless to say... and of course it never came up in her camp experience...
Personally... I don't care for the whole colour narrative... if anything... we are hues...
I really don’t get why color has to be important in any of these debates. People are people. A Jew is a Jew, what difference does his colour make?
Amen
Outrageous and yet another example of the systemic antisemitism in Hollywood, contrary to the canard of Jewish control.
.................................................................................................................................................................................................
"But it was the opposite of historical correctness. Heschel had in fact been at Selma, in the front line. The photograph of him marching with Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the best-known of the civil rights era. Removing him from the scene was, rather than a historical corrective, a political act done in the service of protecting the revisionist ideological narrative that runs counter to the historical facts".
Nobody is black and nobody is white, we’re all somewhere in the middle.
Really insightful piece Mijal. I've thought about some of these points you took the time to dissect.
Thank you Mijal, very well stated. Love your dear father's response - what a noble man of integrity and wisdom. Chag Sameach
I am Ashkenazi. I have never identified as white. And growing up in mid-20th century America, I was not encouraged to, either by my Jewish community, or white Americans.
Forgive my non-intellectual approach here, but I find this endless dissection of prejudice by separate ethnic groups more damaging than helpful. Simply pointing out a problem doesn't work to fix it.
As a Jew, it is painful to see the racism, however prevalent, within my community. It is also painful to see it used as an excuse for antisemitic rhetoric and acts.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
The sad reality is that the Hard Left who despise religion are equally as bigoted in their attitudes towards the secular as the Taliban et al & seem to be inspired & driven, by a need to create divisive polemics to introduce more divisions than existed before, & even more worryingly an extremely aggressive & hostile environment where no discussion is allowed.
By creating a hostile environment they’re able to deflect & justify their own bigotry by categorising any criticism of their conclusions as being inflammatory & instantly exemplifies prejudice. They’re good but steeped in ignorance.
The historical reality of being a Jew is that it doesn’t matter what you think or believe who or what you are - antisemites will decide for you.
They don’t care what you think or what you want to believe. For them a dead Jew is all that matters.
My friends partner’s father made it clear that he looked forward to the day he could shove her Jewish non practicing South African partner & her children into the ovens.
The Rapper Nissim Black is on record saying that he’s never experienced racism from the Jewish community but if anything he’s experienced more antisemitism than racism.
Plus, non Jewish Africans will risk their lives to break into Israel
https://youtu.be/rABjfyyH8c4?si=OiVSD8PJ2unzeMU2
Who’d have ever thought that the history of the word « Jew » would retain such an inflammatory trigger cross the centuries of our existence & return centuries later to the cradle of its birth the ME