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Jewish Blind Spots: The Invisible Biases Threatening Judaism
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Jewish Blind Spots: The Invisible Biases Threatening Judaism

Although the Jewish People has weaknesses, we are not derailed by them. It’s our blind spots that threaten to do the trick.

Joshua Hoffman's avatar
Joshua Hoffman
Jan 31, 2023
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Jewish Blind Spots: The Invisible Biases Threatening Judaism
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Future of Jewish is an audience-supported publication by people passionate about the Jewish future. To receive new premium content and support our mission to make Judaism one of the world’s bright spots, become a subscriber!

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Although Jews as a whole tend to be aware of our weaknesses, we are not derailed by them. It’s our blind spots — our hidden biases — that threaten to do the trick.

Like a retinal blind spot, we normally have no awareness of hidden biases; we fail to recognize them.

And like clinical blindsight, hidden biases can cause us to judge and act in unfavorable ways that come from unrecognized feelings and beliefs about Judaism, Jewish life and culture, Jewish history, Jewish Peoplehood, and Israel.

Many people find it hard to believe that their behavior might be guided in this fashion — without their awareness — which adds insult to injury and makes these blind spots even more alarming. After all, it’s said that “pride comes before a fall.” When you’re at your most confident, you’re also the most vulnerable.

Here are a few blind spots currently endangering the Jewish world, and what we can do about each of them:

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