“The next time someone discovers you’re Jewish and immediately pivots to Israel, ask yourself a simple question: Would they have asked this of almost anyone else?”
No! You already know the answer, so there’s no need to ask yourself. Instead, ask THEM the question. That’ll either shut ‘em up or show them up.
Please, let’s stop talking to ourselves, stop asking ourselves. It’s long past time to aggressively push back.
How can it not be-topic of conversation when the majority of current news is about the Middle East wars and consequences in the Diaspora. This was an opportunity for discussion and perhaps education and perhaps a change in conviction. It is far better than silence.
I would have, especially if a person was even moderately aggressive. About a year ago, in a supermarket in Pattaya, Thailand, where I and my Thai family reside, a 35-40 years old family man, with a wife and 2 kids, expressed his umbrage about the yellow ribbon pin on my Polo shirt. He mumbled something bland “I don’t like what is happening in Gaza.” It was one of my “hot buttons,” and an opportunity to vent. I said audibly, publicly: “You better shut your maw, people with your accent (his accent sounded German to me) murdered my grandmother in Western Ukraine, and about 100 other blood relatives!”
All great points. I only wish you did go into a Judaism 101 explainer when prompted. I know it’s hard and not the sexiest party chatter. I’ve been there. But it would have been a great opportunity to teach Judaism !
Also, that person’s statement “I’m Jewish but have nothing to do with Israel” is a ridiculous statement. Judaism and Israel are not mutually exclusive.
Judaism and Israel don’t have to be but still could be mutually exclusive, if the person is NOT a practicing Jew and NOT an Israeli. Otherwise, this individual is the new product of wokeness and fear for their safety,
How many times do we think this Turk has been asked to account for the Turkish genocide of up to 2 million Armenians, or their continued suppression of the Kurds? As Fran Drescher was fond of saying, “ talk to the hand.”
Just a reminder of all these Jews who don’t practice their religion and don’t support Israel. The Nazis didn’t discriminate between you and religious Jews. Before during and after World War11 no country was willing to accept the Jewish remnants of the Holocaust. That’s why the world agreed to give them a tiny scrap of land in the Middle East. When Israel is destroyed again and the whole western world has again turned anti semitic where will you go if still alive?
Respectfully, this issue is much more complicated than simply laying the blame solely on Israel for the events surrounding 10-07-2023. Never, dismiss Hamas’ actions towards the innocent Gazan residents that are used as human shields, used as sources of mandated tributes; all this and most importantly what was done to residents, visitors and Israeli citizens composed of Christians, Muslims and other religious denominations in addition to the Jewish Israelis on 10-07-2023. Its unconscionable to summarily dismiss the repeated rapes of women and girls of all ages, including some men, slitting of babies throats, binding civilians together and then setting them ablaze; forcing children to watch as their parents were murdered; forcing parents to watch as their children were brutally murdered and other atrocities.
Don’t want to believe the above then view the perpetrators Go-Pro cameras recordings of their egregious deeds and broadcasting such in ‘real time’. Look it up and imagine how you would feel if such were perpetrated to ‘your ‘wives, daughters, grandparents, mothers and children, etc..
Sorry but facts trump targeted hate propagandized agendas. This may have begun with targeting Jews, but mark my words, unopposed; it will not simply end with Jews. Who knows, which ‘Infidel’ regarded group such as your may be next within the cross-hairs?
Perhaps, a ‘Nuremberg style trial’ is as applicable option’now’ as it was at the end of W.W. 2 to investigate the actual preplanned and carried out Genocide, to liquidate intentionally an entire race of European Jews (for starters) to to satisfy Adolph Hitler and his White Aryan Race Superiority goals by default.
Ultimately, necessary to delve into the causes and perpetrators of the infestation of seemingly unopposed hate, if not “fait accompli” ethos-racism; targeting the sole Jewish Nation on the Planet, Israel; as well as the perennially targeted and vulnerable minority, Jews, globally; with the seeming intent to destroy each.
With much sadness,
Bruce Portnoy, Opinion Journalist/independent analyst (ret.)
Especially after you mentioned your familiarity with Israel, and the topic had been politics, I agree that it was a missed opportunity. I would have been more offended by the Jew who disowned his identity. Politics in general is probably not an appropriate topic these days in a social gathering, with things so polarized in most countries, but he was willing to admit the failings within his own country. You had the option of changing the subject much earlier in the conversation, or thanking the gentleman for his honest opinions and asking if he were interested in yours, or just stepping up to the plate to defend Israel’s right to exist. My usual go-to is to ask, What is their current source of information regarding the Middle East? Then say, no wonder you are curious since CBC, NYT, CNN, or whatever spends such a disproportionate amount of their ‘air time’ on Israel, while ignoring the real genocides going on in the world, then suggest an alternative source of information “if you are really curious to know more”. Offer to send the person links if they really want a balanced account of the history and actual truth ‘on the ground.’ If they do not want to know more, then I express my regret that their exposure to current events reportage is so lopsided. At least I hope to have planted the seed regarding the brainwashing going on in most of our media.
Being a Jewish-Israeli and a naturalized US citizen, plus a 100% atheist, the theme is familiar and requires a footnote that the author decided to omit for some reason: being Jewish does require a clarification, as we all know that being Jewish is both a religion and also people. “Am Israel Hai” is an established Jewish meme, so a clarification about one’s identity is required for Jews: are they identify themselves as Jewish people, which would then imply that they care about Israel, which could be identified as being a “Zionist,” which is of being used these days as a derogatory term and camouflaged antisemitism, when used by non-Jews.
And for fuller disclosure: Zionism is NOT part of my self-identification because being an Israeli addresses it directly and completely for me — I viscerally care about Israel, its geography, people and future. I have been residing for personal reason in diaspora since 1982, when I left to the U.S.for my PhD studies in Boston, in a “blue chip” university, since then worked as an academic in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Thailand. I’m 76, a USSR (Western Ukraine) born Israeli, I lived in Israel between 1960-1982, served the usual 3 years, plus the usual annual reserve duty, partially in infantry combat, the rest classified. I’m, like many of my contemporaries, with whom I grew up in Israel, had a Holocaust survivor father (born in the neighborhood of my birth, while mother was born in USSR, was evacuated East, so doesn’t formally qualifies as Holocaust survivor) by now peacefully buried next to my mother, while all my grandparents are buried in the suburbs of Tel-Aviv; 1 of the grandparents, a grandmother, is really a step-grandmother, as my paternal grandmother was murdered by German Nazis in 1943 or 1942, with probably gleeful support (“gleeful” brings up Hamas and 7/October/23), date and place only estimated.
I’m 100% NOT apologetic for being Jewish, but I consider the “Green Line” the boundary of what Israel is for me, which made me eschew Judea and Samaria and Gaza, as much as legally feasible (my bootcamp and squad commander were in Samaria), as NOT being part of my Israel. Like my mates from Bat-Yam, where I lived all my teenage years and until mid-20, I refer to Israel as the “Only Land,” but being a citizen of the U.S., I take my Oath of Allegiance seriously and sincerely.
My apology, though, for bothering the readers with all the above details. I just wanted to illustrate that being Jewish does requires a bit more detail than being Turkish to get a sense of who this Jew is in terms of affiliations and loyalties, which for an Israeli-Jew also informs you for whom and what I’m ready to die for and kill for, which until now I was fortunate to avoid.
This strange conversation between TWO JEWS was a wasted opportunity that might better have been spent discussing issues of personal identity, tribalism, the competition for scarce resources that pervades all of nature and explains so much about territorial conflicts all over the world and the questionable future of the human species. The best defense that Jews (or anyone) have against being scapegoated is to point out the shallow silliness of believing that some people, or religions, or states are better than others. In my view, “Poor us, we have contributed so much, and see how unfairly we are treated” really just doesn’t cut it. As I said - this exchange was a wasted opportunity.
You seem to be very lucky when you meet people able to lead at least some `kind of´conversation.
I haven´t had such luck for quite a while now. When I appear somewhere with an Israel flag, I get insulted, spat at or physically attacked. Or a bunch of idiots calling "Free P*lestine". I reply with "HEIL HITLER !" - "Hm?" - "Well, obviously you´re sharing his hobbies, attacking and killing Jews ?"
Those are the usual "conversation" bits these days when politicians at most are whining and warning pricelessly about "rising antisemitism".
If ever in one of thousand times, a faint breath of what could eventually be called "Conversation" takes place, I encounter nothing but staggering, total ignorance regarding everything that defines and constitutes Israeli and Jewish history, conditions, and the present reality; yet these people dare to ceaselessly "know," "judge," and "condemn" matters about which they haven't the faintest clue.
And I am not even a Jew; it is impossible to have a conversation with absolute idiots—who clearly make up the "majority."
This casts a harsh light on what passes, in our glorious chimera "free democratic society", for "education" — something that has long since been replaced by mere "opinion".
I am under no obligation to remain "polite" toward dangerously idiotic fools.
Kill Hasan Piker, kill Mamdami, kill all of Hamas; it is too late for anything else.
Do you really not realize that the year 2033 is just around the corner?
“The next time someone discovers you’re Jewish and immediately pivots to Israel, ask yourself a simple question: Would they have asked this of almost anyone else?”
No! You already know the answer, so there’s no need to ask yourself. Instead, ask THEM the question. That’ll either shut ‘em up or show them up.
Please, let’s stop talking to ourselves, stop asking ourselves. It’s long past time to aggressively push back.
How can it not be-topic of conversation when the majority of current news is about the Middle East wars and consequences in the Diaspora. This was an opportunity for discussion and perhaps education and perhaps a change in conviction. It is far better than silence.
I would have, especially if a person was even moderately aggressive. About a year ago, in a supermarket in Pattaya, Thailand, where I and my Thai family reside, a 35-40 years old family man, with a wife and 2 kids, expressed his umbrage about the yellow ribbon pin on my Polo shirt. He mumbled something bland “I don’t like what is happening in Gaza.” It was one of my “hot buttons,” and an opportunity to vent. I said audibly, publicly: “You better shut your maw, people with your accent (his accent sounded German to me) murdered my grandmother in Western Ukraine, and about 100 other blood relatives!”
Teaching Judaism assumes the students want to learn; from this conversation it appears this person would rather attack.
All great points. I only wish you did go into a Judaism 101 explainer when prompted. I know it’s hard and not the sexiest party chatter. I’ve been there. But it would have been a great opportunity to teach Judaism !
Also, that person’s statement “I’m Jewish but have nothing to do with Israel” is a ridiculous statement. Judaism and Israel are not mutually exclusive.
So that JBBO who said "I’m Jewish but have nothing to do with Israel," is his name Scott Weiner?
Judaism and Israel don’t have to be but still could be mutually exclusive, if the person is NOT a practicing Jew and NOT an Israeli. Otherwise, this individual is the new product of wokeness and fear for their safety,
How many times do we think this Turk has been asked to account for the Turkish genocide of up to 2 million Armenians, or their continued suppression of the Kurds? As Fran Drescher was fond of saying, “ talk to the hand.”
Outstanding!
Just a reminder of all these Jews who don’t practice their religion and don’t support Israel. The Nazis didn’t discriminate between you and religious Jews. Before during and after World War11 no country was willing to accept the Jewish remnants of the Holocaust. That’s why the world agreed to give them a tiny scrap of land in the Middle East. When Israel is destroyed again and the whole western world has again turned anti semitic where will you go if still alive?
Respectfully, this issue is much more complicated than simply laying the blame solely on Israel for the events surrounding 10-07-2023. Never, dismiss Hamas’ actions towards the innocent Gazan residents that are used as human shields, used as sources of mandated tributes; all this and most importantly what was done to residents, visitors and Israeli citizens composed of Christians, Muslims and other religious denominations in addition to the Jewish Israelis on 10-07-2023. Its unconscionable to summarily dismiss the repeated rapes of women and girls of all ages, including some men, slitting of babies throats, binding civilians together and then setting them ablaze; forcing children to watch as their parents were murdered; forcing parents to watch as their children were brutally murdered and other atrocities.
Don’t want to believe the above then view the perpetrators Go-Pro cameras recordings of their egregious deeds and broadcasting such in ‘real time’. Look it up and imagine how you would feel if such were perpetrated to ‘your ‘wives, daughters, grandparents, mothers and children, etc..
Sorry but facts trump targeted hate propagandized agendas. This may have begun with targeting Jews, but mark my words, unopposed; it will not simply end with Jews. Who knows, which ‘Infidel’ regarded group such as your may be next within the cross-hairs?
Perhaps, a ‘Nuremberg style trial’ is as applicable option’now’ as it was at the end of W.W. 2 to investigate the actual preplanned and carried out Genocide, to liquidate intentionally an entire race of European Jews (for starters) to to satisfy Adolph Hitler and his White Aryan Race Superiority goals by default.
Ultimately, necessary to delve into the causes and perpetrators of the infestation of seemingly unopposed hate, if not “fait accompli” ethos-racism; targeting the sole Jewish Nation on the Planet, Israel; as well as the perennially targeted and vulnerable minority, Jews, globally; with the seeming intent to destroy each.
With much sadness,
Bruce Portnoy, Opinion Journalist/independent analyst (ret.)
Author of the geopolitical thriller,
“First, the ‘Saturday People’, and then the…” ;
Especially after you mentioned your familiarity with Israel, and the topic had been politics, I agree that it was a missed opportunity. I would have been more offended by the Jew who disowned his identity. Politics in general is probably not an appropriate topic these days in a social gathering, with things so polarized in most countries, but he was willing to admit the failings within his own country. You had the option of changing the subject much earlier in the conversation, or thanking the gentleman for his honest opinions and asking if he were interested in yours, or just stepping up to the plate to defend Israel’s right to exist. My usual go-to is to ask, What is their current source of information regarding the Middle East? Then say, no wonder you are curious since CBC, NYT, CNN, or whatever spends such a disproportionate amount of their ‘air time’ on Israel, while ignoring the real genocides going on in the world, then suggest an alternative source of information “if you are really curious to know more”. Offer to send the person links if they really want a balanced account of the history and actual truth ‘on the ground.’ If they do not want to know more, then I express my regret that their exposure to current events reportage is so lopsided. At least I hope to have planted the seed regarding the brainwashing going on in most of our media.
Being a Jewish-Israeli and a naturalized US citizen, plus a 100% atheist, the theme is familiar and requires a footnote that the author decided to omit for some reason: being Jewish does require a clarification, as we all know that being Jewish is both a religion and also people. “Am Israel Hai” is an established Jewish meme, so a clarification about one’s identity is required for Jews: are they identify themselves as Jewish people, which would then imply that they care about Israel, which could be identified as being a “Zionist,” which is of being used these days as a derogatory term and camouflaged antisemitism, when used by non-Jews.
And for fuller disclosure: Zionism is NOT part of my self-identification because being an Israeli addresses it directly and completely for me — I viscerally care about Israel, its geography, people and future. I have been residing for personal reason in diaspora since 1982, when I left to the U.S.for my PhD studies in Boston, in a “blue chip” university, since then worked as an academic in the U.S., Canada, Australia, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Thailand. I’m 76, a USSR (Western Ukraine) born Israeli, I lived in Israel between 1960-1982, served the usual 3 years, plus the usual annual reserve duty, partially in infantry combat, the rest classified. I’m, like many of my contemporaries, with whom I grew up in Israel, had a Holocaust survivor father (born in the neighborhood of my birth, while mother was born in USSR, was evacuated East, so doesn’t formally qualifies as Holocaust survivor) by now peacefully buried next to my mother, while all my grandparents are buried in the suburbs of Tel-Aviv; 1 of the grandparents, a grandmother, is really a step-grandmother, as my paternal grandmother was murdered by German Nazis in 1943 or 1942, with probably gleeful support (“gleeful” brings up Hamas and 7/October/23), date and place only estimated.
I’m 100% NOT apologetic for being Jewish, but I consider the “Green Line” the boundary of what Israel is for me, which made me eschew Judea and Samaria and Gaza, as much as legally feasible (my bootcamp and squad commander were in Samaria), as NOT being part of my Israel. Like my mates from Bat-Yam, where I lived all my teenage years and until mid-20, I refer to Israel as the “Only Land,” but being a citizen of the U.S., I take my Oath of Allegiance seriously and sincerely.
My apology, though, for bothering the readers with all the above details. I just wanted to illustrate that being Jewish does requires a bit more detail than being Turkish to get a sense of who this Jew is in terms of affiliations and loyalties, which for an Israeli-Jew also informs you for whom and what I’m ready to die for and kill for, which until now I was fortunate to avoid.
Oscar-Joshua
Excellent article.
This strange conversation between TWO JEWS was a wasted opportunity that might better have been spent discussing issues of personal identity, tribalism, the competition for scarce resources that pervades all of nature and explains so much about territorial conflicts all over the world and the questionable future of the human species. The best defense that Jews (or anyone) have against being scapegoated is to point out the shallow silliness of believing that some people, or religions, or states are better than others. In my view, “Poor us, we have contributed so much, and see how unfairly we are treated” really just doesn’t cut it. As I said - this exchange was a wasted opportunity.
You seem to be very lucky when you meet people able to lead at least some `kind of´conversation.
I haven´t had such luck for quite a while now. When I appear somewhere with an Israel flag, I get insulted, spat at or physically attacked. Or a bunch of idiots calling "Free P*lestine". I reply with "HEIL HITLER !" - "Hm?" - "Well, obviously you´re sharing his hobbies, attacking and killing Jews ?"
Those are the usual "conversation" bits these days when politicians at most are whining and warning pricelessly about "rising antisemitism".
If ever in one of thousand times, a faint breath of what could eventually be called "Conversation" takes place, I encounter nothing but staggering, total ignorance regarding everything that defines and constitutes Israeli and Jewish history, conditions, and the present reality; yet these people dare to ceaselessly "know," "judge," and "condemn" matters about which they haven't the faintest clue.
And I am not even a Jew; it is impossible to have a conversation with absolute idiots—who clearly make up the "majority."
This casts a harsh light on what passes, in our glorious chimera "free democratic society", for "education" — something that has long since been replaced by mere "opinion".
I am under no obligation to remain "polite" toward dangerously idiotic fools.
Kill Hasan Piker, kill Mamdami, kill all of Hamas; it is too late for anything else.
Do you really not realize that the year 2033 is just around the corner?