Most people mean well, but good intentions aren’t enough. Here’s what actually makes a difference for your Jewish family members, friends, and colleagues.
Most non-Jews feel that it’s not their fight. It’s a tough sell, Melissa. It’s asking a lot to expect your friends (99% of them who are actually just acquaintances, not friends) to involve themselves in a difficult conversation on behalf of a Jewish neighbor, teammate, co-worker. Not gonna happen on a large scale. Too much work, too much uncertainty as to what social friction their support for you would result in. And I don’t expect anything more. The light isn’t gonna suddenly turn on anyway, even in the unlikely event that one of my “friends” openly confronts an anti-semitic trope in my absence.
I’ll take care of myself. It’s all I can reasonably expect.
I've given up on most of my non-Jewish friends and acquaintances at this point. I don't have the time and the patience to watch their eyes glass over as they lecture me on the sufferings of Blacks and gays (ignoring what Jews are experiencing), or harden as they lecture me on how Israel is committing "horrors" (just what horrors is always left vague.) You know...screw 'em. I can live without these people in my life.
Try “triangulating:” In Judaism, the relationship between God and the Jewish people is defined by an eternal covenant (a sacred, binding agreement) established with Abraham and solidified at Mount Sinai. Whether Old or New Testament, God cherishes His relationship with the Jews. Our treatment — from those who first love and honor God — should flow from there.
Perfect! I would just remove the hyphen from “Antizionism” because this iteration of Jew-hatred is its own new phenomenon, which has nothing to do with pre-1948 Jewish debate over whether or not to reconstitute a state. Antizionism IS what you describe to a T: the libels, the scapegoating, the “but I’m not antisemitic!” fig leaf, the very real marginalization and persecution of Jews everywhere as proxies for a demonized Jew among nations, Israel. Thank you for all your writing!
Really, all we ever ask is to be left alone. All the business, libraries, medical advances, smart phone tech, etc is protection payment.
People know exactly what they should do—they just don’t do it.
The silent majority stays silent. In my own experience, 95% of people say nothing. Not a word.
Some are afraid to speak out. Others think it doesn’t affect them.
They’re wrong. It does. But that’s a longer conversation for another day.
Most non-Jews feel that it’s not their fight. It’s a tough sell, Melissa. It’s asking a lot to expect your friends (99% of them who are actually just acquaintances, not friends) to involve themselves in a difficult conversation on behalf of a Jewish neighbor, teammate, co-worker. Not gonna happen on a large scale. Too much work, too much uncertainty as to what social friction their support for you would result in. And I don’t expect anything more. The light isn’t gonna suddenly turn on anyway, even in the unlikely event that one of my “friends” openly confronts an anti-semitic trope in my absence.
I’ll take care of myself. It’s all I can reasonably expect.
Brilliant
You've got it. 🫂
I've given up on most of my non-Jewish friends and acquaintances at this point. I don't have the time and the patience to watch their eyes glass over as they lecture me on the sufferings of Blacks and gays (ignoring what Jews are experiencing), or harden as they lecture me on how Israel is committing "horrors" (just what horrors is always left vague.) You know...screw 'em. I can live without these people in my life.
Try “triangulating:” In Judaism, the relationship between God and the Jewish people is defined by an eternal covenant (a sacred, binding agreement) established with Abraham and solidified at Mount Sinai. Whether Old or New Testament, God cherishes His relationship with the Jews. Our treatment — from those who first love and honor God — should flow from there.
Perfect! I would just remove the hyphen from “Antizionism” because this iteration of Jew-hatred is its own new phenomenon, which has nothing to do with pre-1948 Jewish debate over whether or not to reconstitute a state. Antizionism IS what you describe to a T: the libels, the scapegoating, the “but I’m not antisemitic!” fig leaf, the very real marginalization and persecution of Jews everywhere as proxies for a demonized Jew among nations, Israel. Thank you for all your writing!