The recent horrific attack against innocent Jews by Hamas and the ensuing war has further polarized discussions and relationships around Jewish identity, inadvertently creating platforms for age-old prejudices against Jews to surface.
While it’s legitimate for the Jewish community to express outrage and seek revenge over Palestinian terror, it’s also crucial to remember that many Palestinians are caught in the middle of this conflict, yearning for normalcy, just like us. The terrorists must be destroyed so both Jews and Palestinians can live their lives in peace and prosperity. Extremists represent agendas that only promote killing and war. It must end once and for all!
Having grown up with parents who survived the Holocaust and with unwavering support for Israel (while I disagree with many political and government policies), I’ve observed with deep concern how our dialogues have evolved. Increasingly, many individuals, including some within the Jewish community, have adopted extreme perspectives. This calls for reflection and action.
Jews of all people know resilience amidst adversity, of communities holding tight to faith even when surrounded by darkness. We continue to prevail when faced with the worst of brutalities throughout history.
Hate of Jews (antisemitism) is back to record levels. It is not safe for our children to even be on college campuses today. We must try to understand how we got here.
Past efforts to counter antisemitism, even in the post-Holocaust era, have been met with varying degrees of success. As we venture deeper into the 21st century, the challenges seem to mutate, becoming more entrenched in the historical maze of misinformation and polarized views.
Sadly, some of the rhetoric, even from former allies in progressive circles, sounds as intense as one might expect from right-wing extremist groups. Some of this intense rhetoric comes from fellow Jews who should know better. Jews demonizing fellow Jews and non-Jews resolves nothing. One-upmanship accomplishes more one-upmanship!
The advent of the internet brought with it the promise of democratized information, a world where knowledge knows no bounds. However, this vast expanse has, paradoxically, also nurtured echo chambers. People increasingly enclose themselves within the comforting walls of familiar information and perspectives, rarely venturing beyond to challenge their perceptions. In such a landscape, the distinction between objective truth and deeply held belief becomes perilously blurred.
We live in a world where many base their truths on polarized sources, often hearing only a singular narrative. It’s essential to grasp that not every perspective or critique, even concerning Jews, springs from a place of inherent antisemitism. Many echo the sole narrative they’ve been exposed to. Many who criticize and condemn Jews have never met a Jew. Jews only make up 0.2 percent of the global population. Most people worldwide have never met a Jew, yet they have their perceptions and beliefs about Jews deeply entrenched.
And herein lies a significant challenge: the reluctance to engage in genuine dialogue. When we talk at each other rather than with each other, we miss opportunities for understanding and bridge-building.
Flashing social media memes nonstop makes individuals feel better but does not bridge any divides. Since the conflict with Hamas started, Facebook today looks like Times Square lit up at night. This is not communication! Instead of memes, we must start real dialog and discussions.
In a world echoing with numerous voices, it’s crucial we learn to truly listen. We, the Jewish community, have a choice in our response. Instead of returning fire with fire on social media, we must prioritize outreach and education over confrontation. Our history, vast and rich, holds more than just pain; it also carries wisdom, resilience, and stories of unity.
Gone are the days when the collective post-Holocaust guilt of the world offered some respite from antisemitism. As these memories fade with each generation, the powerful phrase “never forget” has lost its weight. Most people alive today have no direct connection or recollection of the Holocaust and World War II. They have no recollection of the lessons learned. Hence, the cycle of hate returns as it always does throughout history.
The echoing refrain “Never Forget” has been etched into our collective consciousness following the Holocaust. But over the years, it’s become a mantra often recited without action or understanding behind it. While these words may soothe our individual or collective conscience, they remain mere words if not backed by purposeful action.
Holocaust survivors, like my parents, envisioned a legacy beyond just remembrance. They aspired for a world where Jews who perished wouldn’t just be remembered but also a world where Jews could live without the shadow of antisemitism. In the years that have passed, our emphasis on recalling the horrors of the Holocaust overshadowed the more essential mission: to eliminate the seeds of hatred that led to it.
Relying on collective guilt is short-lived. Subsequent generations, detached from the horrors, lose an emotional connection. Therefore, an approach grounded solely in the haunting memories of the Holocaust has proven insufficient.
To combat antisemitism effectively, our strategy needs a broader focus, one that paints the vibrant tapestry of Jewish history. Many who harbor prejudices against Jews do so from ignorance, often never having interacted with a Jew firsthand. They’ve formed opinions based on stereotypes, hearsay, and misrepresentations. Jews have made little effort to create a dialog and relationship with individuals and communities who only know Jews through the lens of others.
We must address this divergence in views through education, dialogue, and relationship building. It’s essential to create safe spaces where individuals can express their opinions, ask questions, and learn from one another. By engaging in open conversations, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved and foster unity amidst diversity.
While external threats have always existed, it’s the internal strength, understanding, and solidarity that have allowed Jews to overcome countless challenges. In the face of rising extremism or divisiveness, this unity becomes even more crucial.
Embracing the values of tolerance, understanding, and dialogue can help bridge the misinformation, misunderstandings, and even conflict that exists between Jews and non-Jews. By leaning into our shared history and the lessons it offers, Jews worldwide can continue to be a shining example of resilience and hope in an ever-changing world.
To comprehensively address antisemitism, our educational tactics must transcend a Holocaust-centric focus to encompass:
Foundational Stories: Learn about Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lay the bedrock of our beginnings and connection to ancient Judea.
Ancient Challenges: Delve into the trials our ancestors faced, from Egypt’s pyramids to Rome’s destruction of the 2nd Temple.
Debunking Myths: Confront the myths and misconceptions that have pursued Jews for ages.
Exiles and Pogroms: Reflect on our tumultuous journey, from multiple European expulsions to Czarist Russia’s brutality.
Deciphering “Antisemitism”: Unravel the misconceptions underpinning this age-old prejudice.
The Holocaust & Beyond: Understand the enduring impact of the Holocaust on our collective identity.
Israel’s Story: Look past headlines to grasp the intricacies of Israel’s long history and journey. Help people understand Jews want to live in peace with Palestinians so all can be safe and prosper.
Modern Realities: Acknowledge today’s challenges, from rising antisemitism to misrepresentation.
Ending antisemitism requires bridging the rift of misunderstanding. That will take active engagement and education of the entire history of Jews.
The Holocaust, undoubtedly one of humanity’s darkest chapters, spanning a harrowing six years, is but a fragment of the Jewish narrative. Yet, it’s a narrative that has often overshadowed the vast expanse of Jewish history, encapsulating centuries of culture, resilience, and survival.
That’s why I’m taking action, not publishing memes. I am actively developing and launching a seminar: “Unraveling the Long History of Hatred Towards Jews, A Journey Through Time and Prejudice.”
The seminar will be piloted with several local libraries and non-Jewish groups in early 2024.
This initiative is just one person’s step. The journey is long and much bigger than my own effort. I urge you to dive deeper, to explore beyond the known, to interact, and to understand. Only through education and dialogue can we hope to carve out a world where understanding overcomes antisemitism.