wearing a jewish star

[Anonymous]

I used to be anti this and kind of felt that it was slightly yucky to go around with your religion around your neck. I felt the same way about crosses too. Since everything that's been going on, I'm wondering if this is something that I should reconsider as a way of showing solidarity with other Jews.

Please don't turn this into a rabid antisemitic thread or one that starts going into Gaza or it will be shut down. I'm curious about the ways that people want to show their jewishness in the current cultural climate. I've seen a lot of very pretty tiny jewish stars. It would just be a real departure from what I've been doing for about 40+ years!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to be anti this and kind of felt that it was slightly yucky to go around with your religion around your neck. I felt the same way about crosses too. Since everything that's been going on, I'm wondering if this is something that I should reconsider as a way of showing solidarity with other Jews.

Please don't turn this into a rabid antisemitic thread or one that starts going into Gaza or it will be shut down. I'm curious about the ways that people want to show their jewishness in the current cultural climate. I've seen a lot of very pretty tiny jewish stars. It would just be a real departure from what I've been doing for about 40+ years!

I don't do it simply for a sense of safety. There are a lot of antisemites out there, and I'm not interested in an encounter.

[Anonymous]

I used to have a nice, subtle star necklace that I always wore. It was white gold and very pretty. I took it off around when the Trump years started and never put it back on. I don't feel safe with anyone knowing we're Jewish anymore.

[Anonymous]

Roberto Coin has a lovely small Jewish star necklace.

I started wearing a hamsa necklace recently. Multiple religions/cultures use this symbol, so it's not strictly Jewish, but is very recognizable as a Jewish symbol too. And I like the additional mysticism/protection it provides.

[Anonymous]

but Muslims wear those as well? its the hand of Fatima with the evil eye inscribed on it- doesnt that go against jewish belief? also arent the stars called stars of David?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:but Muslims wear those as well? its the hand of Fatima with the evil eye inscribed on it- doesnt that go against jewish belief? also arent the stars called stars of David?

Np
Multiple endorsements, sounds like a good thing

[Anonymous]

oh just wikki-ed it and its a symbol of Israel. I'd think a 6 pointed star would be safer than an actual symbol of Israel what with how people are feeling these days!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:but Muslims wear those as well? its the hand of Fatima with the evil eye inscribed on it- doesnt that go against jewish belief? also arent the stars called stars of David?

A hamsa, and it's an ancient symbol, both religions wear. Yes, star of David.

[Anonymous]

I get it, OP. We have an interfaith household and for the first time I balked at putting a wreath on the door during the holidays and wanted some kind of Jewish representation (as well). Just to let others walking down the street know that they are not alone. My spouse didn’t like the idea and felt it would open us up to harassment… They’re not wrong, but that’s kind of the point too.

Our son has a non-Jewish last name and I never thought that I would be grateful for that fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:oh just wikki-ed it and its a symbol of Israel. I'd think a 6 pointed star would be safer than an actual symbol of Israel what with how people are feeling these days!

The Star of David is a symbol of Israel in the same way that many Muslim countries have a star and crescent on their flag to represent Islam. It is a symbol of Judaism, not of Israel, and the starc and crescent are a symbol of Islam, not the many Muslim countries that use it on the flag.

[Anonymous]

Try to be more Jewish rather than performatively wearing something Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try to be more Jewish rather than performatively wearing something Jewish.

What a gratuitously rude response.

[Anonymous]

I feel similarly. I am actually getting my first Magen david necklace for my birthday this week. I am nervous to wear it at work though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try to be more Jewish rather than performatively wearing something Jewish.

"Performative" is a pejorative term with limited application to Jewish people and practices. It is hard to draw a line between "being performative" and practicing Judaism or just being part of Jewish culture. Ultimately, "performative" is a subjective and negative term, intended to gatekeep more than to encourage meaningful interaction with an ethnic or religious background.

[Anonymous]

A friend went to Italy and brought me back a beautiful Star of David from the first jewish ghetto and I used to wear it every Friday and Saturday. After the war started last fall, I stopped for my personal safety.