Diversity, equity, inclusion but not for Jews?

[Anonymous]

So, speak up. Most heads of organizations are not addressing these issues out of kindness. They are doing what they feel is needed to address their employees concerns. So clearly express your concerns.

[Anonymous]

I was on a long-haul flight once and a man began winding his tefillin around his arm. The flight attendants were so alarmed they were talking about tackling him until I told them it was part of his religion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was on a long-haul flight once and a man began winding his tefillin around his arm. The flight attendants were so alarmed they were talking about tackling him until I told them it was part of his religion.

^That wouldn't have been an issue if he had pulled out a large crucifix and bible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was on a long-haul flight once and a man began winding his tefillin around his arm. The flight attendants were so alarmed they were talking about tackling him until I told them it was part of his religion.

And, once you explained, everything was fine. I don't see the issue here, as it is reasonable for someone to be unfamiliar with what was happening and to be concerned on an airplane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was on a long-haul flight once and a man began winding his tefillin around his arm. The flight attendants were so alarmed they were talking about tackling him until I told them it was part of his religion.

^That wouldn't have been an issue if he had pulled out a large crucifix and bible.

Because these are familiar symbols in a majority Christian country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The shootings at the Asian massage parlors this week got to me, but not in the way you think. This was an atrocious incident of hate. My CEO sent out a note about it, as they did with the police killings of Black individuals last summer. All appropriate. We’ve doubled down on emphasizing equity. But it struck me today — I don’t think our CEO said anything after the Synagouge shootings. Perhaps we weren’t woke enough back then. But in thinking about all of our discussions lately about diversity and equity I can’t think of a time antisemitism was ever part of the conversation and there’s this inherent sense that Jews are just part of the white dominance. It’s almost as if folks don’t want to talk about the fact that antisemitism is alive and well....

Anyone else experiencing something similar?

No, quite the opposite. Why not ask co-workers if your CEO said anything. Seems like you are not sure.
I hear about antisemitism so much, and anything and everything Jewish that it makes me feel like there are 200-500 million Jews in the world. Maybe it's because of the DC area. I learned about Holocaust at school several times (in US and in Europe) and much longer than the whole of Asia. I had forgotten all about what Asians go through until now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was on a long-haul flight once and a man began winding his tefillin around his arm. The flight attendants were so alarmed they were talking about tackling him until I told them it was part of his religion.

And, once you explained, everything was fine. I don't see the issue here, as it is reasonable for someone to be unfamiliar with what was happening and to be concerned on an airplane.

And because he was white (I assume) they didn’t just tackle him, but talked about it first and got educated. That’s white privilege.

— Jew of color.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was on a long-haul flight once and a man began winding his tefillin around his arm. The flight attendants were so alarmed they were talking about tackling him until I told them it was part of his religion.

And, once you explained, everything was fine. I don't see the issue here, as it is reasonable for someone to be unfamiliar with what was happening and to be concerned on an airplane.

And because he was white (I assume) they didn’t just tackle him, but talked about it first and got educated. That’s white privilege.

— Jew of color.

There are a whole lot of assumptions in your post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Jewish but the sentiment I always got is that Jewish people 'blend' into the greater white demographic. Unless its a synagogue attacked you don't hear about people being discriminated against in hiring practices or home buying or on the streets because they're Jewish. No one knows you're Jewish.

We blend in because we’ve gotten good at hiding our Jewish identity. That’s out of necessity.

OMG! It’s comments like this that makes you sound ridiculous. You know who can’t hide their identity? Black and Asian people.

Obviously, antisemitism is a problem in this country. The synagogue attacks prove that, but there have also been increasing number of lower level hate crimes against individuals and houses of worship. I think you’re right that Jews do get sidelined in the discussion about racism precisely because they can easily blend in to predominantly white spaces AND white power structures. Where you sound completely tone deaf is not understanding the massive advantage that gives you. As a light skinned black woman who can often blend into white spaces, I can tell you that is a VERY privileged position compared to darker skinned black women. And yes, it does mean hiding aspects of my identity which has its own issues — but let’s not forget that it comes with enormous advantages. In the context of Asians speaking out about being murdered because of how they look, it’s incredibly tone deaf to talk about the burdens of easy assimilation.

Wait, so because Jews can often hide, that means they don’t deserve allyship?

Also, newsflash: many Jews cannot hide. Many of us have pretty distinct features.

You sound ignorant.

The PP sounds worse than ignorant. What a hateful response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Jewish but the sentiment I always got is that Jewish people 'blend' into the greater white demographic. Unless its a synagogue attacked you don't hear about people being discriminated against in hiring practices or home buying or on the streets because they're Jewish. No one knows you're Jewish.

We blend in because we’ve gotten good at hiding our Jewish identity. That’s out of necessity.

OMG! It’s comments like this that makes you sound ridiculous. You know who can’t hide their identity? Black and Asian people.

Obviously, antisemitism is a problem in this country. The synagogue attacks prove that, but there have also been increasing number of lower level hate crimes against individuals and houses of worship. I think you’re right that Jews do get sidelined in the discussion about racism precisely because they can easily blend in to predominantly white spaces AND white power structures. Where you sound completely tone deaf is not understanding the massive advantage that gives you. As a light skinned black woman who can often blend into white spaces, I can tell you that is a VERY privileged position compared to darker skinned black women. And yes, it does mean hiding aspects of my identity which has its own issues — but let’s not forget that it comes with enormous advantages. In the context of Asians speaking out about being murdered because of how they look, it’s incredibly tone deaf to talk about the burdens of easy assimilation.

Hey, PP. I hear you. I totally hear you. But what about observant Jews who, by definition, dress in a manner that easily identifies them as Jews to any passerby? Are you saying they should choose to discard their religious garments to "blend in?" Is that a solution? I discourage my husband from wearing a kippah (head covering) because I worry he will be targeted. Check out what happens in religious Jewish neighborhoods in NYC and the violence against observant Jews. So please, don't be tone deaf about observant Jews. And by the way - many of us who are conservative or reform Jews "easily" (according to you) assimilate by discarding our traditions and choosing very "white" names for our kids. I recognize that as a white woman I do not face the same issues as you do, as a Black woman, but I also have experienced anti-semitism first hand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Jewish but the sentiment I always got is that Jewish people 'blend' into the greater white demographic. Unless its a synagogue attacked you don't hear about people being discriminated against in hiring practices or home buying or on the streets because they're Jewish. No one knows you're Jewish.

We blend in because we’ve gotten good at hiding our Jewish identity. That’s out of necessity.

OMG! It’s comments like this that makes you sound ridiculous. You know who can’t hide their identity? Black and Asian people.

Obviously, antisemitism is a problem in this country. The synagogue attacks prove that, but there have also been increasing number of lower level hate crimes against individuals and houses of worship. I think you’re right that Jews do get sidelined in the discussion about racism precisely because they can easily blend in to predominantly white spaces AND white power structures. Where you sound completely tone deaf is not understanding the massive advantage that gives you. As a light skinned black woman who can often blend into white spaces, I can tell you that is a VERY privileged position compared to darker skinned black women. And yes, it does mean hiding aspects of my identity which has its own issues — but let’s not forget that it comes with enormous advantages. In the context of Asians speaking out about being murdered because of how they look, it’s incredibly tone deaf to talk about the burdens of easy assimilation.

Wait, so because Jews can often hide, that means they don’t deserve allyship?

Also, newsflash: many Jews cannot hide. Many of us have pretty distinct features.

You sound ignorant.

The PP sounds worse than ignorant. What a hateful response.

Remember when Jews hid during the Holocaust? Didn't work out so well for most...

[Anonymous]

I never hear about synagogue shootings outside of Europe. I didn’t even know about the one OP referenced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Jewish but the sentiment I always got is that Jewish people 'blend' into the greater white demographic. Unless its a synagogue attacked you don't hear about people being discriminated against in hiring practices or home buying or on the streets because they're Jewish. No one knows you're Jewish.

We blend in because we’ve gotten good at hiding our Jewish identity. That’s out of necessity.

OMG! It’s comments like this that makes you sound ridiculous. You know who can’t hide their identity? Black and Asian people.

Obviously, antisemitism is a problem in this country. The synagogue attacks prove that, but there have also been increasing number of lower level hate crimes against individuals and houses of worship. I think you’re right that Jews do get sidelined in the discussion about racism precisely because they can easily blend in to predominantly white spaces AND white power structures. Where you sound completely tone deaf is not understanding the massive advantage that gives you. As a light skinned black woman who can often blend into white spaces, I can tell you that is a VERY privileged position compared to darker skinned black women. And yes, it does mean hiding aspects of my identity which has its own issues — but let’s not forget that it comes with enormous advantages. In the context of Asians speaking out about being murdered because of how they look, it’s incredibly tone deaf to talk about the burdens of easy assimilation.

Hey, PP. I hear you. I totally hear you. But what about observant Jews who, by definition, dress in a manner that easily identifies them as Jews to any passerby? Are you saying they should choose to discard their religious garments to "blend in?" Is that a solution? I discourage my husband from wearing a kippah (head covering) because I worry he will be targeted. Check out what happens in religious Jewish neighborhoods in NYC and the violence against observant Jews. So please, don't be tone deaf about observant Jews. And by the way - many of us who are conservative or reform Jews "easily" (according to you) assimilate by discarding our traditions and choosing very "white" names for our kids. I recognize that as a white woman I do not face the same issues as you do, as a Black woman, but I also have experienced anti-semitism first hand.

Exactly. It shows that many PPs are completely ignorant as to the Jewish faith. Yarmukle, sudra, shtreimel, tallit, sheitels ... most people are completely ignorant that these items of religious dress even exist. Tell me that a Hasidic wearing these items would "blend into white spaces" without a second glance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Jewish but the sentiment I always got is that Jewish people 'blend' into the greater white demographic. Unless its a synagogue attacked you don't hear about people being discriminated against in hiring practices or home buying or on the streets because they're Jewish. No one knows you're Jewish.

We blend in because we’ve gotten good at hiding our Jewish identity. That’s out of necessity.

OMG! It’s comments like this that makes you sound ridiculous. You know who can’t hide their identity? Black and Asian people.

Obviously, antisemitism is a problem in this country. The synagogue attacks prove that, but there have also been increasing number of lower level hate crimes against individuals and houses of worship. I think you’re right that Jews do get sidelined in the discussion about racism precisely because they can easily blend in to predominantly white spaces AND white power structures. Where you sound completely tone deaf is not understanding the massive advantage that gives you. As a light skinned black woman who can often blend into white spaces, I can tell you that is a VERY privileged position compared to darker skinned black women. And yes, it does mean hiding aspects of my identity which has its own issues — but let’s not forget that it comes with enormous advantages. In the context of Asians speaking out about being murdered because of how they look, it’s incredibly tone deaf to talk about the burdens of easy assimilation.

Hey, PP. I hear you. I totally hear you. But what about observant Jews who, by definition, dress in a manner that easily identifies them as Jews to any passerby? Are you saying they should choose to discard their religious garments to "blend in?" Is that a solution? I discourage my husband from wearing a kippah (head covering) because I worry he will be targeted. Check out what happens in religious Jewish neighborhoods in NYC and the violence against observant Jews. So please, don't be tone deaf about observant Jews. And by the way - many of us who are conservative or reform Jews "easily" (according to you) assimilate by discarding our traditions and choosing very "white" names for our kids. I recognize that as a white woman I do not face the same issues as you do, as a Black woman, but I also have experienced anti-semitism first hand.

Exactly. It shows that many PPs are completely ignorant as to the Jewish faith. Yarmukle, sudra, shtreimel, tallit, sheitels ... most people are completely ignorant that these items of religious dress even exist. Tell me that a Hasidic wearing these items would "blend into white spaces" without a second glance.

No, but you may be overestimating the number of people who will see these items of religious dress and realize that they indicate that someone is Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not Jewish but the sentiment I always got is that Jewish people 'blend' into the greater white demographic. Unless its a synagogue attacked you don't hear about people being discriminated against in hiring practices or home buying or on the streets because they're Jewish. No one knows you're Jewish.

We blend in because we’ve gotten good at hiding our Jewish identity. That’s out of necessity.

OMG! It’s comments like this that makes you sound ridiculous. You know who can’t hide their identity? Black and Asian people.

Obviously, antisemitism is a problem in this country. The synagogue attacks prove that, but there have also been increasing number of lower level hate crimes against individuals and houses of worship. I think you’re right that Jews do get sidelined in the discussion about racism precisely because they can easily blend in to predominantly white spaces AND white power structures. Where you sound completely tone deaf is not understanding the massive advantage that gives you. As a light skinned black woman who can often blend into white spaces, I can tell you that is a VERY privileged position compared to darker skinned black women. And yes, it does mean hiding aspects of my identity which has its own issues — but let’s not forget that it comes with enormous advantages. In the context of Asians speaking out about being murdered because of how they look, it’s incredibly tone deaf to talk about the burdens of easy assimilation.

Hey, PP. I hear you. I totally hear you. But what about observant Jews who, by definition, dress in a manner that easily identifies them as Jews to any passerby? Are you saying they should choose to discard their religious garments to "blend in?" Is that a solution? I discourage my husband from wearing a kippah (head covering) because I worry he will be targeted. Check out what happens in religious Jewish neighborhoods in NYC and the violence against observant Jews. So please, don't be tone deaf about observant Jews. And by the way - many of us who are conservative or reform Jews "easily" (according to you) assimilate by discarding our traditions and choosing very "white" names for our kids. I recognize that as a white woman I do not face the same issues as you do, as a Black woman, but I also have experienced anti-semitism first hand.

Exactly. It shows that many PPs are completely ignorant as to the Jewish faith. Yarmukle, sudra, shtreimel, tallit, sheitels ... most people are completely ignorant that these items of religious dress even exist. Tell me that a Hasidic wearing these items would "blend into white spaces" without a second glance.

No, but you may be overestimating the number of people who will see these items of religious dress and realize that they indicate that someone is Jewish.

Perhaps, but the people who are the most anti-semitic are usually the ones who know more about Judaism than others. But really, why are we arguing about this? If a black person, or any person of color, tells me they do not feel comfortable in certain spaces and tell me they face racism and discrimination - I listen, I try to do better in my own life, and I believe. So why is it when it comes to a Jew telling you that they do not feel welcome or comfortable in certain spaces, and feel threatened going through life, why is it so hard for you to believe? Do you not see security at our synagogues? Maybe ponder that. This is not a race to the bottom of who has it worse.