Anonymous wrote:I think this piece captures how I’m feeling right now and does a great job of explaining the frustration I personally feel when people feel the need to bring Israel into the conversation about antisemitism here in the US.

https://boazmunro.medium.com/dear-american-progressives-your-jewish-friends-are-terrified-b24068fcf488

Thank you for posting the link to this letter. I’ve had questions about how I can best be an ally and I found this letter to be both informative and very helpful.

I think a lot these days about the "are we guests here?" question, which it merits saying is something we didn't used to actually say out loud or bother to defensively insist we're not. The times have definitely brought this out. That's telling in itself.

I also (in our Progressive city, in my Progressive workplace, etc. ) feel this enormous pressure to demonstrate I'm one of the "good" Jews. Not too attached to Jewish tradition, not too aware of Jewish history, not too relieved Israel exists in the event we turn out to be guests here after all.

And this is simply not an area with much of an observant Jewish community. I have to remind myself every time DCUM Jews, who seem to skew very Reform or basically Reform, shock me by proclaiming themselves to be both "good" Jews (as in inoffensive cosmopolitan universalists who have no interest in Jewish particularity) and also that they can be this way and insist that they're still somehow good Jews (as Jews) because they're totally free to decide for themselves, from within their own pupiks (look it up if you need to, case in point) what that means.

Anyway, I recommend this essay, which I thought was a very clear-sighted discussion of Jew-hating moments in the world like the one that has emerged again. The thing is we're inherently uncool, and we'll be punished as long as we refuse to make ourselves cool: https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/arts-letters/articles/the-cool-kids

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the first time in my adult life I am truly worried for the safety of my family. And for the person who says that in our secular society society, religion shouldn’t be our life story, one of the pillars of this country is the right to express one’s personal religion in public life. I would hope that you were not saying that by simply expressing our faith by dress or participation in prayer means we are asking to be treated badly or even being attacked. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999790233/officials-say-hate-crimes-against-jews-are-growing-in-the-aftermath-of-gaza-viol

No, I am saying if you're concerned about being attacked for ANY reason, don't give potential attackers information that could lead to an attack.

e.g., If you're concerned about your car being broken into, always lock it when you leave it. If you're concerned about being molested on the street, avoid dark streets, sketchy neighborhoods and carry a protective device

You may not understand this, but Jews cannot avoid detection (and should not have to, either). Jews go to Jewish places of worship, Jewish schools, and Jewish stores and restaurants. Many Jews wear religious clothing and hairstyles as part of a religious obligation. There are Jewish neighborhoods and Jewish business districts. Many Jews appear Jewish no matter what they do. If what you're suggesting is that Jews go into hiding in order avoid being attacked ... well ...

I didn't know that
You self segregate a lot. Funny that I never knew

After reading this thread in one sitting, it seems like this poster is either a troll or an antisemite (no, it’s obviously not “self-segregating” for Jews to pray in Jewish synagogues or shop for kosher products in Jewish stores), and it’s not clear what the point of engaging with them is.

By the sounds of it, you are already in hiding.
Separate grocery stores, schools, shop at different stores, separate restaurants
By the sounds of it contact with outsiders is frowned upon

I'm going to engage with you as if you are sincere.

About 75% of Jews (like me) in America identify as either secular or reform Jews, and another 16% identity as conservative.

We live in the same neighborhood as you, shop at the same grocery store, send our kids to a local public school, play on the same little league teams. Some of us go to temple, some never do.

Less than ten percent are Hardei or Orthodox, and live in commentates bound by eruvs and dress, shop, school etc in an obviously identifiable way.

Jews cannot, nor should they have to, hide their Jewishness in America in order to avoid being assaulted, just as no other ethnic or religious group should have to.

We are not guests in your country. This is very important for you to understand.

Say it louder for those in the back!

This is a good piece from Jewish Currents:
https://jewishcurrents.org/a-closer-look-at-the-uptick-in-antisemitism/

If I removed incidents in which the ADL’s determination of antisemitism is controversial, including protest signs with anti-Zionist content or Holocaust comparisons—as well as the “F Zionist Israel” graffiti at Bates College, which did not target a Jewish institution—the increase was more modest: from seven entries the week before the crisis, to ten between May 7th and May 13th, and 16 between May 14th and May 21st. More than a doubling, to be sure, but given an American Jewish population of 7.6 million, hardly an epidemic, especially given that all but eight of the incidents were nonviolent.

The prominent reports of antisemitic violent assaults included in the tracker, and making the rounds on social media, are certainly concerning. “To my knowledge, we haven’t seen these attacks on Jews before during moments of mass protests on the street,” said Ben Lorber, a research analyst at Political Research Associates who studies far-right antisemitism and white nationalism. But the significance of these attacks is obscured when they are lumped in with other incidents of a far less severe nature, like Facebook comments, and incidents in which the antisemitic content is arguable, like anti-Zionist protest chants. It is also suspect to base claims of an uptick on incidents that have not yet been fully investigated. Yet news outlets like MSBNC have already created maps of the antisemitic surge compiling incidents from the tracker without disambiguating their categories, and reports in outlets like NPR and NBC cite the ADL number of 193 reported incidents without specifying which kinds of incidents make up this number.

By conflating weighty incidents with trivial ones—and encouraging others to do the same—the ADL only makes it more difficult to measure antisemitism in American life. Jerome Chanes, a writer on Jewish public affairs who has done extensive research on antisemitism, said that “very few serious social scientists” take the ADL’s yearly audit of antisemitic incidents seriously. “We don’t have a handle on what many of these incidents are. Some of them might be serious—I’m sure they are,” he said. “Some of them are on the level of ‘My neighbor said she heard something on the radio last night,’ and it’s all lumped together. It’s very hard to evaluate the numbers.”

I think this piece captures how I’m feeling right now and does a great job of explaining the frustration I personally feel when people feel the need to bring Israel into the conversation about antisemitism here in the US.

https://boazmunro.medium.com/dear-american-progressives-your-jewish-friends-are-terrified-b24068fcf488

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish. I live in a Pittsburgh suburb. My kids have graduated but I hear from friends that there are incidents of antisemitism in the school district where I live and a nearby school district fairly often (language, graffiti, bullying etc). The two districts have a fair amount of Jewish kids and have 2 synagogues nearby - we are about 35 minutes from Squirrel Hill where Tree of Life is. All of the kids know about TOL yet the antisemitism continues and appears to be getting worse. They are targeting people they know. The only way the offenders know the victims are Jewish is bc the offenders know them - they don’t keep Shabbat, don’t keep kosher, don’t wear a kippah. It’s just ignorance and evil. And it starts at home. It’s a terrible time right now.

Sorry about this -- and I wouldn't be surprised if the people harassing Jews think of themselves as good Christians and/or patriotic Americans.

Thank you - I’m not going to speculate. But a group of those patriotic Americans were opposed to a rally last summer organized by black and white students in support of our black community members. Instead of going, they stayed home with their guns, afraid of violence. Note that the rally was held in our police dept parking lot with the support of our local government and police. If they had gone, they would have heard heartbreaking stories of micro aggressions and down right bullying against students of color, including top student athletes. Tragic. The antisemitism and the racism in the schools won’t stop until there are tough consequences against the students. Calling a name you don’t understand calls for education IMO. Repeated harassment after you have been educated needs a harsh consequence. We aren’t there yet where I live.

Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish. I live in a Pittsburgh suburb. My kids have graduated but I hear from friends that there are incidents of antisemitism in the school district where I live and a nearby school district fairly often (language, graffiti, bullying etc). The two districts have a fair amount of Jewish kids and have 2 synagogues nearby - we are about 35 minutes from Squirrel Hill where Tree of Life is. All of the kids know about TOL yet the antisemitism continues and appears to be getting worse. They are targeting people they know. The only way the offenders know the victims are Jewish is bc the offenders know them - they don’t keep Shabbat, don’t keep kosher, don’t wear a kippah. It’s just ignorance and evil. And it starts at home. It’s a terrible time right now.

Sorry about this -- and I wouldn't be surprised if the people harassing Jews think of themselves as good Christians and/or patriotic Americans.

There is so much of this going around- Asian hate in the wake of COVID, hateful remarks against POC, LBGQT, and the list goes on...

Sorry that this additional anxiety is felt after such a hellish year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:For the first time in my adult life I am truly worried for the safety of my family. And for the person who says that in our secular society society, religion shouldn’t be our life story, one of the pillars of this country is the right to express one’s personal religion in public life. I would hope that you were not saying that by simply expressing our faith by dress or participation in prayer means we are asking to be treated badly or even being attacked. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999790233/officials-say-hate-crimes-against-jews-are-growing-in-the-aftermath-of-gaza-viol

No, I am saying if you're concerned about being attacked for ANY reason, don't give potential attackers information that could lead to an attack.

e.g., If you're concerned about your car being broken into, always lock it when you leave it. If you're concerned about being molested on the street, avoid dark streets, sketchy neighborhoods and carry a protective device

You may not understand this, but Jews cannot avoid detection (and should not have to, either). Jews go to Jewish places of worship, Jewish schools, and Jewish stores and restaurants. Many Jews wear religious clothing and hairstyles as part of a religious obligation. There are Jewish neighborhoods and Jewish business districts. Many Jews appear Jewish no matter what they do. If what you're suggesting is that Jews go into hiding in order avoid being attacked ... well ...

I didn't know that
You self segregate a lot. Funny that I never knew

After reading this thread in one sitting, it seems like this poster is either a troll or an antisemite (no, it’s obviously not “self-segregating” for Jews to pray in Jewish synagogues or shop for kosher products in Jewish stores), and it’s not clear what the point of engaging with them is.

By the sounds of it, you are already in hiding.
Separate grocery stores, schools, shop at different stores, separate restaurants
By the sounds of it contact with outsiders is frowned upon

I'm going to engage with you as if you are sincere.

About 75% of Jews (like me) in America identify as either secular or reform Jews, and another 16% identity as conservative.

We live in the same neighborhood as you, shop at the same grocery store, send our kids to a local public school, play on the same little league teams. Some of us go to temple, some never do.

Less than ten percent are Hardei or Orthodox, and live in commentates bound by eruvs and dress, shop, school etc in an obviously identifiable way.

Jews cannot, nor should they have to, hide their Jewishness in America in order to avoid being assaulted, just as no other ethnic or religious group should have to.

We are not guests in your country. This is very important for you to understand.

I am Jewish. I live in a Pittsburgh suburb. My kids have graduated but I hear from friends that there are incidents of antisemitism in the school district where I live and a nearby school district fairly often (language, graffiti, bullying etc). The two districts have a fair amount of Jewish kids and have 2 synagogues nearby - we are about 35 minutes from Squirrel Hill where Tree of Life is. All of the kids know about TOL yet the antisemitism continues and appears to be getting worse. They are targeting people they know. The only way the offenders know the victims are Jewish is bc the offenders know them - they don’t keep Shabbat, don’t keep kosher, don’t wear a kippah. It’s just ignorance and evil. And it starts at home. It’s a terrible time right now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the first time in my adult life I am truly worried for the safety of my family. And for the person who says that in our secular society society, religion shouldn’t be our life story, one of the pillars of this country is the right to express one’s personal religion in public life. I would hope that you were not saying that by simply expressing our faith by dress or participation in prayer means we are asking to be treated badly or even being attacked. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999790233/officials-say-hate-crimes-against-jews-are-growing-in-the-aftermath-of-gaza-viol

No, I am saying if you're concerned about being attacked for ANY reason, don't give potential attackers information that could lead to an attack.

e.g., If you're concerned about your car being broken into, always lock it when you leave it. If you're concerned about being molested on the street, avoid dark streets, sketchy neighborhoods and carry a protective device

Like hanging a mezuzah on my doorframe? Or maybe walking in or out of a synagogue? Are those the types of things I should avoid doing?

What about my Jewish last name? Should I stop publishing my work under my own name because of online trolls and threats? That type of thing?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the first time in my adult life I am truly worried for the safety of my family. And for the person who says that in our secular society society, religion shouldn’t be our life story, one of the pillars of this country is the right to express one’s personal religion in public life. I would hope that you were not saying that by simply expressing our faith by dress or participation in prayer means we are asking to be treated badly or even being attacked. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999790233/officials-say-hate-crimes-against-jews-are-growing-in-the-aftermath-of-gaza-viol

No, I am saying if you're concerned about being attacked for ANY reason, don't give potential attackers information that could lead to an attack.

e.g., If you're concerned about your car being broken into, always lock it when you leave it. If you're concerned about being molested on the street, avoid dark streets, sketchy neighborhoods and carry a protective device

DP here. But she should still stop people from attacking in the 1st place. Teach your kids to respect people regardless of religion, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, etc.

Anonymous wrote:There has been a huge rise in bigotry and blatant prejudice. Anti-Semitic feeling is part of that rise. I don’t feel singled out and I don’t feel that I’m suffering more than other racial and ethic minorities.

I’m Jewish and there has always been bigotry and prejudice. People are just more blatant about it now.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the first time in my adult life I am truly worried for the safety of my family. And for the person who says that in our secular society society, religion shouldn’t be our life story, one of the pillars of this country is the right to express one’s personal religion in public life. I would hope that you were not saying that by simply expressing our faith by dress or participation in prayer means we are asking to be treated badly or even being attacked. https://www.npr.org/2021/05/24/999790233/officials-say-hate-crimes-against-jews-are-growing-in-the-aftermath-of-gaza-viol

No, I am saying if you're concerned about being attacked for ANY reason, don't give potential attackers information that could lead to an attack.

e.g., If you're concerned about your car being broken into, always lock it when you leave it. If you're concerned about being molested on the street, avoid dark streets, sketchy neighborhoods and carry a protective device

You may not understand this, but Jews cannot avoid detection (and should not have to, either). Jews go to Jewish places of worship, Jewish schools, and Jewish stores and restaurants. Many Jews wear religious clothing and hairstyles as part of a religious obligation. There are Jewish neighborhoods and Jewish business districts. Many Jews appear Jewish no matter what they do. If what you're suggesting is that Jews go into hiding in order avoid being attacked ... well ...

I didn't know that
You self segregate a lot. Funny that I never knew

After reading this thread in one sitting, it seems like this poster is either a troll or an antisemite (no, it’s obviously not “self-segregating” for Jews to pray in Jewish synagogues or shop for kosher products in Jewish stores), and it’s not clear what the point of engaging with them is.

By the sounds of it, you are already in hiding.
Separate grocery stores, schools, shop at different stores, separate restaurants
By the sounds of it contact with outsiders is frowned upon

Religious Jews tend to self segregate for obvious reasons. To live a religious lifestyle you need to live near stores that sell kosher food (though many foods are kosher), live near a synagogue, etc. Many parents don’t want their kid to be the only Jew in the class, so they choose to live in places with other Jews or so it can be easier to raise a family in a religious Jewish lifestyle. Many Jews are not religious though and this may or many not be important to them. Many religious Jews also have contact with the non-Jews, even non-Jewish friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't get what you are saying. Most people do not wear their religion on their sleeve regardless of what religion they are.
The world is secular and religion is not your life story.
Don't talk about politics if you don't like it that someone disagrees

Christians wear crosses (not all of them but many do), Muslim women wear hijab. Many religions wear physical symbols that are identifying.

Christian women sometimes wear crosses as a piece of Jewelry and certain sects of muslim women wear hijabs. It is a generally a choice to wear your religion on your sleeve,

NP here. People should be able to wear symbols of their religion without being harassed.