Some diaspora Jews are fleeing from one ideological fire straight into another, convinced that the extremism they’ve stumbled into is a necessary antidote to the extremism they’ve rejected.
Sure, the progressive left has made an alliance with Islamists that seeks a genocide and ethnic cleansing of 7.7 million Israeli Jews, and also is behind the biggest antisemitic wave since the 1930s targeting diaspora Jews, but OMG, have you heard about the far right?
Please stop insulting our intelligence by rushing to let progressives off the hook for what they’ve done for 17 months in a row. Your warning about the far right would have more substance if the center right didn’t stand up for what’s right, while the left stood for genocide and warmongering and deep antisemitism.
Otherwise, completely agree that secular Israelis are more confidently Jewish than much more religious but intensely spineless progressive Jews in the diaspora, and of course more than the sad sacks of shit who became token Jews for the antisemitic left. It has to do with not growing up assaulted with subtle or overt antisemitism our entire lives, not needing to make excuses for existing as progressives Jews do habitually.
I suppose we’re due for more of this. Progressive Jews, having been dumped by the movement they nurtured for decades before the blood of Oct. 7 was even dry, are here to tell Jews on the right what they are doing wrong.
You absolutely nailed this Samuel! The extremes on both sides are nothing more than a knee jerk reaction to a hot button. Consider discord in your personal life. Are you ever able to meet the moment from an extreme position? I know for me, I am not. I worry as I watch the rise of the right across the planet - that our inability to acknowledge nuance, our discomfort with lack of clear answers to complex questions, and our unwillingness to believe that what is true is never as simple as it appears. - will lead us down a very destructive path.
I think there are some good points here, but you are only playing to one side. Extremism of any stripe is usually not the right answer. Bannon isn’t a psychopath. Carlson is a disappointment and an opportunist. The Left has viciously rejected Jews who were often among its most stalwart if misguided acolytes. The far Right wing antisemite has traditionally not hidden their hatred. And I don’t think that’s changed. Not all Christians have an end game in mind that includes throwing the Jews into a lake of fire. It’s very challenging at times, but we have to remember that at least in America, the majority of people are not anti-Semitic and most people are not in favor of the genocide of Jews. And we should give people the benefit of the doubt until they show us they don’t deserve it. We would hope for the same from others around us.
Very well put. Perhaps the best articulation of this craziness.
The practical application of this is the hard part. As we look inward to Zionism and each other, we have to look outward too. In Israel, we must show the world that we are a people that keeps the faith. In diaspora, we have to work to calm the storm (whatever that might look like). And don't forget to live too!
Sure, the progressive left has made an alliance with Islamists that seeks a genocide and ethnic cleansing of 7.7 million Israeli Jews, and also is behind the biggest antisemitic wave since the 1930s targeting diaspora Jews, but OMG, have you heard about the far right?
Please stop insulting our intelligence by rushing to let progressives off the hook for what they’ve done for 17 months in a row. Your warning about the far right would have more substance if the center right didn’t stand up for what’s right, while the left stood for genocide and warmongering and deep antisemitism.
Otherwise, completely agree that secular Israelis are more confidently Jewish than much more religious but intensely spineless progressive Jews in the diaspora, and of course more than the sad sacks of shit who became token Jews for the antisemitic left. It has to do with not growing up assaulted with subtle or overt antisemitism our entire lives, not needing to make excuses for existing as progressives Jews do habitually.
Beautiful writing. Thank you for articulating this, it was enlightening and humbling and stirring.
I suppose we’re due for more of this. Progressive Jews, having been dumped by the movement they nurtured for decades before the blood of Oct. 7 was even dry, are here to tell Jews on the right what they are doing wrong.
You absolutely nailed this Samuel! The extremes on both sides are nothing more than a knee jerk reaction to a hot button. Consider discord in your personal life. Are you ever able to meet the moment from an extreme position? I know for me, I am not. I worry as I watch the rise of the right across the planet - that our inability to acknowledge nuance, our discomfort with lack of clear answers to complex questions, and our unwillingness to believe that what is true is never as simple as it appears. - will lead us down a very destructive path.
Brilliant piece! Thank you.
I think there are some good points here, but you are only playing to one side. Extremism of any stripe is usually not the right answer. Bannon isn’t a psychopath. Carlson is a disappointment and an opportunist. The Left has viciously rejected Jews who were often among its most stalwart if misguided acolytes. The far Right wing antisemite has traditionally not hidden their hatred. And I don’t think that’s changed. Not all Christians have an end game in mind that includes throwing the Jews into a lake of fire. It’s very challenging at times, but we have to remember that at least in America, the majority of people are not anti-Semitic and most people are not in favor of the genocide of Jews. And we should give people the benefit of the doubt until they show us they don’t deserve it. We would hope for the same from others around us.
Christian nationalism. What sect is that?
Catholic? Orthodox? Protestant? Confused about that aspect.
You're off with Steve Bannon
Very well put. Perhaps the best articulation of this craziness.
The practical application of this is the hard part. As we look inward to Zionism and each other, we have to look outward too. In Israel, we must show the world that we are a people that keeps the faith. In diaspora, we have to work to calm the storm (whatever that might look like). And don't forget to live too!