Peloni: In an important article, Daniel Winston argues that the routine responses to antisemitism fail to be effective because they treat antisemitism as if it were based upon simple misapprehension or a PR problem, rather than being the consequence of a deeply rooted hatred. Winston explains that antisemitism is not about ignorance but is instead a consequence of psychological and social functions which act like group identity, scapegoating and moral simplification. Hence, simply informing people won’t succeed in stopping it.
Winston explains that mainstream efforts to combat antisemitism often feel like symbolic theater which are not without purpose but fail to address the issue of the fact that describing hatred being weaponized against the Jews does not eliminate the threat from those who instinctively and actively hate the Jews. And so the threat against the Jews persists despite the animated attempts to explain away the hatred held by those who are not swayed by such explanations. Instead, Jewish communities and institutions need physical security (guards, vetted access, protective measures), law enforcement readiness, serious policing, and clear consequences for violent or hateful acts. Education and history matter, but they are not sufficient by themselves to stem the hatred against the Jews.
Consequently, Winston argues that Jews should focus less on winning acceptance from the broader society and focus more acutely on raising attention to community strength, security parameters and promoting and projecting self?reliance of the Jewish communities and institutions. He also highlights that for many Jews, especially in the Diaspora, moving to Israel (“aliyah”) may be a rational choice, as in Israel Jews are not a vulnerable minority and are protected by their own state and institutions.
Ultimately, antisemitism must be confronted not just with mere words and public awareness but with practical deterrence, institutional preparedness and community resilience rather than pretending that it is merely a public relations issue.
Daniel Winston | March 10
Copy URL and Paste It in your Browser’s Address Bar
https://www.jns.org/stop-fighting-antisemitism-like-its-a-pr-problem/
I have always been an outspoken defender of Jews and Israel. That means that I publicly called out antisemites and antisemitism whenever I saw it, and continue to do so.
Perhaps I lack the fear that most normal people have. I’m sure that my behaviour has to do a lot with my heroic mother’s influence who taught me about antisemitism at a young age. Both of my parents were Holocaust survivors. Those 2 words explain a lot. There are times when we must be silent and other times where we must be vociferous and even physical if possible.
Most of my fellow Jews that I knew and still know have been mostly silent and fearful to confront antisemites. But not all. The small # who have bravely stood up to the antisemites right here in Toronto have my full respect. I am not judging those who refuse to attend demonstrations. I understand that there are a myriad reasons why people don’t attend them. But I very much respect the ones who do attend. And those who write letters, etc.
After the tragedy of Oct 7, many of my previous silent friends (Jews and Gentiles) have found their voices. I have 2 very close Jewish friends (since grade school at a private Hebrew days school) who are medical doctors with successful practises. They confided to me over the years that they are proud of my Jewish activism but are fearful of possible repercussions to their medical practises should they become activists like me. But after Oct 7 they are no longer silent. Like me, they are not looking for confrontation. But also like me, when a patient or colleague or stranger disparages Israel, Jews or any friend to either (like President Trump), they now respond in kind.
I have been privileged to live in Canada, brought up in a fine Jewish household and experienced living in both a sheltered Jewish community and amongst a vast Gentile community. I am outgoing and enjoy sparking up conversations with everyone I meet. For the most part, these folks have been good people. Once in a while – not so much. I like to think that I give everyone a fair chance and try not to start a conversation with preconceived ideas.
I’ve said this in one of my blogs (https://leonupsidedown.blogspot.com), that if you want to help stop Jew hatred, do 2 things in the following order: 1. Be the best person you can be. Ie. if you are a teacher, doctor, lawyer, parent, cleaner, do a great job. 2. Let your boss, clients, customers, colleagues, children know that you are Jewish.
Be a proud, strong, unapologetic Jew! Am Yisroel Chai!
In America, unless someone lives in a major city he has never met a Jew. I have lived in Georgia, s FL, and now Tennessee. I gave Chanuka chocolate “gelt” to cashiers and others that I see when I go into town. I am polite and kind. Each Jew represents Judaism. My kids grew up in a semi rural area and we were the first Jews. Remind them that Jesus was a jew and never changed his religion.
In addition to all the physical and arms strength needed to fight back, perhaps a simple verbal retort at times could be:
“Why do you have such a need to hate? What is the matter with you?”
This is meant rhetorically.
The scapegoating of Jews is similar in ways to the scapegoating of a family member. Advice given nowadays to the victim is beyond reasoning with the hater. Rather, recognize that the sick hater needs to hate and will keep on doing it. So leave.
There is also a spiritual, anti God dimension to Jew hating. We brought Torah to the world, and many other laws and restrictions, in service of God. Laws and restrictions are hard to follow so….hate the Jews.
If someone is anti God, it is reasonable to call them demonic.
There is a shift happening among Jews. As the level of Jew hatred rises, the understanding that it really does exist and must be dealt with differently also rises. This takes courage, something that we as a people have been trained not to have too much of lest we provoke the hater.
“its function is not to describe reality, but to relieve the antisemite of reality” brilliantly stated, but we have also been dodging reality.
Shaaam Shaaa, that’s what I remember growing up with. But no more.
As I have said before, stop trying to make them love us; instead they should fear us. The name Mossad springs to mind. We could call this “rational consequences” as opposed to the manner in which muslims create fear.
@keelie
Precisely!