Antisemitism

            I don’t want to write about antisemitism. I don’t even want to think about it. I have been lucky to live in the United States, and in New York, and especially on Long Island, because for most of my life anti-Semitism was a vague noise in the background, or a lesson from history, instead of an everyday reality for me. Even in High School, when I knew that my Jewish school was receiving bomb threats, I still didn’t take it in as a real danger. I was comfortable being an American Jew. It seemed normal, just like being a Catholic or a Methodist, or nothing. If anything, I experienced more conflicts within the Jewish community, especially between liberal and Orthodox Jews, than without. I knew I was part of a religious minority, but it didn’t seem to matter. Yet.

“Uh oh. That sounds like foreshadowing.”

            I’d heard about the blood libels in previous centuries, when Jewish people were accused of killing Christian babies in order to use their blood to make matzah. Setting aside the obviously unbelievable claim that Jews were killing babies for ANY reason, it’s important to know why this accusation would actually make religious Jews laugh. Jews who keep kosher salt their meat (this is where the name Kosher Salt comes from) in order to remove as much blood as possible before cooking, because blood isn’t kosher. And matzah, which is eaten at Passover, is made under very strict conditions, using only flour and water, under rigid time limits, so that the idea that anyone would add anything to the matzah, let alone human blood, is unthinkable.

“Matzah is boring.”

            But I remember, after 9/11, when an outspoken minority of people blamed Israel for the attacks on the World Trade Center, either with wild conspiracy theories about Mossad agents disguising themselves as Muslim Terrorists, or arguments saying that if Israel had never existed then terrorists would never have targeted the United States. The rhetoric made me anxious, but I didn’t see many people taking them seriously. And the extreme backlash against anyone who looked like they could be from the Middle East, or who seemed to be practicing Islam, was much more of an issue. It seemed wrong to focus on some anti-Semitic theories, when there was anti-Muslim violence going on all around me.

            Maybe things started to change with the onset of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) movement, an umbrella movement that included groups that were specifically protesting the presence of Jewish settlers in the occupied territories, and groups that believed Israel had no right to exist, the Holocaust never happened, and Jews should be pushed into the sea. As the BDS movement became more popular on college campuses, I heard more stories about Jewish college kids facing demonstrations against Israel on campus that supposedly focused on anti-Zionism as separate from anti-Semitism. The problem with that argument is that Zionism started as a movement to save Jews from life threatening situations in Europe, especially in Russia, in the 19th century, and grew in intensity after six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust, just for being Jews. If the criticism had focused on the policies of the current government of Israel, without bleeding into a criticism of the existence of Israel, I could understand; just like you can be a patriotic American, or a friend of the United States, and disagree with the policies of the Trump administration. But anti-Zionism, if it means antagonism to the existence of the state of Israel, and unwillingness to recognize what led to the creation of the state by the United Nations, IS anti-Semitism.

None of this is to say that the Palestinians have been treated well, by the British, or the Jordanians, or the Egyptians, or the Israeli government; damage has been done and continues to be done. But if activists refuse to look at the causes of the complicated and painful current reality in the Middle East, and instead decide that everything is the fault of the Jews, for being there in the first place, then they are falling into old tropes that lead us all back into the darkness. When voices at the edges started to say, out of anger or ignorance, that the word Zionist was comparable to the word Nazi, they crossed a line that is hard to ignore, or forgive.

“Grr.”

But, even with all of that rhetoric, I still felt safe at home, in America. And then, neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups grew in strength, and terrorist attacks took place in Europe, and then white supremacists carried their tiki torches in Charlottesville, to protest the removal of confederate statues (that shouldn’t have even been there in the first place), and they yelled, “Jews will not replace us.” Wait, what? What do Jews have to do with this?

            And then I started to hear about swastikas on bathroom walls, in Long Island schools, and then synagogues in the United States were attacked. But… so were mosques and churches and schools and movie theaters, and the news people said that it was terrorism in general, not anti-Semitism in particular, no matter what the shooters, or the internet trolls, were saying. I wasn’t sure what to think, or how to feel. I had never directly experienced antisemitism. Microaggressions, sure. Lack of knowledge, or insensitivity about Jewish issues, or lack of historical memory, sure, but nothing like what I’d heard from older Jews, about how it used to be, even in America, when Jews were excluded from professions and schools and towns and clubs just for being Jewish, before and after the Holocaust took six million Jewish lives.

But still, I thought, I’m an American. Three out of four of my grandparents were born in the United States. That should make me safe.

“Safe, American Cricket.”

And then, a few weeks ago, for the first time, someone left anti-Semitic comments on my blog. I couldn’t read those comments from a distance, as if it were news that had nothing to do with me, because it was on MY blog, and it was directed at me. Reading those comments, three by the same author, highlighted for me the fact that I had never been targeted like that before, not on my blog, and not in person, ever. I was always more worried that I would alienate readers by writing about Jewish stuff on my blog because it would be too niche, or boring, than I was worried about facing antisemitism. I was able to remove the comments from my blog easily, and there has been no recurrence, but, I couldn’t forget about them.

            I still feel safe, or as safe as I am capable of feeling. But, anti-Semitism is real to me now in a way it wasn’t before. And the lessons of the Holocaust (be wary of hatred and targeting of people because of their race, religion, sexuality, gender, disabilities, or ethnic group) are more prominent again, for everyone.

It is so easy to blame someone, some group, some minority that you don’t identify with, when things start to fall apart. It’s so easy to project your own self-loathing and guilt and fears onto someone else who is not you, when you feel overwhelmed and hopeless. And it is shockingly easy for a leader in trouble, or seeking more power, to target vulnerable groups and aim societal anger and fear like a firehose in order to gain even more power.

I didn’t realize how easy it was to create baseless hatred, honestly. But now I do. And that really does scare the crap out of me. Because it could all happen again.

“Uh oh.”
“Don’t worry, Mommy. I only hate people who deserve it.”

If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Young Adult novel, Yeshiva Girl, on Amazon. And if you feel called to write a review of the book, on Amazon, or anywhere else, I’d be honored.

            Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish teenager on Long Island, named Isabel, though her father calls her Jezebel. Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes it’s true. As a result of his problems, her father sends her to a co-ed Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, and Izzy and her mother can’t figure out how to prevent it. At Yeshiva, though, Izzy finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment. The question is, what will Izzy find?

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About rachelmankowitz

I am a fiction writer, a writing coach, and an obsessive chronicler of my dogs' lives.

213 responses »

  1. I am so sincerely sorry that happened to you. I am a Catholic who lives in California. I will stand up for you and for your rights at any moment. I send you much love and big hugs and sincere regret that happened to you!💖💖💖

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  2. I’m also a lifelong lesbian. And during the last four years there’s a lot more discrimination in that area too. I have already voted for Biden and hopefully things will turn around soon for all accelerated racism and discrimination. x

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  3. I am so sorry… about the comments you received. That’s awful.

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  4. well said – at one time my father related to me how he was often chased down streets by mindless hooligans yelling, ‘Galician!’ but he didn’t dwell on it in telling me, just that it all changed once he was grown because he decided no one would interfere with the world he wanted to live in even if there would always be the mentally and morally defective populating everything; and more than worse, that this would relegated to targets having nothing to do with the labels…

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  5. So sorry to hear this Rachel. I do not know why some people think that their point of view is the only point, the correct point or any point, at all. Everyone is entitled to their opinion in a fair and honest discussion, but their opinion should not come from a place of hatred, but come from a place of enquiry and an attempt to understand. I trust your comment setting is set so that no comments appear before you moderate them. Then these nasty comments can simply be sent to the dustbin, where they belong. I learned this lesson when one weirdo decided to follow me and berate me for being a complainer, which I was not. As to writing about Jewish life, do not apologize. Bloggers need to write what they know or experience, so all of us can gain a little bit more insight. Stay well Rachel. Allan

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  6. Wow. Thanks so much for your essay. There’s such an ugly climate in the U.S and around the world right now, that it’s frightening. I’m sorry it showed up on your blog. Thankfully you can delete comments easily. If only it was as easy to delete the ignorance and hatred from society.

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    • Wouldn’t that be amazing! When I’m on Zoom with my students and I can disable their annotations (generally attempts to color over the text on the screen) or limit the chat, or, oh my God, press mute (!), I feel incredibly powerful and start to imagine utopias of my own design. But, sometimes I leave all of their communication options open, because it allows them to share more of who they are, and I learn so much from that.

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  7. I’m very sorry to hear you have been attacked like this. I hope it won’t deter you from blogging

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  8. Words hurt. That silly rhyme moms taught their kids about sticks and stones is only half right. I am sorry this happened. You are so careful to think of all aspects and be considerate. I can only say it isn’t you. And keep writing who you are.

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  9. I’m so sorry, Rachel! It’s impossible for normal people to imagine how so much hate gains traction in someone’s heart. I’m glad you were able to delete the comments, but I wish it was possible to erase them from your memory. Sending love and hugs from Missouri!

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  10. Sometimes I really think that the world is falling apart, certainly the Western World anyway. I think an undeniable part of this is technological change and social media. People can raise their voices now, spout the most ignorant rubbish, and be given a vast audience to listen to it which they seem to think validates their opinions. Its a strange thing, there is so much noise now. On YouTube I’ve seen all sorts of political sentiments being raised- so much is ill-informed opinion being stated as fact. For one thing, the opposing opinions and interpretation of the ‘facts’ concerning Covid 19 is quite bewildering, to the point that I don’t know what to think, or who to believe.

    In such trying and testing times as these, we need good examples, particularly from our leaders, but I’m afraid that seems to be where the rot is setting in. I won’t comment here upon your current President, but he does seem a fitting representation of the times we are in. Here in the UK, we seem to be experiencing an increasing disassociation between the public and the political ruling Elite which has been gathering pace for some twenty years. When our leaders evade answering questions, when they seem to change their policies on a whim and can say outright lies as if saying them often enough makes them truth, there’s little wonder things are getting so polarised now. People are confused and angry and feel like they have no control, and they are looking for that someone to blame.

    What I’m getting at, is that of course when you read such vile comments on your blog you take it personally, its impossible not to, and whatever I write here can do little to comfort you in such a situation. But you have a lot more freinds than enemies. I have faith that there are more decent people in the world than bad, and that while the internet gives a loud voice to the idiots, it gives us a voice too. Hang in there. We have to believe the world can be better, and will one day be better.

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  11. Geez, that’s awful Rachel. Discrimination sucks whenever it happens. Happened to me after 9/11 as a 1/4 Syrian American, happens currently to my cousin who is Black Yemeni/Syrian Muslim American. The dangerous hateful rhetoric our idiot in charge preaches to his brainless hordes surely doesn’t help. I sure hope and pray nothing occurs in the real world aimed at you. Much ❤ and respect. Matt

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  12. I’m so sorry you had to experience antisemitism first hand, Rachel. Why anyone feels the need to discriminate based on religion, race, gender, sexuality, etc. is beyond me and makes me so angry! Some people simply can’t accept difference, and in our diverse country, that’s just too unfortunate. So thank you for speaking out against it. I sincerely hope it doesn’t happen again!

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    • I’ve learned so much from the blogging world, and from research inspired by my fellow bloggers, that it’s hard for me to understand the lack of curiosity that leads to wanting the other to disappear. The more I learn about other people, the better I understand myself, and that’s a gift I refuse to give up.

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  13. I am so sorry that you were treated that way. There is no excuse, except hatred. I wish there was something I could do or say to make it better. Sincerely.

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  14. Gad! Your blog is inoffensive on all levels. That someone would write hateful comments directed at your Jewishness is appalling. What hurts you hurts me, all of us! May you be protected from any further threats and vile comments.

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  15. Nicely written, it is very sad when we don’t see the beauty in our differences to understand our bigger self.

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  16. I’m so sorry you experienced that Rachel. Thank you for your bravery in writing about it. It’s been an eye opener to me.

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  17. That’s horrible. I’ve received nasty comments (deleted them and blocked the poster), but they weren’t about AS. I have read them though, from people I didn’t expect. Some on the right and some on the left. It’s good to always be aware this ugliness still lurks and we can never take our safety for granted. Hugs!

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  18. Who was this person? Maverick would like to know because no one hurts Cricket and Ellie’s mom and gets away with it and he is full “bite the bummeee” mode right now.
    I’m so sorry this happened to you. I have learned so much about your religion and your culture from reading your blog, and I seriously hate that anyone would hurt you.
    I recently learned that The Diary of Anne Frank is no longer taught in many schools – I was appalled, what are they thinking? History needs to be taught, it needs to be public, it needs to be used as bad or good examples.

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    • Thank you so much! I wonder why they would get rid of Anne Frank. Her message always struck me as universal, and I loved how much of a girl she was, when so many of the voices I was told to listen to were male.
      I appreciate Maverick’s offer to bite someone’s tushy on my behalf. Cricket is jealous, though, because she can only reach ankles. Nowhere near as tasty.

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      • I’m not sure why it isn’t taught, but I understand that neither is much about the Holocaust and that’s a terrible thing. I bought a copy of Anne Frank and reread it recently, and it still is so meaningful, I can’t imagine not reading it as a teenager. One of my close friends was Jewish and I remember asking her so many questions after we read it. Her story can open a dialogue that needs to be had.

        Also, Maverick says that Cricket is welcome to ride on his back so she can reach the tastier parts of the anatomy.

      • Maverick is on the way. I made him dehydrated liver today and he says he’ll share. With the puppies, not with the nasty person who needs a bummeee biting!

      • Oh my God! Liver!!! The girls are gonna lose their minds!

      • i was given a dehydrator and thought I’d try this. Maverick is losing his mind, and it cost like $2 for a big jar full! I am totally using this stuff as gifts!

  19. Muayyad Karadsheh's avatar Muayyad Karadsheh

    I’m so sorry Rachel that happened to you! I’m Jordanian, and don’t think it is right that happened. I don’t hate Jews. I hope you are okay. We’re living in such strange times. Sending much peace your way. Shalom.

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  20. I am so sorry! It’s ridiculous that in this day in age we have to fear such bigotry! I completely understand your concerns. I’ve encountered several individuals during my lifetime who, after discovering my ancestry, have made me fear a repeat of the past. But those people use their hatred as a weapon because they are weak. You have a much stronger voice than they will ever have, and I believe they only tried to attack you because they coveted your strength – don’t let them win. Sending positive thoughts your way. Stay strong. 🤗

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  21. Oh my! I am shocked to read this. Why would someone leave these hurtful comments. What is wrong with these people? I think there is a nasty and insidious tide of hate welling up and it is not being stamped out. Here in Canada it is not so obvious but I believe it does exist. I am so sorry this has happened to you. I am sending you a virtual hug. Take good care and don’t let them get you down. You are better than this!!💕

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  22. Posting antisemitic comments on your blog is reprehensible. This kind of thing is sadly almost unavoidable these days, fueled no doubt in part by the relative anonymity that social media can offer. Figure it like a bell curve distribution…there are always a few on the wrong end but, on the other hand, there are true angels on the other end. Probably, and I’m just guessing here, there are some crazed people who don’t like fat, balding guys who have a Maltese dog and always wear cargo shorts. Nah, nobody could hate on that…

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  23. Linda Lee @LadyQuixote's avatar Linda Lee/Lady Quixote

    Oh, dear Rachel. I’m sad and mad that anyone would post hate messages on your sweet and gentle blog. You are very brave to write about it.

    There are some genuinely evil people in the world. I’m saying a prayer right now for your safety and peace of mind.

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  24. Oh, my goodness, Rachel. I feel heartbroken that anyone commented anything hateful to your blog. You are a brilliant writer and a good, kind person. We all need to read your wisdom, knowledge and eloquence.

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  25. How dare they? How dare they say such things to you? I am struggling for words. I wish I had a choice besides “Like,” because I want to support you but I certainly do not “like” what you are telling me.
    You bring love into the world, and you should get it in return. Know that your friends far outnumber the few few who would act that way.
    How dare they?

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  26. Whenever we are confronted by people who hate us not for anything we did but just for who we are, it’s a scary thing.
    When I’ve marched in Pride Parades here in South Carolina, I see that hatred on the faces of the men lining part of our route – men holding signs spewing hatred toward us.
    They don’t know me, yet here they are yelling obscenities at me as I peacefully protest for equal treatment under the laws.
    The people who attack others in cyberspace do so as cowards in their cloaks of anonymous ignorance.
    Speak now, or forever hold your peace.
    I stand with you, my friend.

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    • I’ve never understood the outrage some men seem to feel about the existence of gay people. They’ll rationalize it with biblical references or stories of criminals who happen to be gay, but the rage underneath is so raw and incomprehensible. And yet, when I hear or see anti-Semitism I assume there must be a good reason for it, and it’s somehow my fault that someone hates me. I need to look at that.

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  27. Sorry for the aggression that you suffered, Rachel! Thanks so much for sharing such bad experience with us. You are a brave lady! Take care, Rachel!
    PS: Have you thought about reporting the case to WordPress?

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  28. There are people out there who love to hate. I’ve experienced their venom via reviews of my books. I am very sorry you’re being targeted.

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  29. I’m so sorry this happened to you but appreciate the thoughtful way you wrote about it. I’ve enjoyed the blogging world, because unlike other social media, the interactions have overall seemed so much kinder and people are considerate of different views, even welcoming them … that’s kind of rare these days. Sadly, tho, I guess nothing is truly immune from the hatred that flows through our world. You approached this experience with so much more grace than I picture myself doing. And then there’s your pups. Who could argue with them … LOVE how you worked them into it. Wishing you peace, Rachel.

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  30. Rachel, I am so sorry you have had to experience this on what should be your safe space. Your blog is wonderful.

    I experienced a great deal of antisemitism growing up. and still do to this day. As you stated many times aggression came from different people in my own religion. The Jewish community here is very sparse and I have chosen to be a cultural Jew. On Friday nights the synagogue we were going to had reform services and Saturday mornings were Conservative services. The angst between the groups made it uncomfortable for me.

    Growing up I was typically the only Jewish student in the grade level or the entire school at times. I never hid my identity at school, I just took the nasty comments and negative generalizations. I was/am proud of my Orthodox grandparents. I respected their way of life, even though it was so different from mine. I learned from them and loved them with all my heart.

    No one deserves to be attacked for being different. I support all good people no matter what their age, gender preference, religion, who they choose to love, etc. Our time on this earth is too short to hate.

    Please know as stated here on many comments, you have so much grace and kindness to add to this community. I am thrilled to have found your blog.

    Sending virtual hugs from the west coast to the east coast.

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  31. Rachel, that’s awful and I’m so sorry that this person’s ignorant comments have left you feeling vulnerable. It’s inexcusable.

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  32. I’m absolutely gobsmacked to learn that someone was compelled to write an anti-Semitic comment on your blog. You go out of your way to write informative, insightful and even-handed posts. So sad that society has regressed to this kind of behaviour.

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  33. Rachel, I’m so sorry you experienced that, makes me so made that these ‘keyboard warriors’ spew their hatred with zero accountability.

    School ground bullies grown into post puberty losers.

    Kia kaha

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  34. I can say with all truthfulness that I have never in my life come across these concerns. I am a Presbyterian brought up in Scotland. As a youth fellowship, we invited A Rabbi to come and talk to us so we could have a better understanding of who you are. In turn we were invited to visit them. I remember one lad asked me “why are they singing our Psalms?” I remember my answer – “probably because they are theirs to begin with” Here in South Australia we certainly have a few problems, but nothing like the issues you speak of. I live in a small(ish) town in rural in outback South Australia – perhaps a sheltered life, but I think not. I am saddened by what you described on YOUR blog. I really do hope and pray that it was a once only event.

    Love and Peace to you, Gran and the Fur-babies

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  35. Sorry to hear about the nasty comments, but do keep up with your great posts and continuing to be true to yourself! xxx

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  36. We have drifted, it seems, into a society that has forgotten that behavior should come with consequences. We have, currently, a president who has shown a whole new level of bullying and people who are willing to overlook, if not applaud, it. My heart hurts to know someone as kind and gentle as you should be the recipient of any kind of bullying/hatred, and I hope you know that you have our support and appreciation for your blogs as giving word to your genuine identity. Please remember the adage that “one bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch” and be willing to protect yourself as you can from the bruised fruit.

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  37. Grrr, I want to bite the ankles of whoever wrote nasty things on your blog….

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  38. It is unforgiveable to make such comments on your blog. You were right to remove them, and I am so sorry that they have caused you distress. In Britain, the ‘pendulum’ is swinging the other way. Any criticicm of Israel, however mild, is immediately and aggressively attacked as being ‘antisemitism’. It seems we are not allowed to coment on Israel’s policies without being accused of attacking their religion also.
    Best wishes, Pete.

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  39. I truly do not understand those who hate.

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  40. WHAT???????!! I would love to know who left those comments.

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  41. Fascism and neo-Nazism have been brewing for at least the past few decades, but the mainstream have usually thought of such movements as fringe groups, hardly worth worrying about. Then the Tea Party folks and conspiracy theorists and the radical fascistic types began coalescing into a force to be reckoned with. The current regime encouraged and has enabled the haters. These are very troubling times. The fascistic groups will not just magically disappear if Trump goes away. We will have to cope with elevated levels of prejudice into the foreseeable future until people realize that people are people.

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  42. So sorry to hear the hate messates. NWe should try to avoid such comments. 💙

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  43. Jewish Young Professional "JYP"'s avatar jewishyoungprofessional

    I am so sorry. That is so scary, horrifying, and sad.

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  44. Rachel, I am sorry you have to go through hateful and spiteful denigration and persecution. It is not right and never has been right. When I see one group of people, pick any, that is taught to fear “the other” and shun them, dehumanize them, punish them, persecute them, thinking beyond the obvious hate, I am reminded of one thought – how could one group be so arrogant to think they can do without other groups of people?

    This point is not focused on, so let me. The Jewish people have contributed so much to the world in every community they chose to be in (or were forced to be in). They value family, their faith, a hard’s day work, education and community. One of my favorite part’s of Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers,” about successful people, is when he focuses on the children and grandchildren of the “piece goods” workers who migrated from Europe to New York City (piece goods are zippers, button holes, collars, belt loops, etc. that make finished products easier to produce). Looking at these hard working people’s descendants revealed lawyers, doctors, pharmacists, etc.

    My point is simple. If a group practices an exclusionary belief system, then they may be a self-fulfilling prophesy and wither away. Simply, we need each other. If that does not do it for these folks, just think Steve Jobs was the son of Syrian immigrants. African-American Vivian Thomas had a heavy part in curing the blue babies syndrome, and the contribution of Jewish folks is an exhaustive list, but picking only one, Jonas Salk gave us the polio vaccine. Just think of where we would be without our diversity.

    Keith

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  45. Pingback: Reaction to hate speech – two posts from today | musingsofanoldfart

  46. Sad, disgusted, and angry that you have had this experience. I hope you can feel the support that your readers have for you and for all Jews. Stay strong.

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  47. I’m sorry you received hateful comments. I’ll be sharing this post on my FB. I knew anti-semitism was bad, but I never knew much about anti-zionsm, except where some tried to claim that jews “control everything” or something like that. I completely agree with you that it’s sadly far too easy to spread hatred and fear of people different than you. Also can’t believe how people don’t see it happening again, and with several different minority groups here today.

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  48. So very sorry someone did that on your blog. I hope you know we care and support you and stand wholeheartedly behind the notion of rejecting the language of hate and ignorance. We’re with YOU!

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