I periodically see well meaning non-Jews try to weigh in on the question of Jewish identity vis a vis the state of Israel and here’s the thing: don’t do that.
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I had a convo right after 10/7 with someone on here who insisted that they as a nonjew got to determine who a real jew was based on their views of Israel. Their example of a real jew was a Neturei Karta protest.
When I pointed out that 1) the Neturei Karta are insanely hateful, and 2) nonjews claiming they get to determine who is jewish or not is some 3rd reich, protocols level antisemitism i was declared a war crimes support.
(Disclaimer: I'm Jewish, so I guess I'm allowed to opine...)
I see where you're coming from & respect your stance, but am personally much more ambivalent. I go back and forth between OTOH, "I should fully reject my Jewish identity, cause all it's good for is defending fascism/genocide", but OTOH
"I should retain my Jewish identity, cause it gives me good credibility/branding in contesting fascism/genocide." Either way, my Jewishness is almost entirely defined, against my will but in a functionally very real way, by Israel. I don't begrudge non-Jews for picking up on that dynamic...
I think I would probably feel more like you if I had more day-to-day personal connection to Jewish culture/religion. But I don't. Zionism pretty much ruined the identity brand for me (though I still like the food and the folklore and the history and my family).
I know reasonable people would disagree with me on this, but at the end of the day, for me, violent material conditions are much much more real than even thousands of years' worth of proprietary identity...
Jewish identity, including how Jews feel about the nation-state created on the holiest site in our religion, is a discussion for *Jews* to have amongst ourselves. It is not for you to weigh in on. You are not helping.
Also here’s the thing: this is not about Zionists v anti-Zionists. Non-Jews on all sides of the Palestine question do the shit I’m complaining about. If non-Jews minded their own business and let Jews sort out Jewish identity within our community shit would be way better for all!
I’m as irritated by Trump telling me I’m a bad Jew if I don’t want Gaza to be bombed out of existence as I am by non-Jewish anti-Zionists telling me my Jewish values mean I have to denounce Israel’s existence.
Btw *Jewish* anti-Zionists can tell me whatever they please re: Jewish values and Israel. They’re Jewish! And as a Jew I’m allowed to disagree with them.
As a point of comparison: it is a statement of fact that the modern nation-state of Iran is human rights horror show. *And* it is also not my place as someone who is not Iranian/Persians to tell Iranians/Persians how to feel about their identity vis a vis said nation-state.
Yeah, this. I’ve been a member of a Jewish family for 27 years, I’ve been raising Jewish kids for 19 years, but I only converted myself 7 years ago, so I consider myself very much an outsider/learner in the Identity/Israel debate. Even *I* keep my mouth shut and observe (for the most part).
I certainly have feelings about my children’s patrilineal status, and I voice them. (My feelings are: I accept that the rules are the rules, but they cause a lot of unnecessary pain and I think they may weaken Judaism). I accept *my* status.
Other than that, I just listen.
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That was a quick block.
I see where you're coming from & respect your stance, but am personally much more ambivalent. I go back and forth between OTOH, "I should fully reject my Jewish identity, cause all it's good for is defending fascism/genocide", but OTOH
I don't want a non-Jew to use my words to declare someone not Jewish. Ever.
!!!
Other than that, I just listen.