Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism

URJ leaders have had thousands of conversations about antisemitism over the past years, especially after October 7th. The following list summarizes the ideas that arise most often in these discussions.

1. Antisemitism encourages other forms of oppression. Antisemitism is oppressive on its own, but it also plays a foundational role in racism, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, and other forms of hatred. SPLC Senior Fellow Eric Ward wrote in his article, “Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism,” that,

“To recognize that antisemitism is not a sideshow to racism within White nationalist thought is important for at least two reasons. First, it allows us to identify the fuel that White nationalist ideology uses to power its anti-Black racism, its contempt for other people of color, and its xenophobia—as well as the misogyny and other forms of hatred it holds dear.”

2. Antisemitism is a tool of political division. It divides groups of people working toward a common goal and asks them to choose sides in what is often a false dichotomy. Anthropologist Dr. Andrea Abrams wrote the following for American Pride Rises, an initiative that is committed to protecting the rights and promoting the voices of those in historically oppressed communities, fighting for a more equitable and inclusive nation for all.

“Purveyors of discrimination often seek to create contention amongst communities in order to fracture their collective power. By falsely separating out the Jewish community from other DEI [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] allies, adversaries intend to isolate voices and make them feel more vulnerable.”  

Authentic DEI addresses all forms of systemic harm. When implemented correctly, it helps create a more just world for all marginalized communities. 

3. People with intersecting identities experience antisemitism alongside other forms of harm. Many people hold more than one marginalized identity and often experience more than one type of oppression at the same time (i.e., antisemitism and racism, antisemitism and sexism, antisemitism and ableism, et cetera). We must listen to and value each person’s experiences.

Tablet magazine brought ten Black Jews together in October 2023, to discuss racism, antisemitism, and belonging. In the resulting article, participants were identified by first name only. Here is what a participant named Ilana had to say:

“Although it’s very painful to be thought of as not a Jew on a daily basis by the Jewish community, it is — to me — even more painful to be told antisemitic things by some Black people knowing I’m Jewish and some people not knowing I’m Jewish. The Black people who know I’m Jewish just assume that because I’m Black, it must be more important to me than the fact that I’m Jewish.”

4. Relationships, allies, and education are critical to fighting antisemitism. Stifling free speech and cancelling opinions different from our own is counterproductive. However, holding people accountable for their statements by calling attention to harmful language and behavior, explaining why it is problematic, and suggesting alternative words or phrases are all important strategies for addressing antisemitism.

Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner is the Director of the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism. He is well known for his commitment to relationships first or, as he often says, “relationship before task.” Here is what he has said about allyship.

“We need to be who we are in our full selves in deep relationship, and in humanity with others. And so, by bringing together these entrepreneurial, thoughtful leaders who have communities and networks behind them, we can collectively build the kind of interfaith power, multiracial power that it will take to actually effect change; to change policies, to change culture, to change attitudes, and to actually bring about systems of equity.”

5. It is not the responsibility of the Jewish community to dismantle antisemitism. Often, people outside of the Jewish community don’t understand antisemitism’s insidious nature. Today, members of the Jewish community must share the role of educator when it comes to their own lived experience, though we hope for a world where that isn’t always the case.

Just as it is not the responsibility of the BIPOC community to end racism, our responsibility is to point out systems that create harm, encourage those in power to create systemic change, teach resilience and speak our individual truths if we so choose.

On its website, the Interfaith Alliance writes this about challenging antisemitism:

“To protect our friends and neighbors, we must join together across lines of difference to dismantle the machinery that generates fear and divides people against one another. We should never hesitate to call out those who seek to harm members of other faith (or non-faith) communities. All of us can do our part to challenge antisemitism and push back on hate.”

6. Antisemitism is not a naturally occurring phenomenon. Antisemitism is not “a wave,” but rather an intentionally designed system of oppression. Try to use words like “machinery” and “systems” to describe antisemitism. Antisemitism has been built by people and societies; it can be dismantled by them.

In “Dismantling Antisemitism: A Messaging Guide,” authors associated with the organization Uprise and Bend the Arc wrote: 

“These metaphors [wave, avalanche, etc.] reinforce a flawed analysis of antisemitism: that it is a part of nature and therefore will always exist; that it was not created by humans and cannot ever truly be stopped by humans... that it is indiscriminate, equally present, and equally damaging no matter its source across the political spectrum.”

7. There are many definitions of antisemitism. While these allow for a deeper understanding of its nuances, no singular definition should be written into law. Though many antisemitic tropes have remained the same, there are also newer expressions and tactics.

In a 2021 post about the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition, the URJ acknowledged the definition’s usefulness, but also observed that,

“Antisemitism evolves, and no single, fixed, static definition can fully capture the ways in which antisemitism can be manipulated and perpetuated by those with nefarious intent or those who are simply ignorant of the harmful ideology they are propagating.”

8. Try to avoid "whataboutism." Arguing about which side is worse distracts from challenging antisemitic systems. Though each of the major political movements in North America have engaged in antisemitism, the rhetoric coming from both the left and the right serves to undermine democracy, which is a much larger concern.

At a speech in February 2024, Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt said:

"Unlike most other prejudices, antisemitism is ubiquitous, coming from all ends of the political spectrum.  It is not a hatred that is limited to one particular place, orientation, or political outlook.  It can emanate from anyone and anywhere: those on the right, those on the left, those in the middle.”

9. Distinguish between oppression and discomfort. A t-shirt with an image of a Palestinian flag may make some uncomfortable, but it is not inherently antisemitic. The watermelon, which has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance, may also only be symbolic of summer on a child’s t-shirt or displayed on a sign in a farmer’s market.

A caricature of the Jewish University president drawn with an oversized nose holding bags of money or a circle with a line through it drawn over a Magen David (star of David) however, is antisemitic.

Gilad Hirschberger, in his article “Collective Trauma and the Social Construct of Meaning,” writes, 

“Just as trauma at the individual level shatters assumptive worldviews about oneself and one’s position in the world (Janoff-Bulman, 1992), so does collective trauma transform the way survivors perceive the world and understand the relationship between their group and other groups, even those unrelated to the initial victimization.”

10. Seek out hope. When encountering antisemitism, anger and fear are two of the most common emotions people experience. However, hope is a powerful motivator for positive action. If you’re experiencing anger and fear, seek out hope. You might listen to the song linked below, attend religious services, or get involved in a social justice initiative to help change the world.

Jewish tradition is familiar with both pain and joy. As the Psalmist says: “One may lie down weeping at nightfall; but at dawn there are shouts of joy” (Psalms 30:6). Listen to a song by Debbie Friedman on a similar theme, based on the last two verses of the 30th Psalm.

Talk for a Change is a Reform Movement initiative helping people have open conversations around difficult topics. Download our free resources, designed to help you have open-hearted conversations about antisemitism and other challenging topics.