I never heard of the term 'jews' until I entered 5th grade after the move to NJ. A big bully in my class would pick on this one very nice and smaller boy, calling him a "Jew-Boy" over and over again. I had no idea what that meant. Big Bully underestimated this kid. Smaller boy punched him so hard in the stomach, he doubled over (while the rest of the class cheered)
I asked smaller boy what a 'jew' was. He was very kind and seemed to be glad that I had asked. He talked about the ethnic and religion. I still didn't understand. What is ethnic? What country did you come from? I was never exposed to the Jewish faith before. How can we be so different if we worship the same G-d? He was very patient and understanding with me.
I was still confused, but when I grew older, I saw and read the ugliness, hatred and violence directed at the Jewish people. I asked myself 'why', and today, I still don't understand.
I grew up in South Florida (where it was 50/50 jewish and goy) but went to North Carolina for college (Wake Forest) and in the required "religion" course I was really surprised by just how "unknown" everyday jewish life/customs were to many people, I was the "authority" in the class whenever there was any mandatory "split up and discuss ___ amongst yourselves," and this was solely from me (an Episcopalean) remembering "YAY, it landed on Gimmel, I get all the chocolate coins!" haha. In all seriousness though, this was a really good piece.
P.S. Relevant, if albeit inappropriate, joke song that got toned down for the "Crazy Ex Girlfriend" show, this was a year before, about both Jewish guilt (and the morbid fascination still with jewish tragedy). https://youtu.be/mbKRPsgLrpw
When I was a young student, I once heard Elie Wiesel speak about this phenomenon, in a different vein and a different time. He ended by emphasizing the death camps as a kind of "negative Sinai," a photographic negative (if anyone remembers negatives) -- then finishing his point by saying the what happened at the Red Sea and Sinai defines the Jewish people, not what our enemies think or do.
I vacillate between "fight fire with fire" and "fight hate with love". It is very hard to remain loving when the other side does not even recognize your right to exist. In this regard, Jews and conservatives have something in common. I know, it's hardly equivalent - yet. But if the left takes full control, Stalin-esque and Mao-esque purges will occur here in the US.
If you really feel that people love dead Jews I feel very sorry for you. Those two girls you met are not at all typical of anything I'm familiar with. That's a very southern conservative attitude. I grew up in Minnesota as a Catholic and a Democrat and no one I know would've ever thought such things about Jews. I read this whole piece and it simply does not fit with my experience as an American.
Hi Bari, my daughter is a subscriber living in Israel. We'd like to know if you'll be recording your session w Dara Horn for later listening for your international subscribers??
When I was in my synagogue youth group back in the 1970s, in what used to be called the Bible Belt part of the Midwest, we visited a bunch of churches as a kind of outreach program, and one or two of their groups visited us.
People were generally friendly, but given that Christianity is evangelical, there were bound to be issues. Indeed, after we experienced a service at the big Baptist church, we all went into the activity hall, everyone took a seat, we 10-15 Jews were lined up in front of them, and they handed each of us a book about Jesus. Then there were refreshments and socializing, during which people attempted to make small talk ("So, you think you might start coming to our church?").
Today, it appears that interfaith organizations don't bother trying to experience each others' ceremonial traditions, but focus instead on common SJW causes like gun control, sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, LGBT rights, etc.
Given this political partisanship, when my synagogue leadership excitedly announced that we were going to join the local interfaith organization (the membership fee for which was in the tens of thousands of dollars), several of us including an accomplished lawyer objected. The lawyer met with the leadership and explained that such partisanship would threaten the synagogue's 503(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt non-profit.
Consequently, the leadership backed down, and stated in the next newsletter that "some members had objected" and so they were not formally joining the interfaith organization, but that there would be an involvement based on the rabbi's discretionary fund. We'll be watching like a hawk to make sure this remains unofficial and off the books.
I believe that modern day anti-semitism is politically motivated; Jews who are perceived as pro-Zionist, moderate, pro-capitalist, or (God forbid) pro-Trump are anathema, deserving of the very ostracism and cancellation that Jews have suffered for thousands of years.
On the other hand, Jews who clearly demonstrate through words and deeds that they are with the program, are on the Leftist side of the fence, and preferably atheistic, are acceptable. But they can be thrown under the bus at any time, for example if they do not loudly condemn the Zionist occupation whenever possible.
We live in a fresh new era of anti-Semitism and the young generation's detachment from Israel can only make it worse. The exception is those who visit Israel for free courtesy of the Birthright program; many young people I know came back having fallen in love with the place.
On more than one occasion, when I was an undergrad, a Jewish, self-identified "progressive" with whom I was arguing, would play the anti-Semitism card (i.e. attempt to dismiss an argument by falsely portraying it as anti-Semitic). Other Jews I knew wisely called them on it as being cheap and dishonoring the experience of real anti-Semitism. It was a good lesson for me: beware the trap of victimhood. I do not wish to dismiss this writer’s experience or her important work, but if I spent as much time as she apparently does cataloguing all the stupidity, unfairness, bigotry and sheer viciousness directed against me and mine, I fear that at the very least I’d become blind to anything else.
I am not Jewish, and I find Dara's point of view extremely interesting. It is always helpful to hear the other person's perspective.
She says one thing which I think she loses later on: "Those girls were not stupid, and probably not even bigoted. But in their entirely typical and well-intentioned education, they had learned about Jews mainly because people had killed Jews." I'd like to examine that in two parts.
First, I agree that the girls were probably not bigoted, just confounded. They clearly had no idea she was Jewish until she told them. Jewishness had not been part of their (very young) life experience, and they asked the sort of questions we all ask of things that surprise us. This takes nothing from Dara's legitimate consternation at their reaction, but it adds to it: Dara was as surprised by their incomprehension as they were by her different experience. Neither side knew how to react to the other.
It's a shame that conversation abruptly ended: both might have profited from it going further.
Second, and I say this extremely respectfully, there's a reason non-Jews focus on dead Jews: dead Jews are a horrifying sin and a monstrous crime committed by non-Jews.
Non-Jews (although not enough of them today) look upon the Holocaust, and the entire history of Jewish persecution, as something which must never be allowed to happen again, and which must be remembered to be prevented. We are very aware that Jews have been uniquely singled out for persecution throughout history (though they don't always understand why) and thus deserve a special degree of protection. Evangelical Christians tend to be aware that this persecution goes back as far as Egypt, and at times has been the fault of Christians, which is one of the reasons (though not the only one) we tend toward Zionism. We see the protection of Jews as a duty, the righting of grave wrongs, and also in no small degree a measure of civilization.
But Dara is right (though she does not seem to understand the reason why) that we (as a group) are not thereby equally interested in Jewishness. There's a reason, and it's not ugly. Taking an interest in someone's not being wronged is not the same thing as becoming an enthusiast, or a recruit.
In the Cold War, many non-French were interested in defending France from Soviet conquest, and many non-Koreans were interested in defending South Korea from North Korean conquest. But that was not the same thing as wanting to learn French or Korean culture, much less becoming French or Korean: it was simply a desire to prevent injustice. Beyond that, many of us just wanted to live and let live, to provide space for the freedom of those French and Koreans to be French and Korean.
This was not unkind. In some ways, it was actively self-sacrificing. It simply wasn't fully engaged. We had, after all, cultures of our own.
There are countless cultures in the world. No one can deeply understand them all. But I don't consider a Jew or a Bengali "perverse" if they focus their attention on some past injustice against me, or hope to prevent some future injustice against me, rather than taking deep interest in my favorite authors, cuisine or customs. Quite the contrary: they don't owe me any attention at all, and I'm grateful for whatever they give, so long as it is well-intended.
So I come back to my earlier point. It would have been good, I think, had Dara's conversation with those teenage girls gone on. They all misunderstood each other: it was not a one-way street. And had they progressed beyond that, all of them could have avoided hurts that were never intended and possibly weren't even necessary, both in that moment and for the rest of their lives.
That's a lot to ask of teenage girls. But it's something we should all work toward wherever we're able.
Bari, watched your interview with Ben Shapiro today on Daily Wire. As was the case the first time I heard of you on Megyn Kelly’s podcast about a year ago, you blew me away. Your mission and clarion call for “courage” from all who believe in freedom of speech and the right to express our opinions and thoughts respectfully and without fear is inspiring. Just wanted to say how much I admire your courage and passion for this cause. Realize you are working incredibly hard but, as I follow your work and listen to your podcast, I firmly believe you will one day be recognized as a key player in our return as a republic to respectful and fearless discourse. As a 69 year old who loves the United States and the tremendous opportunities it has afforded me and my family, I’m spreading the gospel of Bari Weiss and Common Sense to all willing to listen to an informed and intelligent POV. A sincere thanks for all you are doing. Keeping you in my prayers, friend. Tim Lyons, Dallas
I never heard of the term 'jews' until I entered 5th grade after the move to NJ. A big bully in my class would pick on this one very nice and smaller boy, calling him a "Jew-Boy" over and over again. I had no idea what that meant. Big Bully underestimated this kid. Smaller boy punched him so hard in the stomach, he doubled over (while the rest of the class cheered)
I asked smaller boy what a 'jew' was. He was very kind and seemed to be glad that I had asked. He talked about the ethnic and religion. I still didn't understand. What is ethnic? What country did you come from? I was never exposed to the Jewish faith before. How can we be so different if we worship the same G-d? He was very patient and understanding with me.
I was still confused, but when I grew older, I saw and read the ugliness, hatred and violence directed at the Jewish people. I asked myself 'why', and today, I still don't understand.
I grew up in South Florida (where it was 50/50 jewish and goy) but went to North Carolina for college (Wake Forest) and in the required "religion" course I was really surprised by just how "unknown" everyday jewish life/customs were to many people, I was the "authority" in the class whenever there was any mandatory "split up and discuss ___ amongst yourselves," and this was solely from me (an Episcopalean) remembering "YAY, it landed on Gimmel, I get all the chocolate coins!" haha. In all seriousness though, this was a really good piece.
P.S. Relevant, if albeit inappropriate, joke song that got toned down for the "Crazy Ex Girlfriend" show, this was a year before, about both Jewish guilt (and the morbid fascination still with jewish tragedy). https://youtu.be/mbKRPsgLrpw
When I was a young student, I once heard Elie Wiesel speak about this phenomenon, in a different vein and a different time. He ended by emphasizing the death camps as a kind of "negative Sinai," a photographic negative (if anyone remembers negatives) -- then finishing his point by saying the what happened at the Red Sea and Sinai defines the Jewish people, not what our enemies think or do.
I vacillate between "fight fire with fire" and "fight hate with love". It is very hard to remain loving when the other side does not even recognize your right to exist. In this regard, Jews and conservatives have something in common. I know, it's hardly equivalent - yet. But if the left takes full control, Stalin-esque and Mao-esque purges will occur here in the US.
Her podcast is perfect. Thank you for introducing me to her.
I have been looking for my next book to read, and I have found it.
JDL slogan from the 70's " For every Jew a 22 " seems prescient
you made that up by ?
The Jewish Defense League
If you really feel that people love dead Jews I feel very sorry for you. Those two girls you met are not at all typical of anything I'm familiar with. That's a very southern conservative attitude. I grew up in Minnesota as a Catholic and a Democrat and no one I know would've ever thought such things about Jews. I read this whole piece and it simply does not fit with my experience as an American.
Now try being right-wing in a left-wing enclave. It's amazing what straw men they expect you to conform to!
Hi Bari, my daughter is a subscriber living in Israel. We'd like to know if you'll be recording your session w Dara Horn for later listening for your international subscribers??
Page-turner indeed.
That these presumed Christians were so ignorant and prejudiced belies their Faith, yet as we see today that behavior is less and less abnormal.
When I was in my synagogue youth group back in the 1970s, in what used to be called the Bible Belt part of the Midwest, we visited a bunch of churches as a kind of outreach program, and one or two of their groups visited us.
People were generally friendly, but given that Christianity is evangelical, there were bound to be issues. Indeed, after we experienced a service at the big Baptist church, we all went into the activity hall, everyone took a seat, we 10-15 Jews were lined up in front of them, and they handed each of us a book about Jesus. Then there were refreshments and socializing, during which people attempted to make small talk ("So, you think you might start coming to our church?").
Today, it appears that interfaith organizations don't bother trying to experience each others' ceremonial traditions, but focus instead on common SJW causes like gun control, sanctuaries for illegal immigrants, LGBT rights, etc.
Given this political partisanship, when my synagogue leadership excitedly announced that we were going to join the local interfaith organization (the membership fee for which was in the tens of thousands of dollars), several of us including an accomplished lawyer objected. The lawyer met with the leadership and explained that such partisanship would threaten the synagogue's 503(c)(3) status as a tax-exempt non-profit.
Consequently, the leadership backed down, and stated in the next newsletter that "some members had objected" and so they were not formally joining the interfaith organization, but that there would be an involvement based on the rabbi's discretionary fund. We'll be watching like a hawk to make sure this remains unofficial and off the books.
I believe that modern day anti-semitism is politically motivated; Jews who are perceived as pro-Zionist, moderate, pro-capitalist, or (God forbid) pro-Trump are anathema, deserving of the very ostracism and cancellation that Jews have suffered for thousands of years.
On the other hand, Jews who clearly demonstrate through words and deeds that they are with the program, are on the Leftist side of the fence, and preferably atheistic, are acceptable. But they can be thrown under the bus at any time, for example if they do not loudly condemn the Zionist occupation whenever possible.
We live in a fresh new era of anti-Semitism and the young generation's detachment from Israel can only make it worse. The exception is those who visit Israel for free courtesy of the Birthright program; many young people I know came back having fallen in love with the place.
It always amuses me when people complain that upon attending a church, they were pressured to believe in Jesus.
On more than one occasion, when I was an undergrad, a Jewish, self-identified "progressive" with whom I was arguing, would play the anti-Semitism card (i.e. attempt to dismiss an argument by falsely portraying it as anti-Semitic). Other Jews I knew wisely called them on it as being cheap and dishonoring the experience of real anti-Semitism. It was a good lesson for me: beware the trap of victimhood. I do not wish to dismiss this writer’s experience or her important work, but if I spent as much time as she apparently does cataloguing all the stupidity, unfairness, bigotry and sheer viciousness directed against me and mine, I fear that at the very least I’d become blind to anything else.
The author stated quite clearly that she'd much rather spend her time talking about other topics.
Terry...and she didn't do this with other topics...because? ...so funny
Just purchased the Audible
I am not Jewish, and I find Dara's point of view extremely interesting. It is always helpful to hear the other person's perspective.
She says one thing which I think she loses later on: "Those girls were not stupid, and probably not even bigoted. But in their entirely typical and well-intentioned education, they had learned about Jews mainly because people had killed Jews." I'd like to examine that in two parts.
First, I agree that the girls were probably not bigoted, just confounded. They clearly had no idea she was Jewish until she told them. Jewishness had not been part of their (very young) life experience, and they asked the sort of questions we all ask of things that surprise us. This takes nothing from Dara's legitimate consternation at their reaction, but it adds to it: Dara was as surprised by their incomprehension as they were by her different experience. Neither side knew how to react to the other.
It's a shame that conversation abruptly ended: both might have profited from it going further.
Second, and I say this extremely respectfully, there's a reason non-Jews focus on dead Jews: dead Jews are a horrifying sin and a monstrous crime committed by non-Jews.
Non-Jews (although not enough of them today) look upon the Holocaust, and the entire history of Jewish persecution, as something which must never be allowed to happen again, and which must be remembered to be prevented. We are very aware that Jews have been uniquely singled out for persecution throughout history (though they don't always understand why) and thus deserve a special degree of protection. Evangelical Christians tend to be aware that this persecution goes back as far as Egypt, and at times has been the fault of Christians, which is one of the reasons (though not the only one) we tend toward Zionism. We see the protection of Jews as a duty, the righting of grave wrongs, and also in no small degree a measure of civilization.
But Dara is right (though she does not seem to understand the reason why) that we (as a group) are not thereby equally interested in Jewishness. There's a reason, and it's not ugly. Taking an interest in someone's not being wronged is not the same thing as becoming an enthusiast, or a recruit.
In the Cold War, many non-French were interested in defending France from Soviet conquest, and many non-Koreans were interested in defending South Korea from North Korean conquest. But that was not the same thing as wanting to learn French or Korean culture, much less becoming French or Korean: it was simply a desire to prevent injustice. Beyond that, many of us just wanted to live and let live, to provide space for the freedom of those French and Koreans to be French and Korean.
This was not unkind. In some ways, it was actively self-sacrificing. It simply wasn't fully engaged. We had, after all, cultures of our own.
There are countless cultures in the world. No one can deeply understand them all. But I don't consider a Jew or a Bengali "perverse" if they focus their attention on some past injustice against me, or hope to prevent some future injustice against me, rather than taking deep interest in my favorite authors, cuisine or customs. Quite the contrary: they don't owe me any attention at all, and I'm grateful for whatever they give, so long as it is well-intended.
So I come back to my earlier point. It would have been good, I think, had Dara's conversation with those teenage girls gone on. They all misunderstood each other: it was not a one-way street. And had they progressed beyond that, all of them could have avoided hurts that were never intended and possibly weren't even necessary, both in that moment and for the rest of their lives.
That's a lot to ask of teenage girls. But it's something we should all work toward wherever we're able.
Tim Lyons14 hr ago
Bari, watched your interview with Ben Shapiro today on Daily Wire. As was the case the first time I heard of you on Megyn Kelly’s podcast about a year ago, you blew me away. Your mission and clarion call for “courage” from all who believe in freedom of speech and the right to express our opinions and thoughts respectfully and without fear is inspiring. Just wanted to say how much I admire your courage and passion for this cause. Realize you are working incredibly hard but, as I follow your work and listen to your podcast, I firmly believe you will one day be recognized as a key player in our return as a republic to respectful and fearless discourse. As a 69 year old who loves the United States and the tremendous opportunities it has afforded me and my family, I’m spreading the gospel of Bari Weiss and Common Sense to all willing to listen to an informed and intelligent POV. A sincere thanks for all you are doing. Keeping you in my prayers, friend. Tim Lyons, Dallas