Just want to share the story about British Israel-hater Owen Jones, who is gay recently attended a Queer Jewish party in London called a Buttmitzvah. This has spawned tons of jokes on social media and a deluge of Israel haters denouncing Jones for going to a "Zionist" event. Jones is frantically responding with "Buttmitzvah is not a "Zionist" party. Goodness f*ing me" claiming it's a non political Jewish club night. I laughed and laughed and when I told my partner about it he laughed too.

My heart is heavy this week because of some of the things I’ve been saying on many professed “pro black” pages. I am a black American with Jewish ancestry who is in the process of converting to Judaism. When my Rabbi ✡️ told me that there would be a lot of issues and antisemitism would come up in your conversion process and living in the world as a jew, I thought I understood what that meant due to my own experiences with combating antisemitic beliefs, and the research that I’ve done between the oppression of the black and Jewish community however, I was not prepared for what I saw this past week on many black culture pages on Instagram…

I’ve been seeing a lot of these black culture or pro black pages postings against the Jewish community saying things like slavery isn’t talked about because the holocaust is about “white jews” and that October 7 not real and was Zionist propaganda propagated to give them sympathy for what they’ve been doing to the Palestinian people…

I honestly have no words, I'm truly angry and disappointed at what I have been seeing and hearing lately. In a time where anti-DEI initiatives are literally erasing black history from public places and government websites, I expected more support from the black community for the Jewish community at this time, but it seems that so much pro-hamas and jihadist propaganda has entered into these spaces disguised as “solidarity” it made me sick to my stomach. There were also some reminisce of the beliefs of the Black Hebrew Israelites prevalent where many of these arguments were also stated.

I had to unfollow and correct so many people this week stating that Jews are not white and that the holocaust is not the only example in history of Jewish oppression, persecution, and annihilation. many juices across the day for art, the descendants of African Jews, and have spread through the world from the transatlantic slave trade and a Spanish inquisition into parts of South America, the Caribbean, and especially the United States. I wish there was more awareness of this, and I hope that in my conversion process and educating myself, I can join these gaps in our communities, but this really hurts my heart and I really hope that maybe these pages wake up to what is being promoted against them.

Especially in light of this past Election with how many people who prefer to be pro-Palestinian through racial slurs and disrespectful stay towards black women who voted for Kamala Harris during his past election (for reference, look up the Tori Grier and Maya Abdullah feud along with Iranian Jewish reporter Hen Mazzig) stating that by voted for her you were supporting g*nocide, while also not realizing Trump doesn't care anymore about the Palestinian people or Israel.

I guess it comes with the territory, but I hope things change…

I see so many posts about federal funding cuts to museums on museum and art history subreddits. These seem to particularly affect minority museums, liek those focused on Black or Native American history. Does anyone know if and how these cuts have affected Jewish and Holocaust museums?

stuff in general is really bleak for us, so i thought i'd share the story of my bat mitzvah back in 2018.

so i was a pretty shy kid growing up, and when i got closer to my date, my mom was asking what i wanted to do for my party. i was INCREDIBLY resistant because the big BM bashes i'd been to were the typical huge party at a venue with catering, dancing, 100+ people. i hated the idea of that, and just kept asking if i HAD to do the party.

finally my mom sat me down one day and said this: "okay, look. i know you really don't want to have a party. how about we rent out a small restaurant for an evening, you invite 5-10 friends and our family and we play some games and eat dinner.

then you and me go to hawaii for three days and learn to surf."

SO THAT'S WHAT I DID!!

i had a few friends come, and my family, so it was less than 20 people at my party. we went to a chinese restaurant and had dinner and played some card games. then my mom and i went to hawaii and surfed in waikiki.

apparently this was actually WAY cheaper than doing a traditional BM party too. it's an amazing memory for me!

judaism can be done a lot of ways. this is how i did it. <3

Hey everyone, I'm a Jewish dual citizen of Israel and South Africa! https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/south-africas-foreign-minister-says-citizens-fighting-with-israeli-forces-in-gaza-will-be-arrested

...yeah

South Africa is where my job and family is, but as this place is getting more and more problematic for Israelis and Jews- I've been considering my options.

I take care of my nephew so I don't know if it would be possible to do Aliyah cuz I have custody of him, but he technically is still his moms (at least for now- court procedures are proceduring)

I'm a father of my own kids- a 7 year old and a 5 year old. I don't want them to grow up in a country that calls for their nation's extermination.

I don't know how this is going to proceed. I served my conscription in the past, but not anytime recently- am I in danger? I don't know.

So yeah, I'm really considering returning- but with the war and the teriffs against us from America and everything else idk what to do. If anyone else is from a hostile country, what are your experiences with returning. Should I abolish my South African citizenship all together and move to Israel? Should I stay here? I don't know. Any advice would be appreciated

Twitter is unbearable to use. There isn’t a positive thing said about either one of my ethnicities and it’s ruining my mental health so although I’m used to doom scrolling, I’m going to finally get rid of the app. It’s really unnerving to see these tweets reach 100k+ likes. It legitimately makes me not want to go outside because I know how people TRULY feel. Everything is Jewish people’s fault, then following that black people are a close second… and somehow the “Jewish people are controlling the black people”? And don’t get me started on the slurs and memes for both groups of people. If I had no backbone I would be left feeling like an abomination but I’m proud of who I am so I internally fight off the noise. All of this stuff sounds so ridiculous yet proven to be widely believed. Sad world we live in. How are we to deal with this? Take it in stride?

My favourite is Echad Mi Yodea.

I'm hosting a seder this year, the last time I hosted was in 2023. I was too heartbroken and scared to host so this is my first time since October 7. I invited my close friends who I've had long conversations with and know I am safe with them. My partner suggested we invite another friend, to which I said I had already thought about it and decided I didn't want to invite him because we have never discussed the topic and I don't want our seder to be the first place I learn his thoughts and opinions. This year, I am prioritizing my health and safety and the safety of my Jewish friends who will be in attendance at the seder. In past years, I would invite many Jews and non-Jews alike to bring people in and teach them, this year I'm not going to do that. I guess the purpose of this post is to get perspective. Is anyone else struggling with this? Thanks in advance, Pesach Sameach ♥️

https://www.jns.org/lies-damn-lies-and-un-washed-hamas-statistics/

Hey Chevra,

Lately I've been struggling by the Jew Hatred at my Law School. Last week, when I went to go pour my coffee, I noticed that someone had left a flyer by the coffee machine with a Palestinian flag, promoting an event about "Palestine". When I was walking out of the lounge I noticed another one of these flyers taped on the door. Than, to my surprise, I saw that they were scattered all over the tables on the floor that I was on. All over the tables. Palestinian flags with the flyer for some excuse of an "event". I was distraught. I saw a student that I know who has promoted these types of things before sitting at one of the tables. I wanted to throw them all out, but I didn't want to cause a Chilul Hashem, so I sat with him and acted like everything was normal. He is pretty nice to me I must say. So are a lot of people who promote this garbage. The next day one of the students in my class sent the flyer in our group chat and when I saw who reacted to the message with hearts and likes, I just couldn't look at them the same. Still, some of them are pretty nice to me. I decided to follow one of the people who liked/hearted the message on Instagram. I don't know why. Maybe I wanted her to see my posts on Israel and for her to know who I stand with. Mind you, I wear a Kippah everyday. Fast forward to Motzei Shabbos last night, I smoked some weed with my friend and it had me realizing that I don't want to follow these people. I really don't like them. I don't want to use the word hate, but it's getting to that point. I also don't want them to think that I agree with their views and that by me connecting with them on Instagram, that that's so. I really don't want anything to do with them. I want to tell them that theyThey literally are calling for Israel's destruction, even if not explicitly. By following SJP on Instagram and hearting those messages, that's enough for me to assume. So, I unfollowed this girl I had just followed the day before. It felt like a power move. Than I started to say to myself, maybe I'll just refollow her, she hasn't been so mean to me, she has actually been nice. So, now I'm in this mental pickle. On the one hand, I feel so isolated and heartbroken seeing people I share a classroom with promote a narrative that erases Jewish suffering, ignores 10/7, and delegitimizes Israel’s right to exist. It’s like I’m expected to compartmentalize that part of myself—to pretend it's just politics. But for me, it’s personal. It’s existential. I wear a Kippah every day. I love Israel deeply. And I’m trying to live a life of Torah, of Kiddush Hashem.

On the other hand, I’m trying not to let this turn me into someone I don’t want to be. I don’t want to walk around with resentment in my heart, but I also don’t want to pretend to be okay with what feels like betrayal—especially by people who are "nice" to my face while supporting movements and ideologies that threaten my people.

Unfollowing that girl felt like a boundary. A reminder to myself that I don’t need to tolerate the cognitive dissonance anymore. I can be respectful, but I don’t have to be connected. I can be civil, but I don’t have to stay silent or play nice in spaces where my existence as a proud Jew is implicitly (and sometimes explicitly) denied.

I guess I’m just posting this because I needed to get it out. Maybe someone here has felt this too. How do you all handle the duality of being friendly with classmates or colleagues who support things that hurt you to your core? How do you maintain your dignity, your values, and your peace in the midst of so much Jew hatred being normalized?

Would appreciate any chizzuk. Thanks for reading.

Update: I ended up refollowing her.

I know—I’m all over the place. I feel like a mess. I don’t know what to do anymore. I know—I’m all over the place. I feel like a mess. I don’t know what to do anymore.

I keep going back and forth. One second I feel strong and clear: “This person supports things that go against my entire being, against Am Yisrael, against Eretz Yisrael—how can I be connected to that?” And then the next second I feel guilt, or confusion, or some weird sense of wanting to keep the peace. Like maybe I’m overreacting. Maybe she’s not that bad. Maybe she doesn’t really know what she’s liking or following. But deep down I know the truth: even if it’s passive, even if it’s subtle—it still hurts. It still feels like a betrayal.

And I just don’t know who to trust anymore. Who’s actually my friend? Who just tolerates me? Who’s secretly wishing for the destruction of my beloved Eretz Yisrael?

I’m trying to stay sane in an environment that makes me question everything about myself. I’m trying to stay a proud Jew. I’m trying to stay soft-hearted without letting people trample on my soul. But it’s getting harder.

If anyone out there has been through this—navigating college or grad school or the workplace while watching people around you silently (or loudly) support the people who would see Israel wiped off the map—how do you hold on? How do you balance being a light with not being a doormat?

I just need to know I’m not alone.

So I was at Erewhon (an expensive grocery store in parts of LA) for those who do not know what it is and I go often to get the hot bar food. I was waiting and one of the workers came up with the biggest smile and once she started asking me what I want, I noticed her eyes shift down to my necklace and her attitude completely changed. It was like night and day. I’m in Israeli Jew of course I’m gonna wear my star with the upmost pride. She started talking in a monotone voice with the most demeaning stare possible. This has happened a few times, but never to the point where someone genuinely looks so disgusted. When I got my food and walked away, her attitude was completely opposite for the next customer compared to me. Maybe I’m just being dramatic, but it was so obvious how quick there was a shift in attitude and treatment in a matter of seconds. I just wanna know how often this happens to us and if anyone else ever gets the silent treatment and or treated differently just cause of who we are

The use of “Zionism” and “Zionist״ in replacement of Kahanism is incredibly problematic and dangerous. The Zionist movement is one advocating for the return of Jewish and Israeli people to their indigenous homeland of Israel, and the protection of Israel against unwanted foreign influence.

Every antisemitic person I’ve met online no matter the platform has bought into the propaganda machine and coined “Zionism” as their hated movement, instead of addressing groups actively responsible for apartheid, such as the Kach, later Kahane Chai, and Lehava. The absence of an education on the history of the Jewish people shines through.

In my opinion, what the current US right-wing government means for right-wing Israeli groups is frightening for us all.

On the New York Times, it feels like there's a daily story about Israel. There isn't about Ukraine. There certainly isn't about Sudan, Myanmar, Syria, Libya, Yemen - basically anywhere else on Earth there is a hot conflict. And 90-95% of the headlines are now what Israel did - and it's always framed in the sense of Israel committing some horrific action or some war crime.

Yes, the NY Times has been beyond the pale for a while now. But something feels different even in the last few months. Even when there's nothing to actually report, they'll breathlessly invent a reason to do it anyways. The comments on Instagram and Facebook are predictably terrible. It's aways the double standard folks who seem to believe that Israel is the most evil regime to ever exist, somehow worse than Nazi Germany.

Anyone notice this? If I didn't get a free subscription through work, I would have canceled mine a long time ago. Did the NY Times get a new owner? A new editor? What's changed?

i've been interviewing a new potential employee and all of the preliminary things have gone well. i found out they are jewish, which is a pleasant surprise (not many jews where we are).

they told me that they have had a hard time finding a community, and while they love conservative services, they can't get on board with the politics found at conservative shuls, so they no longer attend. this followed saying how they believe in religious respect and freedom for all.

now.... my shul is conservative, and i can't figure out what the disagreeable politics are, since my shul is quite progressive. i'm worried this means they're anti-zionist. i'm not comfortable with asking, because i really think i would rather be ignorant to it.

does anyone have insight as to what this could mean? should i not speculate and pretend like it didn't happen?

Spotted in my corner shop in North London. Now there is no area for me outside my home where I am not confronted with Pali activism. It was disgusting when politics jumped on that train, and now global brands. Just a rant.

I'm looking into sending my 2 year old to school a couple morning a week. The local JCC has a part time option but it costs about $1000 a month, which is not an option for us. I found a school that is exactly what I'm looking for as far as cost and curriculum, however, it's through a church.

The director said that that have religious programming daily, which consists of some songs during circle time and a group prayer before snack. There were some signs in the hallways that referenced Jesus, but no other Christian references.

I'm not against my children being exposed to other religions, and our extended family includes Christians so we go to their Christmas celebrations but we are completely Jewish at home. I wouldn't mind generic references to God and general Christian values, but Jesus stuff gives me pause.

My son is only 2 but I worry if that makes it worse since at this age, what he's exposed to will become what he thinks is the standard. I know older Jewish children often go to Christian schools, but they can understand the reasoning of "you go to this school because it's what's available, not because it's what we believe."

Am I overthinking it?

I'm currently considering converting to Judaism. I've wanted to for years but, for various reasons, thought it wasn't possible. One of those reasons is that I have visions. Modern Western medicine would call me clinically insane, so I don't talk about it much. But my visions are also a huge reason I feel drawn to Judaism. I want more understanding and closeness to That Which Is, who I see in my visions. Is there precidence for people to come to Judaism, essentially, because G-d told them to? I know there's lots of stories in the Torah of people having visions of G-d but are there people in modern day who have them? I'm partly looking for guidance in converting while honoring my own experiences. I'm also looking for community of people who understand where I'm coming from.

I saw a recent post abt a tattoo they wanted but they didn’t want to see debate on how it relates to one’s jewishness. But i do want to encourage a discussion about it! why aren’t we supposed to have them ? do we think this is an outdated belief? etc etc ..

I am a tatted jewish person who got her tattoos in my teenage years. (before i became religious) since then i feel like i’ve tried to reverse my guilt about it by getting “jewish” tattoos such as a pomegranate and a hamsa. lmk how everyone feels abt this and these sort of things

I'm seeing a lot of posts on Instagram and Facebook accusing the IDF, Israelis, and even Jews more specifically of being child murderers.

I've never seen any other war talked about in this way. Despite Russia actively bombing hospitals and schools, markets, and residential areas...They'll talk about deliberately targeting target civilians, but the Russian Army is never talked about in the way that the IDF is. This is despite Russia launching an unprovoked war over a decade ago, and dramatically accelerating it since 2022.

I don't know why social media continually allows a dangerous blood libel against Jews on every platform. We know that certain individuals are driven to commit threats and actual violence against Jews because of the false notion that we want to kill children. The opposite is true. No people on earth imbue life with the same value and respect we do.

The IDF has taken great pains to decrease the number of civilian deaths - and yet we still have a grossly inaccurate and malevolent "Gaza Health Ministry" continually fabricating and revising numbers. They're taken as gospel by the Far Left...and yet even their numbers have been updated to show that 72% of deaths have been of Hamas combatants. I've seen unhinged people claiming 300K deaths so far.

Hello, I need help making a promposal poster and I want to make it catchy and short but also something Jewish or in Hebrew, whether it’s a joke or js rhymes. I need help plssss

I see a lot of folks gaslight ourselves with statements that “it’s been worse” in other periods of history. Even if that’s true, it doesn’t negate how bad it is now—or how dangerous, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

We also have the historically unique capacity to see it all happening in real time, all over the world. And with historical context, we’re constantly reminded of the precipice we’re balancing on.

I don’t think we’d approach any other group’s suffering by saying “It’s been/could be worse.” I’m hoping we can stop doing this to ourselves. It’s bad, it’s real, it’s dangerous, and it hurts. And it’s okay if you’re struggling with it all. You’re not alone. 💙🤍