Columnist J.M. Sorrell: Growing signs of antisemitism in the open

J.M. Sorrell

J.M. Sorrell

By J.M. SORRELL

Published: 09-03-2024 6:43 PM

I would love to write about other topics, and yet the breadth and forms keep expanding. Zionism is increasingly described as a genocidal movement meant to destroy others, yet the actual undertaking was created by Jews with progressive ideals of sharing resources and creating collaborative communities in Israel. I can’t think of another return to homeland endeavor that is met with such scorn or misinformation.

In contemporary Israeli society, Zionism is not monolithic. Most Israelis who identify with it also believe in self-determination for Palestinians. Yes, there are right-wing religious nut jobs known as “settlers” who steal land and homes with impunity in and around the West Bank. Those so-called Zionists do not reflect the largely secular and progressive democracy known as Israel. Imagine seeing signs at protests everywhere that read “Die Christians” because some of them are bigoted and lacking in compassion. In reality, Christians constitute a wide range of beliefs and values.

Natan Sharansky created a standard to separate legitimate criticism of Israeli policies from antisemitism (adopted by the U.S. Department of State). It’s the 3D test: Delegitimize, Demonize, Double Standard. If a person criticizes Israel but expresses any or all of the above D’s, antisemitism is at play. These days, I would add a fourth D: dehumanize.

Everyone in Israel knows what “From the River to the Sea” means. It is not benign or peaceful in any way. It means the obliteration of Israel — delegitimization. The continued apathy about the Oct. 7 massacre shows both dehumanization and a perverse demonization of the victims as perpetrators. The double standard test is painfully obvious given terrorist-run countries and human rights abuses throughout the world.

Gov. Maura Healey has created a special commission on antisemitism and directions to provide resources to schools to address the hatred of Jews as an appropriate response to the alarming rise of antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, nefarious forces are seeking to undermine the efforts. The same lefties who claim that some of us conflate antisemitism with anti-Zionism are the ones doing just that. That information about anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian hate should be taught alongside information about antisemitism.

I ask, why can’t teaching about hatred against Jews stand on its own? Why is there a “but” attached to it? Simply put, this is a double standard and it implies there is something wrong with teaching about antisemitism. What message does this send to Jewish children and potential allies? It seems to further stigmatize them in the same ”othering” way that the protesters decry in other demographics. Social justice for everyone except Jews.

A friend forwarded me a message from the Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), and it is a wrong-headed indictment of Project Shema — a progressive organization hired to train teachers and other staff for the Northampton Public Schools about antisemitism. JVP aligns Shema with the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), which it claims is “infiltrating schools nationwide.” Yup, the same ADL that tracks and documents antisemitism is the enemy.

JVP writes that the training will “cause significant harm to Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students and families.” Huh? I’m not sure who is in JVP, but the organization is fanning the flames of antisemitism here as they treat Jewish students and families as unworthy of support and understanding.

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The current dehumanization of Jews all over the world and of Israelis of all kinds involves the false narrative that Jews are all white, successful and perpetrators rather than victims. Jews cannot win. Perceived success brings scorn and the internalized versions are heartbreaking.

The Santa Ana, California school district has taken this one step further as they are actually teaching students to be antisemitic! The ethnic studies steering committee noted in its agenda that it needs to address “the Jewish question” and that they would hold meetings on Jewish holidays to avoid Jewish participation.

The curriculum passed as senior committee members stated, “Jews are not a disadvantaged ethnic group in the U.S. because they were never slaves,” and “We only support the oppressed, and Jews are the oppressor.” The sole Jewish member of the committee was described by the leader as a “colonized Jewish mind” and a few other choice words not fit for print.

Earlier this summer I resigned from the board of directors of the UMass Amherst Alumni Association. I am a grateful graduate, but when I asked leadership to discuss antisemitism and to craft a statement for our website or quarterly that I offered to write, the board declined.

I was clear this was not about Israel but simply about hatred against Jews. For Jewish students and alums, it feels important at this moment. The ADL gave UMass Amherst the grade “F” for not combating antisemitism on campus. I offered a simple way to start to turn things around and for Jews to feel as safe as everyone else on campus.

Here’s what I would have written: “The UMass Amherst Alumni Association stands against the hatred of Jews and we support the safety and well-being of Jewish students and alumni.” Period, not but. If otherwise well-meaning organizations cannot do this, we are swimming in normative antisemitism. It’s unconscionable.

J.M. Sorrell is a feminist at her core. She will always stand against the hatred of Jews.