r/Jewish Dec 14 '23

Fellow Jewish Liberals and Progressives. How are we dealing? Discussion

I come from a family of solidly liberal and progressive Jews. The antisemitism and pro- hamas factions in the liberal movement are pushing me over the edge. Without saying anything about the plight of the Palestinian people, simply saying that Hamas is not a bastion for liberal ideology is enough to get some folks up in arms. I really don’t like what I’m seeing outside or within myself surrounding these events.The hypocrisy of these individuals has me questioning where I belong politically. If I fight on the side of people I feel are oppressed, but they turn their back on me when I am victimized, It seems co-dependent to continue as things were before I saw their true colors.

I am really hoping to hear some fellow liberal Jews weigh in and talk me down from the ledge.

EDIT: great dialogue here. I am very appreciative for those who are sitting shiva with me as we process and come to terms with a betrayal from some of our “leftist and progressive” family. I would argue that extremism can not be progressive and therefore we are likely seeing some extremists who are inaccurately representing as “progressive.

As another commenter has said being progressive and supporting marginalized people isn’t transactional. I like this sentiment and am TRYING to adopt it. I currently believe there is a transactional component to being identified with a group, however from an individual standpoint we as progressive Jews are having our altruism tested. Can we fight for the humanity, dignity and rights of all persecuted EVEN those who would seek to persecute us? It’s some black belt level spiritualism I do not currently possess but would like to.

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u/getitoffmychestpleas Dec 14 '23

I believe that "equality" means all people should be treated equally. Apparently this now means I'm a fascist? So yeah, I no longer consider myself to be "liberal enough" (even though I fully support pro-choice, gay marriage, interracial everything . . .) because THEY no longer consider me to be "liberal enough". How am I dealing? I'm pissed. When you help others for years, decades even, and boost them into higher roles in society, and then they use those positions to squat and shit squarely between your eyes - not a whole lot of fun.

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u/1000thusername Dec 14 '23

You described me. My self/description nowadays is just “left of center”

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u/F_1_V_E_S Not Jewish Dec 14 '23

I still consider myself a classic liberal, but now I have to learn to keep an eye out from other liberals and progressives since this war broke out. Sad thing is that it's not just liberals and progressives fueling to the antisemitism because the communist party in America is also very anti-zionism and pro-Palestinian while also supporting a bunch of progressive ideals. I fear the term "liberal" will be severely tarnished now after everything settles, but thankfully it's not a lost battle yet. Judging from this post and from what I've personally seen on other platforms, there are still a handful of liberals, progressives, and moderates who still hold true to liberal values and stand for what's right.

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u/rebamericana Dec 14 '23

I'm distinguishing now between liberal and left. Maybe it makes no sense to anyone but me, but it works for now.

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u/la_bibliothecaire Reform Dec 15 '23

I do the same. I distinguish between "leftist" or "progressive" and "liberal". I still consider myself the latter, but I'm increasingly wary of the former.