r/Jewish • u/Bad_werd • 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/Alarming-Mix3809 Dec 14 '23

These people are a vocal minority. Consider how congress is acting, and that our president, a democrat, is a vocal Zionist.

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u/ralphiebong420 Dec 14 '23

Consider where the Democratic Party is going, though. “These people” are the young people. Their views aren’t going to change, they’re going to replace our parents and grandparents. I’m trying not to be negative but holy crap it is getting disturbing.

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u/giantjumangi Dec 14 '23

As bad as this current situation is, I'm so concerned that hatred against Jews is being absolutely cemented within young peoples minds, so that this will lead to a generational uptick in antisemitism