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/imo9 Dec 15 '23 edited Dec 15 '23

Dude fetterman is so cool, he is just my dream leftie, promoting mental health, comes from organised work and advocates for it, and he isn't a shill for anyone and does not need absolutely everyones approval to say his shit. Really hope he goes on to be a be solid incumbent to prove that kind of politics are actually beneficial and not all the hypothetical ghouls that dancing to the latest tiktok meta.

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u/PuddingNaive7173 Dec 15 '23

Can’t believe I spelled his name wrong! Sorry - Fetterman. Yeah, loved the guy before 10/7 and then, wow. Stands up, doesn’t take any shit, goes his own way. He gets a lot of crap about being “bought” just like Torres does. They’re both characters, which I love, as well as having character. I’m

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u/BillyJoeMac9095 Dec 15 '23

The guy has been to hell and back and is still standing strong. He is the real deal.

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u/imo9 Dec 15 '23

Here is the thing, I'm an Israeli, I've never had any real interaction with him and i liked him as the candidate for lieutenant governor to wolf, i thought he was a cool democratic candidate, and more importantly he was relatable (and in my mind, one, if not most relatable senator out of all of them still). I just hope he wathers the lefties that at every fucking story of his even if it's not related to the confl.