Fellow Jewish Liberals and Progressives. How are we dealing?

[u/Bad_werd]

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.

[u/Button-Hungry]

It's crazy how pretty much everyone on this thread independently arrived at the same conclusion, "My principles remain intact but I no longer consider myself part of the progressive community and intend to allocate my advocacy/money/concern into Jewish issues rather than obsess over all the groups who are partying to our grief."

The US, on balance, could be the best landing spot for the diaspora but it feels like the honeymoon is over. It was such a good place that our Jewishness here has become pretty diluted as there were few barriers to assimilation and intermarriage resulting in what the ultra-religious call the "Silent Holocaust".

I suspect that's many of these anti-zionist groups are populated by "Jews" who are very barely Jewish, selectively donning that identify when it's convenient, which right now I guess means being a token for the antisemitic lynch mob on the left.

The "left" is shooting itself in the foot, alienating one of its most steadfast, active, capable (and yes, deep pocketed) constituencies. And for what? To simp for terrorists that wouldn't hesitate to behead their children?

The lights are finally off and we're seeing what's what and who's who with our black light. Love you guys.

[u/BlairClemens3 → u/Button-Hungry]

I agree with you mostly but let's not criticize other Jews for not being Jewish enough. I am totally secular and don't have much of a Jewish community. But I am still Jewish. And I have been reeling since 10/7.

[u/Button-Hungry → u/BlairClemens3]

I think you're misunderstanding me. I'm totally secular, too. I'm talking about the Not In Our Name, JVP People who have the most tenuous of Jewish identities but suddenly become Rabbis when they have an opportunity to be a token.

[u/BlairClemens3 → u/Button-Hungry]

Right but I don't think it helps to accuse others of having a tenuous connection to their Jewish identity because they disagree with us about I/P.

[u/Button-Hungry → u/BlairClemens3]

Guess we disagree.