A Practical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism: Beyond Politics and Religious Affiliation
As many of you know, I've embarked on a risky but unique journey with my latest project, "From Outrage to Action: A Practical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism." It's about addressing a global issue that affects us all, regardless of our backgrounds or beliefs. I'm not here to talk about Israel or Israeli policy, except to say that much of the obsession with Israel is rooted in antisemitism.
Antisemitism is a pervasive and dangerous ideology, and it's essential to understand that fighting it is not a political stance but a moral imperative. This is not a political book. You can be conservative or liberal. You don't have to even be Jewish. All you have to do is agree that antisemitism is a bad thing and you want to do something about it.
In these times of high emotion and tension, many are feeling isolated and helpless. We see longstanding friendships strained, and Jews of all political stripes find themselves increasingly alienated. Misinformation and bigotry are rampant, amplified through social media and street protests. On college campuses, the safety of Jewish students is at risk. We must ask ourselves: Beyond expressing anger and helplessness, what can we actually do?
Despite the myth of a powerful Jewish lobby, Jews represent just 0.2 percent of the world's population. We are a vulnerable minority, often perceived as more powerful than we are due to ingrained antisemitism. This misperception fuels many of the challenges we face today. So, what can we do? What do we have the actual power to do, rather than the imaginary power they say we have? We can help educate. There is a segment of the population that will not be educated. They are hopeless, but I'd like to be optimistic and say that there are very reasonable people in the middle who don't realize that they're advocating for more dead Jews. Our goal is to reach these people.
When faced with antisemitism online, do we block or engage? If engaging, should we respond with anger or education? Remember, the goal isn't always to convince the person you're arguing with; often, it's about reaching the passive readers. And sometimes, you might just be arguing with a bot!
Media Outreach and Progress
I'm excited to share that our project is gaining media attention. I recently had a productive interview with my local NPR affiliate, discussing the book and addressing the feelings of isolation many Jews experience. In the coming weeks, I'm scheduled to appear on several podcasts, further raising awareness about our campaign.
With 19 days to go in our Kickstarter campaign, we are 47 percent funded. I feel passionately about this book and know I made the right decision in making it a communal effort. If you haven't already, I urge you to support our campaign and share it with your network. Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to our goal.