What's Next for the Jewish Community? Our Book Will Provide Some Answers
'From Outrage to Action: A Practical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism' will be a collaborative effort. I hope you can join us in supporting this resource.
As you know, I’m launching a Kickstarter soon for my book, From Outrage to Action: A Practical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism. I hope you can support it. Frankly, it’s the first time I’ve ever tried any kind of crowdfunding, and I don’t know what to expect. I know that many Jews want to do something now, but are unsure where to start. I’m hoping that this book will give us all some guidance on next steps.
Kickstarter has a number of “reward” tiers, where you promise special products for donors. I’m not producing a comic book, though, and so I was thinking about what I can do for those who support the book. I have a lot of ideas about how this can be a collaborative process, and your role can go beyond just financial support. I was thinking about a series of sessions with donors where we discuss how you and your organization fight antisemitism. I’ll have more details on that soon.
Meanwhile, below are some of my rough notes for my Kickstarter “story,” which will go live at the beginning of December. I opted not to go with what is written below because I was told by advisers that I need to make it more of a “sales pitch” rather than a synopsis of the book. I’m not always comfortable with sales, but I know I need to get into the right mindset for it. I’m very sensitive about any perception that I’m out to make a buck from a tragedy. Every penny donated will go toward research, writing, and production of this resource.
Anyway, here are some of my raw notes on what this book will be about.
A 'How-To' On Ending Helplessness
After going through most of the stages of grief since the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, I thought about what I could do to help. In the aftermath of this tragedy, as we witness a surge of worldwide protests that too often cross the line into antisemitism, the sense of helplessness can be overwhelming. Many of us in the Jewish community, and our allies, are searching for a way to channel our collective grief and anger into something that can light the darkness.
For me, that way forward is through the power of writing and storytelling. I am working on a book aimed at illuminating the ways we can combat antisemitism in various spheres of our lives. It's essential to channel our concerns into constructive action. This project is about empowerment, providing practical tools and strategies for individuals and communities to effectively counter antisemitism.
My upcoming book serves as a hands-on guide, offering actionable advice for addressing and preventing antisemitism in various areas of everyday life, including ...
The Virtual World: Developing the tools necessary to fight online hate.
Educational Institutions: College campuses are the front lines of the war on antisemitism. I'll explain how you can cut through the noise and take back your school.
The Workplace: Employers and employees are finding it difficult to navigate through issues of free speech vs. hate speech.
Political Arenas: Where policies and rhetoric have real-world impact.
And many more.
The book will feature real-life examples of individuals and groups who have made significant strides in combating antisemitism. Their stories will not only inspire but also guide readers on how they can contribute to these efforts in their own lives.
This book will share the inspiring stories of those who are successfully fighting antisemitism in these arenas. It will offer advice on what you can do in your own life to make a difference. This is not just a chronicle of the struggle against anti-Jewish hatred; it is a reflection of the actions that each one of us can take. By supporting this Kickstarter, you are helping to bring this important work to life. Your contributions will enable the research, writing, production, and distribution of a resource that empowers us all to take a stand. Remember, you are not alone. Together, we will navigate through these challenging times and emerge stronger.
Join me in turning concern into action, and help make this vital resource a reality.
Who Am I and Why Should You Trust Me?
You can read my credentials in my bio, but the most important thing to know is that, as a child and grandchild of Holocaust survivors, I have been studying and writing about antisemitism my entire life. My work has appeared in mainstream and Jewish publications, including the Jewish Daily Forward, the Jerusalem Post, The Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, JTA, and Publishers Weekly, where I've written commentaries and in-depth features on Jewish issues. I have interviewed a range of experts on identifying and fighting antisemitism—from politicians to authors to academics and even Jewish celebrities. All their combined wisdom will go into this book. You can read more about my work on my website.
But What Exactly is Antisemitism?
First, let's get the linguistic games over with. There is no such thing as a "Semite." It's an outdated term based on a misinterpretation of linguistic similarities. This is why the hyphen has been removed in "antisemitism," which is the word for hatred of Jews. Even those formerly called Semites can be antisemitic. This change was the result of a successful anti-hyphen campaign by US Antisemitism Envoy Deborah Lipstadt.
With the semantics of "Semitic" out of the way, the official definition of antisemitism comes from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
There's more to it, but that's basically it. You can read all the fine print here. One thing that is worth pointing out is that, despite what you may read elsewhere, it does not define any criticism of Israel as antisemitic. It does, however, say that it is antisemitic to deny "the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor."
I'm dwelling on this because an important part of fighting antisemitism is to counter the "straw man" argument that Jews claim antisemitism whenever Israel is criticized. This book will break down these definitions even further and provide answers to the mantra that Jews hear a great deal: "Criticism of Israel isn't antisemitism." On the surface, no, but what is often heard is not criticism of Israel but rhetoric calling for its destruction.
Criticism of Israeli policy? Fair game. "Criticism" of Israel's right to exist? Antisemitic. Well, in general. I'd also go a step further and say that obsession over Israel above all other nations could also bleed into antisemitic territory.
It can get confusing, but it’s important that we all agree on a definition before we can effectively fight antisemitism.
Natan Sharansky
To say that former Soviet Refusenik Natan Sharansky has experience with antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism would be an extreme understatement. As a former Soviet “Prisoner of Zion,” he spent years under torturous conditions in the gulag. He knew that when Soviet leaders began to talk about Zionism, all Jews, Zionist or not, were in trouble. When he was finally released and immigrated to Israel, he was surprised to notice the same phenomenon. That’s when he came up with what he called his “3D test” of antisemitism. They are:
Delegitimization of Israel
Demonization of Israel
Double standards in judging Israel
Put them together, you can bet that what is billed as criticism of Israel is actually antisemitism. The 3Ds became the basis for widely accepted definitions of antisemitism. But the battle is still being fought, he says, not with other nations, but with Jews in America who are reluctant to be seen as equating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
In this interview, we discussed this dilemma and other areas where Israel and the Diaspora meet. My book will delve more into how to distinguish between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.
Colleges and Universities
What sort of combination of legal, social, and policy action can students and faculty take if they are harassed, hounded out of student organizations, fired from their positions, or worse. I have contacts with students and faculty who have experienced antisemitism at many levels and have advice for others who are facing the same kind of discrimination. I will tell their stories, but always end with actionable advice.
A key aspect of the book will be discussing the availability of legal helplines and support networks established by Jewish organizations. These resources offer crucial assistance for students and faculty dealing with antisemitism, and my book will guide readers on how to access and utilize these services effectively.
The book will delve into the broader challenges Jewish students face in the current geopolitical climate, particularly in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict. It will examine the impact of these challenges and offer strategies for students and faculty to navigate and counter antisemitism in academic settings.
By addressing these critical issues, the book aims to empower readers with knowledge and practical tools to combat antisemitism in educational environments."
I’ll also relate my personal stories of antisemitism in college.
In the Workplace
In the face of rising antisemitism, there are crucial policy and legal steps that Jews can take to address discrimination in the workplace. My book will delve into these strategies, consulting with legal experts and interviewing workers who have faced on-the-job harassment. This section will serve as a guide for employers, who may be unprepared for geopolitical issues infiltrating the office, and for employees who no longer feel safe at work.
Key advice for employers will include:
Antisemitism in Trainings and Policies
Specific Policies Against Antisemitism
Social Media Guidelines
Reporting Mechanisms
Employee Resource Groups for Jewish Employees
Outreach and Support
Accommodations for Religious Observances
Online Workplace Discussions
These strategies aim to create a safer and more inclusive workplace, addressing the unique challenges Jewish employees face. By implementing these measures, employers can play a significant role in combating antisemitism and fostering a respectful and supportive work environment."
How to Fight Antisemitism Online
In recent years, the digital landscape has become a breeding ground for antisemitism. Following significant geopolitical events, such as the Hamas attack, there has been a noticeable spike in online antisemitic incidents. According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), these incidents have not only increased in frequency but also in intensity, spreading hate and misinformation across various social media platforms.
The proliferation of online antisemitism poses unique challenges. It's not just the volume of hate speech that's alarming but also the way it rapidly disseminates across the internet, reaching a global audience. This digital hate speech often includes dangerous conspiracy theories, derogatory stereotypes, and even threats of violence, which can have real-world consequences.
Addressing the Challenge
In my upcoming book, I delve into the complexities of combating online antisemitism. Recognizing the vastness of the internet, the book offers practical strategies and insights on how individuals and communities can effectively respond to and counter these hateful narratives.
Key areas of focus include:
Understanding the Landscape: Educating readers about the nature of online antisemitism, its common forms, and the platforms where it's most prevalent.
Best Practices for Response: Offering guidance on how to engage with or report online hate speech. This includes understanding when to confront, ignore, or report antisemitic content and the most effective ways to do so.
Collaboration with Experts: Highlighting insights from organizations and individuals who have been at the forefront of fighting online antisemitism. This includes learning from their experiences and the strategies they've employed.
Empowering Action: Encouraging readers to take proactive steps in their digital spaces, whether it's through awareness campaigns, supporting policy changes, or contributing to a more positive online environment.
By addressing these aspects, the book aims not only to raise awareness about the issue of online antisemitism but also to equip readers with the tools and knowledge to actively participate in the fight against it.
Influencers
As a social media influencer, Mizrahi activist, pro-Israel educator, and member of the LGBTQ community, Hen Mazzig carries around many different identities. Because of that, he is in constant “teacher” mode as he tries to dispel many preconceived ideas about who he is to Jews and non-Jews alike.
He helped found the Tel Aviv Institute, which focuses on social-media-driven strategies to fight antisemitism. Mazzig holds workshops for social-media influencers on how to use their microphone to craft positive, data-driven tweets, Instagram posts, TikTok videos, and other methods of responding to antisemites online. At these laboratories, they emphasize the futility of online anger or just straight-out calling people antisemitic. “It doesn’t change anyone’s mind,” Mazzig said. Instead, they work on countering antisemitism with a more positive tone.
Learn more about the data he's collected in my article for the Jewish Journal of Los Angeles, and more will come in my book—with your help.
In the Literary Community
I hadn't planned on writing this next book. My focus was on fiction, with a musical love story set for release in 2025, to be published by Vine Leaves Press. However, the events of October 7 compelled me to shift gears and address this pressing issue.
There are many people who have disappointed me since the October 7 massacre, but none have hit me so personally as the literary community. Writers are supposed to see beyond the surface and get at truth. In that way, they have failed. I should have expected it, though, as the signs have been there for years.
Read the rest of my commentary on antisemitism in the literary community in my Substack newsletter.
Interviews with Experts
In my career as a Jewish journalist, I have interviewed many experts on the subject of antisemitism and how to spot and fight it. Their collective wisdom will be included in this book. I will feature interviews with experts on the front lines in the fight against antisemitism—including activists, politicians, authors, entertainers, sports figures, and even celebrities.
Thanks, and I hope this is something you can support. If it is, click “notify me on launch” at this link.