“What can we do about antisemitism?” This question lies at the heart of “Safety through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism,” a new book by journalists Shane Burley and Ben Lorber. Lorber will address this topic during a discussion at MaTovu on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m.
Prior to the event, MaTovu hosted a Reading Circle to delve into the book’s themes. One participant shared, “My adult children and I participated in the Reading Circle, and we all found both the book and the space to discuss it to be helpful, illuminating, and hopeful in such a divided time.”
Building solidarity to combat hate
“Safety through Solidarity” examines how antisemitism has manifested throughout history and continues to impact communities today. Lorber and Burley interview activists about their encounters with antisemitism and discuss how these experiences shape their work. The authors argue that while Jewish trauma is undeniable, building solidarity with other marginalized groups may be key to combatting shared struggles. They emphasize using grief as a way to connect with others, rather than retreating into isolation.
Differing views within the Jewish community
Lorber’s analysis offers one perspective in a broader conversation about the sources and solutions to antisemitism. His views contrast with those of Benjamin Ginsberg, who, in his book “The New American Anti-Semitism: The Left, The Right, and The Jews,” emphasizes the dangers posed by left-wing antisemitism. These differing viewpoints reflect a larger debate within the Jewish community about the origins of antisemitic threats.
In an interview with the Jewish Light, Lorber delves deeper into these issues, exploring how alliances and solidarity can be powerful tools in fighting antisemitism.
There are two very contrasting reads on whether the worse threat of antisemitism is coming from the right or the left. What has your research shown you?
“We’re at a moment when Elon Musk, the richest man in the world poised to have major influence in a second Trump presidency, has spread explicit conspiracies that Jews are engaged in “dialectical hatred against whites.” That’s just one example of the institutionalization of antisemitism at the highest levels of the mainstream MAGA movement, a movement where conspiracies about all-powerful George Soros and blood-drinking pedophile elites are fervently embraced by millions of people. The white Christian nationalist right poses an existential threat to the pluralist, multiracial democracy that represents the best shot for American Jewish safety and thriving. The right indisputably poses the more pressing antisemitic threat — in terms of sheer power and scale, there is simply no comparison to the antisemitism we have seen in some corners on the left.”
How do you respond to the notion that there is no difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism?
Zionism is a political project that one can oppose on a number of political grounds, like any other. For example, I support a binational arrangement with full equality between Jews and Palestinians, and this leads me to oppose the project of political Zionism which, in its dominant form, has created a Jewish-majority state with laws discriminating against Palestinians. Does this make me antisemitic? It’s certainly possible for a critique of Zionism to be motivated by antisemitism, just as it’s possible for a critique of China to be motivated by anti-Asian bigotry or a critique of Saudi Arabia to be motivated by Islamophobia. But many, many critiques of Israel and Zionism are not antisemitic, and it is deeply cynical and wrong-headed to claim the two are identical.
Some Jewish leaders urge Jews to form alliances with Christian Zionists. What do you think of this advice and what movements does a solidarity approach look to?
Christians may support Israel for a number of reasons, but the most powerful leaders of today’s Christian Zionist movement support Israel as part of their end-times vision where Jews will have to convert to Christianity or face eternal damnation. Some allies to Jews. Christian Zionism today is part and parcel of the rising Christian nationalist movement, which threatens our multiracial democracy and the principles of bodily autonomy, religious pluralism and separation of church and state that most American Jews hold dear. Instead of forming alliances with those who want to enshrine white Christian minority rule, Jews should look to ally with other marginalized and oppressed movements and groups fighting for racial, economic, gender and social justice and equality in all its forms. The path to lasting safety and flourishing involves linking up with our neighbors, building relationships across different communities, and taking action to build a better world together.
Registration for the free event is at: https://www.matovustl.org/events/2024/authortalk
