I must share something that has weighed heavily on my heart and mind since Oct. 7—organizations fundraising off of antisemitism in a way that comes off as self-serving.
Following Oct. 7, many Jews and non-Jews awoke to what they had not previously believed: that antisemitism is far more widespread than assumed1. They mobilized, volunteered, and got involved. An overwhelming majority of these groups and people are sincere in their intentions and want positive change.
At the same time, some organizations (not all—read that again, not all) were drawn like moths to a flame to fundraise off dead Jews or, at least, Jews facing antisemitism.
Organizations and individuals quickly realized there is money to be made in dead Jews, while ignoring what should be obvious: the goal of fighting antisemitism is preserving the safety and well-being of Jewish people. There are organizations and creators who have been doing this work for decades.
I recall at a conference, speaking with a think tank employee who exclaimed, “No one else is talking about left-wing antisemitism.” I replied, “Commentary, Melanie Phillips, and Jewish News Syndicate have covered this for years. What are you reading?” He continued sharing his “original insights.”
I’ve since noticed large organizations seemingly excited to ride the latest news cycle or dangle a “groundbreaking” article that says what has already been said 10,000 times. As Dara Horn tells us, People Love Dead Jews.
And let me be clear: some mainstream, well-funded Jewish organizations bear responsibility here, too2. Had they successfully done their jobs for the past—checks notes—70 years, perhaps young and old alike would not harbor such visceral hatred for the world’s only Jewish state and for Jewish people.
Individual community members—what I sometimes call Jewish Communal Agitators (JCA)—also play a role. I’ve left numerous WhatsApp chats and Facebook groups because people shared unverified news, ginned up anxiety, and asked whether they should notify the ADL that their Target didn’t have Chanukah decorations (true story). Antisemitism is real and dangerous, but panciking and amplifying every single percieved slight does not solve anything.
Meanwhile, many community members and Jewish organizations are quietly doing the work: meeting with union members facing antisemitism, filing lawsuits that could set meaningful legal precedent, holding elected officials accountable, and more. They are too busy being effective to scream and yell on social media.
Consider, too, groups like Chabad, which spreads Jewish strength through Shabbat dinners, candle lighting, and education. Or Wisdom Without Walls, a nonprofit that brings Jews together for meaningful conversations—marked by intellectual diversity and openness.
It is easy to see Jewish influencers parrot half-truths about Jews “fleeing” France. Who benefits from that narrative? I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
The goal of mission-driven organizations is to solve a problem—lower taxes, expand school choice, set important legal precedents, etc.
Jewish organizations—and those claiming to fight antisemitism— should be committed to the safety and well-being of Jewish people.
Unfortunately, work of fighting antisemitism will never be finished, but we can look for meaningful progress: public-opinion shifts, violent agitators held accountable under the law where applicable, peaceful demonstrations, and interfaith coalitions that address differences rather than avoid them.
Most of us have also at least heard of this famous line:
Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.
— The Merchant of Venice, Act III, Scene I
Shylock asks if Jews are, indeed, people. Do they feel? Bleed? Hurt? Well…yes.
The play, after many twists and turns, ends with Shylock losing most of his wealth and forced to convert to Christianity. The guy who borrowed money from Shylock and never paid him back? His merchant ships, once thought lost at sea, return.
In today’s fight against antisemitism, I can’t help but feel that Jews are asked to give our time and treasure to those who benefit from our fear. We need not seek revenge—certainly not a pound of flesh—but we deserve justice.
After all, hath not a Jew eyes?
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