A Second, Definitive List of Things that are Antisemitic and Not Antisemitic
Hope this clears things up after a wild weekend online!
ANTISEMITIC
Refuting one’s Jewishness and the Holocaust.
NOT ANTISEMITIC
“Refuting one’s Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation, which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims.”
ANTISEMITIC
If someone wore a pin to (according to one NY Post journalist in an Instagram story that became so widely circulated that the OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT of Israel reposted it on X) reference the lynching of two Jewish soldiers 23 years ago.
NOT ANTISEMITIC
Wearing a pin with an orange hand and a black heart surrounded by a red circle to, according the makers of the pin, "Symbolize collective support for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all of the hostages and for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza."
ANTISEMITIC
Wearing a prosthetic nose to play a Jewish character. (I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL)
NOT ANTISEMITIC
Wearing a padded bra to play a Jewish character. (THANK YOU)
ANTISEMITIC
Chanting at a protest that the Jews living in Israel should “Go back to Europe.” (?)
NOT ANTISEMITIC
Saying the Israelis settlements in the West Bank are illegal.
ANTISEMITIC
Defacing a Jewish deli with a swastika.
NOT ANTISEMITIC
Writing a negative review for a Jewish deli because when you had covid you ordered matzoh ball soup but instead they sent HUNGARIAN MUSHROOM SOUP and they refunded you for the soup but they wouldn’t refund you the delivery fee which was NINE dollars.
ANTISEMITIC
My child’s enthusiastic conflation of the story of Purim (Queen Esther) with the story of Frozen (Queen Elsa).
NOT ANTISEMITIC
My child condemning Haman, the villain of Purim, for “Not believing in Elsa’s powers.” [What are her powers, sweetie?] “The power of Jewish.”
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you and your writing. What is going on in Gaza is so heartbreaking and somehow you bring a sense of understanding and compassion. Thank you. BTW, I love your children and how you parent them.
No, you will not die on "that hill" (sedate quotation marks and lower case replacing hysterical boldface caps denoting misplaced passion). We, your loyal readers, won't allow it. We need your wisdom now more than ever, and for many years to come.
For me, the embellished Cooper nose was merely unnecessary, not an insult. I've advised folks who don't like the idea not to watch it and, while they're at it, to try to develop, ironically enough, a thicker skin.