The #YesAllWomen meme has been one of the most transformative moments in the history of social media, and it’s been exciting to watch the long-overdue conversations it has inspired unfold across all media platforms. Recently, it got me thinking: Are there experiences common to all Jews, or at least all North American Jews? My thoughts created this list. Please add your own in the comments and on Twitter and let’s keep the conversation going!
Please note: this is in no way meant to be an “equivalent” to #YesAllWomen– the #YesAllWomen meme deals with the serious issues of discrimination, objectification, and abuse that yes, all women face on a regular basis, and this is in no way meant to demean or trivialize that, nor is it meant to say that Jews necessarily face similar constant stigmatization for being Jewish. This should be seen as an entirely separate conversation.
And remember, we’re only talking North American (US and Canadian) Jews here.
Use the Click the Tweet boxes to add your own!
[Tweet “#YesAllJews”]
will experience anti-Semitism in their lifetimes in some form or another
will be subjected to an offensive Holocaust joke at least once
hate Manischewitz wine
will hear a Christian say to them, “Oh, I support Israel!”
wonder why we need our own special version of everything: The Genesis Prize, ELI talks, JewTube, #YesAllJews, etc
wish they were Jerry Seinfeld, Bob Dylan, the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, or all 3.
say Donald Sterling does not represent us
think someone else’s view on Israel is destroying the Jewish people
think the world needs more Jews like them
will find themselves an exception to someone’s dislike of Jews
do, actually, know that Jesus was Jewish
have wondered whether Jews actually *do* control the world
think their shul is too political or don’t belong to one in part because of the politics
believe the way they live is perfectly in line with Jewish values or are going out of their way to prove that they don’t live according to Jewish values
wonder why other Jews have to be so damn contentious
will wonder whether anti-Semitism was a factor whenever they lose a job (or an election)
will at some point have another Jew try to convert them to their style of Judaism
are Jewish, not “Hanukkah”
are really tired of jokes about bacon, whether we eat it or not
think Israel has so many problems because it doesn’t listen to us
think the Palestinians have so many problems because they don’t listen to us
have at some point worried they were being too tribal when they advocated for a Jewish cause
wish the rabbi wouldn’t drone so much
wanted to fast-forward to the Passover meal already, then wonder why they were so eager to eat matzah
have never eaten matzah balls as good as their bubbe’s
have donated to a Jewish organization whose religious views they find abhorrent
have donated to Jewish organizations whose political views they find abhorrent (here’s looking at you, JNF)
can’t imagine what it used to be like in the shtetl
will meet someone who assumes they know Hebrew and/or Yiddish
think maybe they shouldn’t pick up coins off the street just in case someone sees who knows they’re Jewish
distrust Jewish organizations but will join or at least donate to some of them anyway
need more Jewish education
worry that they’re too stereotypical
think Israeli Jews are hotter than American Jews
had a soldier they were dying to sleep with on their Birthright trip (or would have had they gone on Birthright)
must do more to acknowledge non-Ashkenazi Jewish cultures
have had someone not believe them when they told them they really don’t celebrate Christmas or believe in Jesus…or even Mary.
have told someone ”you know he/she is Jewish?” then hated themselves for it
need to read New Voices Magazine more
wonder why we can’t just get over gefilte fish already
[Tweet “#NotAllJews”]
-ish women are JAPs
hate Muslims
have beards
see anti-Semitism in everything
went to camp, believe it or not
have Fran Drescher for a mother
have grandparents who spoke Yiddish
are good at math
are good writers
support Israel in the same way, if at all
know your friend Paul, sorry.
wear glasses (some of us use contacts)
are allergic to everything
speak with Brooklyn accents
are from the Northeast or LA
have a relative in Hollywood
have a relative who is a doctor or lawyer
have family who has survived the Holocaust (and #YesAllJews think you shouldn’t want to look so disappointed when you find out their grandparents weren’t)
And finally,
#YesAllJews agree that I don’t speak for them
Derek M. Kwait graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and is editor in chief of New Voices.
