Hate has no home here? 'Antisemitism has been called the longest hatred' | Opinion
A few years ago, colorful multilingual yard signs of “Hate Has No Home Here” popped up all over Norman. I applauded the sentiment: a response to the presence of a lot of hate and anger in our America. After having just observed the anniversary of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing, it seems timely to comment on what would counter the widespread antisemitism since the savage Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel and the severe response. We’ll get to that. It’s worth underscoring that these events are happening in the Middle East. The intimidation and ostracism of Jewish students on campuses are happening in America.
Our American context also includes Islamophobia, homophobia, anti-Asian hostility, anti-Hispanic sentiment and anti-Black racism. Our anger is bipartisan, if little else is. An anecdote: My son recently got “ghosted” by a prospective date when he explained why Germany had historical reasons (i.e. the Holocaust) that made it hesitant to jump on the anti-Israel bandwagon. She, clearly, travels with a litmus strip eager to test levels of political expression. It would go a long way if everyone would stop litmus testing each other; maybe even commit to hearing other opinions. I do my exercycle routine at the gym watching “Fox & Friends.” I rarely agree with what’s covered or how, but I’m glad to know what half of my fellow citizens watch.
More: Grassroots activism is essential in challenging Islamophobia and promoting social justice
On conflict: Ramadan passed peacefully in Israel, with its 20% Palestinian Arab population. Ramadan even passed peacefully in the Occupied West Bank. Thankfully. What does this say about the ongoing protests at U.S. campuses? From a distance, it’s easy to be outraged when you pay no penalty. From a distance, it’s easy to condemn Israeli actions, but harder to engage with proactive peace groups like Women Wage Peace, Parents Circle Families Forum or Standing Together. Condemnation, while emotionally satisfying, is not constructive. Many children of my Israeli family and friends have been called up for reserve service. Most of them were engaging in peaceful pro-democracy protests just a few months ago. Ordinary Palestinians in Gaza were struggling to eke out a living even before Oct. 7. It seems a truism that people everywhere are better than their governments. Whatever brings Israeli hostages back home, whatever steers Gaza toward relief, should be welcome.
On antisemitism: Is the current spike a blip or a reversion to the norm of Jew-hatred? Dara Horn, in "People Love Dead Jews," written after the Pittsburgh Synagogue massacre, but before the Oct. 7 massacre and Israel’s counter attack on Gaza, thinks it's reversion. Antisemitism has been called the longest hatred. Some, like the 12th-century French Bible commentator Rashi, took it as a metaphysical given: “Esau hates Jacob.” Most historians do not agree. There have been many periods and places where Jews and Christians, Jews and Muslims got along just fine. I grew up in an America where this was so, and live in an America, where, in many places, it still is. Giving into anger and hatred cannot be the right way forward, even if we’ll never cure every lunatic.
On fighting antisemitism: Busy yourself with good deeds ― through your church, your local community, civic groups. Life works contrary to Gresham’s Law: Good chases out bad. Want to address antisemitism specifically? Talk to your co-workers, employees/employers. Attend or Zoom into our Schusterman Center for Judaic and Israel studies events ― all are free and open to the public! Ask your local synagogue about attending services ― we all need security, but guests are welcome. Download a Jewish calendar. Check out www.sefaria.org/texts a free, easily navigated universe of (almost) every traditional Jewish document. You can start with Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. Familiarity breeds understanding, not contempt.
Already have a Jewish friend or two? Wish them a Happy Passover ― it started April 22, but lasts until April 30.
Alan Levenson is the Schusterman/Josey Chair of Jewish History at the University of Oklahoma.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Antisemitism, Islamophobia: Commit to hearing other opinions
