The End of a Jewish Golden Age — with John Podhoretz
Jan 20, 2024
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John Podhoretz, author of a long essay for Commentary Magazine on the end of the Jewish 'golden age' in America, discusses the rise of anti-Semitism, assaults on Orthodox Jews, the discrepancy in public opinion, tactics used to target Jews on college campuses, and the significance of his piece 'They're Coming After Us'.
There has been a rise in anti-Semitism, causing a sense of chaos and insecurity among the Jewish community, as even allies remain silent or critical during this time.
The hostility towards Israel and Jews on college campuses has led to a distorted perception of Jews as oppressors, with acts of violence increasingly targeting Jewish individuals and institutions, creating an environment of fear and disruption.
Deep dives
The Rise of Anti-Semitism and Attacks on Jews
There has been a significant rise in anti-Semitism, manifesting in various forms such as violence, protests, and vandalism against Jewish-owned businesses and institutions. This surge in anti-Semitic incidents is organized and simultaneous, creating a sense of chaos and insecurity among the Jewish community. Even organizations and institutions that were once considered allies have remained silent or critical during this time. Many Jewish individuals feel alone and abandoned by those they thought were their allies.
Organized Efforts in Academia and on Campuses
The hostility towards Israel and Jews has found strong support on college campuses through the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement and the theory of intersectionality, leading to a distorted perception of Jews as oppressors. Professors and student groups openly advocate for the elimination of Israel or support tactics that harm Jewish students and institutions. The lack of condemnation from university administrators further exacerbates the feeling of abandonment.
Rise in Violence and Unrest
Acts of violence against Jews have become more frequent and disturbing, targeting not only visible orthodox Jews but also Jewish-owned businesses and synagogues. These incidents range from assaults and shootings to protests shutting down bridges and tunnels. The goals of these attacks are to create an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for Jews, disrupting daily life and instilling fear.
Loneliness and the Need for Redirection
Jewish individuals who have previously supported and funded organizations that no longer have their back during these challenging times are understandably feeling alone and betrayed. The sense of loneliness highlights the need to prioritize supporting and protecting our own people, as our existence and security are now under threat.
Will we look back at the past few decades in America as the Jewish ‘golden age’? And is this ‘golden age’ now over? Did October 7th mark the end? Or should the signs have been obvious years ago?
John Podhoretz recently wrote a long essay for Commentary Magazine describing how we got here. He writes: “Several seemingly unconnected arguments and controversies in the United States that had been carefully cultivated over the past couple of decades sprang into full flower on October 8 and thereafter. The weapons were ideas that had flowed for a quarter century from university graduate programs to activist groups to K–12 education and then began to reach millions through online mailing lists, listservs, and social-media entertainment services.”
I wanted to have a conversation with John about how we got here, whether we are truly alone, and are they – actually – coming after us?
John Podhoretz is a return guest to this podcast. He is a writer and public intellectual. He is editor-in-chief of Commentary Magazine and host of Commentary’s critically acclaimed daily podcast, he’s a columnist for the New York Post, and author of several books (including one of my favorites, “Hell of a Ride”, about his time in the first Bush Administration).
Here is the essay we discuss in the episode:
“There’s Coming After Us” — https://www.commentary.org/articles/john-podhoretz/antisemites-coming-after-jews/
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