Identity

But, this is America, right?

I’m an American Jew. I’m glad I’m an American vs. say, Iranian, or Russian, or French. I’m proud of our service to this country and our distinguished history here, where we’ve fought for and been blessed with great opportunity and prosperity, unlike anywhere else in our history.

But it’s always good to remember that while we may love this country – as has been the case many times in the past – the country don’t necessarily love us back.

And the Dobrach family of Delaware might agree.

My favorite part is:

Classmates accused Alex Dobrich of “killing Christ” and he became
fearful about wearing his yarmulke, the complaint recounts. He took it
off whenever he saw a police officer, fearing that the officer might
see it and pull over his mother’s car. When the family went grocery
shopping, the complaint says, “Alexander would remove the pin holding
his yarmulke on his head for fear that someone would grab it and rip
out some of his hair.”

More interesting commentary here, at Bartholemew’s notes on religion.

24 thoughts on “But, this is America, right?

  1. Wow.
    I used to do field work in that area, and the people, while conservative, seemed nice enough. Little did I know.
    The solution is obvious. What this area needs is an influx of Jews, enough to make a difference when Election Day rolls around. Now real estate in the area (with the exception of the coast) is still pretty inexpensive, i could see great potential for a developer to put up a planned community for frum Jews who are being priced out of neighborhoods in the New York area. A sort of “Monsey or New Square south,” if you will. Sure, they won’t send their kids to the public schools, but even so, those running the school board might think twice about infammatory remarks that offend a large bloc of voters.
    Another thing one can do is consider spending one’s beach vacation somewhere else besides Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island, and let the business community there know that yo’re doing so.
    .

  2. I wish Americans would stop buying into the whole thing about how French Jews are suffering. It’s just a mixture of propaganda and ignorance. Ask a French Jew (but pick one who doesn’t have a political agenda like persuading all French Jews to move to Israel or making the French look evil for opposing George Bush’s foreign policy). What they face is nothing worse than what American Jews faced from bullies in the old neighborhood and the likes of Father Coughlin. It’s not good, but French Jews do not have it bad.

  3. you beat me to this story. 😀
    what’s disgusting is that the statement was made by the 11 year old boy. Not a lawyer. He confided in his sister that he didn’t like being called “Jew boy”. It’s so sad — that kid, growing up with taunts like that, is probably doomed to a life of therapy at this point.

  4. I wrote a post about this, mainly about the Stop the ACLU sites giving out personal informaiton to harass people.
    David, I think there’s plenty of evidence that things are bad for French Jews. Maybe not worse than Father Coughlin, but that time was pretty bad too. BTW did any of Coughlin’s minions kidnap a Jew and torture him to death in the name of Christianity?

  5. In no way am I going to undermine the article, because anti-Semitism remains a problem all over the US. Delaware is supposed to be particularily bad though. A friend of mine went to U of D for a year and she had to explain to tons of people how she was Jewish and didn’t have horns, as well as put up with loads of other garbage.

  6. It’s damn nice to see a post that doesn’t elicit declarations of how the Christian Right are the good friends of the Jews, while Islamofacism is the real enemy (as though the two were mutually exclusive!) This conduct is part and parcel of Conservative Christian conduct, as is, for that matter, the proselytizing efforts of Jews for Jesus, which Jewish apologists for the Right invaiably seem to gloss over. When it comes to the Christian Right, one rule holds sway: Lie down in shit, and they call you a pig.

  7. I know the Dobriches and all this is completely true. Delaware, as a former “border state” between the North and South, is a microcosm of America- you have the liberal North and conservative South. I was also told they were threatened by the Delaware KKK. My father wrote a letter to the editor of the local newspaper supporting the Dobriches and a week later received anti-semitic hate mail. Please don’t confuse “slower lower” Delaware with Wilmington, however, which is a great place to live.
    As for U of Delaware, I think besides some isolated incidents, it’s a fine place to go to school. There is no anti-Israel movement on campus and Hillel/Chabad are free to do as they please without fear of anti-semitism.

  8. My parents live in MD now, and visiting them often involves driving through various parts of Delaware. Overall, I would say that Delaware below Wilmington is nothing but farmland and roadside shacks selling liquor. When we stop in convenience stores, the people speak with such thick Southern accents that I have difficulty understanding them. Clearly they are from parts even further South, and sadly, it is not surprising then to see how closed-minded and prejudiced people in those areas are. The more frightening part of the situation is that nobody (or rather, not enough people) in Delaware seem(s) to care that this is happening.

  9. Things have sure changed down there. But them, come to think of it,. I never told anyone I was Jewish. I was doing some geological work down there and gave a talk to the kids at one of the schools. This was about 10-15 years ago. It was all science stuff, too, and nobody tried to shove in any Christian stuff into the proceedings.
    I’ll bet these attitudes have been around all the time, but before Bush and the right-wingers became triumphant, people kept these thoughts to themselves. They really think they can make the USA a “Christian” nation. It’s a good reason, even if you’re a conservative, to withold support from the Republicans until they get these religious fantatics under control.

  10. “What they face is nothing worse than what American Jews faced from bullies in the old neighborhood and the likes of Father Coughlin. It’s not good, but French Jews do not have it bad.”
    David, when was the last time you went to France? I’ve been a few times since September 11, 2001 and the situation has definitely deteriorated, especially on the left. The view that Israel and “the Zionists” (i.e. the Jews) are behind the war in Iraq is practically hegemonic for French leftists. Are you familiar with Joel Kotek’s, “Au nom de l’antisionisme : L’image des Juifs et d’Israël dans la caricature depuis la seconde Intifada”? Have a look and tell me that anti-Semitism in France is no big deal.
    Yehudit’s comment is on point. I think insults are rude and any sort of physical violence must never be permitted but the main threat (and reality) of violence to Jews these days–whether in Israel, France or the U.S.–is not coming from the Christian right, it’s coming from the Islamists.
    Many people on the far left (Jews included) took a somewhat similar stance during the Cold War. Do you remember? The USSR really wanted peace and the big, bad imperialist U.S. was to blame for all the world’s problems. Thankfully, clear-headed liberals and democratic socialists realized that totalitarianism was a greater threat to human rights than liberal capitalism.
    Today, the far left is facing a similar dilemna. Are “Christian Zionists” and American conservatives a greater threat than the Islamists? The far left seems to think so. I do not.

  11. I’m in France about 3 or 4 times per year, and I was born and grew uo in Europe. I suffered the antisemitic bullying at school that was common and regarded as acceptable until relatively recently. It shocks me now, living in America that teachers didn’t put it down, but it was never more than just a minor occupational hazard of wearing a yarmulke from a few morons, who would grow up to be total losers and who it was easy to look down on. Sometimes you had to stand up for yourself or run away, but it was no big deal.
    People should read what French Jews say about it, such as the Musicant piece (link in someone else’s comment posting). He doesn’t understimate the possible threat, but doesn’t drum up the kind of propaganda garbage that the ignorant and paranoid, and those with an ideological axe to grind, buy into so readily.
    I heard all the same things said about England, where I’m from. How English Jews are scared because of some left-wing antisemitism and a couple of incidents, how they’re thinking about mass aliyah, buying property in Israel just in case. Eurabia. etc. etc. . It’s such utter rubbish, it really is beyond words.
    Try finding out about how many racist stabbings of English Asians (from the Indian sub-continent) and French Arabs there are every week, and then get some perspective.

  12. Well, looks like I jumped the gun. For some silly reason it occurred to me that this episode of blatant Jew-hatred might actually shame the Jewish apologists for rightwing Republicanism into momentary silence. It’s a relief to find out that their fantasy world isn’t susceptible to anything so trivial as facts.
    WEVS1, in telling the Dobrach family that having their son called Christ-killer and threatened with assault doesn’t really count for shit, says:
    insults are rude and any sort of physical violence must never be permitted but the main threat (and reality) of violence to Jews these days–whether in Israel, France or the U.S.–is not coming from the Christian right, it’s coming from the Islamists.
    Here’s what I said in my previous comment: It’s damn nice to see a post that doesn’t elicit declarations of how the Christian Right are the good friends of the Jews, while Islamofacism is the real enemy (as though the two were mutually exclusive!) God knows I don’t have any particular prescience, it’s just that the script from Party headquarters is exactly the same every fucking time. Where does it say that the threats from the Christian Right or Islamists are mutually exclusive, that the existence of one in any way mitigates the severity of the other? Indeed, what would possibly cause anyone even to mention Islamists in the context of this story, except some repellent desire to minimize the conduct of Jew-hating Christian conservatives?
    So, the main threat (and reality) of violence to Jews is posed by Islamists, not by the Christian Right? Several of the more egregious acts of anti-Semitism by the Right in recent years thaqt come to mind include the special targeting of Jews for conversion by Jews for Jesus; the murder of Denver talk show host Alan Berg by white supremacists; and the assassination of Dr. Barnett Slepian returning from synagogue by anti-abortion nuts. How many murders of Jews have taken place at the hands of American Islamists during this time period, or, for that matter, in all of U.S. history? How many Jews have been targeted for conversion by missionary campaigns of fundamentalist Muslims?
    Finally, I wonder if the Dobrach family is comforted that being threatened and called Christ-killer are “rude,” but aren’t the “main threat” confronting Jews in the United States?

  13. “his episode of blatant Jew-hatred might actually shame the Jewish apologists for rightwing Republicanism into momentary silence”
    I haven’t seen anything on this thread about the Republican Party.
    Anyway, no one said Christian or Muslim anitsemitism were mutually exclusive, so that is your straw man. But the evidence is incontrovertible than radical Islam is much more of a threat, worldwide, to everyone, and their hatred for Jews is at the top of their list. Comparing a few isolated incidents here to constant threats and riots and bombings and calls for jihad and persecution of people of other faiths – are you that much in denial?
    I could say that calling the Christian right more dangerous than the islamist right the Leftwing script. I hear it all the time. It amazes me that in spite of all the evidence people – Jews yet – keep pushing it.
    So you don’t like my “script” and I don’t like yours. But i think mine has more facts behind it.
    So let’s do a thought experiment:: take any of the well-publicized gruesome or purposefully threatening acts performed in the last 5 years by Islamists. (Let’s ignore the many many less-publicized ones for now.) 9-11. Madrid. London. Beheadings. Suicide bombings. Global riots and threats after a few innocuous cartoons. Kidnapping and torturing a man to death in a country not at war with anyone. Writers and politicians forced to go into hiding for years. A citizen of one country (Japan) assassinated by citizens of another country (Iran) for translating a book (The Satanic Verses) published in a 3rd country (UK). People who leave Islam get death threats. Moderate Muslims get death threats. I could go on.
    Now imagine that being done by rightwing Christians over the last 5 years. Then get back to me.

  14. Sorry, the Satanic Verses was more than 5 years ago. But Theo van Gogh was 2 years ago. Oh and let me add massacres and slavery pf black Africans, killing and beating people for reading or praying the wrong way or wearing the wrong clothes, forcing 14 year old girls to marry men 3 times their age who they have never met and have no say in the matter.
    “For some silly reason it occurred to me that this episode of blatant Jew-hatred might actually shame the Jewish apologists for rightwing Republicanism into momentary silence. It’s a relief to find out that their fantasy world isn’t susceptible to anything so trivial as facts.”
    For some silly reason it occurred to me that many many episodes of blatant Jew-hatred sanctioned by governments using all the antisemitic tropes ever invented since the destruction of the 2nd Temple and aimed at millions of people around the world in mass media day after day, not to mention all the incidents described above, might actually shame the Jewish apologists for leftwing appeasement and denial into momentary silence. It’s a relief to find out that their fantasy world isn’t susceptible to anything so trivial as facts.”
    Actually it’s not a relief. It’s pretty scary.

  15. Yehudit,
    no one said Christian or Muslim anitsemitism were mutually exclusive, so that is your straw man.
    Yes, that’s exactly what you did. This story was about a typical act of Jew-hatred perpetrated by the Christian Right, without any reference whatever to Islamists. YOU made the comparison between the two, and diminished the incident’s seriousness by claiming that it didn’t constitute the “main threat” to Jews in the U.S. WHY? What possible difference does it make whether or not such incidents are the “main threat?” Let me see if there’s a chance I might get an answer to the question I asked the last time: “What would possibly cause anyone even to mention Islamists in the context of this story, except some repellent desire to minimize the conduct of Jew-hating Christian conservatives?”
    I could say that calling the Christian right more dangerous than the islamist right the Leftwing script.
    You could say it all you want, but it won’t make it resemble reality any more closely. I never said – nor have I seen anyone else do so – that the vicious thugs of the Christian Right represented a greater worldwide threat than Islamists. You said, “the main threat (and reality) of violence to Jews these days – whether in Israel, France or the U.S.– is not coming from the Christian right, it’s coming from the Islamists.” “Violence to Jews,” obviously refers to anti-Semitism – i.e., Jews targeted because they are Jews – not to victims of indiscriminate violence, some of whom happen to be Jewish. In the U.S., Islamist anti-Semitism is far less consequential than that of the Christian Right, which has a long and ignoble tradition. Naturally, Rightwing Jews would like to downplay that fact as much as possible – including characterizing physical threats against Jewish children as “rude” and not “the main threat” – since they’re such intimate bedmates with their rightwing Christian allies on such issues as an expansionist settlement policy in Israel, hatred of homosexuals, obsession with abortion, and other key “values” of the Republican Right. In light of this close political alliance, the occasional incident of Christian Jew-hatred is just a matter of bad manners, and certainly nothing to get all excited about.
    all the incidents described above, might actually shame the Jewish apologists for leftwing appeasement and denial into momentary silence.
    You could go on for 10 pages more about Islamist atrocities; NO ONE associated with the mainstream Left or the Democratic Party has ever minimized the seriousness of those incidents, or in any way attempted to diminish the moral culpability of those responsible for them. Moreover, the moment the word “appeasement” pops up, you know you’re in the middle of “freedom fries” and “homicide bombing” fantasyland again; every dirty little military adventure is a defense against Nazism (which was only accomplished, by the way, with the political victory of the Left over the scheming isolationism of the anti-Semitic Right), and every cheap, murderous thug put in power by the United States is Hitler himself.
    I haven’t seen anything on this thread about the Republican Party.
    Me neither; I did mention Republicanism, which is a moral disease that transcends party affiliation. Fortunately, well over 80% of American Jews are still immune.

  16. Look, I think it is horrible to be called a “Christ killer” but it’s a far cry from having rockets launched at you on a daily basis, or having your trains bombed, or blowing up your schools.
    The violent incidents you mentioned, while certainly aweful, took place about 20 years ago. Berg was murdered in 1984 Dr. Slepian in 1988. I realize the 1980s are not ancient history, but we are living in a somewhat different world than the mid-late 1980s. The left-wing is reading from an old script where the biggest boogey-man is the Christian right. Pick up a paper today and who is perpetuating violent, physical, attacks against Jews? Conservative Christians? I think not. Yehudit’s list of Islamist atrocities should make it clear who our enemies are i.e. who wants to destroy us. And it isn’t just Jews they want to eliminate.
    As far as conversion, I think it’s wack but people are free to choose their religion in the United States. Nobody is forced–by the state at least–to be a member of any particular religious group or sect.
    David, you are more of an authority than me. I’ve only been to France a few times since September 11, 2001. I don’t go 3-4 times/year. But I have noticed a lot of negative public opinion re: Jews and Israel, particularly on the left and in Muslim communities.
    As far as the UK, anti-Semitism is enough of a concern that a group of academics started a website. These folks are not right-wing alamists either:
    http://www.engageonline.org.uk/home/

  17. “Naturally, Rightwing Jews would like to downplay that fact as much as possible – including characterizing physical threats against Jewish children as “rude” and not “the main threat” – since they’re such intimate bedmates with their rightwing Christian allies on such issues as an expansionist settlement policy in Israel, hatred of homosexuals, obsession with abortion, and other key “values” of the Republican Right. ”
    David, since you put quotation marks around my statements I figure you are referring to me in your comments. For the record, I am not “right-wing”, I voted Democrat in the past few elections. Prior to that would have considered myself on radical left. I was active in leftist organizations for over 15 years and consider myself a liberal centrist today. I’ve never voted Republican, ever.
    Do you assume that anyone who thinks differently than you is a Republican?

  18. typo
    “These folks are not right-wing alamists either”
    should read
    These folks are not right-wing alarmists either:

  19. “es, that’s exactly what you did. This story was about a typical act of Jew-hatred perpetrated by the Christian Right, without any reference whatever to Islamists. YOU made the comparison between the two, and diminished the incident’s seriousness by claiming that it didn’t constitute the “main threat” to Jews in the U.S”
    You said:
    “It’s damn nice to see a post that doesn’t elicit declarations of how the Christian Right are the good friends of the Jews, while Islamofacism is the real enemy (as though the two were mutually exclusive!) ”
    That was before my post – I responded to that post. In fact, no one said they were mutually exclusive. But one is much more serious than the other.
    “In the U.S., Islamist anti-Semitism is far less consequential than that of the Christian Right, which has a long and ignoble tradition. Naturally, Rightwing Jews would like to downplay that fact as much as possible”
    “”In the U.S., Islamist anti-Semitism is far less consequential…..”
    So far. But it’s trying its best. And the US is not an island cut off from the rest of the world. I cannot view each threat in isolation from its worldwide presence.
    Rightwing Jews….. (sigh) What’s your definition of a “Rightwing Jew”? Anyone to the right of you? There is a very rich political field, not just a spectrum, with an infinity of viewpoints. I support reproductive choice, environmental protections, gay marriage, access to pronography (for adults), funding for the arts, The Bill of Rights, separation of religion and state, alternative lifestyles, and my personal life is fairly crunchy. but to you I’m right wing because I support a muscular interventionist foreign policy. That doesn’t leave room for any nuance does it?
    And I published a post decrying the treatment of the Dobriches, and I have written forcefully on my blog about conservative Christians and their assumptions about Jews.
    You are hitting at straw men and and conflating very different political positions for rhetorical purposes, and that undermines your arguments.

  20. “Moreover, the moment the word “appeasement” pops up, you know you’re in the middle of “freedom fries” and “homicide bombing” fantasyland again; every dirty little military adventure is a defense against Nazism (which was only accomplished, by the way, with the political victory of the Left over the scheming isolationism of the anti-Semitic Right),”
    “Freedom Fries” is stupid, and I am glad that cutesy phrase died a quick death. but …..There aren’t homicide bombings? The Afghanistan and Iraq Wars are a defense against the Islamism and its collaboration with fascist regimes. Iraq and Syria were/are specifically fascist – the Baath Party was modeled on the fascism of the 30s. Most of the Arab bloc actively supported Hitler.
    I agree with you about WWII. But now most of the Left are the scheming isolationists and the neocons are the ones who want to defeat totalitarianism. Which just goes to show that political labels don’t mean much, you have to watch what people actually do.

  21. PS I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I voted for Clinton and Gore, and I voted for Bush in 2004. In 2008 I will vote for whoever advocates most of the policies I support. (I have never matched up 100% – I doubt anyone voting for a major party candidate does.) There are many many people like me. To call us “rightwing” improverishes your understanding and the political debate. If you care about politics as much as you seem to, you owe it to yourself to see what’s really out there so you can address it effectively.

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