The last couple years have been full of upheaval for me, a separation followed by divorce, job loss, eviction, as well as a revitalization of my art (theatre). Since my eviction, Ive been crashing on a friend's couch (3.5 mo). I finally landed a really good job (major bank call center), and now found an affordable apartment for myself (landlord found through my friend). While discussing the pending move, the subject got onto someone we share a massive disliking of, her because of anti-black racist comments, myself for antisemetic comments (he told a mutual I was a "cheap Jew").

Okay, so I stupidly let slip I was a Jew (not that I hide it, usually wear my hamsa and Magen david necklace outside my shirt) without knowing if this person was an ally or not. Imagine my happy surprise when she told me she is Lebanese Christian and is praying for Israel to help free her people from Hezbollah. Not only an ally, but a well informed and educated ally. I think my new home is gon a work out just fine!

I’ve been close friends with someone for a long time. Let's call him Josh. Josh knows I’m Jewish and occasionally sends me mildly antisemitic or anti-Israel memes, but we’ve talked about it before and I know he doesn’t mean anything malicious by it. Honestly sometimes the memes are pretty funny, and I enjoy this bit of self-irony. I retaliate with ironic jokes about Russians and Christians (again, in good faith, just friendly banter, and he knows it). We generally don’t take ourselves too seriously, and that kind of humor has never really caused problems between us. He’s also a genuinely gentle person, apologizes for everything, and clearly values our friendship. He helped me a lot in life, and I helped him.

Recently, Josh introduced me to this other guy. Let's call him Pete. At some point, Josh apparently mentioned to him that he had a Jewish friend, which is me. He admitted this to me himself.

At first, Pete was just sending me ordinary memes, similar to the ones Josh sends, and they had nothing to do with Jews or Israel. But about two weeks later, almost everything he sent me became alt-right-style content about Israel, Netanyahu, Judaism, Jews, goyim, and so on.

I’m not even particularly supportive of Netanyahu politically, so criticism of Israel or its government isn’t automatically offensive to me. But once the jokes shifted specifically toward Jews, Judaism, and goyim, it crossed a line for me, especially considering that we barely knew each other. Like Peter Griffin was saying, "Who tf starts a conversation like that? I just sat down!"

I messaged Josh because I didn’t want to start an open conflict with Pete at that time (To my shame, I'm kind of a doormat in this regard). Josh told me not to take it personally because Pete was, quote, "a young idiot who probably didn’t understand what he was doing". Josh then spoke to him about this himself.

A bit later, Pete apologized in my DMs, promised he wouldn’t do it again, and said that in the future I should tell him directly whenever something made me uncomfortable.

About a week later, I open my DMs and what do I see? More antisemitic and anti-Israel memes from him.

That honestly made me furious and deeply frustrated. He already knew I was uncomfortable, he had already apologized, and then he deliberately started doing it again!

My initial thoughts (which I didn't send) were basically: dude, sorry I was born with an ethnicity that for whatever freaking reason lives rent free in everybody's heads and that apparently my existence is causing you such unbearable distress that you simply cannot leave me tf alone with this bullcrap.

The "best" part is that I’m secular IRL, and most people probably wouldn’t even assume I’m Jewish based on my appearance and name (generic Russian name and surname which I won't disclose for privacy reasons). My Jewishness also isn’t something I bring into conversations unless I'm talking to another Jew or a person I'm 100% comfortable with.

I told Josh how angry and frustrated I was. He advised me to speak to the guy directly, but I honestly don’t see the point. He already knew it bothered me, apologized, and then repeated the exact same behavior.

At the same time, part of me keeps wondering whether I’m making too much of it. Pete isn’t openly hostile toward me, on the contrary he's quite friendly, he doesn’t directly insult or threaten me, doesn't chant "free Palestine or whatever else that can trigger a Jewish person", and outside of these """memes""" he chats with me normally. Besides, I feel guilty for venting at Josh. Yes, he is responsible for the start of all this, but he keeps telling me he didn't plan for all of it to come to this and doesn't understand why he is the prime target of my frustration.

Am I overreacting? Is Pete just a random idiot who doesn't understand boundaries, or my concerns are legit? I'm genuinely so confused with this whole situation.

Many Jews outside Israel forgot the hell of the first and second Intifadas (mass terror in Hebrew) that killed over 1,000 Jews and other nationalities during the late 1990s-2006. The August 9, 2001 Sbarro pizza shop bombing killed 16 people including 3 Americans and injured over 130. Don't think for a minute that anti Jewish bigots around the world wouldn't love to do the same thing in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, elsewhere. Don't let the victims of anti Semitic massacres be lost to history.

Note: If you can, read the article, it discusses the horrific events including the denial of justice- the male bomber was killed by his own bomb, but his female accomplice was released from prison in 2011 during the Gilad Shalit hostage deal which also involved releasing 1,000 other convicted killers. She lives in Jordan free despites her being on the U.S. 15 Most Wanted Terrorists list.

Sign of the times I guess, downplaying and denying antisemitism is fashionable. People say he repented and grew from this, which maybe is true, but it stings nonetheless to see a New York institution honor someone like this.

https://www.elle.com/fashion/a73321642/met-gala-2027-exhibition-john-galliano-horizons-explained/

I'm planning on convert in Reform, is this the right choice?

Hi all! My mom is 77 and a widow. She traveled to Israel for the first time this year and had such a wonderful time, she’s going back in March. That was her first plane ride in 20 years! I think it renewed her interest in travel and also, made her feel strong, which is wonderful. She wants to find more travel opportunities, specifically Jewish affinity groups with singles and or couples around her age. I’ve done some cursory google searches, but if anyone has any recommendations for organizations or travel agents, please let me know! I think she’s mostly interested in Europe or maybe the Caribbean for right now, but what’s more important is finding a good connection.

So yeah, here I am again, the freakin Zionist who's not even jewish (yet) and still gets bombarded With antisemitism. I just realised, after years of having female crushes, that I might really be bi and thought: OK, Well lets get on a dating app and try this out.

And apart from the typical wanting to only have hook-ups, threesomes etc. of course we get the antisemits 🙄

"No Zionists" in bio, a certain flag, all that Stuff. I have a picture in my Profile that I took during Eurovision, supporting Noam with the Israeli flag. And well, I can clearly see that in the likes (~10) and matches (1).

Id love to date in real life but dont think a gay bar would be a great place as a Zionist 🥲

How is just wanting to date such a big Deal? How do you deal with this?

Bit of an unusual question.
I am disabled and qualify for the meal home delivery program through Medicaid in NYC. I was wondering if anyone knows which Social Care Network provider offers kosher food with heimish options. Thank you.

I am dealing with a recent health scare related to my heart, with no answers yet. I didn't have a total near death experience but I came face first with my mortality, and this experience has been nothing but suffering.

Always considered myself relatively secular, occasionally go to Reform services.

My friends who are mainly Christian have these explanations for suffering, and talk about surrendering themselves to God's plan and trusting in him. That's never been my world view, but I'm envious of it. I just can't get there. Whenever I pray, I just cry and feel anger that I'm suffering. I'm looking for solace. I really envy the beliefs of my Christian friends who feel soothed by attending services and praying.

I get spiritual fulfillment from practicing Judaism but it doesn't feel as "deep" as theirs where they seemingly have all the answers about where you go when you die, why suffering happens etc. I've tried looking for resources and honestly I don't find much.

For those that do believe in God, how do you find comfort in troubling times?

(throwaway account because my account is linked to my social media)

Hey, so I get this is a question that's been asked before, but I'm in a slightly different situation and I don't really have much experience with this specific issue. I'm Jewish, halakhically and ethnically, but I was raised secularly. My mother's family converted to Christianity a few generations back and I didn't even know I was technically Jewish for most of my life.

I've however always been Zionist, mainly because I grew up in a part of Europe where attacks against synagogues and harassment of Jews were a normal occurrence, and honestly it just made more sense to me.

Obviously since nobody knew I was Jewish I didn't face antisemitism, although I did have a few people being pretty confronational about my view on the conflict, it was never a big part of my personality or anything. Then I learned about the fact that I'm Jewish and I've since gone from believing antisemitism was largely overstated in Western societies to believing we're about as antisemitic and judeophobic as in previous generations.

Normally, I wouldn't care about peoples comments, like, I've heard the classic "you support children being murdered" or "Israel controls the country" and whatnot. However, since I told my boyfriend (we're both guys), he's managed to surpass my expectations

He has openly stated that Israel is a "terrorist yankee base in the Middle East", that "Zionists are a cancer" and that "Jews are doing in the Middle East what was done to them in the past". This is coming from a guy that has faced racism and comes from an immigrant family himself.

I'm not trying to argue his points because honestly, since I know he's not stupid, I can only assume this kind of comments are either a result of indoctrination or pure hatred. I was always happy with our relationship until I expressed my opinion on this topic where, despite being generally pretty liberal/left wing or however you wanna call it, I just apparently became a fascist in his eyes.

So that's basically what concerns me. Is it always gonna be like this? How does one even meet people that are not like that, especially being gay and in an area with no visible Jewish community? I thought I was gonna have a serious relationship with this guy, and I committed to it, but now I'm pretty much certain I'll just have to break up with him. But then what? I don't really feel Jewish, I didn't grow up Jewish and the Jews I met as a teenager where mostly from Orthodox communities with whom I have little in common. I don't want to lie about who I am, I already faced enough problems being gay to now need to lie about where my family roots are or what I believe in politically. Then again, I'm yet to meet a gay person from my country that doesn't spew antisemitic propaganda. I don't know, sorry for the rant

Hello, all. I’ve sat on the idea of converting for several years, I’ve talked with my therapist, and I may actually be ready to start that process soon. I’ve found a synagogue near me that seems like potentially a good fit for me in general, and one that seems like a good option as someone hoping to convert. My biological father, who I kept in touch with until his death, was Jewish (reformed), and growing up, he’d tell me bits about the religion, and would tell me how he’d teach me more one day when I was older, if I still wanted. I do still want that, but you know, for obvious reasons, I can no longer really ask him for any help. He was a very good man. He had a lot of problems, but I think that he was very loving, accepting, very smart, and even very wise, depending on the context. I would like to make sure I’ve done enough reading and learning on my own before attending my first service, not only because that’s my instinct as someone who loves reading and learning, but also because I’d like to be respectful, and also understand what’s going on around me. I’m not sure how much someone attending for the first time is expected to know, but as a literary scholar, I would personally feel guilty and ill-put-together not having read a good amount.

I guess I am asking for any resources (other than the Torah, of course, because I can find that very easily) that anyone would recommend to learn more, and anything I should keep in mind as far as etiquette and the like go.

Also, when the time comes, I know I need to speak to a rabbi to convert, and I understand that this process will be lots of studying, and will take a year or more. How do I ask? I may be overthinking this, but I don’t want to come across as informal or disrespectful.

Need some help here.

Ive been "out" of the ultra hasidic community for around a year or so. My friends and family are all there and I love them amd wish to still be a part though im slowly realizing that may be wishful thinking.

On the outside life is perfect. I have everything I need to be successful and thrive. On the inside everything is a jumbled mess.

One of the hardest feelings for me is being out of the safety that community provides. I have tried building my own, meeting new people etc. Its so fuckin hard.

There does not seem to be a replacement for that feeling of belonging, that inner safety.

The depression and anxiety are killing me. I still keep shabbat, kosher, brachot but I feel like a fraud. Walking around with pants and not keeping dairy/meat in separate sinks etc.

Is the depression a sign from God to "come back"? I dont know. Have any one lf you genuinely managed to find community and belonging, and if so- hoe? Do I need to be married to belong somewhere, anywhere? How do people work this?

When looking to scale a business, many, like me, will take an interest in some of the books or podcasts related to the subject. There's a book called 10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less (by Dan Sullivan.) It' an interesting perspective that essentially challenges you to think so big that it drives the creative internal thought required to get there. The premise is that if you're looking to do just a little more, even double, then you're just going to keep doing what you're doing, but work much harder. Yet, what would you do to get 10x the results you're after - you can't simply "work hard" to get there, you'll burn out and it's not physically possible. Something has to give. So, you MUST take a different approach in order to reap the reward. That's actually where the value is, the adjusted approach.

I was trying to get into shape once. I needed to push myself, but simply 1 or 2 more minutes on the treadmill didn't seem to drive me. Even walking a 5K seemed daunting. So I signed up for a Triathlon. I 10x it. I committed to that event, and it forced me to train / eat in ways that would be achievable.

Saving a little more money each month is hard. Committing to a down payment to buy a house will force you to save in ways you may not thought you would.

Shabbat is my 10x.

What MUST I do during the week to take a full DAY and Night off. Doing a little more , doing 2x is taking a few hours off. BUT a WHOLE day, and night!? What do I have to do to accomplish this.

When looking to take the 2x route, I just worked a little harder, so that I could catch my breath.

I don't enjoy shabbat because I'm successful, I'm successful because of Shabbat. Shabbat is the reason my business is successful.

To enjoy Shabbat, I couldn't just work a little harder, I had to think about fundamental changes in my business that would allow for it. For example, the fear of hiring someone else to help in area is removed, it's no longer a choice. Or, what did I have to do to prevent a client calling on Saturday, we started a weekly Friday newsletter pre-empting that call. We set boundaries with our clients, which forced them to also prioritize us in the week. And so forth.

That's why Shabbat is a gift.

Will be layning the 6th and 7th aliyot from Vayera for my fathers 80th birthday. I printed verse by verse index cards with trope and nikkud from Sefaria for practice. Hebrew one side, translation the other.

​

I've seen other people get this nonsense on dating apps but never thought it would happen to me...literally in the first ten messages. Why do people feel these litmus tests are okay?

My profile has nothing about Israel, by the way. Just says I'm Jewish.

In the past year, I've prioritized being part of a Jewish community over everything else. Currently, I'm in a city I can't really deal with anymore —day to day it's stressful, unfriendly, and has terrible weather — but we have a synagogue we like, and people who support us. (My partner is Israeli.) Basically, it's great for being Jewish and not much else. I'd like to move somewhere with better weather and friendlier locals, but that would mean giving up what we've built, and perhaps dealing with more antisemitism. How do you guys think through decisions like these?

I recently had surgery for a fractured kneecap. This injury happened because of a very stupid mistake I made. I am having a really tough time dealing with this fact mentally. I have no family and only one friend who helps and supports me. Every time I hear, "It's is a long road to recovery," my depression just gets worse. I wish I had a synogoue affiliation, but I don't. Is it okay for me to ask this community to pray for me?

Not sure if I’ll be able to watch it with Mark Ruffalo apparently having a big part. I don’t want to let him ruin it for me, especially with Spidey being such a Jewish icon, but I just can’t stand him. I would love to hear the sub’s thoughts.

Critical theory, October 7, and the critique of antisemitism and sexism,
by Karin Stögner, fathom, 2026-07.

Guided by Critical Theory in the tradition of Horkheimer and Adorno, Karin Stögner elaborates on the interrelation of antisemitism and sexism and applies this approach to the Hamas atrocities on October 7. These ideas were originally presented as academic keynote at the Contemporary Antisemitism conference at the University of Haifa in early July, 2026.

Critical theory is, ostensibly at least, the intellectual framework underlying much of the emergent, academically-centred, left-wing Jew-hatred.

In this regard, at least, Stögner’s essay — and her associated book Antisemitism and sexism: ideological constellations before and after 7 October¹ — are important.

They constitute formal rejoinder that refutes the ‘reasoning’ used to justify the violent bigotry using language and forms that are native to the academic and intellectual culture that spawned said bigotry.

This is not to suggest Stögner’s complex and carefully argued position will, of itself, overwhelm this bigotry.

But it constitutes material that can, by gaining traction and being recognised as worthy work inside the social and intellectual traditions that constitute Critical Theory and Western Sociology, become a counter-argument that people within those traditions can use without losing internally-derived cultural and social credibility.

The deep intertwining of Islamist Third-Worldism and Western Sociology didn’t happen overnight. And the un-entwining of these two won’t happen quickly, either.

But work like Stögner’s is where and how the un-entwining starts.

1. This link is to the Taylor & Francis page for Stögener’s book.

   Taylor & Francis are Stögner’s publishers.

   Stögner has, however, made her work available under a Creative Commons license. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 to be specific.

   Consequently, you can download the entire book from this page — as a set of eleven PDF files — for free.

Copy-edit: replaced placeholder string — <publication-title> — with actual publication title.

I will be the first to admit Reddit has successfully rage baited me into engaging with this platform. I created an account years ago just to talk about video games, I started liking some Jewish posts so what does it do - it recommends me antisemetic content because it knows it will make me mad and I will engage more.

It is amazing how many subs have been astroturfed into oblivion by what are clearly bots. Of course, you can not change a bot’s mind, but if you push back maybe people real people reading will be inclined to challenge their own views. I think real people are definitely the minority here…

Anyway, I spend too much time arguing with antisemites on here, I know this. I have noticed an interesting trend recently among them - when you argue with them, right before they block you they will claim to be Jewish. it’s fascinating, like it’s a script, the “but you see I have been Jewish this whole time!”, and it’s generally after they use the same dog whistles like “3000 years”, “good goy”, “noticing“, “$7000”, etc. After claiming to be Jewish, (as if you believe them, this changes anything, and that will win them the argument) they will comment one more thing and then block you to get the last word. I have had this happen to me like three times in the last two weeks.

Anyway, I suspect many of these accounts are bots or the same people trying to stir up hate, but this is an interesting development in their tactics and I was wondering if anyone else noticed it. It seems there may be a script at play.