Despite the existence of antisemitism, life for Jews in America is pretty good, with many Jews serving in the military and more annoyed than burdened by antisemitism. We were involved in the founding of the United States, have the benefits of freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights, importantly our 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms. We can arm ourselves in our homes, a right not guaranteed in Israel.
I see the possibility of things getting worse, but Jews in the United States can arm themselves. We have laws to protect us, and I don't envision the multicultural society in America turning on Jews as badly as did German society in the 1930s. Still, I encourage every Jewish household to own at least one firearm for each adult, with at least 100 rounds of ammo for each firearm, and routine visits to the range to become familiar and safe with the weapon. This is important for Jews in Israel as well. I see the integration of Jews into American society being a benefit for Israel.
If I can pipe in. No there is no anti-Semitism noticeable in Newtown CT and here we are a very small minority. There was one smallish event. A comedian from New York, Paul Virzi, performing here made a joke about all his crazy biases against Musk etc. But as his very first example, the way he opened his routine was saying “Jews-You can’t trust them” . He moved on like “Aren’t I stupid? but his saying that stayed with me. The Jewish couple we saw him with thought nothing of it. But I don’t know. It starts with a little nothing but then… Perhaps I am being too sensitive. I read all about anti-Semitism. And that has made me more paranoid than usual.
There was one other mini incident. We live in a Christian community and we have the nicest house, one of the few on the lake. The place is gorgeous. During the summer my wife was driving in her convertible at the speed limit (25 mph) and this guy screamed at her very angrily that there are children. (there weren’t any at the time)Once again. Don’t know, but it has made me wonder if having the nicest house and being Jewish may be consequential
Just a thought I would never have had in years past. Although one of my kids in junior high had pennies thrown at him. But that was a single incident 25 years ago and at the time I thought it was sort of funny
I was just this morning considering how we, in ultra progressive Northern California, have become ghettoized on various levels in the last couple of years. Wondering if we should stay or should we go.
I would make Aliyah if my family was on board. Meanwhile, I will do what I can to educate, rally for Israel, etc here in the US. I do worry tho about future descendants.
My Christian friends understand antisemitism is just another manifestation of god hate. They recognize and have also experienced anti Christian prejudice. This battle is not only about the Jews versus the world. Stand together we must or we will fall alone. In America, many Sunday people are aware of what’s next on the horizon. Steve S “gets it” regarding American freedoms and rights. If I visit Israel would I be permitted to carry concealed, like I can, where I now live?
I forgot to answer Steve on this point. Almost anyone who has done military service in Israel can get a gun license for a sidearm. Once you have a license you can conceal it if you want. There is talk about supplying Jews in sensitive areas assault rifles.
American Jews, on the whole, are too chickenshit to move to Israel. They perceive it as much more dangerous than the US. Before I went to Israel in October '24, people told me i must be crazy or have a death wish. They can't imagine theres a place where the central organizing principle is protecting Jewish life. Also, if they moved to Israel, they couldn't complain about antisemitism anymore, which is the American Jewish national pastime. The billion dollar antisemitism industry would collapse and people would start to wonder why Jonathan Greenblatt's salary exceeds a million dollars a year while antisemitism reaches epic proportions under his watch. The American Jewish establishment still thinks you can teach antisemites to be nice, even though 60% of black kids believe the Holocaust was a hoax. So you should get out of your head the idea that there is some logical framework for diaspora jews to deal with their situation.
It would be even better if Israel sent the IDF into Gaza, Judea and Samaria to take these areas over, annex them to Israel and flood them with Jews. That is where the building program to welcome mass aliyah should occur. Jews do not have to leave the antisemitic Diaspora to be killed in Israel by crazed Palestinian murderers. And then there would be land freed for massive building. But of course, Israelis would have to agree that Israeli sovereignty over Gaza, Judea and Samaria is a national imperative and support the political party that advocates this.
Whenever I thought about the possibility of migrating to Israel, housing was not my concern so much as the ability to get a good job. That and Security. I think, as long as Israel is dependent on the United States for military aid and military backing, I may as well stay in the United States.
And if the United States turns against Jews, and Israel isn’t able to sustain itself militarily without the United States, then I’m not sure there’s a point to moving there
BB’s investment that I’ve been reading about in building a self-sustaining arms production is may be more important than building cheap housing.
I'm starting to think that a more visible sign of the Redemption will be necessary before a mass Aliya will occur, something along the lines of guaranteed universal income, but then the problem would be (not just for the Jews), what the hell would one do with oneself? Our tradition says: study Torah and do good deeds. Is that for everyone? Hard to see it but there it is.
If I were a Jew, I would be making Aliyah yesterday.
I am not a Jew, but am a lawyer and would come here if I could work as a lawyer.
U.S. Immigration law is an area of the law I am exploring because, from all my research, it is a way for me to practice in Israel without having to be admitted into the Israeli Bar.
But I am also open to learning modern Hebrew so that I could ultimately be admitted to practice. That means learning Hebrew and passing an exam. Big plans for someone pushing 60, but I have always done things “later in life.”
I started undergrad when I was 24 years old, and went to law school in my late 40s. So there is that pattern in my life of being a late starter.
All that to say that I am here in Israel (and would be quite happy to stay) so perhaps the person who said his friends thought he had a death wish when he came in 2024 would think I am crazy.
I am a lot of things, but happen to be quite sane. This country exists and thrives by populations who want them dead.
The more pressing problem is actually emigration from Israel: https://loveoftheland.substack.com/p/israels-emigration-problem
You saved me from having to link to your post, which I intended to do here in the comments.
Always glad to be of service!
Despite the existence of antisemitism, life for Jews in America is pretty good, with many Jews serving in the military and more annoyed than burdened by antisemitism. We were involved in the founding of the United States, have the benefits of freedoms enshrined in the Bill of Rights, importantly our 1st Amendment Freedom of Religion and 2nd Amendment Right to Bear Arms. We can arm ourselves in our homes, a right not guaranteed in Israel.
So you do not see things getting worse?
I see the possibility of things getting worse, but Jews in the United States can arm themselves. We have laws to protect us, and I don't envision the multicultural society in America turning on Jews as badly as did German society in the 1930s. Still, I encourage every Jewish household to own at least one firearm for each adult, with at least 100 rounds of ammo for each firearm, and routine visits to the range to become familiar and safe with the weapon. This is important for Jews in Israel as well. I see the integration of Jews into American society being a benefit for Israel.
If I can pipe in. No there is no anti-Semitism noticeable in Newtown CT and here we are a very small minority. There was one smallish event. A comedian from New York, Paul Virzi, performing here made a joke about all his crazy biases against Musk etc. But as his very first example, the way he opened his routine was saying “Jews-You can’t trust them” . He moved on like “Aren’t I stupid? but his saying that stayed with me. The Jewish couple we saw him with thought nothing of it. But I don’t know. It starts with a little nothing but then… Perhaps I am being too sensitive. I read all about anti-Semitism. And that has made me more paranoid than usual.
There was one other mini incident. We live in a Christian community and we have the nicest house, one of the few on the lake. The place is gorgeous. During the summer my wife was driving in her convertible at the speed limit (25 mph) and this guy screamed at her very angrily that there are children. (there weren’t any at the time)Once again. Don’t know, but it has made me wonder if having the nicest house and being Jewish may be consequential
Just a thought I would never have had in years past. Although one of my kids in junior high had pennies thrown at him. But that was a single incident 25 years ago and at the time I thought it was sort of funny
What can I say, Simon? This is good news.
Reading your reply I was saying to myself: "That's the spirit!"
I was just this morning considering how we, in ultra progressive Northern California, have become ghettoized on various levels in the last couple of years. Wondering if we should stay or should we go.
I feel totally unqualified to give advice except this: have a plan, just in case.
I would make Aliyah if my family was on board. Meanwhile, I will do what I can to educate, rally for Israel, etc here in the US. I do worry tho about future descendants.
I hear you. Family is everything.
My Christian friends understand antisemitism is just another manifestation of god hate. They recognize and have also experienced anti Christian prejudice. This battle is not only about the Jews versus the world. Stand together we must or we will fall alone. In America, many Sunday people are aware of what’s next on the horizon. Steve S “gets it” regarding American freedoms and rights. If I visit Israel would I be permitted to carry concealed, like I can, where I now live?
I forgot to answer Steve on this point. Almost anyone who has done military service in Israel can get a gun license for a sidearm. Once you have a license you can conceal it if you want. There is talk about supplying Jews in sensitive areas assault rifles.
“I know of two significant grass-roots projects that are platforms for the meeting of the Zionist left and right.”
Links?
I'm in a shiur. I'll post them a bit later.
https://ayelethashachar.org/en/
https://netsach-israel.org/
https://achdutnow.org.il/
Only Hebrew, but one of the best.
American Jews, on the whole, are too chickenshit to move to Israel. They perceive it as much more dangerous than the US. Before I went to Israel in October '24, people told me i must be crazy or have a death wish. They can't imagine theres a place where the central organizing principle is protecting Jewish life. Also, if they moved to Israel, they couldn't complain about antisemitism anymore, which is the American Jewish national pastime. The billion dollar antisemitism industry would collapse and people would start to wonder why Jonathan Greenblatt's salary exceeds a million dollars a year while antisemitism reaches epic proportions under his watch. The American Jewish establishment still thinks you can teach antisemites to be nice, even though 60% of black kids believe the Holocaust was a hoax. So you should get out of your head the idea that there is some logical framework for diaspora jews to deal with their situation.
Boom! :)
Don't get me wrong. I still want that prefabricated house for my kids.
It would be even better if Israel sent the IDF into Gaza, Judea and Samaria to take these areas over, annex them to Israel and flood them with Jews. That is where the building program to welcome mass aliyah should occur. Jews do not have to leave the antisemitic Diaspora to be killed in Israel by crazed Palestinian murderers. And then there would be land freed for massive building. But of course, Israelis would have to agree that Israeli sovereignty over Gaza, Judea and Samaria is a national imperative and support the political party that advocates this.
Whenever I thought about the possibility of migrating to Israel, housing was not my concern so much as the ability to get a good job. That and Security. I think, as long as Israel is dependent on the United States for military aid and military backing, I may as well stay in the United States.
And if the United States turns against Jews, and Israel isn’t able to sustain itself militarily without the United States, then I’m not sure there’s a point to moving there
BB’s investment that I’ve been reading about in building a self-sustaining arms production is may be more important than building cheap housing.
That makes sense. And that's a problem.
I'm starting to think that a more visible sign of the Redemption will be necessary before a mass Aliya will occur, something along the lines of guaranteed universal income, but then the problem would be (not just for the Jews), what the hell would one do with oneself? Our tradition says: study Torah and do good deeds. Is that for everyone? Hard to see it but there it is.
I am in Israel right now.
If I were a Jew, I would be making Aliyah yesterday.
I am not a Jew, but am a lawyer and would come here if I could work as a lawyer.
U.S. Immigration law is an area of the law I am exploring because, from all my research, it is a way for me to practice in Israel without having to be admitted into the Israeli Bar.
But I am also open to learning modern Hebrew so that I could ultimately be admitted to practice. That means learning Hebrew and passing an exam. Big plans for someone pushing 60, but I have always done things “later in life.”
I started undergrad when I was 24 years old, and went to law school in my late 40s. So there is that pattern in my life of being a late starter.
All that to say that I am here in Israel (and would be quite happy to stay) so perhaps the person who said his friends thought he had a death wish when he came in 2024 would think I am crazy.
I am a lot of things, but happen to be quite sane. This country exists and thrives by populations who want them dead.
That is my definition of a miracle.