Israel Memorial Day in Washington D.C. 05/14/24
Today is Yom Haaztmaut, Israel Independence Day, which is celebrated on the heels of Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day. It is because of those who served, those who lost their lives, that Israel is able to survive. Their service and duty is honored first, before statehood is celebrated, as a reminder of how Israel is actually able to exist.
While my family is at home celebrating, I’m in Washington D.C. the next two days, participating in a conference of North American Jewish Museums, Holocaust and otherwise. Three hot topics are dominating my attention: heightened security protocols (cyber and onsite safety), conflict resolution skills (people feel like they need a PhD in Middle Eastern studies to tackle the questions fired at them), and the power of language (reclaiming and redefining events and terms). The latter is my baby. I’m also speaking about this topic at the National Archives. Despite our varied missions and personal politics, Oct 7th was a great equalizer for attendees: our antisemitism conversations need a refresh.
The Jewish community has inadvertently pigeon-holed itself, talking about the Holocaust as our primary example of antisemitism. It implies that behavior must be “Holocaust-level” to qualify. Example: it’s ok to make that “dirty Jew” comment because it’s just words! Nope. The misstep also applies to Jews themselves for not speaking up. Insert personal monologue: Does it really rank if I wasn’t physically assaulted? They just followed me around and heckled me. It was scary, but I wasn’t hurt (this time). It’s not like it was the Holocaust. No, again! For the full dissection, read Dara Horn’s masterful Atlantic article, and if you like her acerbic tone, try People Love Dead Jews. Don’t let her salacious titles throw you off-her work is exceptional.
Antisemitism can be found anywhere, at any time. It morphs, so we can continue to be whatever the haters want us to be: the whiny oppressed or the menacing oppressor; the uber-progressive handmaiden of "illegals" or the conservative blocker of new immigrants; the Commie Zionist or the greedy, Illuminati Capitalist. Which is it? Don’t worry, with antisemitism, you needn’t choose. You can have it both ways! There is so much power in language.
I will update after I drink from the firehouse today, but I expect my missive will skew heavily towards conflation and the misuse of words, the role of museums in education and democracy, social media (potential TikTok ban! AI-algo manipulation!), and the Weitzman fight for Smithsonian status…hopefully with some inside D.C. scoop.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Kelly