How U.S Jewish Zionist social justice activists experience and navigate contemporary left antisemitism and antizionism

• In Event: Sociology of Religion Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 8. Navigating Modern Religion

Abstract

This research is based on 15 focus groups with progressive Jewish professionals, everyday activists, and university students who are Zionist and engaged in social justice, held in the St. Louis, San Francisco, NYC, DC, and Bay Areas, and virtually,. Focus group participants described a racialization experience and a lack of Gentile allies that has intensified since October 7 (2023). These activists have experienced both personal and professional instances of antisemitism, antizionism, and oppression that mixes the two, with the impact both on their activism, friendships, and trust. They have been essentialized and caricatured, had ideologies and beliefs ascribed to them, and otherwise been dehumanized. In turn, they have undergone an exodus from mixed progressive spaces to Jewish progressive subaltern spaces. Members have also reacted to wanting to be authentic in their identity and politics, and stand up for their community, while also wanting to avoid stigmatization. In turn, activists have engaged in a push and pull of stigmatization management responses, navigating pride and passing, for example with some activists wearing Jewish star necklaces but depending on the environment tucking them under their shirt.

Author

• Ezra Joseph Temko, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville