Antisemitism: A Cancer That is Spreading
I’ve battled breast cancer twice. But right now, I’m watching a different kind of cancer grow and metastasize around the world. Antisemitism isn’t new, but lately, it’s felt louder, bolder, and much more acceptable than I’ve seen in my lifetime.
As someone who has faced the fear of a life-threatening diagnosis—twice—I know what it means to fight for survival. I am so grateful and fortunate that there are so many treatments available today for people like myself. Scientists have spent decades researching and developing the latest and greatest therapies that have changed the trajectory of cancer outcomes.
I would not be alive today if it weren’t for these treatments.
But the fear I have now as I watch this rancid hate rise against the Jewish people is different. It’s deeper. This time, it’s not my body under attack; it’s my identity, my story, and the future I want to protect for my children and future grandchildren, BzH. I didn’t survive cancer to stay silent.
Unfortunately, there is no magic chemotherapy to eradicate this hate. There is no expected prognosis for the disease that is Antisemitism. But the frustrating thing is that the cure for this malignancy is so simple. You don’t need a PhD to see it; It’s right in front of us: Truth. Facts. Courage to speak out.
We are all seeing the latest distortions and linguistic gymnastics making headlines all over the world. Sadly, there are just too many to list. The lengths the media go to in order to distort the truth are not just misleading; they’re dangerous. Just call it what it is. Blatant, targeted hatred and violence directed at the Jewish people—clear, undeniable, and intentional.
And worse, gaslighting has become an everyday, deliberate action used to defend a narrative that is based on lies and distortions. When I see masked students on college campuses verbally and physically harassing Jews called “peaceful protesters,” I ask myself “Do they honestly believe this is peaceful protest?”
When I see a headline that says “Multiple Gaza Hostage Awareness Marchers Injured in Attack in Boulder” by a major news agency (NBC), I have to wonder—who came up with that headline, and what exactly were they trying to hide?
Let me correct it. “Terrorist firebombs multiple people, including an 88 year old Holocaust survivor, who were calling for the return of the hostages stolen by Foreign Terrorist Organization Hamas.”
The distinction between good and bad is so crystal clear to me. Why is it so hard for others to admit what is staring ALL OF US right in the face?
We can—and must—condemn antisemitism without needing to balance it out with “what about” statements. Jew-hatred is a unique and separate form of bigotry—ancient, ugly and widespread around the globe. It shouldn’t be compared or diluted to be recognized. Our lives are at risk. Our tiny existence as a people is in jeopardy.
To everyone: please, open your eyes and ears. Listen to other perspectives that challenge you to draw your own conclusions. Truth isn’t found in an echo chamber. Don’t take every headline at face value. Just because it’s printed does not make it true. Dig deeper, ask hard questions, and learn the truth for yourself. Most importantly, SPEAK UP.
When others are targeted, everyone stands up in solidarity for the injustice. But when Jews are targeted, the world goes silent. The double standard is dangerously deafening. We need to unite and speak out now more than ever.
Cancer taught me how to confront life’s many challenges head on. I had to face it, name it, and fight it. That’s how I learned: truth may be uncomfortable, but silence is far more dangerous. The time to rise up against this wave of hate is now. “Never again” can’t just be words—we have to mean them.
