‘Is it because I is goyish’?
As part of my Journalism diploma research in Ireland last year, I pitched to some leaders of the Irish Jewish community. I wanted to represent their point of view, in the light of Oct 7th, and the worrying rise of antisemitism. Those organisations stalled at an early stage and then I was ghosted.
As journalism students, we were all encouraged to apply for short term internships. So, I applied to The Irish Independent, a broadsheet and Dublin Inquirer, a community newspaper. The former didn’t reply, the latter promised a follow-up that then vaporized.
Was it ageism that got me such non-responses? Or, perhaps my pro-Israel position on socials affected possible knee-jerk, judgmental assessments of me?
As there is no Irish Jewish media presence, I next applied to Jewish media abroad: The Jewish Chronicle, in London and Haaretz, in Tel Aviv. No dice with either of those politically diverse newspapers. Then I struck gold with The Times of Israel in Jerusalem. They kindly responded and suggested that I try them again “after the war”. However, they also invited me to apply to be a blogger. So, of course I did! The first of my blogs was posted in November 2023.
In a few of the college classes, the cracked-record, cliched anti-Israel discussions portrayed how “innocent” the Palestinians were and how “evil” the Israelis were. My vocal, nuanced, pro-Israel position was disdained. I was out-numbered 10-1. Surprise, surprise!
Now I’m studying for an Arts & Humanities diploma, looks at politics and sociology in the main. I (slightly skeptically) applied to a number of Irish and Israeli Jewish organizations for work experience. Surprisingly, both The Irish Jewish Museum* and Knesset internships in Israel drew a blank.
As a firm friend of Israel, a constant advocate (500+ responses to antisemitism in UK Times comments) and an audacious investor in Israel – is that not enough proof of commitment? So, why am I unacknowledged by some Jewish organizations? All this got me thinking – just how much advocacy from a non-Jewish, evangelical Christian – is actually wanted? To misquote the witty and risqué Jewish comedian, Ali G – ‘Is it because I is goyish’?
However, I may have struck gold in my need for college-mandated work experience. I applied to be a researcher with the UK Campaign Against Antisemitism. So far, so good. Here’s hoping I will soon be approved…
Regardless of my previous experiences of (ironic) antipathy, I know that Yahweh cherishes those who speak up positively for Israel:
“I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonor’s you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12: 3
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*(In a side note, I discovered that the Irish Jewish Museum is open only on Sundays between 11.00 am – 2.30 pm. Ironically, that timespan is when most Christian Sunday services are held. Albeit, schools and other large groups of people though can pre-arrange week-day visits.)