Refusing to Fail

With the alarming rise of antisemitism spreading across the globe, Jews are understandably frightened, frustrated, and searching for answers. In Jewish communities everywhere, one question is being asked with increasing urgency: “What can we do?”

Decades ago, when a Jewish organization official posed that same question to economist and philosopher Thomas Sowell—asking what Jews could do to reduce the hostility directed toward them—Sowell offered a response that was as startling as it was profound. His answer was one word:

“Fail.”

It was a shocking answer, but one rooted in his understanding of human nature. Sowell was not suggesting that Jews abandon their values, diminish their ambitions, or apologize for their achievements. His point was far more uncomfortable: extraordinary success often attracts extraordinary resentment.

When a people consistently achieve at a level far beyond what others expect, that success can become a source of envy and hostility among those unwilling to recognize the discipline, culture, values, and determination that produced it. Rather than acknowledge excellence, some choose to attack it.

That painful reality has followed the Jewish people throughout history.

For thousands of years, Jews have endured exile, persecution, discrimination, and repeated attempts at annihilation. Yet despite those obstacles, they have contributed immeasurably to human civilization. In science, medicine, literature, business, technology, and the arts, Jewish accomplishments have been extraordinary—far exceeding what their numbers alone would suggest.

But instead of admiration, Jewish achievement has too often been met with suspicion, resentment, and conspiracy theories. The very qualities that should have inspired respect—education, perseverance, innovation, and community commitment—have repeatedly been twisted into accusations of influence, greed, or disloyalty.

The modern State of Israel has experienced the same phenomenon on a national scale.

After two thousand years of exile from their ancestral homeland, the Jewish people returned to rebuild a sovereign nation. Emerging from the ashes of the Holocaust, surrounded from its earliest days by enemies openly committed to its destruction, many believed Israel could not survive.

They were wrong.

Against impossible odds, Israel became a thriving democracy, a global leader in innovation, a pioneer in medicine, agriculture, cybersecurity, and technology, and a nation whose scientific and humanitarian achievements have benefited millions around the world.

Yet Israel’s remarkable success has not quieted its critics. In many cases, it has intensified their hostility.

A nation that absorbed millions of immigrants, built a free and democratic society, developed a world-class economy, and repeatedly defended itself against terrorism has become the target of relentless campaigns designed to question its legitimacy and portray its very existence as a moral failure.

The irony is unmistakable: Israel is condemned not because it has failed, but because it has succeeded.

The lesson from Sowell’s observation is both sobering and empowering: success does not always shield a people from hatred. Sometimes, success becomes the very reason they are targeted.

The answer to antisemitism is not for Jews to retreat, hide their identity, or diminish their accomplishments in the hope that acceptance will follow. History has repeatedly demonstrated that those who demand Jewish failure will never be satisfied by Jewish compromise.

The answer is the opposite.