Should We Even Bother?

We’re told to identify it. To call it out. To fight it and those who spread it.
We’re encouraged to support organizations that combat it, attend rallies, stand strong, and speak up.

And we have. For years, for decades, even centuries. 

Still, in 2025, the same hatred exists, and is getting louder and scarier.

The hatred I refer to is, of course, antisemitism. The world’s oldest, most lethal hatred is around.

So the question is: Should we even bother?

Antisemitism isn’t just rising; it’s mutating and multiplying. Today, antisemitism comes in different packages. Sometimes it’s outright and blatant. Most often, though, it masquerades as anti-Zionism, cloaked in the language of woke social justice, activism, or freedom.

We’ve responded in every arena. On social media, in classrooms, in public squares, and even in houses of legislation. We’ve championed Holocaust education, coexistence programs, and forums for dialogue, and yet, it continues to spread.

We’ve been told, specifically since October 7th, that the sentiment we are facing now is because of Israel’s policies. How quickly the rationale changes. Before this, it was the occupation, and before the occupation, it was the very existence of Israel. Let’s not even go into what the rationale was before Israel was even a reality. But, for those who remember, we were accused of taking over the world. We were blamed for capitalism and communism; sometimes in the same sentence.

At some point, we have to ask: When will it be enough? When will we realize that this hatred isn’t driven by reason, and even more, won’t be undone by logic or legislation?

The truth is: it doesn’t matter what we say, how we act, or where we even live. Our only collective crime, in the world’s eyes, is that we exist.

So maybe we’ve been fighting the wrong battle.

The reality is, our resources are limited. And too often, external hasbara efforts—important as they are—overshadow the quieter, yet more critical work needed: nurturing the next generation from within.

Because while we’re fighting for legitimacy on the world stage, we may be losing focus on something far more vital and so much more attainable: a proud Jewish future.

The older, more experienced generation knows what it means to be Jewish and proud of it. After all, we’ve lived it. We understand the beauty, depth, and richness of our culture, our people, and our practices. But do our children? Especially when you consider that the younger generation is growing up in a world that focuses only on the negative and tells them that being Jewish is difficult. Embarrassing. Even dangerous.

They’re being bombarded by social media. Targeted by classmates. Isolated in spaces that claim inclusion, but when it comes to Jews, they prefer to include them remotely, via Zoom, or better yet, not at all. And when questioned, ‘we have to consider the circumstances’. As if there would be a circumstance legitimate for this kind of behavior.

They live in a world where their identity and loyalty are being questioned in ways we never imagined. And so, it’s not shocking that some are starting to wonder: Is it even worth it?

This is the real danger.

So instead of focusing all our efforts outward, maybe it’s time to turn inward. To teach from a place of love and not fear.

We need to show our youth just how extraordinary it is to belong to the Jewish people. To remind them that being part of the Jewish story is not a burden, it’s a gift, a privilege, and a source of strength. 

This is a battle we can and must win.

The battlegrounds for this fight are not external; they are in our schools, communities, our synagogues and youth programs, summer camps, our family tables, and in our most cherished lessons and traditions.

So let’s make sure our children know what’s worth being proud of. Let’s give them roots, not fear. Let’s show them that Judaism isn’t something to cast aside and ignore. It’s something to live, cherish, and carry forward to the next generation.

If we conquer this, then the noise outside will be easier to address. 

So… should we even bother?

You bet ya we should. Absolutely. Just maybe not in the same way we’ve been doing up until now.