What All Eyes Didn’t See: The Cost of Antisemitism in Therapy and ADEI Spaces
On what I never imagined would be my last therapy session, I confronted a painful reality—one that goes beyond personal loss and into the heart of how Jewish identity is often erased within social justice frameworks.
Over the years, my therapist supported me through grief—from my father’s death to my mother’s decline, and more recently, through the mounting losses of friends and colleagues due to rising antisemitism. But after a recent conversation, I was heartbroken to discover that she had liked a post spreading harmful misinformation about Jews. This wasn’t simply a difference of opinion; it shook the foundation of trust and safety I had come to rely on.
After reflecting deeply, I sent her this email:
I want to sincerely thank you for all the support you’ve provided over the years—through the grief of my dad’s death, my mother’s decline, and more recently, the painful losses of friends and colleagues due to rising antisemitism.
As we discussed last week, I was disappointed to see that you had liked a post that perpetuates harmful misinformation about Jews. I appreciate your openness in that conversation, though I’ve been reflecting more and feel that our perspectives on this issue may be fundamentally different. This makes it difficult for me to feel fully safe or supported in our therapeutic relationship right now.
I recently saw a post you shared that stated, “Israel is starving Gaza.” I want to express that this kind of statement—while perhaps well-intentioned—spreads harmful propaganda that fuels antisemitism. As we talked about, any starvation happening is in direct result of Hamas which I shared last week. Brooke Goldstein—a human rights attorney and founder of the Lawfare Project—has documented what she calls the largest coordinated disinformation campaign targeting Israel and the Jewish people. I’m sharing her post because it is factual, grounded, and free from ideology—and I hope you might consider reading it.
I deeply appreciate all the care you’ve shown me. At this point, I feel it’s a good time for me to take a break from therapy.
With gratitude,
Susie
Jewish Exclusion Within ADEI Frameworks
This personal rupture reveals a broader pattern: how the very frameworks designed to promote justice and healing—Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI)—often exclude Jewish identity, history, and trauma.
Oppressor/Oppressed Binary
Jews are frequently cast as oppressors, either because of perceived whiteness or association with Israel, erasing centuries of persecution and lived trauma.
Decolonization
Framing Zionism as colonialism dismisses Jewish indigeneity in Israel and portrays Jews as illegitimate settlers.
White Privilege
Ashkenazi Jews are often labeled as white and privileged, overlooking systemic antisemitism and excluding them from ADEI conversations.
Silence is Violence
The global feminist community’s silence or denial in response to documented sexual violence against Israeli women starkly contrasts its outcry in other similar cases, revealing a political filter that excludes Jewish victims from empathy.
Intersectionality
Jewish identity is often flattened or erased when it doesn’t fit neatly into racially marginalized narratives.
Antiracism
Despite its racialized history and deadly consequences, antisemitism is frequently omitted from antiracist frameworks.
Allyship
Jews who express support for Israel or Zionism are often excluded from solidarity spaces, even when speaking from lived experience.
Harm
ADEI frameworks emphasize addressing systemic and identity-based harm, yet Jewish harm—particularly linked to Israel—is often minimized or politicized.
Safe Spaces
Though designed to protect marginalized individuals, ADEI-designated “safe spaces” often feel exclusionary to Jewish students and staff. Expressions of Jewish identity or support for the hostages can be labeled as threatening, making these spaces unsafe.
Brave Spaces
Intended to foster critical dialogue, brave spaces frequently silence Jewish voices—especially when discussing antisemitism that challenges simple oppressor/oppressed frameworks.
These ADEI categories represent essential pillars of social justice work. Yet paradoxically, Jews are often excluded from them, despite a long history of systemic oppression and targeted violence.
To build truly inclusive and equitable communities, schools must incorporate antisemitism explicitly within a global model of diversity—recognizing Jewish identity, history, and trauma as integral parts of the broader struggle against all forms of oppression. Anything less perpetuates systemic erasure and betrayal of communities being marginalized.
