In Jewish folklore, Prague, located in the Czech Republic, faced threats of anti-Semitic violence during the late 16th century. To combat this, Rabbi Judah Loew ben Bezalel is said to have created an early Jewish superhero in the attic of what is now known as the Old-New Synagogue.
According to tales, he received a divine vision in which he was instructed to create a creature from the mud near the Vltava River, breathing life into it using rituals and Hebrew incantations. This being, known as the golem, was initially tasked with protecting the Jewish community in the ghetto, but eventually became a liability that had to be dismantled.
Fast forward to October 7, 2023. In the midst of tragic events like attacks on Israel, many prominent Jewish organizations inadvertently crafted their own metaphorical “monsters.” Leaders within the North American Jewish community, such as Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League and members of the Zionist Organization of America, have faced backlash over their stances on Israel’s policies concerning Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the growing anti-Semitism.
There has been some controversial accounting at the ADL regarding claims of anti-Semitism. They categorize incidents, sometimes by associating serious events—like the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting—with minor social media comments. This has led to a sense of panic amongst American Jews and some opportunistic politicians.
While serious anti-Semitism persists globally, studies have indicated a “sudden decline” after peaking due to recent events. However, the ADL’s report cites a 5% increase in reported anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. in 2024, largely fueled by a spike in campus occurrences tied to pro-Palestinian protests.
Some Jewish leaders are trying to slow down this concerning trend of heightened rhetoric around anti-Semitism. For instance, after a violent incident at the Pennsylvania governor’s residence, Governor Josh Shapiro called for a more measured perspective amidst ongoing police investigations and said that perceptions can often be misleading.
On college campuses, there’s a growing perception that free speech is being redefined as support for Palestine, especially when peaceful demonstrations are deemed anti-Semitic. This situation, dubbed the “Palestinian exception,” contrasts sharply with historical support for other movements like those against apartheid or for climate change, where protests were tolerated.
Lucinda Rosenfeld pointed out a disconnect, noting that Palestinian symbols are often viewed as deeply significant, while Israeli symbols are sometimes seen in a negative light. Despite this, support for Israel’s government remains largely unchallenged on campuses, leading to a complicated discourse where certain behaviors are criticized while others are not.
On May 14, an incident occurred at New York University where a student speaker was barred from graduation due to criticizing actions in Palestine. Hillel International’s CEO, Adam Lehman, noted that overall protests had decreased compared to the previous year, possibly creating a wider platform for anti-Semitism to manifest without opposition from university leaders.
Meanwhile, Harvard’s administration showed a commitment to countering this trend amid rising pressures from political circles. Prominent figures, like Abe Foxman from the ADL and Deborah Lipstadt, have expressed concerns about overreach in addressing anti-Semitism on campuses, emphasizing the need for a more balanced approach.
Recently, five Jewish senators, including Chuck Schumer, voiced their worries about the government’s tactics, calling them excessive and harmful to the integrity of academic institutions. They argued that these efforts seem more like personal attacks rather than genuine attempts to combat anti-Semitism.
Furthermore, over 550 North American rabbis collectively voiced their opposition to the Trump administration’s rhetoric, stating it only served to divide Jewish communities. Voices from within the Jewish population, particularly younger individuals, exhibit a range of opinions—many oppose Hamas while advocating for Palestinian rights and acknowledging the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ultimately, the conversation around anti-Semitism and support for Israel needs nuance, and many believe it’s time to place the metaphorical golems back in the attic, allowing for a more constructive dialogue.
Mark I. Pinski is a journalist and author based in Durham, North Carolina, with prior experience as a civilian volunteer in Sinai in 1967, and a strong interest in the Israeli military.
