Chronicle poll results: Jewish funding priorities
We asked our readers if Jewish funders should prioritize building Jewish infrastructure over fighting antisemitism. Here's what they said.
Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: “Should Jewish funders prioritize building Jewish infrastructure over fighting antisemitism?” Of the 183 people who responded, 43% said yes, 36% said no, and 21% said they weren’t sure. Comments were submitted by 76 people. A few follow.
Infrastructure will improve the quality of Jewish life but antisemitism could destroy it all practically overnight.
Focusing on antisemitism (a problem that will never go away) makes us look like whiners who don’t do anything positive. Building Jewish infrastructure strengthens us, and a strong Jewish people is better able to resist attacks. Time to think strategically.
Antisemitism is as old as our people. The miracle of our still being here is due to Divine protection and intervention. What IS in our control is the strengthening of Jewish knowledge, practice, involvement and engagement. That is the secret of our survival and the key to our thriving as a people.
Both must be done simultaneously. It is not a choice.
They are interconnected! If you are building infrastructure, fighting antisemitism should be included in that.
Fighting antisemitism and all forms of hatred is of utmost importance.
Fighting antisemitism is basically useless. It’s a centuries-old problem that will never go away. Just wear your Judaism openly and proudly. Worrying about how others feel is a waste of your time.
It’s a polarity, not a binary choice. Both need support and there’s just an ebb and flow between which is higher and which is lower in funding at one particular time.
At this point, nothing is more important than fighting antisemitism!
Survival of the Jews in the 21st century and beyond is dependent of the survival of the state of Israel. You can give the Jew haters of the world the middle finger by helping Israel grow stronger by prioritizing donations that help build Israel’s military and infrastructure.
Antisemitism will not go away. Infrastructure is enduring.
How can our children tell their story if they don’t know it? They can’t fight against antisemitism when they don’t know the entire history of its evolution and the stories of our people. It’s important to build community so we can fight back together.
I really want more Jewish infrastructure, but the level of antisemitism is so off the charts it needs serious attention.
If the Jewish funders want a civilized America where the Jews can thrive, they must continue and creatively reform the Shoah education and anti-antisemitism campaign.
While both goals are important, at the end of the day, we can’t control antisemitism; we can, however, continue to empower and serve our own communities, strengthening them for times of future peril and need. PJC
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