I have often said we are expected to turn out for every cause yet we can count our allies on one hand on a good day. Sometimes I wonder if this is because we are an invisible minority. We "pass", especially if we aren't observant. So we get lumped in with those considered to have privilege. No, we are a minority and often find ourselves at odds with employers, schools, and even the community. And you are correct, this even comes from our own fellow Jews sometimes as well.
Canada is not exactly Jewish-friendly. Israel Apartheid Week was started in Toronto which has the largest Jewish population in Canada. Vancouver has a relatively small Jewish population for the size of the city. Only 20k total I believe. Most people do not know anyone Jewish. When people find out I am I am often asked my opinion on Israel. I carefully consider my answer based on how long I have to argue sand what I can quickly gather about the questioner. And we moved away from Van to a smaller town 45 minutes away. I swear there are not enough Jews here to even form a minyan. It's a pretty warm and tolerant and open minded community, or so I thought. There was a recent incident where a student at the local junior high was the victim of racial and antisemitic harassment. She's Jewish and Jamaican and was attacked on both fronts. The town rallied around her and responded to the racism but coolly ignored the antisemitism. When I mentioned in the local moms group on FB that I put her mother in touch with Nico Slobinsky at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, I was asked why I had to involve "them". I explained that the kid is Jewish. She was sent antisemitic texts by classmates. And the damn school encouraged her to erase them! I was told I am just going to stir up more issues. Ok I get it. The Jew needs to sit down and shut up and not stir the pot.
I'm getting tired of having to defend Judaism, Jews, and Israel seemingly everywhere. Wouldn't be as tired if I it was just one side I had to fight but lately it's coming in from all directions and I am just exhausted.
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