A Dangerous Rise In Anti-Semitism: The Past Is Present
Daily reports of anti-Semitism in different areas of the U.S. are alarming many in the Jewish community and beyond. Last year, there were 600 hate crimes against Jews on American college campuses and more than 130 such instances, including Swastikas painted on doorways, slurs, and physical assaults, have occurred since the beginning of 2017 less than three months ago.
Many American Jews had become complacent in the feeling that they were living in halcyon times where anti-Semitism was a thing of the past, something they would never have to confront in their own lifetimes. And yet, current events are now eerily reminiscent of a difficult and tragic past that Jews experienced in various parts of the world at different points throughout history. This ugly, age-old phenomenon is sending jolts through a forward-thinking society that prides itself on embracing diversity. The resurgence of anti-Semitism is not an isolated event – racism and intolerance of other groups have also increased.
Why is anti-Semitism rearing its head in the U.S. and what can be done?
Over the last year, as the presidential campaign heated up, the political scene became increasingly polarized. The moderate perspective nearly disappeared as the candidates’ rhetoric attracted voters to the ideology of the far right and far left. The resurgence of anti-Semitism is occurring across the political spectrum. On the far right, anti-Semitism is instigated by hyper-nationalism as it has been for millennia. American exceptionalism has been conflated with anger and fear directed against those who are perceived as different. Even Jews who have been an integral part of American society for centuries have been targeted by a small cadre of agitated “believers.”
On the far left, Jews and Israel are viewed and vilified as privileged and influential elites who wield control over U.S. banking and political systems. For some “progressives”, anyone with power is automatically suspect and corrupt. As politics have become more polarized, so has the media. With the proliferation of online outlets, everyone now has the option of reading only those news sources that espouse their own viewpoint and engaging only with those who speak their own political language. This reduces peaceful discourse and amplifies and exacerbates the national polarization and vitriol against specific groups.
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When they didn't want us to understand, they spoke Yiddish. I picked up bits and pieces. The "old guard" refused to teach their children (and grandchildren) Yiddish because they wanted them to be able to speak American English, and not accented English. I also think the fact many of them refused to tell or just didn't share their stories from the "Old Country" and about the Holocaust, many Jews today really have no fucking clue as to how the world treated and viewed Jews, and the shit happening today is a shock to their collective systems because they are largely ignorant and complacent. One doesn't have to be fearful in order to be cautious and aware. The other issue is from the non-Jews who don't see us as a "real" minority and so all this talk of anti-Semitism is new to them. Their complete ignorance of anti-Semitism (some can't even get the fucking definition correct) also leads many of them to deny or even enable anti-Semitism because they have no point of reference. When one adds up all hate crimes, adjusts for population size, the number one victim of hate crimes are JEWS (followed by gay men, then African-Americans). But people don't want to hear it! They don't care. Sadly, that includes some Jews. Oh, they will shriek and shout for the rights of others or about injustices enacted on those others, but when it comes to anti-Semitism, they stare at their feet and nonchalantly whistle.
It is always there, usually just under the surface, but every now and again, it bubbles over and every one acts shocked. 
Did you see the article about the hijacking of the women's movement? Once again, there are those who wish to attack Jews, from all sides, many while proclaiming to be activists for human rights. 
The long knives are never far from us.