Rebuilding Empathy: Reflections on October 7, Antisemitism, and Black-Jewish Solidarity

My name is Jonathan Holmes, and I have been passionate about and engaged with racial justice issues throughout my life. Over the past year, I have been troubled by the silence and justification of antisemitism, even among those who claim to champion justice and morality. The lack of nuance and sensitivity to the collective suffering caused by war abroad and hate at home prompted me to reflect. In this article, I aim to share reflections on recent events and explore opportunities for Black and Jewish communities-historical moral compasses in the fight against injustice-to engage in dialogue, repair harm, and build alliances for a more just future.   

When I first learned of the October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians in 2023, I reacted with emotions that mirror my responses to other national and global tragedies, with a mix of sadness of the loss of innocent life, a numbness to the persistence of evil and violence in our world, and a curiosity of how others would respond. As I browsed social media feeds and videos in the upcoming days and weeks, I was alarmed by the seeming indifference towards Jewish and Israeli communities and families from fellow progressives who were committed to social justice. Rather than acknowledging the harm and violence that was done towards Israeli families on October 7 and the subsequent harm of Jewish communities globally in its aftermath, the response was that of deep critique towards the Israeli state as a colonial White supremacist empire. 

As a Black male who has supported and engaged with social justice work for over 10 years in a variety of capacities, the responses to October 7 served as a reminder to the deep tribalism, the absence of empathy, and the erosion of nuance that exists within many social justice circles. This includes activists and thinkers who have fought against systemic racism and economic injustice and yet refuse to lament and challenge the rampant antisemitism on college campuses, the deep plight of the hostages and families, or condemn the violent attacks that Jewish people around the world have experienced. Instead, many have resorted to reducing the Israel/Palestine conflict to an oppressor/oppressed narrative, without a complex historical and contemporary understanding of the region at large. This has included statements such as: “this would be solved is Isreal ceased fire and ended the occupation” or “this conflict is not complicated, it’s quite simple, it’s about genocide.” 

The reality is that this situation is complex. Like any country, Israel does engage in policies and practices that can be discriminatory and harmful to some, and it is real that many innocent Palestinians are deeply suffering because of the war. Furthermore, in some spaces, critiques of Israel and the Israeli government are not welcomed, and easily dismissed and anti-Arab and anti-Muslim narratives are often used to stoke fear in many people. On the other hand, many Israelis experience fear for their lives daily as a result of rockets being targeted towards them, Jewish students on college campuses experience regular fear for their safety and often have to invisibilize themselves to survive, synagogues and Jewish schools need bodyguards to protect themselves and their communities from violence. All these realities are significant and deserve compassion towards those impacted, outrage at the systems and evils that perpetrate them, and a commitment to remedying such injustices in our own capacities. 

The aftermath of October 7 exposed not just the rampant antisemitism in our world, but also reflected the deep division and tensions that has plagued our society. Within Black and Jewish communities, these events highlighted both the tension within communities as well as the historical collaborations that can serve as blueprints for renewed opportunities for alliances. In recognizing these challenges, it is essential to build trust and strengthen collaboration, particularly between Black and Jewish communities through dialogue and empathy. Here are some helpful ways to begin this work: 

1. Facilitate discussions that center around deep empathy and learning: Both Black and Jewish communities have a historical and contemporary reality of discrimination and oppression which breeds a deep sense of fear. Furthermore, both communities have experienced harm from one another, which has often exacerbated tension. Practicing deep empathy, which not only feels one's pain but connects to the emotion that one is expressing, is critical for building deep learning and understanding. This can manifest itself through shared storytelling, interfaith dialogues, and historical learning. 

1. View other opinions/perspectives as insights to strengthen your perspective rather than threaten it: Disagreements are real and uncomfortable and yet they are healthy. Too often, we view disagreements as threats to be canceled, shut down, or dismissed rather than assessing how a different opinion may not only be “interesting” but also necessary. This does not suggest accepting hateful or dehumanizing ideologies, but rather acknowledging that engaging in thoughtful critiques and context can expand and deepen our understanding and commitment to justice. Justice is bigger than any opinion or worldview and is not limited to time or place. Engaging in different perspectives and ideas is critical to pursuing justice. 

By starting with these practices and ways of being, while honoring the rich prophetic traditions and legacies of Black and Jewish communities, we can help build a world where empathy and justice is real, and nuance is actively engaged.