Many of us these days are noticing a lot of “noticing.” That is, more and more people—especially young men—are increasingly aware of the Jewish other. Podcast personalities and influencers have noticed the Jews and subjected them and the state of Israel to exponentially more criticism in the last few years than I’ve witnessed my whole life. And grand conspiracy theories about them, once the domain of fringe thinkers, seem to be going mainstream. Stock Jewish tropes are traded around and Jew banter abounds. It’s definitely in vogue, and a sign that you’re in the know and not a Boomer. And all this has found a place in Reformed circles.
Just how much the Jew-jokes and memes are serious can be hard to tell. We might write it off as boys being boys, blowing off steam, mimicking and one-upping their peers. I’m inclined to think at least some of it is benign; though I’ve seen a good amount of nasty stuff. And how much of the political commentary is more performative bluster or even profitable clickbait is also not obvious to me. There has always been demand for the provocative, and this kosher slab of red meat seems to be in high demand these days.
And yet, whether or not this is more of a fad, still I am rather concerned. I am noticing some things about this “noticing,” if you will, this new attitude to the Jews from the right that is unhealthy and far from God-honoring, though finding traction in our circles. Permit me to offer some perspective on this new trend, from a confessionally Presbyterian point of view.
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West Port Experiment 