For the Sake of Argument’s Post

I know that some of you may think that posting something like this on LinkedIn isn’t the most appropriate forum, but for me, the times for those concerns are long gone. The number of people in my ‘social’ circles (which in many regards was built through professional relationships) who have decided that what I have to share is too much for them, and have decided to ‘unfollow’ me is more than I could have ever imagined. The same people who were happy to send performative ‘congratulations’ and ❤️ on professional milestones, birthdays, and fun family pics, can’t stomach that I have shifted my focus on these platforms to raising awareness of the staggering rise in Jew Hatred over the past 8 months to levels unseen since the 1930s. Maybe, when you see posts like this one by Rachel Chertkoff you will pause and reflect as to why this designer and furniture industry geek is continuing to post thoughts like these. My lived experience over the past 8 months is far too common in the Jewish community, and not something I would wish upon anyone. To say that Jews are feeling abandoned is a huge understatement. If this post still bothers you enough for you to consider severing our connection here in LinkedIn (as you may have already on other social platforms), so be it. I wish you the best in your professional careers. When you eventually realize that your decision to cut ties is the exact reason I am trying to raise awareness through this post and others like it, it will be too late.

As we honor the invaluable contributions of Jewish Americans this month, it is imperative that we unite in denouncing hatred and bigotry. The alarming 140% increase in U.S. antisemitic incidents in 2023, shattering previous records, demands our immediate attention. This surge follows the tragic October 7th massacre in Israel, marking an unprecedented escalation in antisemitism. It underscores the pressing need for unified action against hate. Now, more than ever, we must come together to envision a future where every individual is treated with dignity and respect. Explore the proactive measures we are enacting to combat hate at freedomandsafety.org. #JewishAmericanHeritageMonth #StopAntisemitism #EndHate #UnityAgainstHate #CombatAntisemitism #NoToBigotry #UnitedAgainstHate #AntisemitismAwareness #StandUpAgainstHate

Jewish People: Targets, Not Victims There’s an important distinction between being a victim and being a target. Jewish people aren’t victims—they’re targets. Targets of harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Just like any form of bullying, there’s a clear imbalance of power: the bullies operate with hate and aggression, while we are often left defending our very right to exist in peace. What is the best way to confront bullies? Balance the power. We cannot and will not stay silent. The Jewish community must unite, strengthen, and stand tall—both here in the U.S. and in our unwavering support for Israel. When we stand together, we shift the balance of power. We become stronger, louder, and more resilient. My fellow Jewish Americans, now is the time to come together in all aspects of our community. Our strength lies in our unity. This is exactly what I explore in my book, "We Need to Talk: The Life of a Jewish American." It’s about how we move forward with strength, pride, and the determination to speak out. Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4dw6tLT Let’s balance the power and ensure that hate has no place to thrive. #WeNeedToTalk #JewishUnity #StandAgainstHate #FightBullying #EmpowerJewishVoices #JewishPride #SupportIsrael #BalanceThePower #JewishAmerican #CommunityStrength

SMEs, use your turf to your advantage. The arrogant among the bigger players will try to enter into your space through a pop up or local rep. Stick to showing character and humility but be firm. What does this look like? Don't over promise. Over deliver. be on time. Follow up gracefully. Don't sell by price. Offer value and impact. Stay in touch after the sale. Resovle issues fast. Lightning fast. Don't get distracted with P.R or non productive branding strategies. Leave that to the bigger players that have money to burn. In a high cost economy, get back to the fundamentals to survive and thrive. Ignore the bullies and work on humanising your business. They'll fade away crying victim soon enough.

Listen to Dr. Elana Heideman explain how we can choose our response in this generation, how we can better combat the hasbara war by strengthening our voices, and how to use them as wisely as possible for the sake of our people and our future. In every generation, they rise up against us, and in every generation, we have a choice as to how we can respond. People are more convinced by the lies because they're willing to believe that somehow the Jew is to blame and the Jew is a legitimate target of all hate, any hate, whatever form it takes. And however grotesque it may be, that is expressed by people who we want to believe are savage but, in fact, are just as human as you and I. Those people who are chanting, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," are thirsty for the blood of Jews and even more willing to sacrifice as many citizens around the world as they can to achieve their goal of making the world, as Hitler before them and other leaders throughout history, Judenrein, making it free of Jews. It may begin in Israel, but it is spreading all over the world, and we must be willing to stand up and call out this hate. There are activists out there who are busy doing so. So what about those of us in the comfort of our home? How are we also doing what we can do to try and educate our youth? Open conversations and create connections in our community to enable the conversations we need to have. How can we mobilize the community networks that have been established over the years? How can we find a safe space? Create the safe spaces as Jews have done in the generations before us. https://lnkd.in/dpCWV2KG #createsafespaces #strengthenourvoices #createcommunityconnections #mobilizecommunitynetworks

Donny Deutsch, an American TV personality, speaks about the antisemitism that motivates much of the hostility towards Israel, and exposes the anti-Jewish hatred that is surfacing in the US, especially on college campuses. "Antisemitism is behind the attacks on Israel and Jews. There is a level of hatred towards Jews that is different than other groups. Jews are treated as if they had it coming." Watch his powerful interview on MSNBC, get informed and take action: https://lnkd.in/guQe2s2D #EducationMatters #IsraelWillWinTheTerror #NeverAgain

One of the unseen features of the current wave of anti-Jewish racism in the UK is the way that Jews are being squeezed out of their social and professional networks, by friends and colleagues who suddenly shun them and cut them off because hating Israel and anyone associated with it is now fashionable. You might argue that people are just angry at Israel and it is wrong to call this antisemitism. Perhaps the people doing it think they are standing up for what is right, and they probably believe they are virtuous and caring. But when you read stories about people simply refusing to speak to their Jewish (former) friends or colleagues; when people make excuses for outright Jew hate in Britain because of Palestinian suffering in Gaza; when - as one person in this article relays - Uber drivers repeatedly refuse to accept a fare when the destination is a synagogue: there's nothing else to call it but everyday antisemitism. This article lifts the lid on this quiet discrimination that is affecting Jewish people across the country. It is sobering, and important, and should be widely read (it's a shame there's a paywall). I'm quoted in it, but it's the personal stories of everyone else who is quoted that are important.

TELL YOUR STORY. How has rising antisemitism affected your everyday life? Have you hidden symbols of your Jewish identity? Felt excluded at work? Hadassah wants to know the big and small ways antisemitism affects you. Part of fighting antisemitism is telling our stories. Take our 3-minute survey today! https://lnkd.in/eDZmSiN8