Small wins as a Jewish person

[YiddlySquat]

We took our mezuzah off our front doorway a while ago because our house is an old terrace type where you step straight out onto the street, and we were afraid of being targetted after swastikas were spray painted on the path that runs behind our house.

We are moving in a couple of weeks to a house with a long drive and the front door is kind of hidden behind bushes so you can’t see it from the street. I am SO excited to put the mezuzah back up.

Tell me your small wins.

That is very sad but totally understandable. I don't wear my Star of David any more as im scared as I'm trainer and do public courses.
My small win is my eldest is off to uni in September and us wanting to join the uni Jewish society/clubs. Her college has very anti semitic students so she doesn't mention it. So small wins.

I spoke up for myself in a meeting when some colleagues were talking about how sad it was that the university I work at will no longer allow pro-Pal protests at graduations 'as no one could possibly find that intimidating'. I explained my thinking, told them I'd never send my kids to this place, and then said that this meeting was damaging to my mental health so I was going to sign off now. Turned off my computer and went for a walk and felt great about it (after I stopped shaking).

Love your user name. Wishing you a lovely life in your new home.

I’m reading these posts with sadness. I’m sorry to say that they don’t sound like wins to me but concessions. I understand the desire to position them positively though and fully support the intention. I don’t mean to be a downer though. Good luck with the move @YiddlySquat.

Sadly I do feel like concessions are now wins. My granny was right, what happened to her family could happen again -something I thought was OTT as a child - and little grasps of pride of being Jewish are what I’m holding onto right now.

Another more positive win is how proud my DC are of being Jewish. My DS is 9 and loves showing off his yarmulkes to his mates in school, and how cool they all find it. I love their innocence in telling people without fear that they’re Jewish. I hope it lasts

My son did a Purim presentation at school. Followed by a Ramadan presentation by a friend of his. That gives me hope for the future, despite it all.

My daughter has had some terrible experiences at school, including one time I had to report the situation to the police. It's actually made her vehemently, intensely proud in a rebellious sort of way. She loves sharing the food and traditions with her non-Jewish friends (my kids are the only Jewish kids at both their schools) and it's been lovely to have a generation of Scottish Christian children excited about latkes and hamentashen ;-)

I don't love the bad stories but do love your kids' spirit and the innocence and openness of others. Here, here to that flourishing. It's definitely what this world needs.

I wore my Magen David over my jumper in Bristol (😬) the other day!

purplethistle There were Pro Palestine protests at my daughter's graduation from a Scottish university last year (possibly the same one?). We found them intimidating and we are not even Jewish.
Well done for standing up for yourself and others and I am sorry that you have to deal with such views from colleagues.

I think they’re super scary even leaving out that topic! I have said elsewhere that I live in edinburgh so guessing it’s the same place. I don’t even care about being outing anymore, I’m so annoyed all the time.

Have worn my star necklace loads lately and ordered some obnoxiously large and sparkly Jewish star earrings for my mum to bring out next month. I am sick of all of it.

Yes we live in the city which is where my family are from for generations back. I am ashamed that you and your family are subjected to such things here.

We love living here and all the good things far outweigh the bad. Especially on a day like today :)

That's good. I am glad.