Jewish Mumsnetter Section

[Asthebellcurves]

I was asked by Mumsnet to start a post here to request a Jewish Mumsnetter section. This request comes out of a thread where Jewish people were discussing ethnic and religious identities that was then co-opted by others refusing to provide space for those conversations. Thus illustrating the need for a distinct Jewish space on here. Of course, Jewish conversation and contribution is valuable across mumsnet, but a neat space for Jewish perspectives to be protected and valued is a great addition - just as Black, South Asian, Welsh, Irish and Scottish mumsnetters have and benefit from.

”When it comes to starting new boards, we're pretty much guided by what our users want. The Black Mumsnetters, SE Asian MNers, Craicnet, etc came about because users started threads requesting their own space. We'll certainly give consideration to a Jewish Mumsnetters section if there is demand. You're quite welcome to start a thread in Site Stuff to ask if others feel the same.”

I know many of us have felt very hurt by the moderation of Mumsnet this week, as anti semitic posters have been allowed to run wild while many factual comments that are supportive of the Jewish community have been deleted. I hope this may serve as an opportunity for Mumsnet to build much needed bridges.

That thread!

I've had to correct someone's basic geography. The ignorance! At least the worst antisemitic post was deleted.

You have my full support. Not Jewish myself, but have many Jewish relatives (via marriage) and friends. I have been saddened by the very obvious and unchecked antisemitism on here.

Adding my support

For me, everything has changed this week, like it's been leading up to this my whole life. As a kid I did have to deal with antisemitism on and off but nothing heavy although some of it physical, just other kids being kids. Having a mother from a different European country didn't help either, although the xenophobia lessened as I got older. As an adult the worst I've dealt with is casual antisemitism - lost count of the amount of times I've had "your lot" snapped at me about a country I've never been to or don't intend to go to. Maybe I'm just catastrophising, which isn't really like me, but I know we're all feeling quite emotional. I don't know, it just feels things are different now. And the Corbyn years also opened Pandora's box long before events of this week, which at the time was devastating to witness as a socialist. It feels like some of us have seen this coming.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm worried about the future for Jews in this country, especially visible orthodox Jews or those living in large Jewish communities. I blend in and can 'hide' behind my non-Jewish DH, and I don't practise anyway, but the trepidation feels visceral. MN and social media in general over the last week has shown me that people are just a bit too quick to tell Jews they're lying or making up antisemitism for it not to feel like it's coming from a bad place, like we just don't matter. Some posters seem to be seeking out these threads just to actively troll and goad Jews, telling us we don't care about dead Palestinians and that we're nothing more than Israel "apologists" - it is prejudice at best. The venom on the flag thread has really shocked me this evening.

I also feel guilty that this is a self-indulgent fear when so many Gazans and Israelis are losing their life, but I feel a genuine angst about it all that I haven't felt before. Part of me wants to pack a suitcase and move us to one of the most dangerous country's in the world - which is mental, really. Like I said, I've never wanted to visit Israel in my life, but I'll 100% defend it's right to exist as a safe-place for Jews.

Paix à toi.

Yes, I’d welcome this space.

Also not Jewish myself, but 100% support a Jewish topic.

It’s awful to read about the lack of moderation of antisemitism, although not surprising after some of the threads I have seen recently.

100% add my support for this - I’ve been appalled by the vile antisemitism I’ve seen on MN this past week, just atrocious.

I hope I'm wrong, but I'm worried about the future for Jews in this country, especially visible orthodox Jews or those living in large Jewish communities

You aren’t the only one for sure. I live in a Jewish community and for the first time I feel we are incredibly unsafe. The synagogues, schools, cemetary, have security outside, but there’s no sign of extra police presence on the streets. I feel a gnawing sense of anxiety, and I’m not an anxious person normally. My neighbours feel the same. I feel there’s nowhere safe to go. Definitely not Israel, not the Eastern European country I could apply for restorative citizenship for, as the antisemitism there has increased and not in the UK.

I’m scared. Both me and my dds are very fair skinned and don’t look obviously jewish. But lots of wider family are religious Jews so very visible. It’s also so awful to try to explain this to (primary age) dds. To tell them people might attack us just for being jewish, they don’t even really understand it. Dd2 told me not to be silly- it’s five hours on the plane to israel. But the hate on the streets and online is palpable.

Yes please. I have seen some disingenuous posts on MN this past week encouraging antisemitism (and Islamophobia too) not genuine debate. I also have relatives who are now afraid to go into London which they used to do regularly.

Maybe parts of usa. I have family in NY and things seem to be better there.

Not Jewish but absolutely appalled by the behaviour on mumsnet and not enough done by the mods.

Very sorry to anyone facing hatred in 2023!

@Asthebellcurves, one of the places I'm concerned about the Jewish community is in Belfast in Northern Ireland.

At its peak, we had 1,500 Jewish people, but today just 340 with a synagogue down a little side street.

Anti-semitism is, sadly, common from Irish Republicans who can easily drown their voices out. Sure, there are Unionists and Loyalists who are pro-Israel, but in my view most of them don't have enough knowledge to help them.

Northern Ireland is, of course, the birth place of Chaim Herzog, father of Issac Herzog current President of the State of Israel.

So, I think @BeckyAMumsnet should be able to give posters here a timely update on the progress of Mumsnet Team regarding their discussions of a Jewish Community section.

Also not Jewish but support this - I've been shocked by some of the posts I've seen over this past week.

In Israel it has gone kosher. Just like it is halal in Muslim countries. They don't want to miss out on customers or maximum profits do they.

Although some McDonald's are non kosher, because it's a secular country.

There has been antisemitism on threads - racism and hate speech.
It’s nasty and traumatising / re-traumatising.

I support what you need to do to safeguard yourself on this forum.

it”s exhausting.

Just to reiterate my support for this (as a non-Jew). I hope you don’t mind me adding the following,

I have been appalled by the blatant (and underlying) antisemitism in clear view both on MN, wider social media and wider society. I am so desperately sorry for the continuation of this pattern that has been going on for hundreds, thousands of years.

But I also want to express my admiration for the Jewish people who time and time again have withstood the exiles and most awful persecution.

There are many of us who stand with you, please know that. I wish I knew how to give further support. I’m horrified at how little the world has learned from history. This is devastating for the whole of humanity.

Atheist here but I strongly support this important that everyone has a place to feel safe and talk

Not Jewish but in full support of this...as with many other posters, I have been disgusted with some of the rhetoric on these boards over the last few days.

I doubt it will be any help. Threads on Black Mumsnetters are constantly hijacked by racists.

Thanks for that info, I didn't know that !

Yes I have seen that happens from reading your board. Hope you don't mind that I read your board but like a possible Jewish one it can be good to hear what issues different communities face. I have learnt a lot from your boards and have a better understanding because of it. That is one thing I hope can happen with a Jewish board. People that are not Jewish may read it and find out more about being Jewish in the UK, the problems faced and just general Jewish life. Most people only seem to know holocaust and what they learn from netflix.

Your board has always been very good in the past about the odd question if I asked nicely too. This could help posters that have a genuine question about Jewish life.

@BCCoach I'm not black and I've never posted on the board. I have read threads on there with despair though.