Phyllis Chesler: Podcast on Feminism and Antisemitism

[FeministsAgainstAntisemitism]

As a long time MNetter (yes, little old Korean lady etc) I have suggested to Feminists Against Antisemitism (FAAS) that we post things on here that we think might be of interest. It was agreed that this seemed a good idea.

FAAS was formed out of the 'ashes' of FILIA2025 and the Antisemitism on display there (which I personally, and as a non Jew, witnessed) - but also the realisation that hundreds of feminist women did, in fact, want to show support for Jewish and Israeli women post Oct7 and acknowledge their trauma. The "fringe" event on this, run by the women who went onto found FAAS, had 250 attendees, was sold out with a waiting list.

There are interesting recordings (webinars and podcasts) , and more information about the group, on the Substack home page - but we think this latest podcast might be of particular interest.

Phyllis Chesler is now 85, she's one of the second wave feminist authors I was reading back in the 70's and 80's. She has a very personal and in-depth knowledge of how anti semitism has operated within feminist circles for decades. She is interviewed, here, by Susan McDonnell.
https://open.substack.com/pub/feministsagainstantisemitism/p/she-warned-us-phyllis-chesler-on?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

We are also on TwiX if anyone fancies following us there - though I suspect quite a few MNetters already are.....@FAAntisemitism

Thanks for the heads up, I'll see if I can find the podcast on Spotify. 👍

Thanks for the OP and sharing info about the group you are part of, but ...

Phyllis Chesler is not that well respected. Like some or even many 2nd wave feminists she became bitter that not everyone went on lauding her. And has been part of some unpleasant personal spats which thanks to the lack of social media at the time, are not as readily available as some of the current bitching between feminists.

But most of all, and this may sound meand, even back in whatever decade it was, irrespective of other politics women were astonished that she married into a Muslim family and then found out the rights she had as a woman in the US were no longer there.

And this at a time when there wasn't much open discussion, but enough news coverage etc., for even the most mildly politicat woman not to think what was she expecting.

And since then rather than think how could I have been so ignorant, she has made it a personal campaign to somehow show it was part of some plot or something.

I look forward to hearing contributions from other women in relation to the purpose of the group, but fear that this will be a bit of a turn off.

Thanks for the heads-up OP.

Also, yay! Susan! Give her my love, I'm on the X naughty step where appeals apparently move slower than glaciers & haven't seen anything of her in an age.

Thanks for the comment - interesting. I was not aware, back in the day, of all of the fall outs and disagreements among the second wave feminists. I was just reading their books and going 'fuck yes' while navigating marriage (to one of our oppressors 😆) and having babies. The first webinar FAAS did, was a real eye opener for me, the one Moderated by Nicole Lampert, with speakers Zoë Stimpel and Dr Kara Jesella. The Antsemitism was there, and being challenged by Jewish women, from the start.

I'm sure there is another take on the events that happened back then - but I was really interested in this perspective by Phyllis, a writer whose books I had read decades ago.

Our focus, as a group, is on Antisemitism and combatting that. We are all feminists who have been shocked to encounter it within feminist circles, so that's our starting point.

Our latest newsletter was published today, and is part 2 of our series where non Jewish women talk about why they have become involved in FAAS.

I'm not going to be spamming MN with links to everything we produce, anyone who goes to the sub stack will be able to navigate to any of these newsletters/events/podcasts.

"This is the second post in our series about why non‑Jewish feminists are choosing to speak out against antisemitism. Here, two more women share what changed things for them – Heather who had never even met a Jewish person before October 7th, and Ellen who reflects on the quieter, socially acceptable antisemitism she has witnessed in public‑sector and “be kind” spaces. "
https://feministsagainstantisemitism.substack.com/p/why-we-stand-with-jewish-women-part-531

Thanks for this. I shall definitely look you up. I have been dismayed at the antisemitism in the feminist movement and the general antisemitism in society. I’m not Jewish but I’m shocked with how this is so open in society now and stand in solidarity with you

Thanks for this. I'm another who was dismayed to discover how wide and deep anti-semitism runs.

Not sure this is relevant and is about writers' groups, not feminist groups. I belong to a group where it has come to my notice twice that support for Gaza/Palestinians and demonstrating against Israel's 'genocide' (sorry, I know the inverted commas show my stance, but why hide it here?) is considered the correct stance. I don't know what to say but suspect silence is my best policy if I want to remain a member. Which makes life difficult and makes me feel a fraud.

Thanks @FeministsAgainstAntisemitism. I’m going to check you out! How sad that an organisation such as yours is needed in the first place.

Thanks, OP. Love it when people offer to bring links and news here.