"Ask A Jew" Wednesday

[u/AutoModerator]

It's everyone's favorite day of the week, "Ask A (Anti-Zionist) Jew" Wednesday! Ask whatever you want to know, within the sub rules, notably that this is not a debate sub and do not import drama from other subreddits. That aside, have fun! We love to dialogue with our non-Jewish siblings.

Please remember to pick an appropriate user-flair in order to participate! Thanks!

[u/flensingflenser]

What motivates you to continue Jewish practice and identity?

Why I'm asking: For me, it feels like nationalism has successfully coopted mainstream Judaism to such an extent that the zionists have basically "won." I feel uncomfortable in services now. Everything hits different. I feel like I'm supporting Israel just by being there - even if it's a shul that purports to be zionism-neutral I know there are statistically probably more Zionists than antizionists in the room. I've been exploring other faith paths. I guess this is half last ditch effort to find an argument to convince me to stay, half just curiosity about how others are coping.

[u/sudo_apt-get_intrnet → u/flensingflenser]

I don't go to shul myself. I maintain Judaism for me, and only for me. I might get together with friends/family for holidays, even the non-Jewish ones, but in general my relationship with Judaism is something I consider personal and separate from the need of community. Throughout all our history we've often needed to keep hidden and maintain small isolated pods; why not continue this today, even if the ones keeping us hidden are other Jews?

And personally the overwhelming existence of Zionism has actually made my Judaism stronger, if only because to exist as an antizionist Jew makes me feel connected to the tradition of internal, personal defiance to the majority that is uniquely inherit to Judaism as a religion. Being an anti-zionist Jew is itself an inherently radical act, and because it is a radical act it is inherently Jewish; how could I not feel more Jewish in continuing to exist?