(Jewish Group) 21 Jewish moments of 2021

[Behind the Aegis]

Time can be a funny thing. “The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion,” Albert Einstein once said. That seems like a pretty good description of the year that was.

The past twelve months have, at times, felt like so much more. America and Israel both got new leaders and a vaccine rollout offered hope and promise of a post-pandemic life. An Olympics came and went, and another is already on the horizon. There were riots and lockdowns and trips to outer space. Britney Spears finally got her freedom.

Here at the Forward, our newsroom welcomed new staffers to help cover what would become a very momentous year in Jewish news. As we prepare for all that’s to come in the year ahead, we pause to reflect on the time gone by…

Jan. 6, 2021 / The Capitol riots

Antisemitism was wrapped up in the conspiracies of a stolen election that fueled the violent riot inside the U.S. Capitol. While organizations like the Anti-Defamation League closely tracked the bigotry of protesters, the best evidence for it was offered by the man pictured wearing a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt as he meandered through the Capitol building. Robert Keith Packer, the man in question, was arrested by federal law enforcement days after the riot and charged with two misdemeanors.

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[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. I had missed the Pew study

That study is very interesting. I found this fact to be interesting. https://forward.com/news/469350/pew-american-jews-study-divide-antisemitism-jews-of-color-intermarriage/

Jews are also growing farther apart along political lines. The number of Orthodox Jews who identify as Republican increased from 57% in 2013 to 75% in this year’s survey, while 70 to 80% of Reform, Conservative and nondenominational Jews lean toward Democrats.

“The divides between American Orthodoxy and liberal Judaism in America are growing rapidly,” said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, who leads an organization for progressive Orthodox clergy. “If we don’t create common ground spaces we are going to lose the illusion of there being a Jewish people.”

I was pleased to see this finding

In general, Jews care about being Jewish. Three-quarters consider being Jewish either somewhat or very important in their lives.

Among attributes most American Jews consider essential to being Jewish, 82% say caring about Israel, with 58% saying that they feel attached to the nation; 76% say remembering the Holocaust; 72% say leading an ethical life; and 59% say working for justice and equality

Thank you for posting this list

[MyMission]

2. Interesting selection of moments

It's been quite a year

Thanks for sharing this