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How I Stopped Being a Jew, Shlomo Sand, SOAS University of London

SOAS University of London・2 minutes read

Professor Schom Mand challenges the notion of secular Jewish identity, criticizes Israel's emphasis on Jewishness, calls for a unified nationality in Israel, and questions the exclusivity of Jewish identity, engaging in a complex discussion on Jewish identity and Israeli citizenship. He advocates for multiple identities coexisting and critiques double standards in international discussions, particularly focusing on Israel's possession of nuclear weapons.

Insights

  • Professor Schom Mand challenges the notion of a secular Jewish identity, questioning the exclusivity and difficulty of joining this cultural identity while expressing discomfort with defining himself as a Jew in Israel due to the state's emphasis on Jewishness and treatment of non-Jewish citizens.
  • Schlomo advocates for a republican vision for Israel, advocating for a unified nationality and citizenship to address discrimination against Arabs, highlighting the need for affirmative action to address structural inequality and recognize the rights of Palestinian minorities, sparking controversy with his radical anti-Zionist stance and critique of traditional Jewish identity.

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Recent questions

  • What is the main focus of Professor Schom Mand's new book?

    His personal journey and challenges secular Jewish identity.

  • What does Professor Schom Mand criticize regarding Jewish identity?

    Emphasis on bloodline and historical tragedies.

  • What is Professor Schom Mand's stance on Israeli citizenship?

    Advocates for a unified nationality and citizenship.

  • How does Professor Schom Mand view secular Jewish identity in Europe?

    Sees it as lacking a shared culture.

  • What does Professor Schom Mand criticize regarding the concept of "Judeo-Christian civilization"?

    Discomfort with historical oppression and identity separation.

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Summary

00:00

"Professor challenges Jewish identity in new book"

  • Jil Bashar, a professor at SAAS, is chairing an event and welcoming attendees on behalf of the London Middle East Institute and the Center for Jewish Studies.
  • Dr. Hassan Hakimian asked Jil Bashar to welcome attendees due to the director's absence.
  • Dr. Y. Wak, the director of the Center for Jewish Studies, welcomes the speaker, Professor Schand, and discussant Professor David Felman.
  • Dr. Y. Wak invites attendees to future events at the Center for Jewish Studies, including a film screening on November 20th.
  • Professor Zand's previous books have sparked debates on Jewish identity, particularly in Israel, the Middle East, Europe, and the UK.
  • Professor Schom Mand, born in a displaced person's camp in Austria to Polish Jewish survivors, is presenting his latest book at SAAS.
  • Professor Schom Mand's previous works include "The Invention of the Jewish People" and "The Invention of the Land of Israel."
  • Professor Schom Mand's new book, "How I Stopped Being a Jew," delves into his personal journey and challenges the notion of secular Jewish identity.
  • Professor Schom Mand discusses the exclusivity of Jewish secular identity and the difficulty of joining this cultural identity.
  • Professor Schom Mand expresses discomfort with defining himself as a Jew in Israel due to the state's definition as a Jewish state and the treatment of non-Jewish citizens.

21:47

"Challenging Jewish identity and nationalism in Israel"

  • English compared to other states like Spain, where declaring it only for a specific group causes unrest among other regions.
  • Israel is seen as a communal state, not focused on its citizens but on the Jewish population globally.
  • The author's motivation for writing the book stems from his identity as a Jew and the impact of anti-Semitism.
  • The author questions defining oneself solely based on anti-Semitism or historical tragedies, fearing it gives power to those who discriminate.
  • A conversation with a woman on a plane highlights the importance some place on Jewish bloodline and identity.
  • The search for a Jewish DNA and the struggle to define secular Jewish identity is discussed.
  • The author criticizes the emphasis on Jewish bloodline and memory of tragedies as the sole basis for Jewish identity.
  • The author proposes a republican vision for Israel, advocating for a unified nationality and citizenship to address discrimination against Arabs.
  • The need for affirmative action in Israel to address structural inequality and recognize the rights of Palestinian minorities is highlighted.
  • The author's radical anti-Zionist stance and critique of traditional Jewish identity have sparked controversy and opposition.

43:24

"Ethical monotheism and Jewish identity in Israel"

  • Ethical monotheism was a universal concept, with a specific aspect for Jews.
  • A particularist religious morality in Israel draws on Jewish teachings for present policies.
  • Criticisms of Jews in the 19th century are echoed in partial representations of Judaism.
  • The focus on Jewishness in Israel can lead to anti-Semitic interpretations of the conflict.
  • Schlomo advocates for a single Israeli citizenship, separating nationality from ethnicity.
  • Secular Jewish identity outside Israel is seen as hollow, lacking a shared culture.
  • Jewish emancipation history in Europe is overlooked in Schlomo's arguments.
  • Schlomo's view on secular Jewish culture in Europe is challenged, emphasizing its existence.
  • Interaction with Israel is part of secular Jewish culture, but not its entirety.
  • Schlomo's aspiration to stop being a Jew is critiqued as overlooking the relational nature of identity.

01:05:29

Challenging Judeo-Christian Civilization and Identity Politics

  • The speaker discusses the concept of a "Judeo-Christian civilization" and expresses discomfort with the term, highlighting the historical oppression of Jewish people within Christian civilization.
  • He criticizes individuals who profit from past suffering and emphasizes the importance of not separating oneself from others based on identity, advocating for multiple identities coexisting.
  • The speaker questions the double standards in international discussions regarding nuclear weapons, particularly focusing on Israel's possession of them.
  • He compares the exclusivity of certain identities, like Aryan identity, to the specificity and complexity of Jewish identity, rejecting the former as weak and based on mythology.
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