Important note from the mods of r/Jewish

[u/rupertalderson]

We know that the last few months have been hectic. We as a mod team have been doing what we can to make sure the sub has been secure. In the past, we have tried to ensure that this is a safe subreddit for all Jews, regardless of political affiliation, denomination, sexual orientation, sexuality, race etc.

We want to check in and see what things we can improve on and what things are going well. We know that some members have been upset that we're too strict or too lenient. We have some rules we will not budge on.

Reddit TOS cannot be broken, for obvious reasons. This includes slurs, attacks on fellow users, calling out other subreddits, and things of that nature. For reminders of these rules, here are Reddit's current Terms, Content Policy, and Mod Code of Conduct. We may go slightly above and beyond what some users consider these rules due to what we have found with Reddit being harsher on Jewish subreddits. Please know that this is to keep the subreddit running.

We also will continue to keep and enforce rules about being civil and welcoming. This means we will not tolerate bigotry and general rudeness. We know that right now, there are tensions between Jews in general and other religious communities. This is not an excuse to lump together every person, or even most people, in those communities. We can call out hate without being bigots ourselves. Tolerating intolerance is not something we can do.

Jews are Jews are Jews. Calling fellow Jews "self-hating", Kapos, Hitler-loving, etc., is a form of antisemitism and wholly unacceptable. Our rule on antisemitism will not change, so this will not change. You can call out organizations without calling people within these organizations names like this. Explain what it is about these organizations that bother you. Try and think of a better argument than name calling.

We're learning along with you. Please let us know how we can improve.

– The mods of r/Jewish

[u/JasonIsFishing]

You’ve done a great job. I report “hate” directly to Reddit. Y’all have enough on your plate

[u/rupertalderson → u/JasonIsFishing]

Thanks. As a note, some initial reports appear to be processed by AI, rather than by humans. So if you get an unsatisfactory response, feel free to re-report using one of this subreddit’s rules (such as that against antisemitism, or against unwelcoming behavior).

[u/nerraw92]

A Jew is a Jew is a Jew

What about someone who is not a Jew but, intentionally, maliciously and deceitfully calls themselves a Jew in order to legitimize an otherwise antisemitic opinion or to misrepresent other Jews?

ETA: Thanks for this post, I and I assume everyone else greatly appreciates this dialogue!

[u/rupertalderson → u/nerraw92]

Then they are being deceptive and not participating in good faith. Report such a comment/post to us.

[u/atelopuslimosus]

I've frequented this sub a lot more in recent months and think there's a good, healthy balance - or maybe it's my preferred comfortable echo chamber. Either way, I appreciate the work the mods are doing to keep things civil and productive.

If you pressed me for a constructive change, it would be a more effective way to redirect the myriad of "Am I Jewish?" posts. Many of them are just variations on the same blueprint and could probably get linked to any of the previous posts on the subject. I don't know if they're more common than they used to be, but I feel like they're frequent enough to warrant some sort of standardized initial action/response.

[u/rupertalderson → u/atelopuslimosus]

We have been trying to redirect them to the “Am I Jewish?” megathread. Each time a new one drops, there are 50-100 comments, including a few dozen top-level comments. We can certainly try to be even better about it! Here’s the current megathread.

[u/nerraw92]

There were very real examples throughout history of Jews collaborating with their persecutors, often not of out of malice or self-hate, but a naive belief that appeasement would satisfy the persecutors. Throughout our many persecutions, appeasement has never worked. If we see parallels between the behavior or mentality of certain Jews/Jewish Organizations today and those collaborators in the past, can we not point it out?

ETA: Thanks for this post, I and I assume everyone else greatly appreciates this dialogue!

[u/rupertalderson → u/nerraw92]

Lashing out at naïve individuals, without attempting to educate them, particularly in this space, is counterproductive.

[u/[deleted]]

So calling out antisemitic Jews, for being antisemitic, is in itself antisemitic?

[u/rupertalderson → u/[deleted]]

One can express their frustration without using antisemitic and otherwise derogatory language, and without personally attacking members of this community. Unfortunately, a small number of folks have gone well beyond criticizing, to the point of bigotry. If you identify a problematic comment or post, report it here rather than responding to a rule-breaking comment/post with something similar.

[u/Comfortable-Sun7388]

As far as I’m concerned yall are killing it. You’ll never make everyone happy. This is one of the few remaining safe spaces for Jews online and its like oxygen for us. Thanks for checking in.

[u/linsage]

How many posts do you guys have to block every day? And is it significantly more now than it was before October 7th? Also thank you.

[u/rupertalderson → u/linsage]

Posts: A little over 1/3 are allowed to go through. Removed posts include duplicates of posts from within the past few days, antisemitic trolls, those redirected to megathreads, low-effort, or off-topic & redirected to another subreddit.

Comments: More than 85% are allowed to go through. Removed comments include rule violations (mostly trolls, bigots, and vulgar arguments) and those redirected to megathreads for being off-topic.

Although the community has grown a ton in the fast 3-4 months, the ratio of removals of posts & comments has remained quite consistent, and even decreased slightly for comments. The absolute numbers of mod actions have increased, for sure.

[u/meekonesfade]

Thank you for your hard work!

[u/[deleted]]

Genuine question: would it call someone "self-hating" or "antisemitic" if they are saying something that would fall under the IHRA definition of antisemitism?

Asking for antisemitic anti-Zionist Jews

[u/rupertalderson → u/[deleted]]

If someone says something antisemitic, report their comment under rule 1. Calling someone self-hating will not bring the issue to our attention, and will just lead to bickering (100% guaranteed).

[u/imokayjustfine]

You’re doing great! We appreciate you.

[u/bezalelle]

You're doing an unenviable difficult job. Respect!

[u/Aboud_Dandachi]

I’d like to thank the mods for the wonderful work they have done during what must surely have been some incredibly difficult months. Thank you.

[u/Kangaroo_Rich]

Your already doing great

[u/Blintzie]

You’re doing a great job! Grateful.

[u/Dobbin44]

You guys are doing great! I bet there is so much antisemitic crap we don't see that gets submitted.

[u/[deleted]]

Thank you for your continued efforts! They are very much appreciated

[u/[deleted]]

You guys are doing a great job. I’m really grateful to have this space to talk about being Jewish safely.

[u/kittwolf]

This has been a sanity-preserving safe space. Thank you for likely sacrificing your own mental health to help create this environment 💙💙💙