When Is the Work Over on Fighting Antisemitism? Never.

After Oct. 7, 2023, many Jews described the moment as a wake-up call. People who had been disengaged or hesitant to speak out suddenly felt compelled to act. Fear was part of the reason but so was clarity. What became obvious was that antisemitism was very much alive and growing in unexpected ways. Many people either jumped into action or doubled down on their current activities. As months have turned into years, a different question has emerged: When does this end? When can life return to normal? When is enough enough?

The answer is simple and difficult: It doesn’t end.

Bret Stephens recently spoke at the 92nd Street Y in New York, where he shared his view that antisemitism was a badge of honor and that we ought not to worry about it too much because there’s not much to be done. He stressed that the amount of money being spent on the fight against antisemitism was not yielding the desired results and stressed that money could be better used for internal applications. He did a great job of diagnosing the problem and of explaining the history of the Jewish experience in the United States. He provided a therapeutic experience for the audience. But the solution that he offered was only partial.

Stephens correctly explained that Oct. 7 and its aftermath have created an opportunity for rediscovery of Jewish people’s identity, but he implied that the fight against antisemitism should be largely abandoned. On this point he is wrong. While it may seem like a losing battle now, over the arch of time this fight will be won.  Think of the state of worldwide Jewry today compared to 500 years ago. Things are immeasurably better.

The fight against antisemitism and Jewish detractors must continue. The struggle to push back the tide cannot be abandoned as Stephens suggests; it must be reimagined, and the funds ought to be redirected to places that ARE having an impact.

As an example of using new tools for new times, after Oct. 7, I along with several other people co-founded Emissary4All, a nonprofit technology company and grassroots movement dedicated to organizing individuals and communities to act in a coordinated, strategic way — both online and offline. Our approach identified a lack of an ability to mobilize people for action both on and off social media.  In this case technology solutions have been deployed as a vehicle to accomplish these goals. Another example of similar grassroots action is an organization called Pens of Swords. They have organized thousands of people to write letters and sign petitions and have had real impact.

Recently, someone asked, “When is this going to be over?” The honest answer: never. When one path stops creating impact, a new path should be forged that will make a difference, because the struggle doesn’t die. As long as the Jewish people face persistent enemies, the responsibility to defend them does not disappear. As in battle, an army must hold the line; otherwise, they will be overrun.

Previous generations understood this instinctively. Those who lived through World War II and its aftermath knew that resistance was not optional. In the decades that followed, that notion faded for many, as the lessons learned were forgotten.

Acknowledging that the work never ends does not mean living in a state of exhaustion or permanent crisis.

The goal is not to do everything, but to do something that matters. Small, effective actions add up. The phrase “Do less and obsess” can be helpful in this scenario.

It is imperative to have the ability to evolve. Commitment does not mean clinging to ineffective tactics. If an approach isn’t working, it should be abandoned. If a strategy loses relevance, it should be replaced. The constant is not a specific way of doing things, but the refusal to give up.

There is no finish line where one can say, “I’ve done enough.” There is only ongoing reassessment — and then adjustment. The question is not when the work ends, but how to design the work to fit into one’s lifestyle.

So, when asked when the work is over, the answer is “Never!”

Daniel Rosen is the co-founder of a nonprofit technology company called Emissary4all, which is an app to organize people to move the needle on social media and beyond. He is the co-host of the podcast “Recalibration.” You can reach him at dmr224@yahoo.com.