Being Jewish Isn’t a Political Statement

Being Jewish is many things. It’s cultural. It’s religious. It’s historical, spiritual, inherited. It’s a sense of peoplehood. Sometimes it’s loud and proud – sometimes quiet and private.

What it is not – and has never been – is a political statement. And yet, for so many of us, that’s exactly how it feels we’re being treated.

We’re Expected to Represent a Country We Don’t Live In

Imagine being expected to justify or condemn the actions of a government on the other side of the world. A government you may not support, vote for, or agree with. A government whose policies you may not fully understand. A country you may feel a deep connection with... or may have never even been to.

That’s the position Jewish people are so often put in. Whether we’re lighting candles for Shabbat, attending a business event, or simply existing online, we’re constantly weighed against whatever’s happening in Israel and expected to perform a response.

It’s exhausting. It’s unfair. And it’s a double standard no one else is held to.

“But You’re Jewish – So What Do You Think About...?”

This question sounds innocent, even curious. But behind it is the assumption that Jewish identity and Israeli politics are one and the same. They’re not.

Some Jewish people are strongly connected to Israel. Some feel conflicted or confused. Some are deeply critical. There is no single Jewish view. There never has been.

Being Jewish doesn’t mean being tied to the politics of any country, or a spokesperson for a state. It’s a religious and cultural identity, not a geopolitical position.

The Real Impact of These Assumptions

This isn’t just about awkward conversations. When Jewish people are treated as political symbols, it changes how safe we feel to show up. In business. In social spaces. At school. At work.

We get nervous about wearing something identifiably Jewish. We second-guess whether to say we’re taking a day off for a Jewish holiday. We hesitate before speaking up – because we’ve learned that our identity might be used against us.

And sometimes, we stay quiet. Which means people miss out on our voices, our ideas, and our presence. That’s a loss for everyone.

What You Can Do

You don’t have to be Jewish to help shift this narrative. You just have to notice what’s happening, and make the choice to do differently.

• Don’t assume every Jewish person has the same political views. Ask questions with openness, not expectation: and be clear that no answer is an acceptable answer to you.

• If someone shares their identity, don’t pivot the conversation to Israel. Talk to them about them.

• Don’t demand a political stance as a condition of support or inclusion.

• And if you see someone else making assumptions, gently challenge it.

Being Jewish isn’t a statement. It’s an identity. A lived experience. A belonging. And when we’re allowed to show up without being treated as a symbol or a headline, we all get something better – real connection.