I’ve decided to temove the Star of David from my handle. Not because I’m ashamed of being Jewish, but because I got tired of dealing with people who can’t grasp the distinction between being a proud Jew and supporting the Israeli government.
Replies
I can't say that I blame you, Charles. No matter what anyone replies to this - you have to do what you have to do to keep YOURSELF sane. I support anything that anyone does for their own sanity and safety.
jul 24, 2025, 3:31 am • 9 0 • view
🫂
jul 24, 2025, 11:27 am • 1 0 • view
I know the difference. It doesn’t seem complicated.
jul 24, 2025, 3:42 am • 4 0 • view
I'm so sorry that people are idiots and stupid and hurtful. 🫂💖
jul 24, 2025, 12:44 pm • 1 0 • view
I’ve thought about doing the same, but doing so makes me feel like I’m tucking my Magen David inside my shirt to hide it and make myself less visibly Jewish, which then feels like a concession that I am unwilling to make. I don’t say this to judge you or criticize at all, just to express my own
jul 24, 2025, 6:59 pm • 0 0 • view
experience grappling with this question and where I landed. This is one of those things we’re all figuring out for ourselves, but it’s something where we should all be supporting each other in whatever we choose, even when we differ. None of us are any less Jewish, just because it’s not visible.
jul 24, 2025, 6:59 pm • 1 0 • view
Another thing Republican Jews don’t seem to understand is they could be the next minority sent to concentration camps….they do not see the big picture of history repeating itself
jul 24, 2025, 12:21 pm • 1 0 • view
I completely understand….people don’t realize exactly what you are saying…. I constantly post on FB to try and make my Jewish friends understand they are being used by Republicans. Again it’s not right or left it’s right or wrong….its just that easy!
jul 24, 2025, 12:17 pm • 1 0 • view
This is terribly sad… 😔 🙏
jul 24, 2025, 3:41 am • 12 0 • view
Consider that you just gave these people power of you and your identity.
jul 24, 2025, 3:56 am • 1 0 • view
We pick our battles, even when those who wish us ill would pick them for us. I do enough things out of spite— for me personally, wearing my yarmulke can’t be one of them.(is there a little of it? Sure. But it isn’t the lead or deciding factor, only a fellow-travelled with them)
jul 24, 2025, 4:39 am • 1 0 • view
Perhaps. I might re-add it in the future.
jul 24, 2025, 3:58 am • 7 0 • view
Sorry to hear. Crazy world.
jul 24, 2025, 3:31 am • 3 0 • view
I'm sorry to hear that. Honestly one of the things that so angered me about how the far left acted since 10/7 was I expected to much better from them. I honestly believed they did care about making life better for everyone and too many of them are anti-semitic loons!
jul 24, 2025, 3:30 am • 17 0 • view
Knowing the path and walking it are two different exercises. Most people know the path, it’s just a question of when and where we get lost on it. The more dogmatic we become, the easier it is to stray.
jul 24, 2025, 4:35 am • 7 0 • view
Dogmatically dedicated to the farther out, right or the left, people get it twisted, believing the precepts and shibboleths of their tribe to be the one and only way of virtue. Dogmatically dedicated to the center, believing that most or all issues must be balanced evenly, concedes to similar ends.
jul 24, 2025, 4:35 am • 7 0 • view
I have not abandoned my political allies of before, but I am the more wary of them. I felt adrift for a while after 10/7– the loudest parts of the left seemed hostile, and the preferred embrace of the right disingenuous.
jul 24, 2025, 4:35 am • 11 2 • view
Disingenuous is imprecise. Most who offer kindness do, I believe, mean it, but so often those offers feel… patronizing in a way. Fetishistic almost. Like they’re singing their own praises in the offering.
jul 24, 2025, 4:35 am • 7 1 • view
This comes to the way so many Christians, and Cultural Christians, don’t quite see Jews as real people. Not in a dehumanizing way, but in a “we tell fantastical stories about this ancient biblical group,” and many of them aren’t really able to square the idea that Jews are a living, extant nation
jul 24, 2025, 7:10 pm • 8 1 • view
and not just one more long-dead part of this ancient history on which modern Euro-American culture is built. Jews are biblical characters to most of them, and it throws many people for a look when they encounter Jews and realize we’re just people like everyone else, in the same modern world.
jul 24, 2025, 7:10 pm • 7 1 • view
A friend once shared a poem she had written, and there was a part where she had used “the conversion of the Jews,” as a device for referring to a far off time. This was rather challenging for me. I was theoretically aware of such sentiments before, but I had never run smack-dab into one.
jul 25, 2025, 8:27 am • 1 0 • view
I don’t recall her thinking much of it— that is, I don’t believe she had any intentions around it, negative or otherwise. The phrase wasn’t the point of the poem, and it felt like an unexamined element in that respect.
jul 25, 2025, 8:27 am • 1 0 • view
This sent me into several days of wrestling with the idea that some number of my Christian friends thought well enough of me to have the friendship, but, if nothing else, believed I was bound for damnation.
jul 25, 2025, 8:27 am • 1 0 • view
And on the left, at least via media presentation, there is a spotlight out for the right kind of Jew— the kind who confirms to their ideas and definitions of the world. I don’t want to feel like either side’s charity case, or either side’s pet Jew.
jul 24, 2025, 4:35 am • 9 0 • view
And so I was reminded, and so I return to our traditional place— the football in between those with agendas. I don’t say this pessimistically— my ancestors survived long enough that I should get my chance here, facing all that they faced. Being here at all is an argument for optimism.
jul 24, 2025, 4:35 am • 9 0 • view
Well stated.
jul 24, 2025, 5:41 am • 2 0 • view
Everyone is the point. Moral relativism is despicable hypocrisy and I’ve seen it much less frequently on the left than anywhere else on the political spectrum.
jul 25, 2025, 6:42 am • 0 0 • view
Hate this for you.
jul 24, 2025, 6:18 am • 1 0 • view
Very sorry. People are morons
jul 24, 2025, 11:17 am • 2 0 • view
💕
jul 24, 2025, 5:32 am • 1 0 • view
I'm sure it's exhausting.
jul 24, 2025, 3:29 am • 3 0 • view
That is like saying all Americans are responsible for the deaths resulting in the pullback of USAID. I can see who is responsible for both scenarios.
jul 24, 2025, 12:08 pm • 0 0 • view
The Star of David is on the Israeli flag; historically, it was only sometimes a symbol of Judaism. A friend who was raised modern Orthodox would prefer to see the seven branched menorah of the temple.
jul 24, 2025, 7:09 pm • 0 0 • view
A confusion which the current government of Israel is happily perpetuating, it should be noted.
jul 24, 2025, 3:34 am • 11 0 • view
I'm sorry you had to do that. This crazy train administration is off the rails and causing dissent and cruelty everywhere
jul 24, 2025, 12:17 pm • 1 0 • view
Some people cannot think in nuanced terms. It is a shame
jul 24, 2025, 12:05 pm • 1 0 • view
The fact that you had to do that is so sad.
jul 24, 2025, 12:25 pm • 1 0 • view
It’s very disheartening when your leaders let you down and you feel alienated among your own people.
jul 24, 2025, 3:37 am • 3 0 • view
Very sad. And, I understand. Both can exist at the same time. Just like being a proud American who strongly disagrees with its current government. Many Israelis feel that way as well. 💙
jul 24, 2025, 12:44 pm • 1 0 • view
What about keeping it but adding a flag for Palestine? And maybe a heart between...
jul 24, 2025, 3:41 am • 8 0 • view
Not a terrible idea. I’ll consider that, thanks.
jul 24, 2025, 3:45 am • 8 0 • view
Fair. There's a time and a place for everything. Doesn't mean you shouldn't be proud of who you are, but the social context these days heavily affects people's perception. Honestly I respect you more for understanding.
jul 24, 2025, 3:38 am • 1 0 • view
I'm not @charlesgaba.com but based on his post I'd say it was not an "understanding", it was a reluctance to deal with racial hatred while engaged in activism to protect our democracy and healthcare for everyone, including the haters.
jul 24, 2025, 4:32 am • 16 2 • view
Tomato tomato.
jul 24, 2025, 5:09 am • 0 0 • view
When you're the Jew living it, there is a distinction, at least that's my experience. In one, there's an open two-way discussion, then a decision made. In the other, you get exhausted from explaining/educating people and/or feeling targeted/harassed & make a move to get out of the firing line.
jul 24, 2025, 5:39 am • 6 0 • view
Well said Marni 💙
jul 24, 2025, 12:19 pm • 2 0 • view
That's a completely different point than the one I was making. You're right in your own separate argument, but it doesn't mean anything.
jul 24, 2025, 5:31 pm • 0 0 • view
It doesn't mean anything to you. To me, and the folks that ❤️'ed my comment, it has meaning. I appreciate this hits differently depending on if you Jewish & directly having to deal with this daily, or not Jewish. Just know it does.
jul 24, 2025, 5:53 pm • 0 0 • view
Agreed, but still not the point.
jul 24, 2025, 7:59 pm • 0 0 • view
Okay, then I don't understand your comment "tomato tomato." I took it as " you say 'tomAto', I say 'tomAUto', but they're basically the same thing." Am I missing something? Totally off the mark? (Both quite possible) Please explain. Thx!
jul 24, 2025, 11:12 pm • 0 0 • view
The point I was making was pretty simple. I support law enforcement and hate to see them wounded in the line of duty. But if I put a blue lives matter flag on my car everyone would think I'm some maga turd who hates black people. Social context changes how people perceive things all the time.
jul 25, 2025, 8:12 am • 0 0 • view
Understanding that taking it down for the time being doesn't mean you stop being Jewish, but does cut down on the likelihood of offending the ignorant masses, is probably the right call in the current social context. That doesn't mean I support the ignorant veiws targeting the Jewish people.. duh.
jul 25, 2025, 8:15 am • 0 0 • view
Basically, you are saying that the point (the ends) is to make Jews invisible in public, the means are harassment, and the ends justify the means.
jul 24, 2025, 8:52 pm • 0 0 • view
Not even close. That's what YOU are saying that I am saying, but that is not remotely what I am saying. God people on the internet are salty and dumb these days. 🤦♂️
jul 24, 2025, 10:14 pm • 0 0 • view
At least 2 people read your "tomato tomato" the same way yet you insist on being misunderstood without deigning to explain yourself (in a way that only reaffirms our conclusions). So which is it: you don't know what you are saying, you don't care how you sound or you are too shy to own your words?
jul 25, 2025, 4:52 am • 0 0 • view
If "understanding=successful harassment" then "tomato tomato". But at this point I strongly suspect that, at least as far as Jews are concerned, you do believe in harassment.
jul 24, 2025, 7:33 am • 1 0 • view
You probably shouldn't continue this argument if you don't even understand it. This is a perspective issue. All you're doing is building a strawman.
jul 24, 2025, 5:28 pm • 0 0 • view
Dude, he’s doing it because assholes won’t leave Jews alone if we show any Jewish symbols. It’s a BAD thing, driven by discrimination on the left. You shouldn’t “respect” this, you should be angry & ashamed that it’s necessary.
jul 24, 2025, 5:12 am • 6 0 • view
That's an odd perspective. Blaming the left but not the right? Assuming I should be ashamed of other people's actions? Assuming I'm not opposed to their actions? I think you should take a minute and reevaluate. Not every idea that comes into your head is a good one.
jul 24, 2025, 5:20 am • 0 0 • view
Accusing random Jews of being zionist is a problem on the left, not the right. They have different antisemitism on the right.
jul 24, 2025, 5:07 pm • 2 0 • view
Jews are responding angrily to you because of the “I respect you for understanding.” You seemed to be saying “Yes, Jews should stop using Jewish symbols because they might be misunderstood.” We shouldn’t have to do that, & it’s terrible he had to.
jul 24, 2025, 5:07 pm • 2 0 • view
Yes. And I already said that. People are responding angrily because they are angry, not because of what I said. Most of them won't take the time to understand it before responding, and they insert whatever perspective fits their venting. It's fine.
jul 24, 2025, 5:34 pm • 0 0 • view
When other people tell me, “Hey, you phrased that really badly, everyone misunderstood you,” I apologize & explain what I meant. But I guess “doubling down & insulting everyone who tries to call you in” is an option, too. A totally unproductive & time wasting option, but you do you. Muting now.
jul 24, 2025, 5:45 pm • 0 0 • view
Again, perspective. They tried to correct me on what I meant. So I corrected them. I'm no more insulting than they are. Mute if you want. Minding yoyr own business was always an option.
jul 24, 2025, 7:58 pm • 0 0 • view
So sorry that it’s come to this.🙏🏻
jul 24, 2025, 8:16 pm • 0 0 • view
It’s a sad world we live in. I’m so sorry to hear this. Peace my friend. My wife is going through this as well.
jul 24, 2025, 11:26 am • 4 0 • view