Bari Weiss, How to fight Anti-semitism

Summary

Bari Weiss wrote this book as a polemic rather than an academic attempt to engage in the study of the ideas behind antisemitism. Nevertheless, she read widely on the topic with a journalist’s flair for contextualizing and summarizing the material. Hers is a call to action. She directs her appeal toward American Jews, yet it will be relevant to all people who resist antisemitism. She seeks to help readers understand what they are up against, to act individually, as a community, and as members of the broader society, to counter bigotry while protecting democracy.

Context

Weiss is a committed Jew. She wrote this book following the massacre of eleven Jews in Pittsburgh in 2018, and her resignation from the New York Times. Her connections to both events are visceral and personal. She resigned from the New York Times in protest of antisemitism she sees as systemic to that institution. She grew up in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, where the massacre took place.

Style

Weiss is a capable writer and a skilled journalist. She has a knack for turning a phrase that clarifies situations and catches the reader’s attention. Her summaries of the ideas of researchers in the field are compelling and accurate.

Classroom

Weiss’ book has the strengths and weaknesses of polemic. For Jews struggling with the unexpected recent rise of expressions of antisemitism, the book may be inspirational. For people who are not members of the Jewish community, people who seek to be allies in opposing antisemitism, this book provides an accessible and valuable view from within. Weiss gives voice to many Jews who have been following the resurgence of antisemitism with grave concern.

Bibliographic Information

Weiss, Bari. How to Fight Anti-Semitism. New York: Crown, 2019.
ISBN: 978-0-593-13605-8