The Time to Come Out of Our Cocoon

In a world grappling with rising antisemitism, internal divisions, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness, what does it mean to be Jewish in the 21st century? This was the central question explored in a recent episode of TheJewFunction Podcast, as hosts Lio and Seth engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with Brad Pomerantz, an Emmy-nominated television host and Jewish advocate.

Pomerantz, who hosts the award-winning program “Air, Land, and Sea” on Jewish Life Television, brought a unique perspective to the conversation, drawing on his experiences traveling the world and interacting with diverse Jewish communities. From the vibrant Jewish quarters of Morocco and Turkey to the ruins of Auschwitz, where he found himself on the eve of the October 7th conflict, Pomerantz offered a glimpse into the complex tapestry of Jewish identity and experience.

“There is no doubt that a Jew from Jersey or a Jew from Los Angeles will feel a connection with a Jew from Essaouira in Morocco, or Filetta in Malta, or even in Taipei in Taiwan,” he observed. “There’s just something there that we’re like, ‘Ah, you know, Lansman, a member of the tribe.’ You can feel it.”

But as the conversation delved deeper, it became clear that this sense of connection, while powerful, is not always enough to combat the rising tide of antisemitism and division that threatens Jewish communities worldwide. Pomerantz spoke candidly about his own experiences confronting hatred and bigotry, both online and in person, and the toll it has taken on his sense of security and belonging.

“Before October 7th, I believed that one could plausibly oppose Israel and not be antisemitic,” he admitted. “I think that is now becoming increasingly difficult. I am not saying there are not people out there that oppose Israel and are not antisemitic, but they are far and few between. I think that it takes a tremendous sophistication to be able to hold those two views simultaneously, and most of the loud protesters on the street do not have that sophistication.”

This idea that criticism of Israel has become increasingly intertwined with antisemitism — was a recurring theme throughout the discussion. Pomerantz and the hosts grappled with the question of how to distinguish legitimate political discourse from hate speech, and how to respond to those who use the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a pretext for attacking Jews worldwide.

“If they did [have that sophistication],” Pomerantz argued, “they would not be protesting in front of a synagogue in Philadelphia, in front of a Jewish-owned business in Poughkeepsie, in front of a Holocaust museum in D.C., in front of a Jewish hospital in Montreal. Those four institutions have nothing to do with what’s going on in Israel.”

But even as he condemned these acts of bigotry and violence, Pomerantz remained hopeful about the potential for Jews to make a positive impact on the world. He spoke with pride about the Jewish values of education, family, camaraderie, resilience, and humor, and the ways in which these values have sustained Jewish communities through centuries of adversity.

“I love that Yiddish is, you know, making a comeback,” he said with a smile. “Nothing makes me happier than when I’m watching a news program, and one of the anchors was talking about Michigan and she said, ‘There’s a lot of mishigas going on in Michigan.’ I mean, like, what more could you ask for?”

For hosts Lio and Seth, this celebration of Jewish culture and identity was a starting point for a deeper exploration of the Jewish role in the world. They challenged Pomerantz to think beyond the defensive posture that many Jews have adopted in the face of antisemitism, and to consider how Jews might proactively share their unique gifts and perspectives with humanity as a whole.

“Why is it crazy to think that this is exactly what the world needs, and this is exactly what we naturally have, and we maybe can do better?” Lio asked. “We were established as a people by Abraham, pulling people from all over, different clans back in Babylon and sitting down outside the tent, having a meal and learning how to cover everything with love. The biggest rule in our book of Torah is ‘Love your friend as yourself.’ None of the other little halachas, that’s secondary.”

This idea, that the essence of Judaism lies in its commitment to love, unity, and moral purpose, was a powerful one, and it left Pomerantz visibly moved. “You guys got me thinking,” he admitted. “I’m steeped in kind of dissecting antisemitism, and I’m always about finding the reasons, but I have not thought about the solutions as much as you guys have. And I honor you for that.”

As the conversation drew to a close, Lio offered a final reflection that seemed to encapsulate the spirit of the entire discussion. “We do need solutions,” he said, quoting the great Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, “and I just can’t wait for the conflict to end, because I think that’s when the healing begins.”

Indeed, if there is one takeaway from this powerful and thought-provoking episode of the Jew Function podcast, it is that the key to Jewish survival and flourishing in the 21st century lies not in retreating into insularity or defensiveness, but in embracing the unique role and purpose of the Jewish people in the world.

For too long, Pomerantz suggested, Jews have been content to keep their heads down and blend in, to avoid calling too much attention to their success and contributions for fear of provoking envy or resentment. “I just want to like, be, I don’t know,” he admitted. “I want to be in my cocoon, you know, especially since October 7th.”

But as Lio and Seth argued, this defensive posture is no longer sufficient, if it ever was. In a world that is increasingly interconnected and interdependent, Jews cannot afford to hide their light under a bushel. Rather, they must find ways to share their gifts and insights with all of humanity, to be a source of love, wisdom, and moral leadership in a time of great darkness and division.

“Stop saying we’re so smart. Stop saying we’re so rich. Stop saying we’re in the media. Let’s say we are,” Seth challenged. “What is missing in the world right now that maybe only Jews, us, can bring? Because we have all these assets. Let’s have this mind, don’t be shy. If it’s too good, we won’t publish this episode, but tell us anyway.”

For Pomerantz, the answer lay in the Jewish commitment to hope, purpose, and human connection. “I think for a lot of people, what’s missing is hope,” he mused. “In much of the Arab world, and in the far right and far left worlds, they are being told that hope is dashed because the Jews are taking all the success, you know, that it’s like there’s a success pie, there’s only so many slices, and the Jews are taking too many slices.”

But as the hosts pointed out, this zero-sum mentality is a recipe for disaster not just for Jews, but for all of humanity. In a world of abundance and possibility, there is no reason why the success and flourishing of one group should come at the expense of others. On the contrary, by sharing their unique gifts and perspectives, Jews have the potential to uplift and inspire all of humankind.

“Maybe humanity wants to be in our club,” Lio suggested. “For us to enter their club, but to enter their club and to bring to the world, like to be a light to the nations… We want to bring this light, we want to bring this love, we want to bring this connection to everyone.”

This, ultimately, is the great challenge and opportunity facing the Jewish people in the 21st century, to come out of the cocoon of self-preservation and defensiveness, and to embrace their role as a source of light and love in a troubled world. It is a tall order, to be sure, but one that Jews are uniquely equipped to fulfill, by virtue of their history, their values, and their indomitable spirit.

As Pomerantz put it, quoting the great Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook: “Great is my belief that all this global uproar of a time, of the shifting world in which we live in, has come essentially only for Israel. We are now called upon to carry out a great task, willingly and mindfully, to build ourselves and the entire ruined world along with us.”

May we all find the courage and the wisdom to heed that call, and to work together to build a world of greater compassion, understanding, and love. And may the Jewish people continue to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all of humanity, lighting the way forward to a brighter and more beautiful future.