How to Fight Anti-Semitism

By: Bari Weiss

Narrated by: Bari Weiss

Length: 5 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The prescient former New York Times writer delivers an urgent wake-up call to all Americans exposing the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in this country - and explains what we can do to defeat it.

Winner of the National Jewish Book Award

"Stunning...Bari Weiss is heroic, fearless, brilliant and big-hearted. Most importantly, she is right." (Lisa Taddeo, number one New York Times best-selling author of Three Women)

On October 27, 2018, 11 Jews were gunned down as they prayed at their synagogue in Pittsburgh. It was the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.

For most Americans, the massacre at Tree of Life, the synagogue where Bari Weiss became a bat mitzvah, came as a total shock. But anti-Semitism is the oldest hatred, commonplace across the Middle East and on the rise for years in Europe. So that terrible morning in Pittsburgh raised a question Americans can no longer avoid: Could it happen here?

This audiobook is Weiss' answer.

Like many, Weiss long believed this country could escape the rising tide of anti-Semitism. With its promise of free speech and religion, its insistence that all people are created equal, its tolerance for difference, and its emphasis on shared ideals rather than bloodlines, America has been, even with all its flaws, a new Jerusalem for the Jewish people. But now the luckiest Jews in history are beginning to face a three-headed dragon known all too well to Jews of other times and places: the physical fear of violent assault, the moral fear of ideological vilification, and the political fear of resurgent fascism and populism.

No longer the exclusive province of the far right, the far left, and assorted religious bigots, anti-Semitism now finds a home in identity politics as well as the reaction against identity politics, in the renewal of America First isolationism and the rise of one-world socialism, and in the spread of Islamist ideas into unlikely places. A hatred that was, until recently, reliably taboo is migrating toward the mainstream, amplified by social media and a culture of conspiracy that threatens us all.

Weiss is one of our most provocative writers, and her cri de couer makes a powerful case for renewing Jewish and American values in this uncertain moment. Not just for the sake of America’s Jews, but for the sake of America.

©2019 Bari Weiss (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A timely warning against a Judaism that trembles at the knees.” (Washington Examiner)

“Bari Weiss has written what must be judged a brave book.... Weiss has delivered a praiseworthy and concise brief against modern-day anti-Semitism.” (The New York Times)

“Weiss’s book feels like one long, soul-wrenching letter, written in a charmingly accessible style by a proud American reeling from the realization that the haters are on the rise in this land we love.” (Jewish Journal)

An important book for Jews & non-Jews

Ms. Weiss does an excellent job describing the current state of antisemitism emanating from the left and right. She includes important historical information but the focus is on the here and now and how Jews and their allies can best confront this resurgent beast.

Insightful, shocking, factual, an important moment in history that has largely gone unnoticed.

Articulate but not verbose, explosive but not dogmatic, this is the most up-to-date, complete, and accurate accounting of the phenomenon to-date. Required reading for anyone interested in better understanding and combatting modern antisemitism from both the Right and the Left. Potentially jarring for those who haven’t previously researched this topic with accurate information or instruction—prepare to reevaluate some beliefs you may have mistakenly held prior to reading. Weiss’ performance in the audiobook is also excellent.

must read

though short, she covers the topic well. I found it very informative. you can hear Bari's passion in her reading.
Jews and non Jews liberals and conservatives should all read this book.

Important and ahead of it’s time!

A must read with useful and insights and a balanced and comprehensive perspective. That takes seriously the challenges but gives us tools, ideas and inspiration to make things better.

Resonated with me

Weiss covers all the bases, whether you agree with her or not. My son recommended Weiss to me and I'm glad he did: she succinctly described the history and current events that are impacting Jews. However, unlike Weiss, I'm not worried about the future of the Jews in the United States.

Inspirational

Thank you Bari. This book needs to be shared far and wide. If not now, when?

Immaculate

This book is a must read for anyone who seeks to form an opinion based on evidence and just values.

Powerful and easily accessible.

An uncomfortable, yet crucially important book that raises awareness to modern day antisemitism. Bravely calls out every form of antisemitism. Sure to irritate people on both sides of the political aisle, but sometimes hearing uncomfortable truths is not only an important part, but necessary part of life.

A must for Jews and non-Jews alike

This short listen is one of the most compelling and informative books I’ve ever purchased. It takes a deep dive into the history of antisemitism from all sides without sugarcoating or bias. It then leave you with lessons on how you can be a part of the solution.

Bark Weiss knocked this out of the park. But the book. But one for a friend. It’s worth every second you spend on it.

A big reframe for me…

It is easy to spot and denounce the atrocious hate crimes against Jews (and anyone else for that matter). It is not so easy to spot the often more subtle ways antisemitism is increasing in recent years. In fact, I’m a bit ashamed of myself to report, so many of them were ones that I missed or dismissed for years.

I cannot now. Especially in light of the recent attacks and the very public escalation of antisemitism. This book helped through thoughtful, well researched accounts of why the current systems of qualifying racism fall short for Jews — and worse yet, (if left unchecked) increase the dangers of histories circling back to atrocities of the past.

Thank you.