Ann Coulter and Modern Anti-Semitism
Rabbi Evan Moffic
Chicago Sinai Congregation
October 19, 2007
The year 2000 was a watershed moment in American Jewish history. For the first time, a Jewish American was part of the Presidential ticket of a major party. In 2004, several of the major candidates had a Jewish heritage. John Kerry had three Jewish grandparents. Wesley Clark’s father was Jewish, and Howard Dean is married to a practicing Jewish Doctor, Judith Steinberg. Even in France, we have a Prime Minister who grandparents were Hungarian Jews. Despite these achievements and evidence of integration, anti-Semitism over the past decade, or so, has grown. Last year a gunman in Seattle broke into the Jewish Federation office and began shooting. A rabbi in New Jersey was recently beaten to near-death on the street. Much more prevalent, however, than these overt acts of violence are the more subtle examples of ignorance, misunderstanding and intolerance.
We witnessed an example of such intolerance just a few days ago. In a nationally-televised interview, the columnist and pundit Ann Coulter made some incredible comments. Asked what the ideal America would look like, she told Donny Deutsch that it would be 100 percent Christian. Deutsch, who happens to be Jewish, protested that Coulter was advocating his people's elimination. She responded that she simply hoped to see Jews "perfected" through conversion to Christianity. When Deutsch told her that her remarks were hateful, she denied it, arguing that all Christians see themselves as perfected Jews.
Ann Coulter has every right to such comments. Thank God we have freedom of speech in America. And she has every right to maintain such views. We don’t regulate religious belief in America. And as I learned recently in a discussion with Mary Minow, an attorney and expert on First Amendment issues, we don’t censors statements on religious belief in America except when they present an immanent threat. Yet, her comments can lead us to ask ourselves about the definition of anti-Semitism. Does saying that Christians are perfected Jews constitute hatred of Jews? And if we believe her comments do constitute egregious intolerance, how shall we respond? These questions not only matter this evening because they are so recent. But our Torah reading for this week is Lech Lecha, which means you shall go forth. It is the Torah reading where we meet Abraham, the first Jew. As the first Jew, Abraham was the first victim of anti-Semitism. It is an opportune time to probe its manifestations today.
Let’s begin with the question: Were Ann Coulter’s comments anti-Semitic? Our visceral answer is yes. The idea that Jews need perfecting was the basis for much persecution over the last 2000 years. The most notorious example of this was the Inquisition, which forced Jews to either convert or die. Conversion was a way of perfection. The Vatican has since rescinded this view of Jews, partially because of its abuse throughout history. Yet, Ann Coulter has not.
Coulter’s idea that America would be better were everyone Christian also smacks of hatred. It resonates with the vision of the Klu Klux Klan. It also reminds us of the government throughout history that have sought to enforce one set of beliefs on their citizens.
Yet, some thoughtful Jews have defended Coulter. Dennis Prager is a well-known Jewish author and columnist. A few days ago he wrote, “Those who label Ann Coulter an anti-Semite do damage to the battle against anti-Semitism. There is nothing in what Ann Coulter said to a Jewish interviewer on CNBC that indicates she hates Jews or wishes them ill, or does damage to the Jewish people or the Jewish state.” Wishing that all America would be full of Christians, he continues, is no worse than for a vegetarian to say that America would be better were everyone a vegetarian.
“While we might disagree completely with her theology,” Prager argues, “we need not be offended or frightened by it.”
Prager does, I think, have a compelling point. Every faith is entitled to its beliefs. It is one thing to say that we think Jews for Jesus are wrong. But it is another thing to say that they have no right to hold and propagate their point of view, or let it affect our sense of ourselves. Ann Coulter has every right to say and believe what she wishes. The critical issue is the way we respond.
The first way to respond, I think, is to use our all our resources to fight anti-Semitism with vigilance. If we don’t respond, who will? How can we respond? Well, just as people like Ann Coulter have the right to state their beliefs, so the institutions that hire and support them have the right to withdraw their support. This happened right here in Chicago at DePaul University. A professor in the political science department, Norman Finkelstein, was up for tenure. His books accused Jews of exploiting the Holocaust for material gain. They cited Holocaust deniers like David Irving. While fellow professors in his department supported his bid for tenure, Professor Alan Dershowitz led a nation-wide effort to block it. In the end, the President of DePaul decided not offer Finkelstein tenure. While not censoring or firing him, the University wisely used its power, its resources, to respond.
A second way to respond is to remind ourselves of the power of words. Even while they reflect her beliefs, Ann Coulter’s words echo classical anti-Semitic stereotypes. They can be understood to justify forced conversions. And they can fuel hatred we can’t predict. The ancient rabbis compared hateful language to acts of murder. Once such words have been said and the damage has been inflicted, they cannot be taken back. Their abuse can only intensify. Sometimes we say things that reflect stereotypes or ignorance. Coulter’s tirade can remind each of us to watch our language closely. To remember that what we say has impacts beyond our intentions. To paraphrase and slightly author the Greek playwright Euripedes: “The tongue is mightier than the sword.”
Finally, we can look at Coulter’s words and reflect on the beauty of our Jewish tradition. In addition to associating Christianity with a perfected Judaism, Coulter compared her faith with Federal Express: it provides a fast track to salvation. It is a route to perfection. In Judaism, none of us are perfect. Perfection is for God, not human beings. To say we are perfect is too lose our sense of humility. Rather, our task is to bring the world closer to perfection through the patient hard work of tikkun olam, repair of our imperfect world. And this is not only a Jewish task. This is work incumbent upon people of every faith.
Each of us can work to make the world more perfect: a place that honors our differences, that brings greater understanding, and that recognizes our common humanity. Perhaps Ann Coulter, and each of us, can benefit from the words of the Prophet Micah: “We have been told what is good, and what God requires of us: Only this: To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.”