If They're Attacking Me, I Must Be Doing *Something* Right

Sometimes, we learn the most about our impact by seeing who critiques us. That was the case for me yesterday when I learned that a local extremist group, Cincinnati Socialists, opted to target me in a lengthy series of posts.

A group like them sharing such diatribes will not elicit from me anything remotely akin to a point-by-point critique.* Instead, I will simply say the following:

I have reached out to Cincinnati Socialists in the past and offered to speak directly with them, but they quickly rejected the invitation. Certainly, it seems to me, they intentionally hide their leaders’ identities to avoid the kind of public scrutiny with which they seek to target other individuals. They appear to spend most of their time behind keyboards doing little to actually address our world’s problems—without even realizing it, they leave that task to the adults in the room.

In contrast to Cincinnati Socialists, who seem most focused on sowing discord, I am occupied with doing the real work. I am comfortable with their attention, because I am comfortable letting my record and writing speak for themselves. I spend my time protecting the Jewish community, educating on issues that matter, advocating for women’s rights, supporting refugees, engaging in bridge-building, and much more. Rather than spend more time thinking about their petty messages, I will continue to engage in my pressing work.

*As the old saying goes, “the antisemite does not accuse the Jew of stealing because he thinks he stole something. He does it because he enjoys watching the Jew turn out his pockets to prove his innocence.” I won’t be “turning out my pockets” for anyone’s satisfaction today.