The 7 Deadly Myths: Antisemitism from the Time of Christ to Kanye West
Alex Ryvchin’s book reviewed by Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen
Author: Alex Ryvchin
Published by Cherry Orchard Books, Boston.
This book was published almost six months before the horrors of October 7 impacted all of us. In reading this excellent book, the reader would wonder if October 7 would have made any difference to the content- perhaps marginally.
This is Ryvchin’s third book on this topic, previously reviewed in this publication.
There has been much written in the past few years about the background of anti-Semitism. As Ryvchin notes in his introduction, “this book is less concerned with the “why” and more with the “how”. At some point, the “why” ceases to be of paramount importance in actually confronting antisemitism. Why are Jews hated? They simply are.” Ryvchin is more concerned about “how” antisemitism is transmitted from generation to generation.
Ryvchin sees the underlying premises can be “found in the conspiracy theories, the body of mythology that has clung to the Jews for millennia…..These deadly myths are nothing more than stories”. The problem is that they have led to not only the death of millions over the millennia but also the displacement and/or persecution (including denial of rights) of millions more. Ryvchin was born in Ukraine when it was still part of Russia. Just having his nationality marked as “zhid” (Jew) would have been enough to deny him rights which we take as granted as attending university or entering certain professions.
As he further notes, “While most scholars and commentators agree that the term “antisemitism” itself confuses the subject it seeks to describe, there is no consensus on a better alternative.” Perhaps the confusion is reflected in how the word should even be spelt! Even the origin of the word is less than 150 years old, having been created by the German populist and agitator Wilhelm Marr.
Some would argue that when the term “antisemitism” became politically unacceptable, it became disguised by the use of anti-Zionism, and this was the underlying theme of one of Ryvchin’s previous books, Anti-Israel Agenda: Inside the Political War on the Jewish State (2017).
The reader only has to reflect on the variety of responses to the definition of antisemitism as developed by IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance], which is an organisation of some 35 (and 9 observers) countries that adopted the following in 2016:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The definition has been introduced by many public organisations, such as local governments and universities. Some have adopted it, while many have rejected it. Most of us would feel that the above definition is one best described as ‘motherhood and apple pie’, and yet many have rejected it, usually cloaked in the guise of questioning Israel’s actions or even its very existence.
Each of the myths Ryvchin explodes would be familiar, including global domination, money, dual loyalties, and even from oppressed to oppressor.
As I read this book, I sometimes felt that the lines between the “why” and the “how” were somewhat blurred. Rather, I was looking for “what now (can/should we do)?”
One suggestion I would make is that all Jewish Day Schools in Year 12 make it required reading and perhaps even seminars on how to respond to these myths. Since October 7, we have been reading about what is happening at universities, and even some students fear attending. Each one needs to be prepared {perhaps a better term would be ‘armed’} to defend not only themselves but other Jews. When I was reaching high school, after Sunday School, each week was a session on Judo- now it would be Krav Maga- it needs to be offered (perhaps for free) throughout the community so we can respond intellectually or, as a last resort, physically.
We need to thank Alex Ryvchin for this book and for the ECAJ, under the presidency of Jillian Segal, for enabling it to come to fruition.
Rabbi Jeffrey Cohen is associated with Notre Dame Australia’s School of Medicine and St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Sydney. Previously he was associated with UNSWMedicine; University of Ballarat (now Federation University); and St. Louis University. He served as CEO of the Sydney Jewish Museum for 5 years.
