Nesher
Member
Hello,
As a Mizrahi (Middle Eastern), Israeli who is very proud of his Judaism and who is very passionate about conservation and animals, I often get penalized by many in these fields for my diverse background. I wanted to post some of my stories and experiences and see those of others to understand if these are issues that I alone face or are universal.
Sadly for me, Anti-Semitism and racism are things that I'm used to receiving in all aspects of my life. While I would obviously much prefer to live in a world where I am allowed to be myself with no barriers to that, that is not something likely in my life for sure. But it was when I first came to the United States, after my service in the Israeli Armed Forces, that I realized what it was like. After going through several years of college, I had gotten a job at a local animal facility, (which will remain unnamed for obvious reasons). As a religious Jew, I wore tallit, and kippah, and wrapped tefillin every day. I was already lucky in getting the job for being visibly Jewish, as I had volunteered there before and formed connections. But after just several weeks of working there, I had two separate coworkers ask for me to be moved areas, as my appearance made them uncomfortable. Sadly they ended up moving my areas in order to keep a safe work environment for all parties, and I now worked with their camp and education sections. But even here parents and guests would come and ask me if I was safe for their kids and animals. I ended up leaving since this was not a great environment but it only started what would become a rather extensive relationship with Anti-Semitism in conservation.
I later got a job with an international conservation organization, where I mainly worked with their bird programs, and served as a resource for their divisions in the Middle East. But here I received even more hatred than I had before. One of the animals I was working with was a beautiful Mountain Gazelle. And at the time, I referred to them as Israeli Mountian Gazelles, as that is what I grew up with. I called them this at work all of the time, and was constantly told, "Of course, you would call them that." and "It's actually the Palestinian Mountain Gazelle, that's the only way to call it." I could barely even sit in my office area without people coming up and telling me "Free Palestine". I would bring in shwarma, falafel, and hummus, all food my family has made for centuries, and people would tell me I'm a thief and oppressor. And in my time here, my kippah was ripped off my head on 5 different occasions, and the Israeli flag that I had in my office was stolen and burnt. Even on Channukah my menorah was taken out of my office and slammed into the ground, breaking something that meant more to me than could have been imagined.
With the recent rise of Anti-Semitism, I wanted to be able to share my experiences, which could go on forever, and share what our community as conservationists and animal lovers can do to protect our friends and supporters from around the world. Here's a small list of what you can do to help people in your workplace whether it's conservation-based or not.
As a Mizrahi (Middle Eastern), Israeli who is very proud of his Judaism and who is very passionate about conservation and animals, I often get penalized by many in these fields for my diverse background. I wanted to post some of my stories and experiences and see those of others to understand if these are issues that I alone face or are universal.
Sadly for me, Anti-Semitism and racism are things that I'm used to receiving in all aspects of my life. While I would obviously much prefer to live in a world where I am allowed to be myself with no barriers to that, that is not something likely in my life for sure. But it was when I first came to the United States, after my service in the Israeli Armed Forces, that I realized what it was like. After going through several years of college, I had gotten a job at a local animal facility, (which will remain unnamed for obvious reasons). As a religious Jew, I wore tallit, and kippah, and wrapped tefillin every day. I was already lucky in getting the job for being visibly Jewish, as I had volunteered there before and formed connections. But after just several weeks of working there, I had two separate coworkers ask for me to be moved areas, as my appearance made them uncomfortable. Sadly they ended up moving my areas in order to keep a safe work environment for all parties, and I now worked with their camp and education sections. But even here parents and guests would come and ask me if I was safe for their kids and animals. I ended up leaving since this was not a great environment but it only started what would become a rather extensive relationship with Anti-Semitism in conservation.
I later got a job with an international conservation organization, where I mainly worked with their bird programs, and served as a resource for their divisions in the Middle East. But here I received even more hatred than I had before. One of the animals I was working with was a beautiful Mountain Gazelle. And at the time, I referred to them as Israeli Mountian Gazelles, as that is what I grew up with. I called them this at work all of the time, and was constantly told, "Of course, you would call them that." and "It's actually the Palestinian Mountain Gazelle, that's the only way to call it." I could barely even sit in my office area without people coming up and telling me "Free Palestine". I would bring in shwarma, falafel, and hummus, all food my family has made for centuries, and people would tell me I'm a thief and oppressor. And in my time here, my kippah was ripped off my head on 5 different occasions, and the Israeli flag that I had in my office was stolen and burnt. Even on Channukah my menorah was taken out of my office and slammed into the ground, breaking something that meant more to me than could have been imagined.
With the recent rise of Anti-Semitism, I wanted to be able to share my experiences, which could go on forever, and share what our community as conservationists and animal lovers can do to protect our friends and supporters from around the world. Here's a small list of what you can do to help people in your workplace whether it's conservation-based or not.
- First, understand we are a global community. Every single inch of the Earth and all of her people are included when we talk about conservation, and that includes people we don't agree with, like, or understand. As supporters of conservation, it is our role to embrace our community and support everyone as human beings.
- Then, support, defend, and point out wrongs. Many times that these vents above happened did no one do anything to support me. While it may be scary to put yourself out there like that, it is going to mean a lot to the people that you defend and protect.
- Finally, embrace them as them. They are not some token, or some charity case. They have earned their spot next to you where it may be, and as a friend and coworker, it is your responsibility to embrace them. If they open up and talk about their culture or traditions, then that means that you have earned their trust and you can now embrace them. Make them feel loved and as though you care about them, through every inch of their person.
