Now, for anti-Semitism. When Jews hear their religion or people being criticized or blamed, it is almost certain that they will start defending themselves. But rarely do these defensive efforts result in the other side changing their mind or increasing their respect for Jews. In fact, it is almost impossible to gain respect by being defensive because it is the weaker, losing position.

So now I will give you some examples of common situations. I will demonstrate how Jews commonly respond, and how they can respond better. The guiding principle here is that I will treat the other people like friends, and if they have something to say about Jews, they must have a good reason. Even if they are wrong about what they are saying, it does not make them enemies. Instead of defending myself when they make what I feel to be outrageous accusations, I will get them to defend themselves by asking - sincerely, without anger - why they believe that. I will try to understand what they are trying to tell me, and in the process, I may be able to enlighten them to the truth. And maybe I'll learn something, too, even though I might not find it pleasant.

Anti-Semite: The Jews killed Jesus! You all deserve to burn in Hell for that!
Jew: We did not kill Jesus! The Romans killed him!
Anti-Semite: But you turned him in to the Romans and demanded to have him killed!
Jew: No we didn't! That is a big lie spread by Christians to justify torturing us!
Anti-Semite: It is true. You just can't take it. You Jews will burn in hell forever for killing the Saviour.
Jew: We did not kill him! And he wasn't the Saviour!
Anti-Semite: Yes he was! And you killed him!

This, of course, leads to nowhere but endless argument and hatred. Let's try it again.

Anti-Semite: The Jews killed Jesus! You all deserve to burn in Hell for that!
Jew: You know, we may have had something to do with it.
Anti-Semite: Yes, you did. Jesus would have brought peace on Earth, but you Jews got him crucified.
Jew: Do you think I personally should burn in Hell.
Anti-Semite: Yes.
Jew: Even though Jesus died almost two thousand years before I was born?
Anti-Semite: Yes. You have a stain on your souls forever because of your ancestors. Only the fires of Hell can purify your soul.
Jew: Do you think that Jesus would want me personally to burn in Hell for what happened to him?
Anti-Semite: Why not?
Jew: Last year I saw the movie, The Passion of the Christ. Before Jesus dies, I remember him saying something like, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they are doing."
Anti-Semite: That sounds right.
Jew: Do you really think that a Jesus who loves everyone and died for our sins would want people to burn in Hell for sins committed by their ancestors thousands of years ago?
Anti-Semite: Well, maybe not. But I'm not Jesus, and it doesn't mean I have to forgive you.
Jew: You don't have to if you don't want to. I know it must be very upsetting to think that my ancestors killed your Saviour.
Anti-Semite: It sure is.
Jew: I understand. And I hope that I will never be in a position where I cause the death of an innocent person.
Anti-Semite: I'm glad to see you learned something.
Jew: And thanks for your concern about our souls.
Anti-Semite: You're welcome.

Another common stereotype about Jews is that they love money and are cheap.

Anti-Semite: All you Jews care about is money!
Jew: That is not true!
Anti-Semite: Yes it is. You Jews are such cheapskates. You greatest pleasure is counting your money.
Jew: That is a horrible stereotype! You are nothing but an anti-Semite!
Anti-Semite: It is not a stereotype. You Jews came to this country to rob the Gentiles!
Jew: That is a dirty lie! We came here to escape persecution from people just like you in other countries!
Anti-Semite: Yeah? You ran away to save your hides after people got sick of you cheating them!
Jew: Where do you get your information? That's nonsense!
Anti-Semite: No it's not! You know it's the truth and don't try to deny it!

Again, nothing but endless hostility. Now, the friendly way.

Anti-Semite: All you Jews care about is money!
Jew: You think money is the only thing we care about?
Anti-Semite: Of course!
Jew: The truth is most of us do care a lot about money. We care about other things, too.
Anti-Semite: Sure. Like cheating people.
Jew: Some Jews do cheat people. It is a great embarrassment to the rest of us.
Anti-Semite: It should be.
Jew: And it is.
Anti-Semite: And you're all so cheap.
Jew: I have to say, we do like a bargain. How about you?
Anti-Semite: Yeah! But I don't spend my life trying to find the lowest prices on everything.
Jew: By the way, do you know why God created Gentiles:
Anti-Semite: No. Why?
Jew: Someone has to pay full price!
Anti-Semite: Ha! That's a good one. You know, for a Jew, you're not so bad.
Jew: Thanks. And for an anti-Semite, you're not so bad, either!

This time we may end up being good friends.

Jews are often accused of controlling Hollywood, or the media:

Anti-Semite: The Jews control Hollywood.
Jew: No we don't!
Anti-Semite: You brainwash the whole country with liberal views that undermine the family structure.
Jew: That is not true! We do not control Hollywood. And we're not undermining the family structure!
Anti-Semite: Everyone knows you control Hollywood. Just look at all the big names: Goldwyn, Mayer, Warner Brothers, the Marx Brothers, Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand.
Jew: So there are some Jews in Hollywood. It doesn't mean Jews control Hollywood. There are lots on non- Jews in important positions. And the Jewish ones don't conspire together to push Jewish agendas.
Anti-Semite: Of course they do! Jews always stick together, and they have a program to push their left- wing ideas on everybody else.

This leads to endless arguing. Now we'll treat the Anti- Semite as a friend:

Anti-Semite: The Jews control Hollywood.
Jew: Yes, it's amazing how many Jews work in Hollywood.
Anti-Semite: Yeah, just about everyone in Hollywood is Jewish.
Jews: Maybe not all of them, but Jews certainly occupy a disproportionately high percentage of positions in Hollywood. Jews were instrumental in creating the entertainment industry right from Hollywood's early days.
Anti-Semite: Jews practically invented it!
Jews: Yes, that's true. There are even a lot of Hollywood stars you would never dream were Jewish because they changed their names.
Anti-Semite: Yeah? Like who?
Jew: Kirk Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks.
Anti-Semite: You're kidding! They're Jewish?
Jew: Yep!
Anti-Semite: Wow! So there is a Jewish conspiracy in Hollywood to deceive the world! Jew: You think there is a Jewish conspiracy in Hollywood?
Anti-Semite: Of course! Why do you think they changed their names? To fool the rest of us.
Jew: As far as I know, they did it to protect themselves. I think the movie producers were afraid the Gentile world wouldn't watch movies if it were obvious that the stars were Jewish.
Anti-Semite: Is that true?
Jew: I'm quite sure that's the reason.
Anti-Semite: Well, I think it's because of a Jewish conspiracy to control the world.
Jew: I'm a Jew, and personally, I have never been invited to be part of such a conspiracy.
Anti-Semite: Well, maybe you're not important enough.
Jew: It could be, but I don't think that's the reason.

Though the Anti-Semite is not having a major change in attitude, the interchange is a friendly conversation rather than an angry argument, and the Anti-Semite is letting himself hear some other explanations for Jewish behavior rather than the purely negative ones he has been harboring.

Another similar stereotype about Jews is that they control the economy. I'll keep it brief this time:

Anti-Semite: Jews control the U.S. economy.
Jew: No they don't!
Anti-Semite: Of course they do! Look at the names in finance. They're all Jewish!
Jew: No they're not. Some of them are, but not all of them!
Anti-Semite: Oh, there are a few token Gentiles, but everyone knows that money is controlled by the Jews.
Jew: That is a dirty stereotype!

Now, the friendly way:

Anti-Semite: Jews control the U.S. economy.
Jew: It is amazing how much economic power we Jews have in this country.
Anti-Semite: Yes! You have taken over, and that's why you are all so rich.
Jew: Well, I'm not rich. But the truth is that no country in the history of the world has been as good to the Jews as the United States of America.
Anti-Semite: Yes, we have been good to the Jews.
Jew: Yes, you have.

Much better, isn't it? We're friends now.

Another stereotype is that Jews have big noses. Mine is only a little bit big. Jimmy Durante - if you are old enough to remember him - had a much bigger nose than me, and he's Italian (not a Jewish one).

Anti-Semite: Why do Jews have such big noses?
Jew: We do not have big noses!
Anti-Semite: What are you talking about? Everyone knows they do! You could park a car under a Jewish nose.
Jew: Stop making fun of Jews! Our noses are no bigger than any other group's!
Anti-Semite: Who are you kidding? You can spot a Jewish nose a mile away.
Jew: I've had enough of you! You are violating my rights! I'm going to report you for hate crimes!
Anti-Semite: Go right ahead, crybaby.

We are becoming enemies this way. Let's try it again.

Anti-Semite: Why do Jews have such big noses?
Jew: You mean you don't know?
Anti-Semite: No. Why are your noses so big?
Jew: Because air is free!
Anti-Semite: Ha! That's a good one!
Jew: Thanks.

This should totally defuse the situation. He'll respect me because he'll see I can make fun of myself and my group, so nothing he can say will upset me. Humor is the best ice-breaker.

Hope you got the message!

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