I Am a “Jew in the Middle.” What Does this Mean?
Recently, I started calling myself “A Jew in the Middle” and wrote a short 375 explanation of that title. I posted it on my private Facebook page. To my amazement, it was shared 400 times (which would translate to several thousand “likes”). I’ve never had a near-viral response like that to a private post.
This signals to me that there is a thirst for what I am expressing. I hope that Lilith readers find something that resonates in the piece, below.
-J.K.
Since Oct. 7, I have been struggling, like so many Jews, to articulate my response to the Israel/Gaza/Palestinian conflict and how to talk about it. I felt so alone in this, but it turns out, many feel as I do, yet have been afraid to speak. It’s been a struggle to find the words, but this is what it means for me:
It means I believe Israel is a country and has the right to remain so (and suggesting otherwise is ridiculous).
It means I want the bombing to stop.
It means I am against Hamas and their terrorist regime.
It means I want all hostages taken & held by Hamas to be freed.
It means I am against Hamas’s aim to annihilate all Jews.
It also means I want Palestinian civilians to be protected from bombs.
It means I am against Netanyahu’s vision to continue bombing Gaza beyond recognition.
It means I believe many, many Israelis want the bombing to stop too, but are not being heard.
It means I want Palestinian civilians to be protected from Hamas and their criminal actions, such as stealing food and aid meant for Palestinian civilians.
It means sending aid and food to Palestinian civilians, regardless.
It means I want Israel and Palestinians to find an alternate solution–one that permits Palestine to have a home of its own.
It means I recognize that Jews and Palestinians are facing generations of deep trauma and that both “sides” need repair.
It means I am an American who is horrified by rising antisemitic violence in America and worldwide.
It means I am a Jew who believes that all people deserve to live and thrive.
It means I want to feel safe saying all of these things without people insisting that I take one side or the other.
It means I believe in dialogue and uncomfortable conversations as a way to find manageable solutions.
It means I want the violence in the Middle East to stop so that people can hear what is really going on.
It means I want people to stop using and abusing terms like “Zionism” and “Colonialism,” flashing these labels like swords to threaten and injure, which shuts down any potential for productive dialogue.
It means I am struggling to find factual information about any of this as it is reported and distorted in traditional news outlets.
It means that I recognize that I am asking for the impossible–to find a way to peace–
It means I believe the impossible is possible.
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Jessica Keener is the author of two novels, a short story collection, and over a hundred features in national magazines and newspapers. Her new novel, Evening Begins the Day, is forthcoming in 2026. www.jessicakeener.com
