Navigating Identity and Resistance: The Role of Jewish Professors in a Shifting Landscape of Freedom and Technology

Navigating Jewish Identity in Times of Authoritarianism and Technological Change

The Role of Jewish Scholars in Challenging Oppression

What does it mean to think, act, and work as a Jewish professor when freedoms are under siege and authoritarian power looms? For many of us in academia, the pressing need to confront these challenges intertwines deeply with our Jewish identities. As communication scholars, we have explored these questions by leaning into the rich intellectual legacy of our culture.

The Alarm Bells of Authoritarianism

Recent events—such as the EEOC’s inquiry directed toward Jewish faculty at Barnard College—highlight the uncomfortable intersection of identity and state power. This text message campaign, which sought to catalog Jewish professors and their experiences with antisemitism, raises unsettling questions. Was the very act of gathering such data a form of harassment, overlooked by its senders? As Jewish educators, we reject the notion that our responsibilities lie in silencing dissent or marginalizing voices protesting injustices, whether in Gaza or elsewhere.

We occupy a complex position—both privileged and marginalized within the university and broader society. This duality heightens our awareness of how quickly tolerance can shift into repression. We recognize the fragility of our circumstances, especially when data collection can fuel authoritarian agendas.

The Perils of Data Reductionism

In our work, we are particularly critical of how data about Jewish identities are captured, stored, and used. The EEOC’s inquiry risks oversimplifying the rich complexities of Jewish life into a series of abstract data points, neglecting the layered histories and experiences of individuals.

Our research on generative AI reveals its failure to engage meaningfully with Jewish cultural expression. For example, outputs from AI chatbots often misappropriate Jewish humor, relying on stereotypes rather than reflecting lived experiences. Moreover, these platforms represent Jewish identities using oversimplified and often reductive signifiers, which misinterpret our multifaceted selves.

Embracing Yiddish Wisdom: Kibbitzing and Futzing

To confront the challenges posed by both authoritarianism and technological encroachment, we draw on two critical strategies from our Ashkenazi Jewish heritage: kibbitzing and futzing.

Kibbitzing engages the art of lively, informal discussion—a blend of joking, arguing, and idea exchange. It’s an approach that values complex thinking and the unpredictability of human interaction. Unlike the linear, scripted responses of AI, kibbitzing allows for contradiction and humor, generating a deeper understanding through collective engagement.

Futzing, on the other hand, embodies the spirit of unstructured experimentation. This approach resonates with our historical role as outsiders, fostering resilience and creativity. By exploring generative AI through futzing, we engaged in hands-on play without the pressure of finding immediate solutions. This initial exploration revealed patterns and contradictions that might have remained hidden in a more rigid framework.

Futz First, Then Kibbitz

Our collaborative process began with individual futzing, which later evolved into collective kibbitzing. This method paved the way for meaningful engagement with the problems we faced. Futzing led us to surprising insights, while kibbitzing allowed us to weave those insights into broader narratives.

By embracing our cultural practices, we can foster inclusive and anti-oppressive epistemologies that reflect the complexities of our political landscape. Jewish identity, like all identities, is fluid, and our North American Ashkenazi perspective is just one facet of a broader mosaic.

Strength in Uncertainty

Rather than viewing the complexities of Jewish identity as burdens, we can see them as strengths that bind us together. This perspective offers resilience and joy even amidst hardship. Ironically, as we delve deeper into our own cultural roots, we may find common ground with other cultures, fostering a sense of collective safety and understanding that stats from the EEOC cannot provide.

Conclusion

In times of uncertainty and oppression, Jewish scholars must harness the wisdom of our past to navigate the present. By embracing dialogue and experimentation, we can confront threats to human freedoms and contribute meaningfully to the discourse around identity and technology. In doing so, we not only honor our heritage but also carve out pathways toward a more inclusive future for all.