Read Alessandra’s article here.
ELLA: Why did you choose to emphasize the specific term “JAP” or Jewish American Princess in the study?
ALESSANDRA: JAP is a really interesting slur, because it sits exactly at the intersection of sexism and antisemitism, which is what my piece is about, so integrating it felt like a no brainer. However, JAP is more of a slur against [Jewish] women than Jewish people in my experience. Survey respondent answers were very interesting; people said it was one of those words that can often be dismissed as a joke.
ELLA: You mention, in your results, that younger Jewish women viewed sexism and antisemitism as separate from each other, but the older groups viewed them as one. Why do you think different generations view this intersection of gender and religion differently?
ALESSANDRA: One theory is that older Jewish women have been around for more time, so [they’re] able to recognize patterns. [They have] been through more stages of life, so they [could be] seeing the same dynamics but in different forms. Also, younger people are on the internet more and in more exclusively Jewish spaces. There is currently a lot of antisemitism online [that isn’t necessarily sexist], which leads to more compartmentalization for young people.
ELLA: What steps can individuals take to counter and deal with microaggressions targeting Jewish women while also educating people?
ALESSANDRA: Naming the problem outright and not trying to dance around it, which lots of respondents echoed. If you don’t do that and let [harmful comments] slide as jokes, it can be really damaging. [Instead, try] explaining the history of JAP or nose jokes, giving [people] a chance to apologize and correct themselves, and then following up privately with people. Calling someone out in a group doesn’t seem right, but you can pull someone aside and set boundaries.
ELLA: In your own life, how did you become aware of this intersection between being Jewish and being a woman? Why did you feel it was important to conduct research on and write about?
ALESSANDRA: Gradually over time, JAP always felt more of a slur against women. It felt like assumptions about Jewish people landed differently than when you get told you’re too loud or have too many opinions as a girl. [I realized] that things are almost never completely separate. You are never presenting just one part of your identity. I wanted to validate that Jewish women have those experiences, and [I] hope that Jewish women feel less like they have to choose which part of their identity matters in conversation.
ELLA: You completed this study as part of Kol Koleinu, a Jewish, feminist teen fellowship focused on creating social change. The program consists of various regional cohorts with fellows who work towards a culminating change-making initiative in their local community. In what ways did the cohort experience and mentorship from Kol Koleinu influence this project?
ALESSANDRA: Mentorship was very helpful. It was great to have an older and wiser [mentor] to help me think about intersectionality and stay grounded in real experiences. She also helped me get my survey out to more women, not just of Kol Koleinu age. Being a part of Kol Koleinu and being surrounded by other Jewish female teens was really supportive and pushed me to take the project seriously.
ELLA: How has being a part of a diverse community of thinkers at Kol Koleinu changed or enhanced the way you approach thinking about identity?
ALESSANDRA: It helped me see identity as layered. Fellows have this shared identity but also experience their own relationships to their gender, race, class. It reminded me that there is no single story of the Jewish women experience, which made me ask lots of questions. I started to treat disagreements as a way of engaging with intersectionality. It helped my relationship with identity and how I approach communities that I am a part of. Overall, I learned that sharing the same identity does not mean you share the same experience.
Interested in the Kol Koleinu Teen Feminist Fellowship? Program Director Paige GoldMarche is still accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please reach out to her at pgoldmarche@movingtraditions.org to discuss next steps!
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