Abe Silberstein
@abesilbe.bsky.social
Ph.D. Student in History and Jewish Studies at New York University. Interested in modern political history, labor, migration, diaspora, and religion.
Pinned
Abe Silberstein
@abesilbe.bsky.social
· Aug 19
After a long and productive break, I think I am ready to use social media in moderation again. Or until I delete again. Anyway, here goes.
Why would the Democratic governor of New York object to a video that could've been scripted by the ACLU?
December 9, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Why would the Democratic governor of New York object to a video that could've been scripted by the ACLU?
This is only a short clip, but I have no issue with the President of Israel complaining about Mamdani's "contempt for...Israel" (whatever that means). As long as he doesn't baselessly assert that the Mayor-elect is hostile to Jewish New Yorkers and further fan the flames of fear.
Two things that come to mind as I see this
1) Important to remember that Zohran Mamdani's relatively conciliatory approach to the issue of Palestine and his joy-based attitude does not actually stem any of the criticism.
2) It's doubtful that anyone in Democratic leadership comes to his defense
1) Important to remember that Zohran Mamdani's relatively conciliatory approach to the issue of Palestine and his joy-based attitude does not actually stem any of the criticism.
2) It's doubtful that anyone in Democratic leadership comes to his defense
December 8, 2025 at 3:34 AM
This is only a short clip, but I have no issue with the President of Israel complaining about Mamdani's "contempt for...Israel" (whatever that means). As long as he doesn't baselessly assert that the Mayor-elect is hostile to Jewish New Yorkers and further fan the flames of fear.
Reposted by Abe Silberstein
Remember, when anyone asks some version of “but where are the leaders? who could lead a proper movement or government?” Whether it be Iran or Palestine or any other repressive or authoritarian regime, the answer is almost always, “in prison.”
Marwan Barghouti's lawyer Ben Marmarelli: there are reports that Barghouti was badly assaulted in prison, they "broke his ribs, teeth, fingers and cut part of his ear". Israeli Prison Service refused to comment or let the lawyer meet with him.
December 7, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Remember, when anyone asks some version of “but where are the leaders? who could lead a proper movement or government?” Whether it be Iran or Palestine or any other repressive or authoritarian regime, the answer is almost always, “in prison.”
First read when the semester ends.
December 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
First read when the semester ends.
I will be presenting on Monday, December 15 at 3:15pm. The panel is titled, "Revisiting the Crisis of Jewish Liberalism in Postwar America." I'm presenting alongside William Pimlott, and Molly Schiffer, with discussant Lila Corwin Berman.
The title is a memorial tribute to the late Michael Staub.
The title is a memorial tribute to the late Michael Staub.
Any followers who will be at AJS in 10 days?
December 6, 2025 at 3:28 AM
I will be presenting on Monday, December 15 at 3:15pm. The panel is titled, "Revisiting the Crisis of Jewish Liberalism in Postwar America." I'm presenting alongside William Pimlott, and Molly Schiffer, with discussant Lila Corwin Berman.
The title is a memorial tribute to the late Michael Staub.
The title is a memorial tribute to the late Michael Staub.
I was walking with my brother in an area of Brooklyn that's become heavily Muslim in recent years. There was a masjid in a corner house overflowing with congregants who had to double-park. It made us smile. It was just like the shtiebels we grew up around. God, I love Brooklyn.
Shame on Rep. Fine. This is racism against Muslims, and the fact that it's coming from a sitting member of Congress is reprehensible.
December 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
I was walking with my brother in an area of Brooklyn that's become heavily Muslim in recent years. There was a masjid in a corner house overflowing with congregants who had to double-park. It made us smile. It was just like the shtiebels we grew up around. God, I love Brooklyn.
I'm hoping against hope that the news of the passing of Asad Haider is not true. He was among the most young gifted political theorists on the left today and his voice will be greatly missed.
December 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
I'm hoping against hope that the news of the passing of Asad Haider is not true. He was among the most young gifted political theorists on the left today and his voice will be greatly missed.
The bedrock assumption of much political discourse on immigration, that the United States is an unwilling 'receiving nation' of migrant labor from Mexico and Latin America, is historically laughable. Yet it endures.
Immigrant Workers Didn't Invade the U.S. They Were Recruited
As aggressively as the U.S. pursues immigrant enforcement, it has also invited and recruited immigrant workers.
time.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:45 AM
The bedrock assumption of much political discourse on immigration, that the United States is an unwilling 'receiving nation' of migrant labor from Mexico and Latin America, is historically laughable. Yet it endures.
Any followers who will be at AJS in 10 days?
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Any followers who will be at AJS in 10 days?
I think it's only fair for those who shared Gideon Lewis-Kraus's harsh review to also post this more generous assessment of Sven Becker's latest tome by Nelson Lichtenstein, a leading scholar of labor.
Sven Beckert’s Chronicle of Capitalism’s Long Rise
Capitalism is a global economic system, so a proper chronicle of its rise to dominance has to examine the entire world, as historian Sven Beckert does in his massive new book, Capitalism: A Global His...
jacobin.com
December 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
I think it's only fair for those who shared Gideon Lewis-Kraus's harsh review to also post this more generous assessment of Sven Becker's latest tome by Nelson Lichtenstein, a leading scholar of labor.
My theory is that regardless of its origins it's now mimetic. More broadly, both Clinton and Hurwitz are telling their audiences what they want to hear: Your children not being pro-Israel has nothing to do with Israel's conduct or actions—so there is no need to reevaluate your views on Israel.
First Van Jones, then Sarah Hurwitz, now Hillary Clinton with these talking points about social media and carnage in Palestine …
It’s clear the talking points are being distributed.
By whom????
It’s clear the talking points are being distributed.
By whom????
December 3, 2025 at 12:09 AM
My theory is that regardless of its origins it's now mimetic. More broadly, both Clinton and Hurwitz are telling their audiences what they want to hear: Your children not being pro-Israel has nothing to do with Israel's conduct or actions—so there is no need to reevaluate your views on Israel.
I am far from a national booster, but I genuinely do not believe this sort of gutter racism is popular. It disgusts the median American, and not just out of social pressure. Most people in the country are not as cruel and hateful as Trump, Kristi Noem, and Stephen Miller.
Trump on Minnesota's Somali community: "They contribute nothing. I don't want them in our country, I'll be honest with you."
December 2, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I am far from a national booster, but I genuinely do not believe this sort of gutter racism is popular. It disgusts the median American, and not just out of social pressure. Most people in the country are not as cruel and hateful as Trump, Kristi Noem, and Stephen Miller.
Your mind on 36% approval rating.
December 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Your mind on 36% approval rating.
Reposted by Abe Silberstein
in this specific respect AfD is to the left of the GOP, which probably says something about multiparty parliamentary politics and political discipline
Far-right Alternative for Germany co-leader Tino Chrupalla said his party will expel a member accused of delivering a speech in an Adolf Hitler-like manner at a party meeting last weekend.
🔗 politi.co/4oF83Rm
🔗 politi.co/4oF83Rm
December 2, 2025 at 11:52 AM
in this specific respect AfD is to the left of the GOP, which probably says something about multiparty parliamentary politics and political discipline
Reposted by Abe Silberstein
conservatives basically want to implement the caricature of affirmative action for conservative students. acceptance without meeting qualifications, good grades and degrees without having to do the work.
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
December 1, 2025 at 1:29 AM
conservatives basically want to implement the caricature of affirmative action for conservative students. acceptance without meeting qualifications, good grades and degrees without having to do the work.
One reason for grade inflation outside elite universities is that you don't get put on administrative leave for giving a B to sub-mediocre work such as that "essay."
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
November 30, 2025 at 9:14 PM
One reason for grade inflation outside elite universities is that you don't get put on administrative leave for giving a B to sub-mediocre work such as that "essay."
If only there were a well-endowed organization committed to fighting this sort of bigotry on behalf of the American Jewish community.
This image and message from the Department of Labor both warps American history and defines the nation in an exclusionary way, one that is historically hostile to Jews and should concern and anger all Americans.
November 30, 2025 at 9:07 PM
If only there were a well-endowed organization committed to fighting this sort of bigotry on behalf of the American Jewish community.
Discussion posts in the last two weeks of the semester...let's just not?
November 30, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Discussion posts in the last two weeks of the semester...let's just not?
"Evidence: Because the Bible tells me so" is such a George W. Bush era anti-egghead story that one is tempted to think the Republican Party is healing.
Turning Point at OU posted this girl's essay in full and man is it rough
November 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"Evidence: Because the Bible tells me so" is such a George W. Bush era anti-egghead story that one is tempted to think the Republican Party is healing.
Randi Weingarten: "By demonizing teachers’ unions rather than engaging with us, Jewish organizational leadership is supporting those who seek to undermine public education."
Jewish leaders must work with educators to battle antisemitism — not demonize us
Jewish leaders demonized educators at a recent conference. But battling antisemitism requires partnership.
forward.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Randi Weingarten: "By demonizing teachers’ unions rather than engaging with us, Jewish organizational leadership is supporting those who seek to undermine public education."
Keir Starmer's ban on Palestine Action must be one of the most self-destructive decisions taken by a supposedly center-left government in recent years. It bought them precisely zero good will from pro-Israelists when they recognized Palestine at the UN and has outraged liberals and progressives.
Sally Rooney books may be withdrawn from UK sale over Palestine Action ban, court told
Rooney has said she intended to use royalties from her work "to go on supporting Palestine Action."
www.bbc.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Keir Starmer's ban on Palestine Action must be one of the most self-destructive decisions taken by a supposedly center-left government in recent years. It bought them precisely zero good will from pro-Israelists when they recognized Palestine at the UN and has outraged liberals and progressives.
If anyone here is at the University of Idaho and can help, please let me know.
November 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM
If anyone here is at the University of Idaho and can help, please let me know.
This is such a tiresome journalistic ritual. With very few exceptions, political appointees depart from an outgoing administration. This includes transitions between elected officials from the same party. They are not civil servants.
In City Hall Housecleaning, Mamdani Asks 179 Adams Staff Members to Quit
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:11 PM
This is such a tiresome journalistic ritual. With very few exceptions, political appointees depart from an outgoing administration. This includes transitions between elected officials from the same party. They are not civil servants.
"With his nuanced response, Mamdani is showing that he is trying to represent that city. He is not offering reassurance to one side by abandoning the other; instead, he is straining to hold multiple truths at once."
What does Mamdani's response to synagogue protests mean for Jews? No one will like the answer.
Zohran Mamdani's response to a protest outside Park East synagogue satisfied no one. But it might speak to a crucial truth about Jewish life.
forward.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:32 PM
"With his nuanced response, Mamdani is showing that he is trying to represent that city. He is not offering reassurance to one side by abandoning the other; instead, he is straining to hold multiple truths at once."
A strange headline for a story that contradicts it. Beinart has never supported the academic boycott. When he started boycotting settlements, I think he may have even cheekily called it "Zionist BDS."
Pro-Boycott writer Peter Beinart faces BDS backlash over Tel Aviv University event
Despite Saying He Supports 'Many Forms' of Boycott Against Israel, Beinart Defended His Decision to Speak at the Event, Emphasizing the Importance of Engaging With Israelis. He Previously Criticized B...
www.haaretz.com
November 25, 2025 at 7:18 PM
A strange headline for a story that contradicts it. Beinart has never supported the academic boycott. When he started boycotting settlements, I think he may have even cheekily called it "Zionist BDS."