I was a smart kid...I mean, in school. I would raise my hand every time the teacher asked a question. I would also participate in every discussion. I would correct the teacher when he or she misspoke or presented any factually incorrect information. To put it simply, I was an eager nerd. 

And obviously, other students didn’t like me. They resented me. I annoyed them. I often made lectures extend beyond their scheduled time. My classmates probably thought that I was showing-off. They might have been jealous of the attention that I received from the teacher. They may have been jealous of the way that I was able to focus and follow along with the lecture when their minds may have wandered off. They probably resented the fact that I did my homework, and read the assigned material, and seemingly had all the answers. They could have resented me for a variety of reasons. 

But I understood that. I understood that was my decision. You don’t get to raise your hand all the time and NOT get disliked. You don’t get to have all the answers and NOT get disliked. You don’t get to be the smart kid and NOT be resented by people to whom school doesn’t necessarily come as easily. It’s part of the gig. It’s like being tall and haven’t short people be jealous of your height - it’s one of the few drawbacks of being tall. But I get it. It doesn’t make sense for me to make a big deal out of others’ dislike for me. I could’ve kept my hand down. I could’ve pretended that I didn’t know the answer. I didn’t have to do all of the reading each night. I could’ve been a C student and possibly be better liked. It was MY decision to be an eager nerd. And I accepted the dislike, jealousy, and resentment that came with that decision. 

Which brings me to anti-Semitism. Listen Jews, we get it. You’re the smartest, most well-educated, and scientifically speaking, the most successful ethnic/religious/cultural group of people that currently exist in this world. There are an extraordinary number of Jews that are in the higher levels of the highest paying careers, be it medicine, law, finance, or other entrepreneurial enterprises. You’re kicking ass. You’re the smart kids of the world. And I’m proud of you, and happy for you. You worked hard. You taught your children how to be successful, and by golly they are. So enjoy your successes. 

But to have people resent you, be jealous of you, and downright dislike you, comes with the territory. Bill Gates wasn’t liked for a long time. Steve Jobs wasn’t very well liked. And most smart kids in class aren’t liked. Success has and always will breed resentment - it’s part of the deal. 

What I can’t support is slapping a permanent label on anyone who expresses dislike towards Jews as a group of people. It’s natural to resent the success of other groups. It’s natural to be jealous when other people have things that you would like to have. I’m not saying that we can’t overcome these feelings with deliberate understanding and introspection, but it makes complete sense. Rather than label all the people that dislike Jews, or demonise these people and compare them to Hitler, or the Nazis, how about sympathizing with them? What if Jews said, “hey, we get it...we’re successful. And we get why people resent us. We control vast amounts of the world’s financial markets, most of Hollywood, we dominate in the fields of medicine and science - we’re doing very well. Our success is likely to breed resentment, and it’s perfectly natural.” If Jews in the public eye started saying that, then we could open up a very different conversation about success, about cooperation, and about teaching others the techniques and lessons that Jews have passed down for thousands of years to build the group success that they have today. Then, people might begin to want to learn from Jews, rather than resent them. Then, people might view Jews as humble hard-working intellectuals who genuinely wish to open a dialogue about those that are less fortunate, and seek to help them achieve the same success that they themselves have. 

Let’s stop ignoring the obvious reason why people resent Jews: because they’re crushing it financially and intellectually. Instead, let’s be honest that jealousy and resentment are normal reactions to certain groups of people seemingly doing significantly better than others in important areas, and let’s discuss how to help those resentful people succeed more easily. Bridging understanding between the successful and the resentful is the best way to ensure not only harmony between Jews and other groups of people, but is also the best way to ensure the safety and longevity of the Jewish people for the future.