Old Hatreds, New Containers
“Still, I can’t help but wonder if a more naïve victim took the bait – and where that will lead them in the future. Even more worrying, masses of unwitting victims getting sucked in.”
Jacob Rothschild, a man appearing to be in his 80s and standing in front of a luxury home, sent me a chipper instant message through Facebook inviting me to join the illuminati:
“We have the power to make you rich and famous; Succeed in businesses; Win big lotteries; Become an influential leader; Become a superstar celebrity among other goodies.”
Part of me wanted to laugh. I’ve often joked with friends and family, that “if Jews control the media, why haven’t I received the memo?” But it quickly dawned on me that this is a dangerous message, and we already live in dangerous times.
The name Rothschild, of course, is widely associated with the historic banking family. But over the years it has evolved as synonymous with the idea that powerful Jewish puppet masters control 80 percent of the world’s wealth and have funded both sides of every war since the American Revolution. Like the related conspiracies surrounding George Soros, referencing the Rothschilds is a way to blame Jews without using more overtly hateful words.
The notion that a secret Jewish cabal controls the world is nothing new. Any student of Jewish history can tell you about the centuries-long impact of “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” a fraudulent work of mass-produced hate literature that influenced both Henry Ford and Hitler. The evil core of the booklet, asserting that wealthy powerful Jews control global forces behind the scenes, often rears its head back up in times of global unrest. But now, this once fringe idea is quickly penetrating the mainstream.
Case in point: Elon Musk recently agreed with a tweet that Jews are encouraging the illegal immigration of minorities, part of “The Great Replacement Theory,” that suggests Jews are fostering a genocide against white people. That’s the same sentiment offered by Robert Bowers, the Tree of Life shooter, who was convicted of murdering 11 people at the Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018.
While Bowers took this conspiracy theory to a deadly extreme, the ripple effects of these theories inflict a lingering and devastating impact on Jews everywhere. A first of its kind study, published in the British Journal of Psychology, showed that these conspiracy theories encourage the targeted group to avoid interactions with those outside the community, buoying further division.
Mike Rothschild (no relation), the author of Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories, also argued that these conspiracy theories are not only becoming mainstream, they are spreading faster than ever. In an interview, he explained:
“I'm already seeing right wing influencers pivot to being ‘pro-Palestine’ and building up their followings with left-wing posters, then start to introduce nakedly antisemitic ideas like Jews owning all the banks or the ‘Great Replacement’ Theory. There's always been an antisemitic component of some parts of the left, but it's much more noticeable now – though still nowhere near as prominent as on the right.
Back to my “Rothschild.” A quick Google search suggested that this “Rothschild” is masquerading as the same one that sits as an honorary president of The Institute for Jewish Policy Research (JPR) in the UK, an organization that collects data about Jewish life in Europe. For the uninitiated, his lie might offer quick proof that he’s the real deal.
“I can absolutely guarantee you that wasn’t him,” said Dr. Jonathan Boyd, executive director of JPR.
Boyd has also observed that the rise of conspiracy theories about Jews have become more vocal since Trump’s election in 2106 and contribute to the larger conversation about what antisemitism looks like today.
“Social media and the spread of simplistic ideas that are capturable in meme form is increasingly shaping people’s opinions. My hunch would be that as those conspiratorial ideas become more shareable and communicable through social media, the more we will see them,” said Boyd.
A few days after receiving my fraudulent “Rothschild’s” generous offer to join the illuminati, I considered replying to see what other conspiracies would follow. Alas, his profile was no longer active, and his page was deleted. Still, I can’t help but wonder if a more naïve victim took the bait – and where that will lead them in the future. Even more worrying, masses of unwitting victims getting sucked in.
Logic might suggest that in the digital world of 2024 where everything seems visible or traceable, , it would be easier to call out and fight hatred. Nowhere to hide, right?
Of course, it’s never that simple. People are always susceptible. Which is why the need for vigilance never stops when it comes to Jewish survival.
Leah Eichler is an author, essayist and publisher of Esoterica Magazine. She's currently working on a blended memoir about contemporary Jewish identity and the legacy of the Holocaust.
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