Leap of faith: What would Esther say about the use of the Y-word?
A stimulating new series where our progressive rabbis consider how biblical figures might act when faced with 21st century issues
I imagine that, at first, Esther, the queen of diaspora Judaism, would have suggested that we hold onto our sense of humour when it comes to debating the use of the word ‘Yid’ at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. After all, the Torah says mishenichnas Adar marbin b’simchah (when Adar enters, we increase joy) (B. Ta’anit 29a).
She would have wanted us to share joy and ease with our fellow Brits, and more so our fellow football fans. But even she, I think, would be saying “enough now”.
The term ‘Yid’ has emotional and historical attachments. Spurs has been known as the ‘Jewish team’ and the football team of choice for many in our community. It has always been a place you could buy bagels at half-time. Visiting White Hart Lane was my first experience of a football match and the tuna mayo bagel was very welcome.
Perhaps there was a time when the Y-word felt cosy, familiar and affectionate. But now the club’s request to stop using the word is, for many, long overdue. Calling out language doesn’t mean that the goodwill and the history have to be lost.
I checked with hardened fans in my synagogue, including my children, who understand the shared use of the word is sometimes as an act of love and appreciation. But they also understand that it gives permission for its use in other ways, such as as race-hate, when opposing fans reference death camps.
When the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013 changed its definition of the word ‘Yid’ to include a “supporter of or player for Tottenham Hotspur”, this created concern and even alarm for many. We live in febrile times, and when the word is used (as it often is) as a term of abuse, it negates its other, more benign, employment.
I’m sure that Esther would have read David Baddiel’s excellent book, Jews Don’t Count, before inviting Haman to her private rooms. It includes the description of Chelsea fan David and his brother Ivor being unexpectedly tearful at a match as the Y-word was chanted aggressively around them. “I want them to stop,” he recalls his brother Ivor saying.
Maybe we once thought that Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and its fans could reclaim the Y-word, but it no longer feels that way. I believe that Esther would have applauded the actions of the club. Times change and so does our consciousness of words, speech and their influence.
- by Rabbi Rebecca Birk Finchley Progressive Synagogue
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
