Der Spekter

derspekter.bigcartel.comDer Spekter 2-Year Anniversary Magazine44 pages of Bundist writing, art, and more! Union made in the USA. Shipping will start 4/24

16 Apr

Der Spekter is proud to announce pre-orders for our 2nd Anniversary issue are open! This issue has 44 full color pages of historical translations, contemporary argument, & commentary, as well as original art made just for this special union-printed publication. Pre-order yours at the link below!

sjakoo.nlHome - Het Fort van SjakooGespecialiseerd in libertaire en radicale ideeën van de eerste tot de vijfde wereld en daarbuiten … Actueel / Nieuw Laatste nieuws Evenementen

Khaveyrim, We're proud to announce that, after many months of work, Der Spekter magazines are now available for purchase in Europe! We've collaborated with the Amsterdam-based leftist bookstore Het Fort van Sjakoo on local printing and distribution.

sjakoo.nlDer Spekter 2nd Anniversary Edition (April 2026) - Het Fort van SjakooDer Spekter is a collection of Bundist perspectives, original artwork, journalism, and more. Our work reflects the three pillars of Bundism: Jewishness, socialism, and doikayt (hereness). Spekter in Yiddish has two meanings: 1. Specter (or, in other words, “ghost” or “apparition”); 2. Spectrum (or, in other words, “gamut” or “wide array”). Der Spekter is animated by the same spirit of Bundism that has haunted Zionism since their twin inceptions: we cannot ensure peace through the application of unjust violence. The only path forward is true solidarity with the oppressed, not becoming oppressors. 'Der Spekter' is editorially independent of the International Jewish Labor Bund's leadership. Our editorial board members are Bund members but do not hold any other leadership positions in the IJLB. All materials published in these pages reflect the views of the author(s) and are not official communiques of the IJLB or of its local chapters unless explicitly stated. Contents: - Artist statement by Ryan Fliegelman - Letters on zionism, part 1: The two worlds of socialism and zionism - The Bund and colonialism - Why the left should embrace jewish tradition - Plowshares into Swords: Religion, war, and jewish secularism - Letters on zionism, part 2: Socialism on occupied land - Organized labor, politics and klezmer musicians in New York until the first World War - Daniel Klahn on radical yiddish autonomy, bundism, and productive provocation - Diaspora hymn - Doikaytn in Oceania - The zionist war on yiddish Palestine

You can buy Der Spekter's 2-year anniversary magazine and Essentials of Bundism in their physical shop, as well as online. Shipping is available across Europe! Anniversary magazine: sjakoo.nl/product/der-... Essentials of bundism: sjakoo.nl/en/product/e...

Der Spekter reposted

Joel S.

@joelhs.bsky.social

"Without a baseline of agreement that each innocent life is invaluable, and thus that each loss is a tragedy and each murder a crime, we inhabit different moral codes and realities." eladnehorai.substack.com/p/a-life-is-...

eladnehorai.substack.comA Life Is a Life: Thoughts on the Anniversary of October 7thToday has become marked by debates over whose life matters more rather than mourning the loss of innocents. And that itself is a tragedy.

Der Spekter reposted

Erin Okuno

@thiserin.bsky.social

"Librarians are defenders of democracy. We’re defenders of the freedom to read. We’re protectors of patron privacy. Libraries are one of the few places in this surveillance economy that are not trying to collect and sell your data." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

nytimes.comForget the Shushing. Librarians Have a Whole Lot to Say. (Gift Article)We asked dozens of them about America’s libraries — what they provide, what they need to survive. Here’s what they told us.

derspekter.orgAcknowledgement Without Accountability: Why San Francisco Progressives Are Right to Reject Scott WienerAs some U.S. Democrats pivot on Palestine, San Francisco’s Congressional race shows why winning progressives’ trust requires more than empty gestures

Sholem aleykhem khaverim! Der Spekter is back with a mix of the poetic and the prosaic. First, a look at the upcoming US elections with a response to @jewishcurrents.bsky.social coverage of San Francisco's D on D Congressional race between @scottwiener.bsky.social and @conniechansf.bsky.social

View full thread

sjakoo.nlHome - Het Fort van SjakooGespecialiseerd in libertaire en radicale ideeën van de eerste tot de vijfde wereld en daarbuiten … Actueel / Nieuw Laatste nieuws Evenementen

Finally, Finally, we are thrilled to announce that Der Spekter magazines and Essentials of Bundism zines are officially available for shipping in Europe! The Amsterdam-based radical bookshop Het Fort van Sjakoo is carrying both publications in-store and online, with shipping available across the EU

derspekter.orgDer SpekterJournalism and original work from a Bundist perspective

As always, if you appreciate our work make sure to subscribe and please consider making a donation and pay a visit to our shop at derspekter.bigcartel.com to get a copy of our 2nd anniversary magazine and other merch

Then, author and poet Rachel Edelman shares poetic reflections, in English and Yiddish, on Jewish cemeteries – those with headstones stripped of bodies, and bodies stripped of names. This poem was featured in her debut collection of poetry, Dear Memphis (2024).

derspekter.orgEnough With The Past, Let Me Deal With the DeadA reckoning with Jewish belonging and alienation, from Poland to Tennessee.

Der Spekter reposted

elia ayoub

@ayoub.bsky.social

How the f- is any of this normal? Labour can choose to undo this immediately. Deproscribe Palestine Action. It was a disastrous decision by the Starmer admin and Burnham can undo it.

Defend Our Juries@defendourjuries.bsky.social

94-year-old Jewish human rights barrister, Margaret Owen OBE, arrested under the Terrorism Act outside @labouruk.bsky.social conference. Her crime? Holding a piece of cardboard with the words “I oppose genocide - I support Palestine Action” on it. She was among hundreds doing the same.

A DS editor will be in the audience at the 10/7/2026 Oakland show with a whole bunch of our stickers. Keep an eye out!!

Indivisible ❌👑@indivisible.org

On October 17, we’re taking to the streets again to stop the fascists’ election sabotage. Find (or organize) your No Kings event: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i...

startribune.comMinneapolis will hike gas and electric bills. Here's where that $10 million will go.Minneapolis' climate response funding will first focus on weatherizing older homes for people who can't afford it.

Always fitting

Aaron Sojourner@aaronsojourner.org

Minneapolis Mayor Frey proposes to boost police budget $21 million (+9%) and cut home weatherization (to lower housing costs, energy waste, and climate change) by $4 million (-40%). This 2023 article describes the program he wants to cut. www.startribune.com/minneapolis-...

Der Spekter reposted

Nathan Tankus

@nathantankus.bsky.social

If i were more of a hack i would compare the data center boom to soviet break-neck industrialization of the late 1920 and early 1930s

bsky.app/profile/gold...

Alex@alxlndomountain.bsky.social

The elections? Has this guy listened to the candidates or read polls?! This is the guy who's supposedly going to turn things around.

bookshop.orgWe, Traitors: Bundist Writings on Zionism, Palestine, and Socialism"I am awed by the work of archival reclamation [Tankus and Beirich] did. I can't wait till you all get to read this book." --Molly Crabapple In this collection of never-before-translated Bundist writ...

Preorder this book edited by Nathan and translated by DS editor @eyshe.bsky.social

Nathan Tankus@nathantankus.bsky.social

Preorder my edited collection with @eyshe.bsky.social since Netanyahu namechecked Hasan Piker at the UN. If we do big enough numbers, maybe we can ride our Piker appearance to Netanyahu on camera. bookshop.org/p/books/we-t...

Der Spekter reposted

Alex

@alxlndomountain.bsky.social

Replying to @alxlndomountain.bsky.social

This is where the long-held Bundist goal of "National Cultural Autonomy" comes in to play. @derspekter.org, which I help edit has discussed at length what this means www.derspekter.org/bundism-toda...

Sholem aleykhem khaveyrim! We're a bit late with the High Holidays, and we hope you had an easy fast if you observed. This week we present two pieces. First, Zach Moscze resumes his Bundism Today series with an essay on the "Jewish Street" and our what Jewish organizing means today.

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derspekter.orgDoikayt as a Doorway to MindfulnessHow can we respond with care to global events when our ability to directly make a difference may be limited? Ramsey Margolis suggests that political activists use doikayt to bring themselves back to t...

Next, we share an essay perfectly timed to this moment of reflection & recentering by Ramsey Margolis, an Aotearoa-based practitioner of secular Buddhism, who re-imagines the Bundist ethic of doikayt to help us become more mindful and grounded – and therefore more effective — activists.

derspekter.bigcartel.comDer Spekter

In his essay, Mojsze re-centers the idea of "the Jewish street" toward a contemporary politics of resistance against social alienation and destruction of historic residential neighborhoods, and toward livable, walkable cities for all.

derspekter.orgBundism Today, Part 4: Af der Yidisher GasJewish communities need to play an integral part in resisting trends of social alienation, with the bare minimum being the development of livable, walkable cities and neighbourhoods.

Der Spekter reposted

Micheeel

@micheeel.bsky.social

18 Sept

🚨 9 days with zero support. Our situation is extremely bad. Here in Gaza, asking for help is not weakness; it comes after all doors were shut in our faces. We are in urgent need of assistance to provide food and basic daily essentials for my kids. Please share 🧡 tinyurl.com/2etna36k

Der Spekter reposted

Alex

@alxlndomountain.bsky.social

18 Sept

There's a lot to like about this article but it ultimately pulls its punches and misses the mark. Lets start off noting @scottwiener.bsky.social hasn't reckoned with the consequences of his years of genocide enthusiasm as @nadiarahman.bsky.social said and continues trying to avoid the issue.

Jewish Currents@jewishcurrents.bsky.social

Despite his pivot on Gaza, “[Scott] Wiener’s critics say they’re not willing to forget the state senator’s past record.” @alexbkane.bsky.social reports for our News Desk: jewishcurrents.org/scott-wiener...

jewishcurrents.orgScott Wiener's Pivot on Gaza Isn’t Enough for the LeftIn San Francisco, a House race shows the limits of playing catch-up on Palestine.

Der Spekter reposted

Nathan Tankus

@nathantankus.bsky.social

18 Sept

So @jamellebouie.net says this down thread, but its worth emphasizing, Ron Dreher's OWN FATHER WAS IN THE KKK. www.theamericanconservative.com/a-darkness-r...

theamericanconservative.comA Darkness RevealedWhat the FBI archives showed about my dad's distant past

jamelle@jamellebouie.net

lmao

Der Spekter reposted

David Zoltan (he/they)

@wonkicorn.bsky.social

14 Sept

Sheeran didn't have "friends" hurt by Macklemore. He was under threat by Zionist billionaires. Sheeran chose making money over standing up for human rights. Shame.

Prem Thakker ツ@premthakker.bsky.social

New: Macklemore says Robert Kraft — who owns Gillette Stadium, where Macklemore & Ed Sheeran were to perform later this month — called Sheeran. Kraft rallied other owners together behind an ultimatum for Sheeran: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you won't be allowed in our venues.

Der Spekter reposted

Christopher Mathias

@letsgomathias.bsky.social

14 Sept

NEW: @talkingpointsmemo.com can reveal GOP nominee for Florida legislature: -marched at deadly Charlottesville Nazi rally w/ white supremacist group's flag -has *many* white supremacist donors -appears to advocate lynching He is expected to win Nov. election talkingpointsmemo.com/news/florida...

talkingpointsmemo.comExclusive: He Marched With Nazis in Charlottesville. Now He’s Expected to Join the Florida Legislature.The Republican nominee for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives...

Der Spekter reposted

Rabbi Emily Cohen

@thatrabbicohen.bsky.social

14 Sept

Coffee-drinking Jews: This is your annual PSA that if you plan to fast on Yom Kippur (note that you should absolutely *not* fast unless it's mentally & physically safe for you), you should start tapering your caffeine now. Your Yom Kippur self will thank you.

Der Spekter reposted

Gabrielle A. Perry, MPH

@geauxgabrielle.blacksky.app

13 Sept

They laid off every Black woman Ive ever worked with except 2 at my job and me. And I work in private industry.

JazzReads📚🏀@jazzreads.bsky.social

700,000 Black women because this administration was mad at us.. the sadness I feel for my sisters… the rage

Der Spekter reposted

Fal Rising

@falrising.bsky.social

12 Sept

Trump today: "There’s very little happening right now in Gaza." At least 10 Palestinians were killed in Gaza over the past 48 hours, along with a pregnant woman who succumbed to her wounds after being shot by Israeli forces three days ago. His disregard for human life is despicable.

11 Sept

Shabbat shalom, buen Shabbat, a gutn Shabbos! Shanah tovah umetukah; anyada bueno, dulse, i alegre; a freylekhn nay-yor!

Sholem aleykhem khaverim Our newsletter this past week was short and centered around music. First, this past Saturday Der Spekter joined DJ Chaia at the @audium.bsky.social for her sold out shows with Arshia Fatima. We were glad to meet supporters, make new friends, & build diasporic community.

derspekter.orgA Daloy Politsey Against ICEIf my Jewish grandparents were detained by ICE today, they’d be portrayed as poor people with too many kids who don’t “deserve” to be here.

We also celebrate the release of RoseAnn Fino's take on "Daloy Politsey" off her forthcoming album, "Up In Smoke." RoseAnn writes about the inspiration for this rendition of the Bundist classic, adapted for our current moment as a powerful rebuke against ICE.

Isaac (proud small hat wearer) Gantwerk Mayer

RoseAnn's album will be released on Bandcamp on October 23rd but you can listen to the song at the link in her essay above.

Der Spekter reposted

@isaacgantwerkmayer.bsky.social

The President of the United States has made a post celebrating a Nazi victory. The President of the United States has made a post celebrating a Nazi victory. The President of the United States has made a post celebrating a Nazi victory. The President of the United States has made a post celebrating

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Trump: “Wow! The Populist Party in Germany just had a really big night. They finally got tired of the absolutely horrible Immigration rules and regulations which have hurt Germany so badly. THEY ARE ON THE RISE, and not going to take it anymore! MGGA!!! President DJT”

derspekter.orgDoikayt in the Desi DiasporaApril 25, 2023, was a typical spring Tuesday outside the California State Capitol: thermostats across Sacramento climbing well into the eighties by noon, harried staffers’ and lobbyists’ hair and make...

8 Sept

Its no mystery why the US's paper of record has been laundering the fascistic tendencies of Trumpism, Zionism, and now Hindutva

Der Spekter@derspekter.org

A few years ago @uhshanti.bsky.social wrote this great piece for us titled "Doikayt in the Desi Diaspora" about the parallels between Hindutva and Zionism and how Desi organizers are pushing back by way of socialist universalism. Love seeing it remain relevant.

(because they agree)

Apparently this is the @wsj.com but the point still stands

Der Spekter reposted

👁️🍄🪸

@bloomfilters.plus

8 Sept

anglofascism (of which trumpism is a form), zionism, hindutva, & terfism all share extremely similar characteristics that are incredibly appealing to "centrist media"

Der Spekter@derspekter.org

Its no mystery why the US's paper of record has been laundering the fascistic tendencies of Trumpism, Zionism, and now Hindutva

@whysharksmatter.bsky.social

4 Sept

Make sure to check out Elia's podcast with @nathantankus.bsky.social & Der Spekter editor @eyshe.bsky.social

elia ayoub@ayoub.bsky.social

Both @eyshe.bsky.social and @nathantankus.bsky.social will be on @thefirethesetimes.com soon to talk about this impressive book. For early access, be one of the cool kids and join patreon.com/thefirethese...

Der Spekter reposted

elia ayoub

@ayoub.bsky.social

3 Sept

I know this fella! My two pieces (so far) for @derspekter.org The Zionist War on Yiddish in Palestine www.derspekter.org/the-zionist-... German Catechism Versus Memory Culture www.derspekter.org/german-catec...

Der Spekter reposted

elia ayoub

@ayoub.bsky.social

3 Sept

Replying to @ayoub.bsky.social

You can support my work on Patreon (patreon.com/thefirethesetimes), Substack (hauntologies.net) or through ko-fi.com/eliaayoub

Der Spekter reposted

David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈

27 Aug

Greetings, non-Jews in academia! As we start another semester, here's your regularly scheduled reminder that the Jewish High Holy Days are coming up. If you wouldn't schedule an important meeting or exam on Christmas or Easter, don't schedule one on Rosh Hashana or Yom Kippur.

@col-do-ma-ma-daqua.bsky.social

26 Aug

jewish antizionists have been making the same argument for more than 100 years

This post is unavailable.

Der Spekter reposted

Unperson

23 Aug

> To put it differently, German redemption requires the genocide of Palestinians. @ayoub.bsky.social simplifies the equation factoring Israel and "post-nazi" Germany. In their so-called defeat, the nazis hit all of their ideological goals, because they were so aligned with those of polite society.

Der Spekter@derspekter.org

Now on to the main event. This week we have two complementary essays that address the question of memory and its mobilization for political ends. First, repeat contributor and host of The Fire These Times podcast @ayoub.bsky.social looks at German memory culture and ongoing scapegoating of the Other

derspekter.orgGerman Catechism Versus Memory CultureGermany’s scapegoating of the racialised Other is the end result of the absence of a critical memory culture that seeks to confront the past in all its ugliness.