Ben M. Freeman’s groundbreaking “Jewish Pride” trilogy represents a revolutionary approach to Jewish identity, history, and resilience in the face of antisemitism. As the founder of the Jewish Pride movement, Freeman has created a transformative framework that empowers Jews to define their own identities through Jewish experience, history, and values. While written primarily for Jewish readers, these essential works offer the non-Jewish allies valuable insights into combating antisemitism, understanding Jewish diversity, and recognizing the historical complexities that shape Jewish experience—making them powerful educational tools for anyone committed to building a more inclusive society.

Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People (2021)

The first installment of the trilogy introduces readers to Freeman’s core philosophy, inspired by his experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. Just as LGBTQ+ individuals found empowerment through pride, Freeman advocates for Jews to reject the shame imposed by antisemitism and reclaim their authentic identity.

Freeman explores antisemitism as a societal problem deeply embedded in Western culture, examining its historical development and modern manifestations across the political spectrum. He challenges misconceptions about Jewish identity, arguing that Jews represent more than simply a religious or racial group—they are an ethnic nation with thousands of years of history and shared DNA.

In a powerful conclusion to this first volume, Freeman presents interviews with seven Jews from remarkably diverse backgrounds, showcasing the true breadth of Jewish identity. These compelling portraits include a non-religious Ashkenazi woman, a gay Mizrahi (Middle Eastern origin) man, an Ethiopian Jew, a part-Sephardic man from Central America, a Black American orthodox woman with matrilineal Jewish heritage, a trans man living in Australia, and a Chinese-American patrilineal Jew living in Israel. Through these stories, Freeman illustrates that Jewish identity transcends simplistic categorizations and that the best response to antisemitism is living proudly as Jews in all their diversity.

Reclaiming Our Story: The Pursuit of Jewish Pride (2022)

Building on the foundation of the first book, Freeman delves deeper into the psychological impact of antisemitism, examining how centuries of discrimination have led many Jews to internalize negative perceptions. This groundbreaking work guides both Jewish and non-Jewish readers through the long history of internalized anti-Jewishness and Jew-hatered.

With compassion and clarity, Freeman empowers Jewish readers to look inward without shame, identify their experiences with internalized antisemitism, and begin the journey from prejudice to pride by reclaiming their unique Jewish narratives.

The Jews: An Indigenous People (2025)

The culminating volume of the trilogy takes readers on a 3,000-year journey through Jewish history, exploring the origins of Jewish expression and their modern-day significance. Freeman masterfully integrates anthropology, archaeology, and globally recognized criteria for indigeneity to present an undeniable truth: Jews are indigenous to Israel.

This powerful conclusion to the trilogy boldly reclaims the Jewish narrative, affirming the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and their ancestral homeland while challenging contemporary discourse that seeks to delegitimize this relationship.

Together, these three works form a comprehensive framework for understanding Jewish identity, confronting antisemitism, and embracing Jewish pride. Freeman doesn’t present a simplistic seven-point plan for fighting antisemitism; instead, he argues that “the best revenge is living well”—by embracing Jewish pride and authenticity in all its forms.

Freeman’s trilogy doesn’t just document the challenges faced by Jewish communities—it offers a path forward through education, empowerment, and the celebration of Jewish diversity and resilience. For Jews and allies alike, these books provide essential insights into reclaiming narrative power and building a future where Jewish identity is defined by Jews themselves, not by the misconceptions or prejudices of others.

ABOUT the AUTHOR

Ben M. Freeman, founder of the modern Jewish Pride movement, is a leader, public intellectual, and educator. He is the author of the seminal Jewish Pride Trilogy celebrated at the JIAAC conference on May 18^th, 2025.

Focusing on Jewish identity and the historical and contemporary challenges of Jew-hatred, Ben M. Freeman’s initiatives educate, inspire, and empower. As a Holocaust scholar for over fifteen years, he gained prominence during the Corbyn Labour Jew-hate crisis in the UK, quickly establishing himself as one of his generation’s leading Jewish thinkers. Ben was voted number 8 on the inaugural 25 Young ViZionaries list by The Jerusalem Post and JNF-USA. Additionally, he serves as a Jewish Diplomat for the World Jewish Congress, a Research Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism Policy, and a columnist for The Jerusalem Post.

ABOUT the HOST ORGANIZATION

The Jewish Identity and Antisemitism Collective (JIAAC) brings together psychologists, social workers, academics, and mental health professionals dedicated to understanding and addressing antisemitism in our communities and campuses. Born as a grassroots response to the growing ostracization of individuals for their Jewish identity and beliefs, we serve both Jewish and non-Jewish communities through education and support.

JIAAC’s mission focuses on:
– Educating about Jewish Identity and Israel’s ongoing story
– Providing reliable, fact-based information on the Jewish experience
– Building group connections and community resilience
– Creating resources for understanding and combating antisemitism