The Michael Bloom Nurse Case: Rise of Anti-Semitism in the US is Alarming

Michael Bloom needs to be called out for his anti-semite activities. 

The fact that he faced no consequences for his actions shows just how depraved our society has become. 

On social media, multiple posts, including from StopAntisemitism, shared a brief video in which Michael Bloom, identified as a recent graduate from Penn Nursing, can be heard angrily shouting anti-Semitic remarks. Notably, he yells:

“Curse your whole bloodline… you are scum!”

Context and Implications 

• The video suggests Bloom was ranting against “all supporters of Israel,” indicating a targeted insult toward Jewish individuals or those publicly associated with Israel.
  
• His words, especially coming from someone who could enter healthcare, raise serious concerns about whether he would be able to treat Jewish patients professionally and ethically.
  
• Although unverified, the clip implies he’s already completed his Penn Nursing training and is prepared to enter clinical settings.

Why It’s Troubling

1. Ethical Concerns in Healthcare
   
   • Healthcare professionals are bound by obligations of impartial care and respect for all patients. Antisemitic or hateful sentiments, even off-duty, can undermine trust and patient safety.
     
   • Historically, bias from providers has led to disparities in treatment and access to care. Viewing or hearing hate-filled rhetoric from a nurse is alarming for many.
     
2. Penn Nursing’s Reputation at Stake
   
   • As one of the country’s respected nursing schools, Penn must consider whether its graduates uphold its values. An off-campus incident like this can reflect poorly on the institution’s training and vetting process.
     
3. Broader Issue of Antisemitism
   
   • This incident fits into a disturbing national trend of rising antisemitism on college campuses, especially during heightened geopolitical tensions.
     
   • A recent Pew Research Center poll found 44% of Jewish college students nationally report experiencing antisemitism on campus.

What’s Being Done & What Could Happen Next

1. Institutional Responsibility

• Universities are increasingly expected to investigate hate-related comments by graduating students or alumni, especially if these individuals enter public-facing roles.
  
• Penn may review its code of conduct and may take disciplinary action or issue public statements reaffirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

2. Professional Accountability

• Upon entering healthcare, new professionals typically apply for licensure. Nursing boards may investigate “unprofessional conduct,” which could include documented hateful speech.
  
• If Bloom applies for licensure in any state, such remarks could surface during background checks or peer assessments.

3. Public Oversight & Backlash

• Social media sharing ensures transparency; if hospitals or clinics become aware of his comments, they may distance themselves or impose workplace restrictions.
  
• Jewish organizations and civil society groups may call for consequences to emphasize that hate speech has no place in caregiving professions.

Bottom Line

• Michael Bloom’s antisemitic rant reflects broader tensions on campuses, especially amid Middle East conflicts.
  
• As a nurse, such behavior, if accurate, raises serious ethical and safety concerns for patients, particularly Jewish individuals.
  
• Accountability may come from the university, licensing bodies, or future employers, but public outcry and institutional responsibility will likely shape how his career unfolds.

What Is Antisemitism?

Antisemitism refers to prejudice, hostility, or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group. It is one of the oldest and most persistent forms of hatred in human history, with roots stretching back over two millennia.

The term itself was coined in the 19th century, but the sentiment and actions associated with it have existed since ancient times. Antisemitism can manifest in social attitudes, political rhetoric, institutional policies, violence, and conspiratorial ideologies.

Forms of Antisemitism

1. Religious Antisemitism
   
   • Originated in early Christian theology, which portrayed Jews as responsible for the death of Jesus.
     
   • Fueled centuries of Christian persecution, including forced conversions, expulsions, and pogroms.
     
2. Racial/Ethnic Antisemitism
   
   • Emerged prominently in the 19th century with pseudo-scientific ideas that viewed Jews as a separate and inferior race.
     
   • Fueled by social Darwinism, this form laid the groundwork for Nazi ideology.
     
3. Political Antisemitism
   
   • Jews are often scapegoated for political, economic, or social instability.
     
   • Prominent in both far-right and far-left movements historically and today.
     
4. Economic Antisemitism
   
   • Based on stereotypes portraying Jews as greedy or manipulative financiers.
     
   • Has been used to justify exclusion from professions and industries or to incite violence.
     
5. Conspiratorial Antisemitism
   
   • Claims that Jews control governments, media, banks, or global events.
     
   • Seen in fabricated texts like The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a discredited document alleging a Jewish plot for world domination.
     
6. Modern/Anti-Zionist Antisemitism
   
   • While criticism of Israeli government policy is legitimate, antisemitism can occur when Israel is demonized, held to double standards, or when anti-Israel rhetoric targets Jews broadly.
     
   • Examples: Calling for Israel’s destruction, accusing Jews of dual loyalty, or targeting Jewish individuals or institutions for Israel’s actions.

Historical Overview

• Ancient World: Jews faced persecution under Roman rule, including the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE.
  
• Middle Ages: Jews were accused of blood libel (murdering Christian children), poisoned wells during the Black Plague, and were expelled from many European countries.
  
• 19th–20th Centuries:
  
  • Pogroms in Eastern Europe (especially in the Russian Empire).
    
  • Dreyfus Affair in France (1894), where a Jewish army officer was falsely accused of treason.
    
  • Rise of nationalist and fascist movements that scapegoated Jews.
    
• The Holocaust (1933–1945):
  
  • Under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, six million Jews were systematically murdered in genocide—the most horrific manifestation of antisemitism.

Antisemitism Today

Despite the lessons of the Holocaust, antisemitism has resurged globally:

• In the United States:
  
  • The FBI reports that Jews, who make up about 2% of the U.S. population, are consistently the target of over half of religiously motivated hate crimes.
    
  • High-profile incidents include the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.
    
• In Europe:
  
  • Countries like France and Germany have reported increasing antisemitic acts, especially around times of political unrest or conflict in the Middle East.
    
• Online and Social Media:
  
  • Antisemitic content spreads rapidly through memes, conspiracy theories, and coded language.
    
  • Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Telegram, and certain forums are frequent hubs of this rhetoric.
    
• On College Campuses:
  
  • Jewish students have reported rising hostility, especially during times of Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
    
  • Some anti-Israel activism has crossed into antisemitic speech or actions.

Combating Antisemitism

1. Education
   
   • Teaching about Jewish history, the Holocaust, and the nature of antisemitism helps reduce ignorance and bigotry.
     
2. Legislation
   
   • Many countries have hate crime laws protecting against religious or ethnic discrimination.
     
   • In 2019, the U.S. adopted the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) definition of antisemitism for federal agencies.
     
3. Community and Interfaith Initiatives
   
   • Programs that build solidarity between Jews and non-Jews help foster mutual understanding and resilience.
     
4. Monitoring and Advocacy
   
   • Organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Simon Wiesenthal Center, and StandWithUs track incidents and push for accountability.
     
   • Jewish watchdog groups document hate speech and lobby governments to take stronger action.

Why It Matters

Antisemitism isn’t just a threat to Jews—it’s often a warning sign of broader social decay. Societies where antisemitism thrives often experience greater polarization, authoritarianism, and violence. It is a barometer of how tolerant and just a society truly is.

Fighting antisemitism isn’t about silencing criticism—it’s about calling out hate when it disguises itself in political, religious, or academic language. It requires vigilance, empathy, and moral clarity.

Examples of Antisemitism  

Boulder Firebombing (June 1, 2025)

• Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, allegedly used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails on participants at a pro-Israel solidarity walk in Boulder, Colorado, shouting “End Zionist” and “Free Palestine.”
  
• He injured 16 individuals, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor, and faces 118 charges including attempted murder and federal hate crimes.

D.C. Museum Shooting (May 21, 2025)

• Elias Rodriguez opened fire outside the Capital Jewish Museum, killing two Israeli embassy staffers and shouting “Free Palestine.”
  
• The FBI is treating it as antisemitic domestic terrorism.

ISIS-Linked Plot in NYC

• Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, an alleged ISIS sympathizer, was extradited from Canada and charged with planning a mass shooting at a New York City Jewish center on Hamas’s October 7 anniversary.

Campus & Protest-Related Incidents

Columbia Assault Case

• Tarek Bazrouk, identified as a “Jew hater,” pleaded guilty to three antisemitic assaults on Jewish students at Columbia University between 2024 and 2025.

Vandalism & Threats

• The FBI & DHS issued alerts about an “elevated threat” to Jewish communities following the Boulder and D.C. attacks.
• A civil rights coalition and several state attorneys general called for stronger measures against antisemitic domestic terrorism.

Wider Trend

• The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported that antisemitic incidents in the U.S. spiked 361% in the three months following the start of the Israel–Hamas war in October 2023.
  
• In 2024 alone, the U.S. experienced a record 9,354 antisemitic incidents, with 58% connected to Israel or Zionism.

What’s Being Done

• Lawmakers passed multiple resolutions condemning antisemitism and urging enhanced security at Jewish institutions.
  
• Heads of state and civil rights groups are seeking funding to protect Jewish communities via the Nonprofit Security Grant Program.
  
• FBI & DHS continue to classify antisemitic violence—especially targeting Israel’s supporters—as potential domestic terrorism.

Summary

Antisemitic violence in the U.S. is surging—from coordinated terror plots to tragic shootings—often fueled by contemporary conflicts abroad. The wave of incidents has triggered a strong national response, including intensified security measures, federal investigations, and bipartisan policy efforts. Ongoing vigilance and support for at-risk communities remain critical.