Di Vilde Chayes
Di Vilde Chayes was a New York-based secular Jewish lesbian feminist collective that examined and responded to antisemitism and Middle Eastern politics. The collective spoke out against antisemitism in the lesbian and feminist movements and critiqued anti-Zionist activists.
History
The name of the organization is a Yiddish term for wild beasts. Most members were Ashkenazi. The collective held that Jewish women's liberation required the overthrow of patriarchal institutions within Jewish communities, and that it was necessary to develop Jewish feminist institutions and enterprises. The collective was founded by Melanie Kaye/Kantrowitz, Adrienne Rich, Irena Klepfisz, Evelyn Beck, Gloria Greenfield, Bernice Mennis, Nancy K. Bereano, and others. Di Vilde Chayes supported the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish state, but were critical of Israel's mistreatment of Palestinians and the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. Di Vilde Chayes rejected the claim that "Zionism is racism", aligned themselves with the Israeli Zionist left, and believed that anti-Zionism was a smokescreen for antisemitism.Di Vilde Chayes suspended its operations in 1983. Kaye/Kantrowitz and other activists continued to work in Jewish leftist circles, advocating for Palestinian solidarity and criticizing policies of the Israeli government.