Bundism
Bundism is a socialist, slightly libertarian, and progressive ideology, whose main objective is cultural autonomy. The Bundist movement was a Jewish movement, which sought this autonomy, along with social equality and individual freedom. Bundism is Jewish, but not religious, it is progressive close to other Jewish ideologies. Rarely speaks Hebrew, its language is Yiddish. This article discusses Bundism from the point of view of it's original following in the turn of the century as well as the Jewish Voices for Peace
. However, it is crucial to point out that the Bundist's views and the JVP's views are not the same despite the similar overlap.
History
General Jewish Labour Bund
Bundism originated in 1897 in Vilna (modern-day Vilnius), with the founding of the General Jewish Labour Bund (GJLB) as a socialist movement advocating for Jewish workers' rights within the Russian Empire. It emerged in response to anti-Semitism, economic hardships, and the lack of representation in broader socialist movements, emphasizing "doikayt" (Yiddish for "hereness")—a commitment to Jewish life in the diaspora rather than Zionism. The Bund promoted Yiddish culture, labor organizing, and secular Jewish identity, becoming influential in Jewish communities across Eastern Europe. During the Russian Revolution, it initially allied with the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party but later broke with the Bolsheviks over issues of autonomy and centralization.
In interwar Poland, the Bund thrived, opposing both fascism and Zionism, and played a significant role in Jewish political and cultural life. During World War II, Bundists were key figures in resistance efforts, including the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, but the Holocaust devastated its base. Post-war, surviving Bundists set up networks in the US and worked to preserve Yiddish culture and socialist ideals in exile, a but the rise of Zionism and the establishment of Israel marginalized Bundist influence within the Jewish community.
Jewish Voice for Peace 
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), while not strictly a Bundist movement, is a U.S.-based grassroots organization that advocates for justice and equality in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Founded in 1996 by three UC Berkeley undergraduate students, JVP is composed of Jews and allies who work to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. The organization claims to supports human rights and equality among Jews and Palestinians. It has become the largest and most influential anti-Zionist Jewish group today.
JVP's positions, particularly its support for BDS, have been controversial. Critics, including many Jewish organizations, accuse JVP of being overly critical of Israel and aligning with groups they view as hostile to Jewish interests, as well as alienating the mainstream Jewish community in America for being "Complicit in the genocide". JVP counters by emphasizing its commitment to justice and equality and rejecting any form of bigotry. However, their sympathies towards Hamas and
Hezbollah also make then quite controversial.
People
Michael Rosen
Michael Rosen is a British children's author, poet, performer, and broadcaster. Rosen supports socialist ideals, including economic and social equality. He often critiques capitalism and systemic injustices, emphasizing the need for collective action to address societal inequities. While deeply connected to his Jewish heritage, Rosen emphasizes cultural and historical aspects over religious observance. His writing reflects a secular, humanist perspective.
Bruno Kreisky
Bruno Kreisky (1911–1990), Austria’s longest-serving Chancellor (1970–1983), was a statesman whose ideology blended social democracy with pragmatic reforms, internationalism, and a deep commitment to human rights and equality. As a leader of the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), Kreisky significantly influenced Austrian and European politics during his tenure.
Kreisky was a staunch advocate of social democracy, emphasizing a welfare state that ensured social justice and economic equality.
He implemented policies to expand access to education, healthcare, and housing, aiming to reduce societal disparities and promote upward mobility.
Personality
Bundism is Jewish, and speaks with an ethnic Ashkenazi accent, although he does not follow Judaism religiously. Although he is radical, he does not seek violence, he tries to make peaceful protests (though he fought as a partisan against the Nazis). Normally linked to labor, it always seeks freedom and equality, but its main objective is cultural autonomy.
Bundism reads mutualist theory, even though Proudhon is anti-Semitic. He has spent most his life in the Diaspora.
How to Draw
- Draw a cube.
- Fill in with red.
- Draw a yellow ring.
- Draw a black square in the ring.
- Draw in the eyes.
You're done!
Relationships
פרייַנד (Friends)
Classical Social Democracy - Labour bund moment.
Marxism - Oy dad, you have the best theory!
Luxemburgism - Our ideas are similar, and you are Yid! (tbh, stop denying our right to secede and don't blame me for sectarianism! I'm not busting the entire worker's movement.)
Austromarxism - My other father!
Anarcho-Communism - Individual freedoms, equality between peoples? Mazel tov!
Anarcha-Feminism - Female liberation is also popular liberation, Rabbi loves it!
Libertarian Socialism - He's usually me, except he's a goy.
Anti-Fascism - He helps me beat the Nazis.
Islamic Democracy &
Islamic Socialism - Finally, I've met Muslims who understand that not all Jews are Zionists and Anti-Zionism isn't Antisemitism.
Why do Some of you such as Albania and Kosovo like Israel?Black Anarchism - It means the same thing know as it did yesterday...
פרענעמיעס (Frenemies)
Mutualism - I like some of your views but wtf Proudhon stop being anti-semitic.
Marxism–Leninism - The two of us were born as reaction against
him, but you are an authoritarian and at times you don't like me.Also thank you for creating the Jewish Autonomous Oblast .
Paleoconservatism - American Nationalist and capitalist but we both hate
him.
Alt-Lite - Most of you are Zionists, but some of you such as Owens, Loupis and PJW, see Israel as a genocidal force that uses our tax money to kill innocent Palestinian civilians, but unfortunately They're making Anti-Zionism look like Antisemitism in Denial with their conspiracy theories.
Conservative Socialism - We both like socialism and hate
him, but your far too conservative for my liking.
Labour Zionism - You may be a Jewish Socialist brother, but we have no buineseses in the Holy Land! Not to mention you are the sell-out in the family.
TheKibbutzim are cool though.
Jewish Anarchism - I appreciate the Anti-Zionism, but maybe tone down the whole "No-State Solution" Crap.
Arab Socialism - We both are wondering when Capitalism and Zionism will just gey in d'rerd already! But why do you say that all Jews are closeted Zionists and deported all Jews in Egypt to Israel?
Gaddafism - Similar to the above,
and wtf is this Isratine?
שונאים (Enemies)
Nazism - YOU ARE HORRIBLE ENOUGH AS IS, BUT WHY DID YOUR
FANBOYS HAVE TO STEAL MY NAME!?
Jewish Theocracy - Secularism is the way!
National Capitalism - This is the worst.
Capitalism - Oy Vey, the origin of modern exploitation and injustice!
Kahanism - Wtf is this?
Fascism - Just die please.
Jewish-Nazism - Just because I am an Anti-Zionist Jew doesn't mean I hate myself.
Thisis based!
Zionism - You want to take us to Jerusalem so we can die as a nation, we'd rather stay in the Diaspora and fight for our liberation! I also don't like that you are an Apartheid Islamophobe who kills innocent Palestinians.
Listen up here, man. I hate Hamas too
although many of us don't, but It's actually your fault that They were founded in the first place. Unlike some other Anti-Zionists, I do get that you were here firstor at least most of us do, but I think that returning to your own homeland caused even more Antisemitism.
Jabotinsky - Your writings about Yids are probably the most disgusting and hateful things I have ever read.
Reactionaryism - The Middle Ages aren't coming back, get over it!
Nicholas II thought - !לאָמיר ניקאָלייַקעלען די יאָרעלעך פֿאַרקירצן (Lomir Nikolaykelen di yorelekh farkirtsn!/ Let’s shorten little Nikolai’s years!)
Police Statism - ...היי, היי, דאָלוי פּאָליציי (Hey-hey, daloy politsey... / Down with the police...)
Black Hundredism - !דאָלוי סאַמאָדערזשאַוויע וו׳ראָסיי... (...daloy samoderzhavye v Rosey! / ...Down with Russian autocracy!)
Khomeinism &
Jihadism - Get your bloody-ass weapons away from me, You mental illnesses!We are both against Zionism but you are anti-Semites who are against all Jews including me
some of us such as Norman Finkelstein and JVP support you.
Gallery
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Original image
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Another reference
Further Information
Wikipedia
- Bundism
- Yiddishism
- Jewish Autonomism
- Golus nationalism
- General Jewish Labour Bund
- General Jewish Labour Bund in Poland
- International Jewish Labor Bund
Videos
- ↑ https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/jewish-voice-peace-jvp
- ↑ Kreisky was notable for his allegedly apologetic approach to former Nazi party members and contemporary far-right Austrian politicians.