Antisemitism Awareness Initiative (ASAI)
Antisemitism is rapidly rising in the USA, as well as other countries around the world. While prior to October 7, 2023 the rise was dramatic enough, since that tragic and horrific day antisemitism worldwide and in the U.S. has increased dramatically.
“Among all religiously motivated hate crimes, the data show that 69% targeted Jews. Jews, who account for just 2% of the U.S. population, were the second-most targeted group, with 18% of all reported hate crimes being committed against the Jewish community in 2024. This amounts to a 5.8% increase from 2023.” (Jewish Federations of North America)). Physical attacks against Jews have far exceeded those of any other religious entity in the U.S.
Antisemitism has existed throughout the ages, and at TBS we stand with our Jewish community and community-at-large to respond to hate.
Our committee acts as a resource and partner with other organizations to combat antisemitism, and provides education and awareness to the community. This includes programs on sources of antisemitism, how to combat it, training regimens, and outreach to communities beyond Temple Beth Shalom.
Our awareness of antisemitism is critical to combating it and resides in the larger context of Tikkun Olam and social justice. In Pirkei Avot 1:14, we read, “If I am not for me, who will be for me? And when I am for myself alone, what am I? And if not now, then when?”. Hillel reminds us that attending to ourselves, our safety and well-being also allows us to work on behalf of all.
To get involved or for more information, contact us at asai@tbsneedham.org.
Definition of Antisemitism
TBS has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
For further detail: https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism
ADL’s National “Kulanu” Program
Temple Beth Shalom was accepted into a third year of the national Anti-Defamation League Kulanu program, Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism.
Kulanu, Hebrew for “all of us,” is an eight-month program that runs from October to June, dedicated to empowering select congregations to address antisemitism and hate in their communities through education, community engagement, and advocacy. During the program, TBS joins a national network of congregations to build bridges of understanding across communities.
As a Kulanu synagogue, TBS learned how to have critical conversations about antisemitism and other forms of bigotry and cultivate the tools to fight them.
Lessons from the Kulanu program:
Antisemitism is enduring; goes back hundreds of years in human history
How antisemitism survives
Why it’s a conspiracy theory
What is distinct about it
Why it’s political and adaptive
Conscious or unconscious; overt or explicit
The connection of white supremacy to antisemitism
- What do we do about it
Report Antisemitic Occurrences
Any negative occurrence towards Jews, Jewishness, Zionism, Israel – micro-aggressions, slurs, historical tropes – can become larger defamatory words and actions. If you hear or witness an event, however large or small, please report it to your Antisemitism Awareness Initiative at asai@tbsneedham.org. ASAI will in turn report applicable events to the ADL (Anti-Defamation League – New England).
Resources
American Jewish Committee: “Everything You Need to Know About Antisemitism”
Shine the Light: “What You Need to Know About Antisemitism”
Boundless Israel: Click on ”Research Portal”.
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice: “Organizing Against Antisemitism”
World Jewish Congress: “Combatting Antisemitism
Combined Jewish Philanthropies 5-Point Plan to combat Jew hatred
Books on Antisemitism in the TBS Library (located in Community Court or the Beit Midrash)
ASAI Previous Webinars, Workshops, Events
Sponsored TribeTalk’s Antisemitism Workshop for Teens and Their Parents: high school students and their parents learned about the history of antisemitism, how to recognize it, and how and when to respond if they see it.
- Worked with the TBS 7th grade team to talk about the ASAI initiative with 7th grade students, what type of work we are doing in the TBS community, and outside organizations with whom we work.
- Viewed the film “Repairing the World, Selected Scenes”, a documentary about the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting In Pittsburgh. Post-viewing discussion led by Ken Shulman, President of Boston Jewish Film Festival.
- Co-sponsored talk by local author Daniel Dain, on his new work: “The History of Boston”. Daniel focused specifically on the Jewish aspects of the city’s history, including the first Jewish colonialists, the immigration of Central European Jews in the 1840’s, the establishment of the first synagogues and cemeteries, and the rise of virulent antisemitism fueled by Father Coughlin in the 1930’s.
- ASAI welcomed State Senator Becca Rausch. She spoke on combatting antisemitism, its history, statistics from ADL, AJC and Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. She stressed the importance of advocacy.
- Rabbi Jonah Pesner from RAC came to speak about social justice issues and the importance of voting in the World Zionist Congress elections. He stressed what we can do to combat antisemitism and injustice.
- A panel discussion addressing the Massachusetts Teachers Association antisemitism and their anti-Israel campaign with Rob Leikind, Director of AJC New England; TBS member Rep. Josh Tarsky; Rob Andrews, TBS member; and Brett Berkman, TBS member/ President of the Mass. Educators Against Antisemitism. Moderator was Peggy Lowenstein, AJC Board member. They spoke about issues, advocacy and how you can make a difference.
- The Connie Spear Birnbaum Memorial Lecture with Ted Deutch, CEO of AJC, focused on combatting antisemitism. Many other prominent speakers included Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll, Peggy Lowenstein, and many other dignitaries. There were 400 people in attendance.
Book discussion – Bari Weiss’ “How to Fight Antisemitism”
It’s Not Just a Jewish Issue – presentation and conversation, Rabbi Ron Fish, Interim Regional Director ADL New England
History of the Church and the Jews – James Carroll, historian, journalist and author of “Constantine’s Sword”
Congressman Jake Auchincloss – guest speaker at TBS
Antisemitism and Our Kids – A Workshop for Parents and Grandparents
Local to Global Antisemitism – a Conversation with Rob Leikind, Director of the AJC (American Jewish Committee), New England.
Shining the Light on Antisemitism — a conversation with ADL’s Robert Trestan and JCRC’s (Jewish Community Relations Council) Jeremy Burton
Book Discussion – Jonathan Greenblatt’s “It Could Happen Here – Why America is Tipping from Hate to the Unthinkable and How We Can Stop It”
Responding to Antisemitism – A brunch with CJP’s new Director for Combatting Antisemitism, Melissa Garlick.
Israel @ 75: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities – A presentation and Q&A by the Israeli Consul to Boston, Consul General of Israel to New England Meron Reuben.
Combating Antisemitism in America: National Strategy to Community Impact: a dynamic and informative talk from former White House advisor and TBS congregant Alex Pascal on the creation of the Biden administration’s “U.S. National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism”. Alex was a Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy. In this role, he co-led the development and drafting of the Administration’s national antisemitism strategy.