On Sunday, November 20, 2022, 100 local community members gathered at the Jewish Community Center for a Jewish community conversation about antisemitism. The goals of the conversation were to expand individual and communal understanding of present-day antisemitism in its various forms; to generate ideas about specific actions and/or projects that might be implemented to address antisemitism and hate; and to develop a cadre of people passionate about the issue who will champion and help implement next steps.
The brainstorming session of the program generated an impressive list of suggested actions which fell into four primary areas: building relationships and outreach beyond the Jewish community, advocacy, internal Jewish community education, and community security.
A follow up conversation on January 16 further clarified next steps for community action.
Building Relationships
The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor’s Jewish Community Relations Committee’s (JCRC) mission is – in part – to foster and build collaborative relationships with other faith, ethnic, and cultural communities and to be visible and present in the greater community during times of crisis and on vital social issues. Under the leadership of co-chairs Marla Linderman Richelew and Mira Sussman, as well as Federation’s Community Relations Manager McKenzie Katz, the JCRC will be taking an even more proactive approach in this work by mapping existing community relationships, actively joining local interfaith coalitions, ensuring Jewish presence in the commemorations and celebrations of other groups, and developing collaborative programs to develop cultural understanding and address issues of racism and hate.
The JCRC seeks participation from volunteers from all corners of our community.
Jewish Community Education
It became clear during November’s Antisemitism Conversation that there was a great interest in expanded education within the Jewish community about the issue of antisemitism itself. In addition to appreciating, recognizing and acting on the increasing diversity of “our tribe,” there is a need for programs for both adults and youth to understand antisemitic tropes, online hate speech, how to respond in the moment, and how to speak to young children about antisemitism.
A task force to identify and provide resources and training to our local Jewish community is in development. The Jewish Federation invites community members with experience and interest in program development for various ages to participate.
Those interested in engaging in the JCRC or Community Education Task Force should contact the Jewish Federation’s Community Relations Manager McKenzie Katz (mckenzie@jewishannarbor.org).
Advocacy
Several suggestions made at the Antisemitism Conversation focused on advocacy and understanding of the issue in various local spheres outside the Jewish community. Of particular interest was creating awareness or acknowledgment of the idea that antisemitism – or Jew Hatred – is an issue that requires similar responses and actions as other forms of hatred. During the follow-up conversation in January, three primary focuses for advocacy were identified: public schools, university campuses, and community. Advocacy further involves building relationships with both elected and non-elected government officials and meeting one-on-one with state and federal officials to keep this issue top-of-mind.
An Advocacy Task Force is in development. There will be three subgroups for the areas identified above. The Jewish Federation is seeking community members with an interest in and/or relevant relationships in these areas who wish to engage in this work.
Community Security
The Jewish Federation, in partnership with other local Jewish agencies, has been focused for many years on upgrading the local security infrastructure. To further develop a communal approach to this problem, Federation is embarking on a partnership with Metro Detroit’s Jewish Community Security Inc organization to hire a Community Security Coordinator. This position would lead efforts to improve security in Jewish institutions specifically in Washtenaw County. Through Jewish Federations of North America’s LiveSecure program, the greater Ann Arbor Federation will be eligible for a two-for-one funding match to support this position for the first three years. Fundraising efforts are already underway.
Those who wish to participate in the Advocacy Task Force or who would like to know more about or contribute to community security efforts should contact Eileen Freed (eileenfreed@jewishannarbor.org).
To report an antisemitic incident to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), visit Michigan.adl.org.
