Kulanu – A Hebrew word meaning “all of us”
ADL has released a new webinar recording titled “Fighting Hate From Home.” It is an informative discussion of the alarming antisemitism and hate on college and university campuses across the country and how we can support Jewish college students. Click here to view the recording.
We are dealing today with a tsunami of anti-Jewish hate and antisemitism. 2022 was the worst year of recorded antisemitic acts since 1970. And after October 7, there has been a 400% increase in harassment, violence, and vandalism against the Jewish people.
To combat antisemitism, we must stand together against hate. Our unity matters. We must form strong alliances so we can understand our challenges and how our Jewish community can help. Unfortunately, many don’t engage in conversation because they do not know the present-day true facts about antisemitism and the Hamas Israel war. There is a lack of understanding and knowledge among Jews themselves as well as within the interfaith community.
That’s why Temple Beth El, along with over a hundred other synagogues across the country, has joined the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL)* Kulanu initiative and formed a Kulanu committee to focus on combatting antisemitism through advocacy, community engagement, and education. Leading the committee are co-chairs Marilyn Sofer and Mike Handel. They can be reached at kulanu@tbe.org.
As a starter, the Kulanu Committee has put together the following information for college students and parents of college and school-age children to use as a quick educational reference.
- Antisemitism information links
- https://antisemitism.adl.org/
- https://www.adl.org/resources/report/audit-antisemitic-incidents-2022</li>
- https://www.ajc.org/news/four-big-lies-driving-the-alarming-surge-in-antisemitism
- Israel Hamas War information links
- https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/hamas
- https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/gaza-strip
- https://www.ajc.org/responding-to-false-claims-about-israel
- https://www.ajc.org/news/tough-questions-about-gaza-answered
- https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/adl-debunk-myths-and-false-narratives-about-israel-hamas-war
- https://www.adl.org/resources/tools-and-strategies/10-ways-have-conscientious-conversations-israeli-palestinian
- For Parents: Tough questions on Hamas attack on Israel; Suggestions for speaking about social media with your children
- https://www.adl.org/resources/tools-and-strategies/october-7-hamas-attack-israel
- https://www.ajc.org/tough-questions-on-the-hamas-attack-on-israel-parenting-high-schoolers
- https://www.ajc.org/news/suggestions-for-speaking-about-social-media-with-your-students
- For College Students: In an effort to protect the safety, wellbeing and civil rights of Jewish students, ADL announced the launch of the Not On My Campus campaign to demand that U.S. colleges and universities commit to No Tolerance for Antisemitism
- The new Not On My Campus HUB, (https://notoleranceforantisemitism.adl.org/) provides online tools and resources for students, parents and alumni, empowering them to bring about lasting change by demanding action from college leadership, and building the collective action necessary to hold schools accountable for their lamentable inaction. This ADL-prepared toolkit assists you in preparing for and responding to incidents of antisemitism.
- Contacts for college students while on campus: Parents, Hillel, Chabad, ADL (Anti-Defamation League), AJC (American Jewish Congress), dean of your school, a teacher who you trust, and guidance counselors.
- To report an antisemitic incident:
- Use this link https://www.adl.org/report-incident to report an incident to ADL
- Text “CALLhelp” to 51555 to have a lawyer review campus-based incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence.
- Call 911 immediately if ever one feels for their safety or that of others.
Congregants may also be interested in the following material from Lisa Fliegel, a Boston-based trauma therapist who has been in Israel dealing with the suvivors of the October 7 Hamas massacres. Lisa recently spoke at TBE.
* ADL’s mission for the past century has been “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact.
