Week 44: Antisemitism Online Gathering 2023

Week 44: Antisemitism Online Gathering 2023

Tuesday, October 31 6pm Palestine

On October 31, 2023 as Prof. Santiago Slabodsky of Hofstra University joined us to discuss the persistence of antisemitism in the West, and its rise since the start of the war in Gaza.

More about our guests:

Dr. Santiago Slabodsky became chair of the Jewish Studies program at Hofstra in 2015. Before that, he was a professor at the Claremont Colleges Consortium in California. Dr. Slabodsky was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the city that hosts the largest Jewish community in Latin America and the Global South. He is committed to international education, holds degrees from multiple countries, and teaches intensive seminars in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East in his winter and summer breaks. Read more at https://www.hofstra.edu/religion/jewish-studies.html.

Urgent Action

We need to do all we can to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. This week, please direct your attention to your churches, urging them to call for an immediate ceasefire. You can send a letter, based on the following template, call them, and sign the petition yourself.

Petition: https://www.change.org/p/an-open-letter-from-palestinian-christians-to-western-church-leaders-and-theologians

Sample letter:

Dear [Church Institution/Body’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. We are writing to humbly request your institution’s support to the principles of justice, compassion, and peacemaking in the context of Palestine-Israel.

I am referring to the recent open letter issued by Palestinian Christians, which addresses the ongoing suffering in Palestine-Israel, the silence of the Western Church, and the distorted moral judgment by uncritically supporting Israel.

This letter (https://www.change.org/p/an-open-letter-from-palestinian-christians-to-western-church-leaders-and-theologians), signed by twelve Palestinian Christian organizations, voices concern about the suffering of Palestinian civilians and the ongoing Israeli systematic oppression of Palestinians. It expresses dismay at the silence of many church leaders and theologians in the face of these challenges and condemns the refusal of some Western Christians to condemn the unlawful actions of Israel against the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza.

I believe that your endorsement and distribution of this open letter could make a meaningful contribution to support the efforts to stop the suffering in the Holy Land. By supporting this initiative, you would be joining a global community of Christians who are seeking an equitable resolution to a long-standing history of violence.

We kindly request that your organization consider the following actions:

  1. Sign the Open Letter: By adding your institution’s name to the list of signatories.
  2. Distribute the Letter: Share the letter within your church community, with other church institutions, and through your communication channels. This will help raise awareness and encourage more to sign.
  3. Take Action: Facilitate platforms for Palestinian Christian voices to be shared amongst your Church network and congregation.

If you have any questions or need further information regarding the open letter or how to sign it, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

We encourage you to also share the petition and letters on social media. Use the hashtags #KumiNow, #Gaza, #Palestine, and #CeasefireNOW

Kumi Action

Opposing antisemitism needs to be a worldwide action, so start at home. Do you know where the closest synagogue or Jewish center is to your home? Have you been there? Or, conversely, have you ever brought a non-Jewish friend to your synagogue or Jewish center?

  • Make it a point this week to reach out and make these connections:
  • Visit a synagogue (or invite a visitor).
  • Attend a class, prayer, or celebration at a synagogue.
  • Have coffee with the rabbi or other leader and have an informal discussion of antisemitism in your area.
  • Share the video of this poem on social media, along with an explanation of how you are reaching out against antisemitism. 
  • Learn more about Jewish Voice for Peace and share about their work on social media. 

Encourage others to do likewise, and include a link to this page of the Kumi Now website along with the hashtags #Antisemitism, #KumiNow, and #Kumi45.

From the Presentation/Chat

Coming after the session