Anti-Semitism
Our greatest opportunity in the Jewish community is diversity. Diversity strengthens our ability to connect with and influence others. Understanding other cultures and respecting differences broadens our perspective in a way that ultimately benefit our community. Cultural awareness does not devalue our traditions or level of religious observance, but it facilitates respect and acceptance of others who may pray to a different G-d, or celebrate religious holidays in a unique way, or dress differently due to their values, or love who they want to love, etc. If we deliberately segregate and consciously (or subconsciously) exclude, we close ourselves to opportunities to learn from others and truly explore the “world” beyond the Jewish experience.
It behooves us to accept the true origins of Judaism, learn about other cultures, and embrace differences for the greater good of our community. We must teach our Jewish children the facts about the real history of Judaism. Jews of color are very common and white (European) Jews were rare in the region of Canaan (prior to the establishment of Israel). Understanding this fact may reduce ambiguity about black/brown Jews and their acceptance in the mostly “controlled” white Ashkenazi and Sepharic Jewish community. It is important that we teach our Jewish children to be proud of who they are, and we must also teach them the hard facts about our history (Holocaust, civil rights, social justice, racism, etc.). We must help them learn about the signs and events that led to genocide of the Jewish people with the purpose to ensure that a holocaust never happens again.
We must teach our Jewish youth the skills they need to be effective leaders of character. They must understand the power of empathy, respect, compassion, and appreciation of differences. They must know that just because one studies another culture, it does not diminish one’s own culture, instead it enriches it. Comparative analysis of various religions and cultures are impactful and traditional convictions are reinforced by exploring differences. Educating our Jewish community about character leadership is also critical to ensuring a sustainable community that is revered and respected due to our ethical and moral practices.
“Why is there anti-Semitism?”
“Why is there racism, discrimination, bigotry, and prejudice?”
My answer is FEAR, no respect, not accepting differences, and lack of understanding. We must all seek knowledge to understand, respect, and appreciate differences. We must seek information to bridge the gaps of confusion, judgments, misunderstandings, and ignorance. We must be authentic individuals who are empathetic and kind. We must strive to be humanitarians with integrity and honor. We must strive for peace, harmony, equality, and justice. I believe that it is possible to eradicate the hate of Jews through our love and acceptance. I believe we may reduce antisemitism by authentically and purposefully embracing differences and doing kind deeds to help others who are different from us. I believe we can have peace within and outside of our community if we accept, respect, embrace, and welcome differences. I believe that if we make significant and authentic connections with people who are different from us, they will see our “hearts” and “spirits” and know that we are menches that are worthy of trust, appreciation, and respect.
So, to my fellow Jews… let’s challenge ourselves to be authentically inclusive. Let’s examine our systems to ensure all discriminatory practices are eliminated, let’s honestly deal with the covert and overt racism that exist in our community, let’s work hard to make the necessary changes to be better and do better as humanitarians and as the “chosen” ambassadors of G-d. Let’s love others in a way that transforms not only our community, but the world. We are reflections of the G-d we revere, and we must take responsibility for our actions and strategically and authentically embrace the rich diversity in the world. We are G-d’s chosen people and we choose to reflect G-d’s bright light of peace, harmony, acceptance, respect for difference, empathy, forgiveness, compassion, equality, and love.
Below are a few suggestions on what we can do as Jews to improve the respect, value, and appreciation for the life and liberty of Jews around the world:
1) Participate in character-based training that includes respect for differences, acceptance of others, and empathy.
2) Collaborate with community organizations outside of the Jewish community (volunteer work, strategic partnerships, business ventures, donations, etc.).
3) Examine and change systems (policies, procedures, traditions, etc.) that are exclusionary and discriminatory.
4) Educate the Jewish community (Torah study groups, day schools, camps, Sunday schools, etc.) about the true history of Judaism (Canaan/Africa) and the hard facts about the Jewish experience (genocide, apartheid, and discrimination, etc.).
5) Make organizational cultural shifts to embrace and accommodate for differences (cultures, traditions, abilities, etc.).
6) Ensure diversity inclusion throughout all levels of the organization.
7) Be authentic in your communications, service, and ally advocacy for others who are traditionally excluded. We should not only say we want diversity, but our courageous actions should demonstrate this value. We should challenge the status quo and be strategically inclusive of differences.
8) Do not ask questions of Jews of color, “Why are you here?”, “How are you Jewish?”, “Is your mother Jewish?”, and/or “Did you convert?”, etc. Many Jews of color were born Jewish, some converted, and others came “home” upon learning about their history and the origins of Judaism. We all belong… accept and respect this fact.
9) Respect all Jews regardless of their level of observance (orthodox, conservative, reform, reconstructionist, etc.). We should not spread hate and intolerance within our own community. We should embrace our internal differences and accept that we all share a common history and the same G-d. G-d is within us all and we are all chosen.
10) Share Jewish stories with others (inside and outside of our community). Conduct presentations to help others learn about and remember the Holocaust, Africa, Israel, Jewish contributions to the world (science, economics, entertainment, etc.), the diversity within Jewish history (Africa, Europe, Middle East, Mizrahi, Sephardi, Ashkenazi, Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform, etc.). We need to shatter ignorance and fear with education, collaboration, and purposeful exposure.
Hire Dr. Tarece L. Johnson, creator of The Global Purpose Approach to:
* Provide consulting for organizational diversity, diversity recruitment and retention, diversity inclusion/engagement, supplier diversity, and multicultural marketing.
* Conduct assessments/evaluations and develop a customized diversity and inclusion strategic plan.
* Conduct diversity and inclusion workshops/training (organizations, schools, summer camps, etc.).
* Develop and implement diversity initiatives, programs, projects, activities, and events.
* Speak at various engagements regarding multicultural education, global diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice (conferences, panels, etc.).
#Judaism #Hashem #God #Jewish #Jew #AntiSemitism #Semitic #Semitism #AntiSemite #AntiSemitic #JewishPride #Mensch #Diversity #DiversityEngagement #Inclusion #SocialJustice #Equity #Equality #Humanity #Love #Ahava #Light #Or #Peace #Shalom
