By: Sam Cohen, Operations Director at the JCA

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Anti-Defamation League’s National Leadership Summit and Never Is Now conference in New York City and I wanted to share some of my takeaways, especially from the sessions I found most significant. I participated in workshops like:

• What We Can Learn from the Fight Against Antisemitism Around the World
• Changing Hearts and Minds Through Data
• Decoding Extremism: Insights & Strategies from the Frontlines of Fighting Hate
• Identifying & Reporting Hate: Symbols of Modern White Supremacy

Much of the content is sad and sobering. For instance, a full third of Americans do not see Jewish people as credible sources when they discuss their experiences with antisemitism. Jews face intense discrimination on campus, in the job market, and our places of work. The number of antisemitic and hate-based incidents in the U.S. has reached alarming levels.

Our collective sense of fear and isolation as Jews is real. The social cost of prejudice in our society has lessened, conspiracy theories abound, and zero-sum thinking is the new normal. And yet, I do hold within me a measure of hope that we are not alone in this struggle. To be in a room surrounded by people who work to dismantle systems of hate on micro and macro levels is to be inspired to take action. There are well-researched resources we can tap into to help, and strategies we can deploy to disrupt the vicious cycle of hate. 

If you’re reading this, I encourage you to tell your story. To share your lived experience, to take pride in who you are, and to hold close the joy of our traditions and our commitment to community. None of us is alone in this work, and I would take great pleasure in connecting with you to share more about my experience, to listen to yours, and to see what we can do together.

Sincerely,

Sam Cohen