A Diverse and Instructive Event
I attended the recent webinar on Jewish liberation and anti-Semitism led by Cherie Brown, the International Liberation Reference Person for Jews.
We heard from both white Jews and Jews of color from around the world. This was a reminder of the diversity of the Jewish people and of our experiences and, at the same time, a reminder of the bonds, commonalities, and oppression we share.
It was inspiring to see so many allies determined to sharpen their understanding of the issues, deepen their relationships with Jewish loves, and become more insightful counselors for both Jews and allies in the battle to end anti-Semitism and internalized anti-Semitism.
Cherie did a masterful job of presenting the essence of anti-Semitism and how it operates. She challenged us to work on anti-Semitism and internalized anti-Semitism from three different vantage points:
As Jews: To work on the compulsion to take over [dominate], especially when we are terrified at the prospect of inaction
As people of color (Jews and non-Jews): To work on being able to stay when Jewish urgency and the Jewish pull to take over come at them
As white Gentiles: To work on what they have to face so they don’t run and hide when Jews and people of color are fighting amongst themselves
Listening to Dorann van Heeswijk’s passion for this work, her fierce commitment, and her clarity was a huge contradiction [to distress] for me as a Jew and useful for me as an ally to other groups. [Dorann is the Information Coordinator for Gentile Allies of Jews.] Her tone demonstrated that nothing is going to stop her! That kind of commitment and willingness to fight is a contradiction [to distress] for all oppressed people. Women need it from male allies. African-heritage people need it from white allies and non-Black allies of color. Young people need it from older people. And so on.
Oakland, California, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders of Jews
(Present Time 201, October 2020)