We’re dismantling antisemitism — together.
While antisemitism targets and harms Jewish people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds directly, it isn’t an issue for Jewish communities to address in isolation. Antisemitism is used to deflect blame for the failures of those in power, to remove fundamental freedoms, and to weaken democracy. It is a core component of white supremacist and white nationalist ideology that is used to directly undermine movements for social, economic, racial, and gender justice.
We cannot dismantle antisemitism without addressing anti-Black racism and all other forms of institutionalized oppression. And the reverse is true as well; we cannot dismantle anti-Black racism, nor any other form of institutionalized oppression, without addressing antisemitism. In this work, we draw on the wisdom of our ancestors Emma Lazarus and Fannie Lou Hamer: Freedom and safety for any of us depends on freedom and safety for all of us.
Scroll down for resources and to see examples of this work in action.
what people are saying
Testimonials on the Dismantling Antisemitism Messaging Guide and Trainings
I found a recent national training on antisemitism by the progressive Jewish organization Bend the Arc very insightful. These resources are not intended to “take a side,” but to help us avoid language that diminishes each other into false categories (for instance, identifying Jews with the actions of Israel’s government, which is antisemitic thinking). There’s really helpful language in here for countering racism in all its forms.
Pastor Michael Crosby
Chair of the Interfaith Alliance, Champaign Urbana
It was very insightful and unlike any other antisemitism training I've been in. For example, I loved that they emphasized that Black and Arab communities are disproportionately accused of and seen as the perpetrators of antisemitism, and they brought up that antisemitism is also sometimes at play from those who support Israel but it's not called out. They went over certain phrases and framing we should avoid and what to say instead, which was also useful. Thank you for forwarding this to me!
Feedback from a training participant
The training gave us language and guidance for our communications when antisemitism happens in our community, which we are already utilizing. The orientation, as described in the training, aligns with JUFJ's approach of how to respond when a coalition partner and/or friend says something that's antisemitic: slow down, consider power dynamics, be curious, and use it as an opportunity to deepen the relationship through honest feedback. We are eager to offer this training again to more staff and leaders.
Jews United for Justice staff
Groups we've trained include
Watch the recording of
How We Fight Antisemitism Now:
A Panel on Safety, Solidarity, and Winning Our Future
— featuring —
Ben Lorber & Shane Burley, authors of Safety Through Solidarity: A Radical Guide to Fighting Antisemitism
Maya Berry, Executive Director, Arab American Institute
Graie Hagans, Chief Vision Officer, Bend the Arc
Rachèl Laforest, Chief Campaigns Officer, Bend the Arc
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Power our fight to dismantle antisemitism
For over 10 years, Bend the Arc has been a leader in the fight to dismantle antisemitism — training partners and elected officials, calling out those who use and benefit from the machinery of antisemitism, and shaping the narrative. We still have work to do. Now more than ever, we need your help to continue this fight.
Interested in collaborating?
Get in touch with us here to request a training or additional support.