While many of us may be feeling “zoomed out” with so many online speakers and podcasts, there are still ways to take action to fight antisemitism. We are pleased to have provided support to several important initiatives.
Facebook’s Handling of AntiSemitic Posts.
In an effort to fight antisemitism on the Facebook platform, the Adam Milstein Foundation spearheaded a push to induce Facebook to adopt the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Association) definition of antisemitism. NCCI was proud to join over 100 other organizations in this campaign. We sent letters with the NCCI letterhead to each Facebook board member. In response, “Sheryl Sandberg assured all the organizations that were part of this campaign, that “the IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism has been invaluable – both in informing our own approach and as a point of entry for candid policy discussions with organizations like yours. In some respects, our Community Standards go even further than the IHRA definition – for example, expressions of dismissal.” We are hopeful that we will see improvements in the ways Facebook handles incidents of antisemitism on its platform.
California’s Politicized Ethnic Studies Push
NCCI was also one of 90 organizations fighting against California bill AB1460, which would make an ethnic studies course a graduation requirement for California State University. The proposed program has an anti-Zionist/antisemitic orientation. Due to concern that it will be a vehicle for political indoctrination and to promote BDS, the AMCHA initiative researched and wrote a detailed letter to Governor Gavin Newsom calling for a veto of the bill. Unfortunately the bill passed despite our objections, but we will continue to follow the story and take action when we can. Below is one of many examples of why we’re so concerned about this curriculum.
There is also a push to make this type of course mandatory for high school students in California. Thanks to all who called Governor Newsom’s office to request changes be made to the curriculum before signing. As of this writing we do not know the outcome of this effort. If you want to take action locally, please see our website for recommendations. (NCCIsrael.org) under the Advocate Toolkit, Educational Institutions section.
Comparing Nazi Concentration Camps to US Detention Centers
Closer to home, we learned that Judea Reform Synagogue in Durham, NC was planning a program “Standing in Solidarity for Immigrant Justice: Why We Say Never Again.” The moderator was listed as Beth Bruch, a JVP leader behind Durham’s BDS Deadly Exchange boycott. Notably, Ms Bruch also worked to prevent the deportation of Imam Abdullah Khadra who called for the death of Jews.
When we saw the description of the program — “This panel will discuss the disturbing parallels between Nazi concentration camps and US detention centers,” we knew something had to be done. Clearly, the comparison between conditions in the US vs Holocaust victims who were rounded up for being Jewish, murdered, experimented on, tortured, worked and starved to death desecrates their memory. We are grateful to all those who took the time to write and call Judea Reform to protest. As of now the program is postponed. We do not yet know if the content will change.
In these difficult times it’s often tough to know what we can do to fight antisemitism/anti-Zionism in our communities. Under the Advocate Toolkit section of our website, please check out the Government Institutions and Religious Institutions sections. We would love to get your input, have you join us in defending Israel and the Jewish people, and hear stories about your community actions!
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NCCI in Annual Moral March on Jones Street, Raleigh NC
