The Anti-Defamation League has launched a new program seeking to provide synagogues with tools to address antisemitism, the NGO announced last week.
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An ADL statement said that the initiative, called "Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism," is "an eight-month program that will offer selected synagogues exclusive access to expert insight and webinars, an opportunity to be part of a community of practice and work to build meaningful connections between synagogues working together to address antisemitism."
The organization said the program evolved out of a six-month pilot co-developed by ADL and the Union for Reform Judaism that involved 18 congregations across the United States.
"Through this pilot, Temple Sinai was exposed to research showing that educating our communities and building bridges is our number one tool to help fight antisemitism," said Rabbi Richard S. Rheins, the senior rabbi at Temple Sinai in Denver, Colorado, which was one of the congregations involved in the pilot.
"We learned that by educating those who are also hurting from bigotry and helping them to better understand Judaism, we welcome them into our universe as friends and allies."
"With antisemitic incidents on the rise across the United States, we have to empower Jewish communities to mobilize and take action against antisemitism and hate," said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. "Kulanu will provide synagogues with the ability to work together to educate people about antisemitism and support work to build safer and more inclusive communities."
Antisemitic incidents continue to rise in the United States. ADL's recent Audit of Antisemitic Incidents recorded 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2021. This represents the highest number of incidents on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979 – an average of more than seven incidents per day and a 34 percent increase year over year.
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