Antisemitic incidents increased by 42% in the New England region (covering Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) in 2021, with a total of 155 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). The increase in antisemitic incidents in the region outpaced the 34% increase in such incidents nationally. In response to this uptick, ADL New England will be hosting “The Good Fight Forum on Confronting Antisemitism,” held in-person at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30. A virtual option is available.

“We invite you to attend The Good Fight Forum to learn skills and strategies to disrupt antisemitism and hate when you see it. Having the facts and skills to stand up and speak out, whether as an individual or as a community, is essential in our collective fight against antisemitism and hate. We all have a role in The Good Fight,” says Robert O. Trestan, ADL regional director.

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The Forum will kick-off with an unprecedented conversation between Harvard University President, Dr. Lawrence Bacow, and Wellesley College President, Dr. Paula Johnson, moderated by ADL’s Robert Trestan, on how to address campus antisemitism and create safe spaces for Jewish students on campus.

Participants can then choose from four skill-building workshops, all described further here:

  • “Religious Rights in the Wake of Recent Supreme Court Decisions,” including those upholding prayer by football coaches on the field, featuring author and journalist Linda K. Wertheimer, GLAD’s Bennett Klein and others.
  • “Spotting Problematic Ideas and Simple Tips for More Productive Engagement on Israel,” led by Project Shema’s Oren Jacobson.
  • “Keeping Jewish Spaces Sacred, Safe and Welcoming,” with Tamara Fish of Khazbar, Greg Ehrie of ADL, and Jeremy Yamin of CJP.
  • “Jewish Students on Campus Speak”: Hear the unfiltered views of Jewish students from local campuses.

The Forum will close with a focus on the rise in extremism activity in New England—including a discussion of recent activity by NSC-131 and Patriot Front. U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins, WGBH senior investigative reporter Phillip Martin, and ADL’s Center on Extremism vice president Oren Segal will discuss who these groups are and how we can collectively confront this hate in our communities. ADL New England’s deputy regional director, Peggy Shukur, will moderate this conversation.

“The alarming increase in antisemitic incidents in the region and across the country should be deeply concerning to all,” said Trestan. “The numbers increased in nearly every category, including harassment and vandalism. The message that the data is sending is crystal clear: antisemitism remains a pervasive ill in our society that must be stemmed, or else we risk normalizing this hatred. ADL is steadfast in our commitment to disrupting and exposing antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head and urge all to join us in this fight.”

Register today and be part of the Good Fight

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