Antisemitism is sharply on the rise across the nation. Unprovoked violence, dangerous rhetoric from public figures, leadership changes at Twitter enabling soaring numbers of hateful posts… It feels like a vicious cycle that threatens to desensitize Americans to levels of anti-Jewish rhetoric and violence that would have been unthinkable not too long ago. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we’ll be holding the first in a series of conversations about this deeply troubling trend. We also take a look at the claims – and strategy – that brought 303 Creative v. Elenis to the Supreme Court… Even though no same-sex couple has even asked for a wedding website yet!
Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block is Washington Director of Bend the Arc Jewish Action, a movement of progressive Jews across the country who fight for justice and equality for all. State of Belief host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, welcomes Jason to discuss the surge in antisemetism, and why we shouldn’t think of it as inevitable.
Isaac Luria is a Jewish activist with a long career supporting multi faith communities to advocate for racial and economic justice. He recently published a comprehensive analysis on antisemitism in the Hartman “Sources” Journal, which documents how extremist movements use antisemitism to advance anti-democratic aims. Currently, he serves as NCF’s Director of Voice Creativity and Culture. Isaac brings his perspective to our conversation about this dangerous moment, and emphasizes the overlapping identities of members of targeted communities.
Interfaith Alliance Director of Policy and Advocacy Katy Joseph keeps a keen eye on everything happening at the Supreme Court. She coordinates our federal amicus practice, which spotlights federal cases impacting the boundary between religion and government. This week, Katy’s joined by Elizabeth Reiner Platt, Director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project at Columbia Law School, to discuss 303 Creative v. Elenis, a case heard this past week by the Justices, and to recap a busy year at the court that fundamentally impacted rights – religious and otherwise – for most Americans.
