By Carl Zebrowski
Editor

You’ve heard a lot about antisemitism in recent years, more so in recent months. You may have attended presentations where speakers described what to do if you witness it or are targeted by it. You may have heard how to talk to people about views of theirs that may be antisemitic or anti-Israel.

Now the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley has put together and gone live with an online toolkit to guide individuals to fight antisemitism by strengthening bonds between the Jewish community and its non-Jewish friends. The Power of One web pages provide a collection of tips and recommendations that you can consult as needed in a personal effort to encourage support for the Jewish people and the State of Israel and to make the world a better and safer place for everyone. You’ll also find tools to help you identify and combat antisemitism at schools and elsewhere, to maintain your mental health through these difficult times, to write effective letters to the editor at local media, and more.

Here’s the basic idea: You reach out to non-Jewish friends and neighbors whom you know are friendly to the Jewish community and maybe invite them to Shabbat or holiday dinner. The gathering will expose them to Jewish traditions in a welcoming, comfortable environment that promotes further conversations and mutual understanding and support. 

In other words, like most efforts to get something done in a community, this one starts with taking the initiative to enter a dialogue with others who may share certain interests and goals. What can you and they do together to raise awareness and make progress toward outcomes everyone hopes for?
    
As for antisemitism itself, the Power of One website is a handy directory of well-organized resources that educate users on what antisemitism and anti-Zionism are, how to talk to people about them, what to do to change changeable minds, and how to report acts of hate when they happen.

For more information about antisemitism, making connections, and otherwise exploring the Power of One at this time when it’s as important as ever, visit jewishlehighvalley.org/power-of-one-home.