Hateful acts of antisemitism have recently plagued the nation and Washington, D.C. area. The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Team at Bullis believe it is paramount that students and faculty become educated about the discrimination that Jewish communities have faced and learn how to support them.
On Friday, December 9, Sara Brenner, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Foundation in Greater Washington, DC, part of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, engaged in a conversation with Director of DEI Dr. Kenneth Waters in front of the entire Upper School community. Their conversation centered around antisemitism and how to combat it.
Prior to Ms. Brenner and Dr. Waters’ conversation, Co-Director of College Counseling Phil Weisgold spoke about his experience as a member of the Jewish community and provided context for the morning’s discussion. “Acts of antisemitism,” Mr. Weisgold said, “are not unlike any other acts of hatred or bigotry toward marginalized groups. They’re scary, threatening, and often caused by false impressions, stereotypes, and ignorance.”
Ms. Brenner, whose organization seeks to advance a more equitable society in which everyone is valued and has opportunities to thrive, observed that antisemitism is more prevalent during times of social turmoil as people search for scapegoats to blame for societal problems. She pointed out that antisemitism has been used throughout history to marginalize Jewish people and to drive a wedge between Jewish communities and other oppressed groups so that the people in power stay in power. Antisemitism, Ms. Brenner asserted, is a form of racism that must not be tolerated.
Ms. Brenner shared stories of antisemitism she has encountered throughout her life and talked about how she persisted through it. Finding her voice, she said, helped to overcome the fear that she felt. She found safety and security in spaces with supportive people who accepted her fully and rejected racism. When asked how people from non-Jewish communities can be better allies, Ms. Brenner urged students to say,
“I’m here and I want to listen.”
Listening with an open mind and heart is the first step to building a more equitable and just society. It is essential that we view people as individuals rather than projecting stereotypes onto them. By doing this, we can build bridges to deepen understanding and acceptance. We have to be curious about each other and “learn to be uncomfortable and talk about these things,” Ms. Brenner said. This is how we combat antisemitism and racism as a whole.
Following the conversation with Dr. Waters, Ms. Brenner held a Q&A session with the Jewish Student Affinity Group. She talked more about her experiences with antisemitism and fielded thoughtful questions and comments from students who were eager to discuss their Jewish identities.
Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Bullis.
