The Anti-Defamation League will present a workshop on Sunday, September 29, designed to teach Jewish middle and high school kids and their family members to recognize antisemitism and anti-Israel bias and to provide tools to challenge them. 

The Words to Action workshop, which will start at 6 p.m. at Congregation Keneseth Israel and include a breakout group for parents, will prepare participants to become leaders in addressing antisemitism wherever and whenever they encounter it, while encouraging them to explore and connect with their Jewish identity and with one another.

“With the rise of antisemitism in our community, students have become especially vulnerable to episodes occurring at our schools,” said Aaron Gorodzinsky, director of development for the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley, which is partnering with the ADL for this event. 

“The seminar will allow them to become stronger advocates of their rights and to stand up for what they believe is the right thing to do. At the same time, we want to empower parents to be able to have educated conversations with the administration to ensure the rights of their kids to attend school in a peaceful environment is not being infringed by protestors or disruptions by other students.”

Through facilitator-led activities and discussions, workshop participants will gain essential tools, develop leadership skills, learn to analyze antisemitism as a complex system that harms society at large, evaluate the relationship between antisemitism and other forms of oppression, explore the diversity of Jewish identity and experience, and champion a more equitable and just society through education, advocacy, and allyship. Other specific topics explored will include antisemitic jokes and Jewish portrayals in the media, responding to antisemitism online, and putting Jewish values to work.

The program, chaired by Miriam Zager, Tama Tamarkin, Lauren Rabin, Caren Lowrey, and Sara Jane Bub, is designed especially for middle and high school students, it’s also helpful for college students, summer camp counselors and staff, and youth and other community groups. 

Registration is required. Visit the Words to Action website for further information on the program.