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Discrimination and bigotry are on the rise at an alarming rate. You're not alone if you're unsure what to do about it. In May of 2024, the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, the Jewish Community Relations Council of the UJFT, the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, and the Anti-Defamation League brought together local arts leaders to learn about antisemitism and the harm it causes, with the goal of empowering our local arts organizations to provide thought-provoking programming that is welcoming and inclusive of Jewish community members and Jewish artists.

 

We hope this toolkit will help you achieve that goal.

 

 

Educate your staff, volunteers, and audience:


Real-world examples:

  • The Chrysler Museum of Art provides contextual information to visitors next to this painting by Paul Cézanne, which was seized by the Nazi Task Force for Cultural Property from its Jewish owner in 1940.
  • In 2022, Virginia Opera partnered with Ohef Sholom Temple on a panel discussion to facilitate constructive dialogue about Richard Wagner in advance of the production of his Ring Cycle. Wagner, in addition to being one of the world's most well-known composers, was a virulent antisemite.
  • In 2024, Generic Theater worked with local rabbi Michael Panitz on their production of Indecent. Panitz was consulted as dramaturg for the production, providing the cast with important background information on the play and its Jewish content.

 

 

Accommodate the needs of your Jewish constituents:

  • Understand more about Judaism and Jews in the US with this helpful Introduction to Judaism from the Secure Communities Network. Note: While this guide was created for law enforcement professionals, it is a great resource for understanding the US Jewish community.
  • Use UJFT's five year Jewish holiday calendar to help guide your event planning, gallery openings, concerts, and productions.

 

Real-world examples:

  • In its 2024 production of Chicken and Biscuits, Little Theatre of Norfolk utilized double-casting to ensure a Jewish actor could attend religious services on the night of a scheduled performance.

 

 

Celebrate Jewish art and artists:

Jewish artists have a long history in culture around the world. Here are just a few examples:

  • George and Ira Gershwin, (Composer and librettist of  Porgy and Bess)
  • Illustrator, author, and National Medal of Arts recipient Maurice Sendak
  • Max Weber, one of the first American Cubist painters
  • Dancer Pearl Lang
  • Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright Tony Kushner

 

Celebrate Jewish art, artists, voices, and stories both past and present. While the old-world Yiddishkeit traditions in klezmer music and shows like Fiddler on the Roof are important to Jewish culture, Jewish people are still creating art today. Book exhibits with up-and-coming Jewish artists, produce plays about modern Jewish stories, and embrace the diversity of Jewish culture in the world today. Contact us for ideas on modern day artists and their work.

 

Real-world examples:

 

 

Advocate for the Jewish community and up against antisemitism and all forms of hate!

  • Each year, ADL tracks incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault in the United States. In Virginia, 223 antisemitic incidents were reported in 2023, a 223 percent increase from the 69 incidents in 2022, and a 385 percent increase from the 46 incidents in 2021. Virginia registered with the 11th highest number of antisemitic incidents reported in the country for 2023. Learn more about the rise in incidents nationally, here.

 

So, what can you do about it?

  • Share your voice. If you hear someone — such as a neighbor or coworker — say something hateful, or use an antisemitic trope, with or without negative intent, don’t be afraid to name it. It might be a little awkward, but that’s okay. If it’s safe, it’s good to interrupt intolerance when it happens. 
  • Share the facts. When you call out hate or antisemitism, avoid hyperbole and draw upon data and facts. Identify which faulty narrative is being emphasized, but don’t engage in hysterics. Use social and traditional media to share information that’s based in evidence. The JCRC of UJFT can help.
  • Share your strength. If you experience or witness an incident of antisemitism — whether that’s graffiti at a local business or anti-Jewish slander on social media — report it to the JCRC of UJFT rather than dismiss it. Stand together with those who are bullied or marginalized in any situation. Allyship is a critical aspect of the fight for a more just and fair future.


Thank you to the ADL for providing the content in this section.

 

 

Additional Resources:

 

 

 

 

United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) launched a joint initiative with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in September 2022 titled United We Stand: Connecting Through Culture that leverages the arts and humanities to combat hate-motivated violence. This initiative includes funding opportunities for programming promotin civic engagement, social cohesion, and cross-cultural understanding. NEH is giving special encouragement to projects that counter antisemitism and Islamophobia.

 

In addition to United We Stand, the NEH has awarded more than $5.6 billion for humanities projects through more than 64,000 grants. Find more information here, and please reach out to us for program support and partnership!

We are here to support you. Do you have a question or concern? Are you looking for a thought partner or a partner on a project? Reach out to us!

 

Hunter Thomas | he/him | Director, Arts + Ideas, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT)
HThomas@UJFT.org | 757.965.6137

Robin Mancoll | she/her | Director, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater (UJFT) | RMancoll@UJFT.org | 757.965.6120

Jonathan Zur | he/him | President & CEO, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC)
JZur@InclusiveVA.org

Michelle Magner | she/her | Deputy Regional Director, Washington DC, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
MMagner@ADL.org