Articles by Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman

While Jewish literacy is not a replacement for advocacy, it is crucial if we want to be effective. When Jewish advocates find themselves engaging with Muslim partners or Catholic members of Congress who demonstrate a greater familiarity with Judaism’s foundational texts and ideas than they do, it exposes a profound and concerning gap in our Jewish communal investment.

Why is an advocacy organization inviting our advocates to engage in Torah study? And why now, after more than a century of a predominantly universalist and secular orientation? Because AJC believes that knowing what we are advocating for requires knowing who we are.

For those spending time in Jewish communal convenings or spaces with Jewish funders, there’s a question you are nearly guaranteed to hear: If we have so many organizations fighting antisemitism, why do we still have so much of it?

AJC has launched Disrupt Antisemitism, a new initiative that is the first-ever incubator for young American Jews focused solely on developing bold ideas to combat antisemitism. Inspired by the incubators of Silicon Valley, we are calling on young Jews from around the country to submit bold ideas to take on antisemitism locally, nationally or virtually. We are looking for impactful ideas developed by and for young people.

This coming Shabbat, as we celebrate and honor America at 250, use this resource to engage with key moments in American Jewish history that highlight the foundational impact the Jewish people have had in building a more just, free, and equal America.