<[link removed]>Friend, 

I wanted to write to you and our Bend the Arc community in the wake of recent attacks directed at American Jewish gatherings in Boulder, Colorado and Washington, D.C.

These attacks are tragic, terrifying, and indefensible. Our hearts are heavy. Our grief is palpable, compounded. And no label or categorization for the violence will negate its effects.

My Jewish friends, family, and peers have described the fear and pain they feel — from recent threats and violence and from the memories they stir from dark periods in our Jewish history. Afraid that attacking Jewish people is becoming normalized. Afraid of being targeted as Jews or in Jewish spaces, or taking part in civic life. I too feel this fear as I look ahead to dropping my children off at Jewish summer camp.

The many kinds of responses to the violence show a continuing need to support our Jewish community, to understand and dismantle antisemitism, and to build a world with safety for all of us.

One place for support, understanding, and community to process these recent events and beyond is Bend the Arc's upcoming online training “How to Talk About Antisemitism: A Training and Toolkit for Community Leaders” on Sunday, June 22. <[link removed]>

These past weeks, I’ve seen messages of solace and solidarity, and responses of hostility. I’ve seen contentious conversations about what is driving this violence. Is it antisemitism, misdirected anger towards the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, or is it both?

Collectively, we’ve also seen people in the highest levels of government attempting to exploit our fear and isolation — using division as a smokescreen to move their own agendas that run counter to our Jewish values. They seek to disassemble the democracy we need to keep Jews, and everyone, safe. When we aren't careful, we risk contributing to their aims too, targeting or pointing the finger at one another in the false name of Jewish safety — immigrants, people of color, protesters, and even other Jews.

And we’ve watched some people use these abominable acts of violence to discredit and vilify the movement to end the devastation and suffering of Palestinians in Gaza (a movement which includes scores of Jews and Israelis). We’ve seen others suggest that these attacks on Jews are somehow justified, or unworthy of sympathy, because of the actions of a government abroad. Both responses are shocking, categorically wrong, and have no place in the Jewish community or the progressive movement.

Jewish safety means safety for Jews we agree with and those we disagree with. It means safety for Palestinians. It means we see the safe return of all hostages. It means safety for our neighbors. It means safety for all people.

Even in the hardest moments, I know a world free of antisemitism and all forms of oppression is possible. To learn how to talk about antisemitism using language and approaches that move us closer to dismantling it, join Bend the Arc's upcoming online training “How to Talk About Antisemitism: A Training and Toolkit for Community Leaders” on Sunday, June 22 <[link removed]>.

Our work at Bend the Arc is to build a country where all are safe, living with what they need to thrive. Without fear. As we experience the pain of these attacks, and as we witness increasingly normalized extremist violence, we know we will only move toward our goal together. Jews and non-Jews. All people of conscience who share our vision.

Together, we will build the world to come — Olam Ha’ba.

In solidarity,

Jamie Beran
CEO, Bend the Arc

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