September 2, 2021
UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM, WOMEN’S LEAGUE FOR CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM, FEDERATION OF JEWISH MEN’S CLUBS AND ADL FORM PARTNERSHIP TO COMBAT ANTISEMITISM
New York, NY, September 17, 2021 … The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), Women’s League for Conservative Judaism (WLCJ), Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC) and ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) have agreed to form a partnership aimed at combating the alarming rise in antisemitic rhetoric and violence through education and advocacy.
This partnership will make ADL’s expertise and tools readily accessible to almost 600 USCJ-affiliated synagogues, and nearly 40,000 WLCJ members, and FJMC clubs through the latter’s own vast media channels. ADL, USCJ, WLCJ, and FJMC will also deliver jointly designed educational materials to congregational and sisterhood affiliates and individual WLCJ members and FJMC clubs. They also will, in coordination with Secure Community Network, increase reporting and response to antisemitic incidents occurring at conservative synagogues, sisterhood affiliates and men’s clubs.
“USCJ, Women’s League and Men’s Club stand firmly side by side with the ADL in our new partnership. This collaboration will provide the education and training for our 600 member congregations, sisterhood affiliates and men’s clubs to raise the awareness necessary to respond to antisemitism on their home front ” said CEO Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal.
“We are keenly aware at ADL that antisemitic incidents are on the rise in the U.S. and around the world, and that future trends indicate a dangerous trajectory,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “We believe that this partnership, which marries both ADL, USCJ, WLCJ and FJMC ’s vast expertise and resources, will make serious headway in combating the scourge of antisemitism through education, advocacy, incident reporting and community awareness, and ultimately turn the tide against hate.”
Debbi Kaner Goldich, President of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, noted, “Women’s League for Conservative Judaism has been a leading advocate in the fight against antisemitism through its resolutions and education of our members in their affiliated Sisterhoods. In this partnership, WLCJ joins together with USCJ and FJMC and the ADL to condemn and combat acts of antisemitism in violation of the fundamental privileges of religious liberty and equality of citizenship.”
Designated ADL, USCJ, and WLCJ representatives have also agreed to collaborate on future joint programs and offerings including webinars and developing joint resources for USCJ, WLCJ and FJMC the communities and communities they serve.
During the conflict between Israel and Hamas in May 2021, ADL tracked a doubling of antisemitic incidents compared to the same period in 2020. ADL logged 251 incidents from May 11 through the end of the month, an increase of 115 percent. A total of 305 incidents were tallied across the U.S. for the entire month of May 2021.
About ADL:
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.
About The United Synagogue Of Conservative Judaism (USCJ):
We strengthen synagogues. We are the network that ensures there are thriving centers of Jewish practice across North America, Israel, and beyond that celebrate both tradition and contemporary life. Together, we demonstrate what an authentic and dynamic Judaism looks like, inspire people to be a part of it, and advance its critical role in the world.
About Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC):
FJMC (Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs) is the international umbrella organization for a confederation of more than 250 men’s auxiliaries serving 25,000 men around the globe. Our chapters are concentrated in North America throughout the United States and Canada. The influence of FJMC’s programs and contributions is felt worldwide. FJMC’s mission is to involve Jewish men in Jewish Life.
About Women’s League for Conservative Judaism:
Since 1918, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism is the voice of the women of the Conservative movement and represents its forty thousand members on a wide array of national, international and religious issues. The mission of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism is to strengthen and unite synagogue women’s groups, their members, and individual members, support them in mutual efforts to understand and perpetuate Conservative/Masorti Judaism in the home, synagogue and community, and reinforce their bonds with Israel and with Jews worldwide. Women’s League accepts the Jerusalem Program, which is the platform of the World Zionist Organization. Through its ongoing Torah Fund campaign, Women’s League continues to financially support the students of the five worldwide Conservative Seminaries.
