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Jewish Values in Action: Combatting Racism and Extremism in Israel
26 February 2023 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Jewish Values in Action: Combatting Racism and Extremism in Israel
A conversation with Tag Meir
Sunday, February 26th at 11:00 AM Mountain Standard Time
Virtual program by Temple Beth Ora, Edmonton
Please register below for Zoom link.
2021’s violence in Jerusalem and other mixed cities made news around the world as Jewish and Arab residents exchanged vigilante violence. As we saw in the recent Israeli election and the rise of far-right Kahanist parties, hateful anti-other views within Israel have become widespread and have escalated within both the Israeli Jewish and Arab communities. While it may be less problematic for us to acknowledge anti-Jewish sentiment by Arabs, we struggle to come to terms with anti-Arab sentiments within Israel and our own community. How do we grapple with this? What does it mean to our identity as Jews and how does it affect our relationship with Israel?
What is being done to push back against racism in Israel? What are our obligations to address hate within Israel? Is there a role for Diaspora Jews in addressing these issues within Israel?
Join Temple Beth Ora to meet Gadi Gvaryahu, chair of Tag Meir, the 50-organization coalition whose “rapid response solidarity” mobilizes Israelis of all faiths and backgrounds to stand together against hate crimes and terrorism.
About Tag Meir: Formed in 2009 by an Orthodox Jew with NIF support, the Light Tag Forum is a coalition of Jewish and Arab organizations from across the religious spectrum who came together to counter the alarming rise in hate crimes – in particular religiously-motivated hate crimes and “price tag” vigilantism – by disseminating messages of compassion, solidarity, and tolerance.
Light Tag has mobilized increasing numbers of Israelis as more groups have joined the Coalition over the past year. Now associated with 50 organizations – including the Israeli Reform and Masorti movements – Light Tag has become the main Israeli voice against hate crimes, racism and incitement.
To push back, Light Tag focuses its work on public activities, legal and advocacy efforts, and educational initiatives. Championing the phrase “light in places of darkness,” Light Tag galvanizes an Israeli voice that opposes violence and values peace. It has assumed the role of watchdog on matters of incitement, anticipating and acting proactively against racist infringements and attacks.
About NIFC: The New Israel Fund of Canada protects and advances democracy and equality in Israel. Since 1986, NIFC has contributed over $10 million to more than 100 organizations in Israel that fight for socio-economic equality, religious freedom, civil and human rights, shared society and anti-racism, Palestinian citizens, and democracy itself.
In the words of one of Israel’s largest daily papers, Haaretz, “there is hardly any significant socially oriented organization in Israel today that does not owe its existence to the New Israel Fund.”