Confronting Islamophobia & Anti-Semitism

Islamophobia has been on the rise, and conversations about anti-Semitism have grown increasingly confusing. Each of these forms of xenophobia have similarities and differences in how they operate. By engaging these issues, we will also dispel stereotypes and misconceptions that often pit Jewish and Islamic identities against one another and explore the possibilities and implications of coming together across diverse identities to help confront and address these forms of oppression.

This mini-course will include lecture, discussion, and interactive activities. We will close with an opportunity to take action.

Snacks and refreshmens will be provided. The space is accessible, and in a beautiful sunny room. Please join us for an afternoon of learning together.

Presenters include:

Amer F. Ahmed, Ed.D, serves as Director of Intercultural Teaching and Faculty Development at University of Massachusetts – Amherst.  An individual with eclectic personal and professional experience, he is a social justice educator, Hip Hop activist, diversity consultant and college administrator, channeling his diverse experiences into work geared towards facilitating effective intercultural development.  He has been featured on MSNBC’s “Melissa Harris Perry” show and in Dr. Shakti Butler’s film on racism entitled “Cracking the Codes.”

Talia Cooper is an anti-oppression trainer, writer, personal coach and musician. She currently works as a Donor Organizer for the National Domestice Workers Alliance. She leads workshops on topics ranging from antisemitism, racism and adultism to active listening and facilitation. She provides individual phone-based coaching for people looking to heal their relationship to food and their body. Talia is the former Executive Director of Jewish Youth for Community Action (JYCA), where she led organizing work for young people in the Bay Area, California. She is a member leader of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice where her work has included the Youth Brigade and the Antisemitism Working Group.

Sonia Alexander, LMSW, is the Program Director/Community Organizer of the Joseph Stern Center for Social Responsibility at JCC Manhattan. She served most recently as Program Director at Ma’yan. Sonia completed her Master’s in Social Work at NYU in 2015. She culminated her master’s studies with a research study on healing from the impacts of historical trauma in the Jewish community. Sonia has designed and facilitated workshops & conversations about power/oppression, Jewish identity, antisemitism, race and class for a variety of organizations over many years.