Image: Asiatika Folk form Nordisk Familijebok, Jewish man is second row far left, and other peoples of Asia, by G Mutzel, Wikimedia Commons
American Jewish University Releases Study on Indigenous and Jewish Allyship to Combat Antisemitism
Leading scholar studies building cross-community solidarity between Indigenous and Jewish American communities to combat rising antisemitism.
LOS ANGELES – American Jewish University (AJU) announced the completion and publication of its comprehensive Study of Allyship and Antisemitism. This project brings together scholars from across North America to share findings and insights for the Jewish community to counter antisemitism through forging alliances with other communities. The authors met on Zoom and for in-person meetings in Los Angeles in November 2023. The papers were completed between March and June 2024.
The events of October 7th emphasize the urgency of this project and the difficulty of building strong and effective alliances in the fight against all forms of bigotry. Key findings from the study underscore the importance of fostering genuine and reciprocal relationships between communities, understanding the types of allyship that are expected, and developing strategies to build durable coalitions against hate.
“The ultimate goal of this study is to provide a detailed understanding of the practical challenges of allyship for the Jewish community in modern America,” said Jeffrey Herbst, President of American Jewish University. “Each scholar made an important contribution by highlighting the dynamics that enabled allyship from perspectives seldom heard by the Jewish community.”
David S. Koffman, the J. Richard Shiff Chair for the Study of Canadian Jewry and associate professor in the Department of History at York University in Toronto, explored the history and nature of Indigenous and Jewish American relationships, and the prospects and hurdles to stronger allyship.
Dr. Koffman’s article highlights the historical and contemporary interactions between Jews and Indigenous Peoples, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and understanding. He discusses the complexities and potential for solidarity, particularly in the context of shared struggles against systemic bigotry and marginalization.
“Jews and Indigenous People can and should cultivate allyship here in North America to bring the benefits of solidarity to the communities who live here,” writes Koffman. “Cultivating allyship across different marginalized groups is a rational strategy of survival, especially in the face of increasing anti-Jewish sentiment and far-right violence.”
Led by Dr. Herbst and funded by The Schechter/Levine Program in Public Ethics and the Sid B. Levine Service Learning Program, this project serves as the inaugural initiative of AJU’s Jewish Community Workshop. The Community Workshop is an innovative research institution that adopts a borderless approach and offers a modern and cost-efficient alternative to traditional think tanks to tackle key issues the Jewish community faces.
For more information on the study and to access the published papers, visit www.aju.edu/allyship.
