AIMING TO COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM
BARBARA MELAMED
GROWING UP IN THE SYRIAN COMMUNITY, WE’RE LEFT UNEXPOSED TO ANTI-SEMITISM UNTIL IT MANIFESTS CLOSE TO HOME. ONCE EXPOSED, MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY’S YOUNG ADULTS FEEL OVERWHELMED AND UNPREPARED. AS SAID BY FRIEDA COHEN, “I NEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO ME, ON MY CAMPUS. IT JUST WASN’T POSSIBLE.”
After Michael Harary reached out to Ronnie Kassin and Frieda Cohen, they aligned a team of young adults ages 18 to 21 aiming to combat this issue of anti-Semitism. The committee felt frustrated and attacked and could no longer stand on the sidelines and watch our own nation be dangerously targeted. Instead, they decided to gather the resources necessary to combat anti-Semitism in all environments. This team is now known as Enough is Enough (EIE).
By empowering Jewish identity, implementing interactive education, and raising awareness amongst young adults, Enough is Enough will create a platform aiming to unite the community, build Jewish pride, and provide educational resources to fight against anti-Semitism. They plan to educate and empower students on why they must respond and how to properly respond to anti-Semitism. This starts with our high school students. It is our job to instill confidence and information within their minds so they will speak up in the face of adversity.
This past summer, EIE ran four inspiring and impactful events which attracted over five hundred participants. They collaborated with AIPAC and The SCC to conduct “Stoop Talk,” a moderated discussion with Julian Coakley, hosted by Monique and David Haddad. Coakley is a Christian man from the Bahamas who eventually became a valued member of AIPAC, and advocates for Israel. He stressed the importance of coexisting and the impact of having individual conversations to combat hate. After Stoop Talk, EIE put together a fundraising tennis match hosted by Ester and Joey Jerome with our very own David Mizrahi. Mizrahi spoke about his experiences and challenges while being away from home. “We have to realize that when we step into the real-world people are watching us. You are representing more than just yourself; you are representing an entire Jewish nation.”
Additionally, EIE held an exclusive interactive discussion for youth community leaders, in which they reflected upon the current situation in America and how the community can better prepare each other to be leaders as they enter adulthood. The young adults were able to showcase their inner thoughts while motivating each other to learn and do more. Their most recent event was held in partnership with StandWithUs. Together EIE, along with StandWithUs professionals, set up a variety of workshops where they went over specific tactics on how to respond to hate. Today, EIE is an SCA and StandWithUs affiliate, and is planning on partnering with many other successful organizations.
Their mission doesn’t stop there. There’s still a major lack of education regarding anti-Semitism that Enough is Enough intends to confront. As StandWithUs professional Avi Posnick said, “Anti-Semitism is a virus and EIE is creating the vaccine.” EIE plans on bringing interactive skill building and educational workshops to high school students across our community. From there they hope to expand into college campuses and beyond. Additionally, EIE is currently running a book club for young adults to further broaden their knowledge on the history of Jew hatred.
They would like to thank our incredible community that stands strong with Israel and supports organizations such as EIE, so they are able to make a difference. EIE is eager to do its part in combating one of the longest standing forms of hate the world has ever seen. We are Jews. We are proud. Enough is Enough.
Barbara Melamed is a freelance writer currently studying as an English major at Brooklyn College. She joined the Enough is Enough team eager to make a difference and stand in the fight against antiSemitism.
