Coalition Spotlight: Finding Comfort and Purity

With Yom Kippur (the Jewish “Day of Atonement”) this week, Jewish partners of the coalition were marking the holiest day on the Hebrew calendar. This fall, partners of all faiths and backgrounds have already united people, begun celebrations for the season, and honored the past.

Here is a sampling of how the coalition has made a difference this week:

Spotlight

National Museum of American Jewish Military History: In a special exhibit, the museum helps bring to life the story of two Jewish friends who fought side by side in World War II on the Pacific Island of Guadalcanal in 1942, and how their Rosh Hashanah services were cut short by the bombings and brutal combat of the Pacific warfront.

Read the full story here.

Upcoming Events

3GNY: Every first Thursday evening of the month this fall, join the virtual peer support group for the grandchildren of Jewish Holocaust survivors. The meetings will be a time to share personal stories, experiences, and feelings in relation to family histories as well as current events.

Register for this group here.

Fuel For Truth: Young professionals in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and West Los Angeles, California, are invited to register for boot camp to gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence to raise their Israel IQ and be a more effective communicator. The class includes a kosher dinner, a selection of adult beverages, and an educational experience that has already changed the lives of more than 1,000 previous attendees.

Register here.

Galicia Jewish Museum: In cooperation with the publishing house from one of the top universities in Poland, Jagiellonian University, a conversation with the author of “The Ratline: Love, Lies, and Justice on the Trail of a Nazi Fugitive” (Mr. Phillippe Sands) will be held at the Museum on Thursday, October 6. Sands’ book tells the story of the daily life of the Governor of Galicia, SS Brigadeführer Otto Freiherr von Wächter, after he fled Poland following the end of World War II and lived the life of a fugitive with his wife. The event will take place in both Polish and English, all are welcome.

Learn more and register here.

Interfaith Paths to Peace: As part of the High Holiday festivities, Interfaith Paths to Peace has teamed up with the inclusive Kol Israel community of Louisville for a “Shakin’ Sukkah Shabbat” on Friday, October 14th, from 6-8 PM for an incredibly festive Shabbat during Sukkot. All are welcome to join in on the celebrations!

Register by emailing: kolisraelky@gmail.com

The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington: The James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef, Michael Solomonov, will demonstrate how to cook a delicious fall meal with seasonal ingredients and you are invited to join this virtual cooking demonstration! As the weather in the Northern Hemisphere cools, these recipes will help keep you warm.

Learn more and register here.

Partner Achievements

American Jewish Committee (AJC): Ted Deutch has assumed the helm as CEO of the leading global Jewish advocacy organization. He succeeds David Harris, who stepped down last week, after serving as AJC CEO for more than 32 years.

Read more here.

HonestReporting Canada: HonestReporting Canada’s newly-released 2022 Third Quarter Impact Report shows how Canadians have mobilized from coast to coast and amassed a Digital Iron Dome to counter media bias against the proliferation of hate online, as well as that specifically targeting Israel.

Read the report here.

Recommended Readings and Viewings

International March of the Living: Over 200,000 Jewish children were murdered in gas chambers right after arrival, and in order to preserve their memory as well as save 8,000 children’s shoes in the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, MOTL launched the “Soul to Sole” campaign. Without immediate action, these shoes may quickly disintegrate and disappear from history, together with the important stories they tell.

Watch the powerful story here.

ORT America: Celebrating 100 years of operations this week and considering the impactful access that the organization has provided countless individuals during that time span, ORT produced a special video for the New Jewish Year, with hopes for a fruitful upcoming year for all.

Shields of David: In collaboration with Muslim Coalition of America, Shields of David had the incredible pleasure to host Enes Kanter Freedom, an organization that unites people from different religions and cultures through sports and athletic competitions. Additionally, Enes Kantor Freedom teaches all groups involved in their programing about the horrifying realities of the Holocaust.

Congratulations to both groups and hopefully more collaboration will take place this upcoming year!