Faith leaders from Catholic, Hindu, Muslim, and Jewish traditions bless challahs at Temple Beth Tikvah’s “Shine a Light on…Hope” event (Photo by J Whitaker Photography).
The Russell Berrie Foundation proudly supported the Shine a Light coalition’s 2023 campaign to spotlight antisemitism and drive the collective action of companies, Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, and individuals to dispel the darkness and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in fighting hate. Now in its third year, Shine a Light times its campaign with Hanukkah, facilitating education, community partnerships, workplace engagement, and advocacy that help people understand antisemitism and take steps to respond.
Our funding supported several initiatives including conversations in key cities – designed with the National Black Empowerment Coalition, a Shine a Light partner – that engaged Black and Jewish leaders in candid, meaningful dialogue. We also funded Fuente Latina, which helps Spanish-speaking media outlets cover Israel and the Jewish world, to host a Holocaust survivor from Uruguay who spoke with non-Jewish media professionals about contemporary antisemitism. In addition, with Foundation support, Shine a Light awarded microgrants to four Bergen County, NJ, organizations to lead programs designed to help their local communities fight antisemitism and other forms of hate.
Microgrant recipient Rabbi Brian Beal of Temple Beth Tikvah in Wayne, NJ, hosted an event called “Shine a Light on…Hope” together with neighboring congregation Shomrei Torah and the Wayne Interfaith Clergy Council. On the Sunday of Hanukkah, 120 participants representing Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Hindu faiths gathered at Temple Beth Tikvah to learn about Judaism, form meaningful connections, and consider their role in freeing the Wayne community from hate.
Participants in Temple Beth Tikvah’s “Shine a Light on…Hope” event exchange perspectives (photo by J Whitaker Photography).
Beal says the grant “poured fuel on sparks of connection that were already there and propelled us forward.” In leading the “Introduction to Judaism” session, he was struck by the number of times a Hindu or Christian participant said “’That’s just like how we do it.’ There were so many similarities across the different cultural traditions, which felt kindred connections to Jews that hadn’t been realized before.” The event has energized the local clergy council, fostering more exchanges and engagement. Inspired by this Shine a Light event, two additional interfaith symposiums are planned for Spring 2024.
Other local microgrant awards went to the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, JCC of the Palisades, and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit.