Houston Congregation Or Ami became one of the most recent participants in ADL’s Kulanu program by starting the effort with a Words to Action session. The session helped students and adults learn how to recognize and respond to antisemitism.

Kulanu, which means “all of us” in Hebrew, is a program dedicated to empowering congregations to address antisemitism and hate in their communities through education, community engagement and advocacy.

The Words to Action session, which reached 17 participants ages 23-75, was facilitated by ADL Goldensohn Fellow Lisa Stone.  Or Ami’s Kulanu team members decided to start their Kulanu programming with Words to Action to give congregants a foundation to build on to address antisemitism through future programs.

Students participating in the session reported facing offensive statements like someone saying “don’t let them Jew you down,” while another participant said he was in the army and overheard someone call him a “Christ-killer.”

The session was well-received.  Or Ami Rabbi Gideon Estes said “The Words to Action workshop was very impactful.  I personally enjoyed the role playing, which helped me learn a couple of new skills, too.”   Kulanu Chair Valerie Brown said, “I believe this workshop provided people with tools they can use the next time they are confronted by antisemitism.  I walked away with a better understanding of ADL and how they can help diffuse difficult situations.”

So far this year, ADL Southwest has provided Words to Action for 7 student sessions and 6 adult sessions.  If you’d like to learn more about Words to Action or Kulanu, contact ADL Goldensohn Fellow Lisa Stone at lstone@adl.org.