Action Against Antisemitism Committee
The Action Against Antisemitism Committee is an active part of Temple Sinai life. The committee meets monthly, alternating between daytime and evening in-person and Zoom meetings. The committee is lay-led and works closely with the synagogue staff and clergy.
Antisemitism, also known as Jew hatred, affects us all. As members of the strong Jewish community that is Temple Sinai, you are already contributing to the solidarity of the Jewish people! As a Temple member, you deserve supportive programming and resources around the troubling issue of Jew hatred. It is incumbent upon every Jewish person to combat Jew hatred. It is important to your Action Against Antisemitism committee that such programming meets YOUR NEEDS. Please help us by completing our survey below. Individual family members can complete it.
Thank you in advance!
Much of the Committee’s work is accomplished by sub-committees. Current subcommittees include education, communication, programming survey, and interfaith programming. Other subcommittees may form as needed
Tasks undertaken by the Committee include:
- Planning and implementing programming to address congregational needs around antisemitism.
- Creating content regarding antisemitism issues for the Kesher and Sinai at a Glance publications.
- Representing Temple Sinai on Kulanu*, ADL’s organization for antisemitism training and sharing of experiences between congregations.
- Sharing alerts and other information from antisemitism initiatives such as the JCRC Mobilization Corps, Secure Community Network, and the Anti-Defamation League.
- Arranging interdenominational programming with interested non-Jewish organizations and places of worship.
- Maintaining relationships with similar committees at other synagogues and with other local and national organizations fighting antisemitism, such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), StandWithUs, and Jewish Council on Public Affairs (JCPA). The committee also disseminates information and calls to action from those organizations to the congregation.
*Kulanu
· Kulanu, Hebrew for all of us, is a national Anti-Defamation League online community dedicated to empowering congregations throughout the U.S. to address antisemitism and hate in their communities through education, community engagement and advocacy. An additional goal of Kulanu is to facilitate the sharing of programming ideas among U.S. congregations.
· Kulanu has regular online Community of Practice events where members share experiences and ideas that have worked for their synagogues.
Interfaith Events
The Committee represents a point of contact, along with the clergy and staff, for non-Jewish groups interested in fighting antisemitism. Forming relationships with such groups are important if real progress is to be made against Jew hate.
Programming
Programming example: On March 21, 2025, the Action Against Antisemitism Committee hosted A Taste of Shabbat event, in cooperation with Stories of Antisemitism, a Christian group interested in combatting antisemitism. Pastors and lay-people from several Denver area churches attended Shabbat services, followed by a dinner where members of the committee at each table led discussions about antisemitism.
Similar events are in the planning stages.
Education
Utilizing the Kulanu network and those relationships in the Denver Jewish Community mentioned above, the Committee creates education and training opportunities for the congregation. These events may address general topics, such as the history of antisemitism, or specific, current topics, such as antisemitism on college campuses post October 12. Other synagogues and the Denver Jewish community at large may be invited to participate in these events. The Committee also works with the educational staff at Temple Sinai to address programming needs.
Programming example:
July 21, 2025, the Action Against Antisemitism Committee hosted a panel discussion on Building Jewish Resiliency on Campus for current and prospective college students and their families. A panoply of Denver Jewish organizations served as cosponsors with Temple Sinai. Serving on the panel were representatives from ADL, Hillel, StandWithUS, Students Supporting Israel, Chabad of South Denver/DU, and a mental health therapist experienced with helping people deal with the trauma of antisemitism. A representative of JCRC served as moderator, and Rabbi Rheins and Rabbi Shields addressed the audience. An estimated 150 people attended.
A similar program for high school students is in the planning stages.
Ongoing security training for the congregants is regularly planned and offered for congregants by the Action Against Antisemitism Committee.
Temple Sinai’s Action Against Antisemitism committee welcomes interested new members and programming ideas.