Antisemitism expert to speak at Women’s Philanthropy event

Antisemitism expert Stephanie Hausner will speak at the Women’s Philanthropy Dollar-a-Day Spring Event at Temple Beth El on March 30. Chief operating officer of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Hausner will talk to the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley society about the rise in antisemitism and what can be done about it.

“Most religion-based hate crimes in the United States are antisemitic,” said a 2021 special report coauthored by Hausner. “This threat has become more pervasive during the pandemic, fueled by conspiracy theories, and embraced by an array of extremists.”

And that’s only the most obvious transgressions. “We are also aware that antisemitism can manifest in subtle ways — that is, in patterns that are difficult to detect, track, and prevent,” the assessment continues. “In fact, incidents that are seemingly innocent on the surface could mask antisemitism or reflect deep ignorance, which is a worrying trend that must be addressed.”

Regarding the essential role of Jewish Federations, the report concludes, “The organized Jewish community, led by the Jewish Federations of North America, have worked not only to address the physical security of all Jewish people but also to tackle antisemitic and antiZionist sentiment via education, legal protections, and coalition-building.”

In the CEO role for the Conference of Presidents, Hausner focuses on strengthening the conference’s activities and working with member organizations on combatting antisemitism (as well as promoting a vibrant US-Israel relationship). Before that, the Johns Hopkins University graduate in international relations worked for the Jewish Federations of

North America as managing director of the Israel Action Network, overseeing its federal and state advocacy efforts, campus and community initiatives.

Among other related achievements, she coordinated the pro-Israel community’s efforts to pass anti-Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions legislation, which has resulted in laws in 33 states so far. She also served two terms as an elected councilwoman in Clarkstown, New York.

The Dollar-a-Day event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is open to women who pledge a minimum of $365 to the 2023 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. The cost for the event is $36. For more information and to register (by March 19), visit jewishlehighvalley.org/ women.

Women’s History Month

and the Hebrew month of Adar being at the same time of the year is pretty amazing, since Adar is the month in which Purim falls. The holiday celebrates the victory over Haman, largely through the efforts of Esther. It’s not for nothing that the name of the Torah scroll read during this month is “Megillat Esther.”

Both Esther and Vashti are strong women in a world ruled by men, making a change in their lives and in other’s lives by standing up for what they believe.

Now, in 2023, women are in stronger positions than ever all over the world, and in many industries. I want to focus on Israeli women in positions of