(Los Angeles, CA -- January 9, 2023) -- Rabbis United, a division of StandWithUs, is proud to announce its inaugural conference to be held January 30, 2023 at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Rabbis from all denominations are coming together to spend the day learning from expert speakers about the antisemitic challenges of our times, and creative, inspiring new ways to bring Israel to their congregations. The event features the StandWithUs Director of the Saidoff Legal Department, Yael Lerman; the Director of the Center for Combating Antisemitism, Carly Gammill,and CEO and Co-founder of StandWithUs, Roz Rothstein. Egyptian-born Hussein Aboubakr, who fled for his life after being persecuted for studying about Israel, will tell his harrowing and inspirational story. The keynote speaker at the dinner event is David Suissa, CEO, publisher and editor of the award-winning Los Angeles Jewish Journal.
During the informative and exciting day, Rabbis will brainstorm about what they need to be successful and responsive to their communities' need to support Israel and fight antisemitism. Topics such as " modern-day antisemitism and solutions," "Inspiring your congregations with all things Israel," "Modern activism in the synagogue," and "Jewish Unity & Rabbinic Leadership," will be discussed, including "the legal response to antisemitism" will be reviewed.
Attendees will hear from StandWithUs experts in the campus and high school divisions about problems being faced by today's student populations in middle school, high school and college campuses. They will learn about the current threat from the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum to K-12 education. There will be a presentation about SWU's Middle School Curriculum IsraelLINK, a learner-centered Israel educational platform available to synagogues at no cost. Rabbis and Cantors will also participate in an interactive session on, "Answering Difficult Questions About Israel."
Thanks to the generosity of an extraordinary anonymous donor, the conference is free to Rabbis and Cantors of active congregations. The registration link can be found HERE: Rabbis United Conference 2023
Rabbis United (RU) was launched to connect Rabbis of all denominations who care about Israel and the fight against antisemitism, to StandWithUs and to one another. RU will ensure that its members have access to community-building tools including free educational materials, programs, webinars, outstanding speakers, Israel tours (in-person or virtual), campaigns, and social media options. Support is available regarding responding to antisemitic incidents, including free legal options. There are project ideas for B'nai Mitzvah students. Learn more at: www.rabbisunited.com
"We are so delighted about the rapid growth of Rabbis United," stated Roz Rothstein, co-Founder and CEO StandWithUs. "It was one of our dreams when we created SWU 21 years ago, to have a platform where Rabbis can feel unified in the fight against antisemitism and Israel education. This is especially true now as we experience a rise in antisemitic incidents that sometimes tragically, include dangerous violence."
Rabbi Matthew Abelson, executive director of Rabbis United, states, "As a pro-Israel activist, I have always admired the work of SWU. I feel privileged to be part of this extraordinary organization that has done so much to educate the public, internationally, about Israel and countering antisemitism. Our goal is to provide a space for colleagues who love Israel and the Jewish people, to learn how to address complex topics and fully bring Israel to their synagogues and the communities they love. I am delighted to have registrants from different streams of Judaism who want to be together, learn from one another, and who love Israel and the Jewish people."
"We are excited to have this first rabbi’s conference in Los Angeles, where StandWithUs began 21 years ago," stated Rothstein. "When Rabbis and their congregations are engaged in finding solutions to priority issues like antisemitism and connecting their congregants to Israel, our greatest challenges will become our best opportunities."
Learn more at: www.rabbisunited.com
About StandWithUs
StandWithUs (SWU) is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism.
Through university fellowships, high school internships, middle school curricula, conferences, materials, social media, educational films and missions to Israel, StandWithUs supports people around the world who want to educate their schools and communities about Israel.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization has chapters and programs throughout the U.S., in Israel, the UK, Canada, South Africa, Brazil and the Netherlands.
For the last eleven years, SWU has consistently received the highest possible ratings from Charity Navigator and Guidestar, two charity watchdog groups that assess hundreds of thousands of charities in the United States.
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