Temple Sinai joins ADL initiative to fight antisemitism and promote understanding, unity

Temple Sinai in Sarasota has joined the organization, Kulanu: Synagogues in Action Against Antisemitism, in a renewed commitment to combat antisemitism and promote understanding and unity.

Organized by the Anti-Defamation League, the endeavor by Temple Sinai underscores the urgency of actively addressing the deep-seated issue of antisemitism through education, community engagement, and advocacy, Chazzan Cliff Abramson said. By aligning with Kulanu, Temple Sinai will embark on an eight-month initiative beginning this month that empowers congregations to stand up against hate, foster dialogue, and build bridges of understanding within their communities.

“We deserve to live in a world devoid of hate," Abramson said. "Temple Sinai is proud to join Kulanu to combat antisemitism all over the world and especially Israel, through unity, solidarity, and education. We seek partnerships with like-minded congregations, driven by the goal expressed simply by the late Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks who said, 'I don’t need you to agree with me, I need you to care about me.’”

Kulanu is Hebrew for “all of us.” The ADL will prepare Temple Sinai with resources to develop and implement programming through the exclusive Kulanu inspiration library, interactive webinars with ADL experts, and guidance from professionals. This is the ADL’s second year of the program.

As a Kulanu synagogue, Temple Sinai will learn how to have critical conversations about antisemitism and other forms of bigotry and cultivate the tools to fight such hate. This includes establishing a dedicated programming oversight group, encouraging reporting of incidents to the ADL, launching two community initiatives, engaging in Kulanu webinars, participating in a community of practice, and sharing program impact upon completion.

Members of Temple Sinai’s Kulanu committee are Abramson, Andrea Eiffert (staff liaison), David Kaufman, Cindy Nash, Michelle Portnow-Rivas, Holly Schirtzer, Patty Schreiber, and Bob Steiner.

For information, visit templesinai-sarasota.org or contact Eiffert at aeiffert@templesinai-sarasota.org. For more information on Kulanu, visit adl.org/apply-kulanu.

Submitted by Marty Katz

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Temple Sinai joins Anti-Defamation League program to fight antisemitism