DEI Conference
Combating Islamophobia and Antisemitism
Session Description:
Since the escalation of violence in Gaza and Israel in October 2023, both Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents have surged in the U.S. A panel featuring a Muslim speaker and a Jewish speaker aims to shed light on these forms of bigotry. They will define the roots and tropes of Islamophobia and antisemitism and examine how they’ve impacted ordinary Americans from diverse backgrounds—Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, Jewish, and Israeli. The panel concludes by offering recommendations to combat these prejudices at both interpersonal and institutional levels. Throughout the event the speakers will entertain questions and have a discussion with the audience.
Additional Resources: Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia
Here are some resources that might help you understand how to address antisemitism and Islamophobia.
- Project Shema’s Addressing Antisemitism – A Guide for Allies [PDF]
- Islamic Networks Group’s Education Resources for Professional Groups and General Public
Objectives and Key Takeaways:
- An understanding of the roots, definition, and tropes of Islamophobia and antisemitism
- An understanding of the impact of Islamophobia and antisemitism on Americans from diverse backgrounds
- Strategies for combating both forms of prejudices at both the interpersonal and institutional levels.
Audience:
Audience Knowledge and Experience:
Ways to watch:
Only available as a live stram via Zoom on June 6.
Additional Materials
Guest Speakers
Dr. Zachary Markwith
Deputy Director at ING
Dr. Zachary Markwith is the Deputy Director at ING. He received his PhD in Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, and an MA in Comparative Religious Studies at the George Washington University. He has taught classes on Islam and other world religions at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara University, and the Graduate Theological Union.
Karen Stiller
Karen has an MSSA with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Karen started her professional career in social work and nonprofit management. She moved to the Bay Area in 2000, where she worked in the Preventive Defense Project at Stanford University. Karen has been with the Jewish Community Relations Council since 2002, first as Peninsula Director and currently as Senior Director of Jewish Affairs. She has been deeply involved in interfaith work over the years, including helping start up two local interfaith councils. She was recently appointed as a Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Fremont. Karen is also a Jewish speaker on ING's Interfaith Speakers Bureau.
