May is over. Did you know it was Jewish American Heritage Month?
If your answer is “no,” you’re far from alone. It was easy to miss. However, the State Department’s former anti-Semitism envoy is on a mission to change that, state by state.
“We have had for 42 years a period of presidentially declared, bipartisan, dedication to learning about and understanding Jewish contributions to the United States. What happens? Not much,” lamented Elan Carr, now a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
“I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,” Says the Lord your God.” Amos 9:15
Carr served in the administration of Donald Trump from 2019 to 2021, focusing on combating and monitoring anti-Semitism.
“Why is there no [Jewish Heritage Month] curriculum in school districts? No PSAs [public service announcements]? No messaging?” asked Carr, who told JNS that while at the State Department, he started the process of developing such a program—together with the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations and other link-minded entities—before Trump’s term ended.
arr said he has taken note that a number of organizations, including some he’s worked with, have the same lines of effort, such as securing Jewish communities and assets; labeling anti-Semitism through the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition; dealing with and countering metastatic hate on the Internet and social media; condemning anti-Semitic movements; and prosecuting hate crimes.
“It occurred to me that all of these measures all inherently defensive. And while you need a good defense, you can’t ever win by only playing defense. So, the question is: How do we go on the offense?” he posed.
“The best way is to turn the tables completely on Jew-hatred is to drive a narrative that inculcates the appreciation of and respect for the remarkable Jewish story that has brought so much to Western civilization,” replied Carr
Read More @ JNS HERE
