“So what’s the big deal?” a former manager of mine said to me. “We’re still having the leadership dinner on that day. If it’s Yom Kippur, and they don’t attend the dinner, then that’s their choice, not mine.” He shrugged his shoulders and rolled his eyes. “We’ve had this date on the calendar for weeks.”
How to Support Your Jewish Colleagues Right Now
In 2021, antisemitic incidents reached an all-time high in the U.S. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), this increase represents the highest number ever recorded since the organization began tracking them in 1979. In addition to these attacks — assault, harassment, and vandalism — we’ve seen a number of influential individuals over the years making headlines for antisemitic comments and hate speech. It’s time organizations acknowledged the experiences of Jewish employees and included them in DEI efforts. The author, a DEI leader, reached out to Jewish leaders to understand and include their perspectives. Based on their input, here’s how leaders and individuals can support their Jewish employees and colleagues and fight antisemitism in their workplaces.