| Jews and Money. That was the name of a conference I helped organize several years ago. Probably not a great way to dispel myths and stereotypes of money-grubbing Jews, we realized as we hung the banner up in the hallway of the hotel where the conference took place. Oops. Money’s hard to talk about, especially when it conjures up unpleasant images of anti-Semitism. Which I was I was quite inspired by the fact that Manhattan Together, a local affiliate of the Industrial Areas Foundation, decided to confront the issue head on as part of its “10% is Enough” campaign to cap federal interests rates on credit cards. This past Sunday, I sat in a room at East End Temple, a Reform congregation in Manhattan, with about 50 clergy and lay leaders from synagogues, churches and non-profit groups across the country. Leaders from Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist synagogues sat with their peers from Lutheran, Episcopalian, and Hispanic Evangelical congregations, among others. For three hours, we learned about various faith traditions’ perspectives on lending, explored the historical context in which the stereotypes of Jews as usurers emerged, and discussed our own experiences with stereotypes related to money. For me, the day was particularly moving. I’ve been drawn to the work of synagogue organizing in part because I wanted to support Jewish institutions to be part of making systemic and legislative change in their cities. But just as much, I am compelled by organizing’s potential to build relationships among people who might ordinarily not come in contact with one another. Sunday’s learning reminded me of how rare it is to find spaces where we can engage in deep, substantive conversations about our identities and our own histories—and how powerful it can be, when we do. |
