Holt to speak at forum on combating antisemitism in OKC
Oklahoma City’s mayor will join a leader from the Anti-Defamation League in a forum about combating antisemistism.
Shira Goodman from the Anti-Defamation League’s Government Relations, Advocacy and Community Engagement (GRACE) team, will be guest speaker along with Mayor David Holt at “A Conversation About Antisemitism” set for 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at Temple B’nai Israel, 4901 N. Pennsylvania. The event is being sponsored by the temple, Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City, AntiDefamation League, Hillel at the University of Oklahoma, Emanuel Synagogue and the Schusterman Center for Judaic & Israel Studies at OU.
Organizers of the forum said the mayor and Goodman will discuss the rise in antisemitism and what government leaders can do about it.
Rabbi Vered Harris, the temple’s spiritual leader, said the forum topic is important for the community.
“We have fantastic support from our neighbors throughout Oklahoma City, and for that we are grateful,” she said.
Still, Oklahoma City is not immune to the current rise in antisemitism. This conversation will help all of us better understand the problem and what we can do to combat it.”
Holt said the conversation is timely due to the rise in antisemitism across the country.
“Unfortunately, occurrences of antisemitism in America are more frequent right now than they have been in at least a generation,” he said. “I think people in positions like mine have an obligation to stand with Jewish people and against this bigotry.”
In 2021, Holt joined the Mayors United Against Antisemitism initiative, a partnership between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Jewish Committee, a Jewish advocacy group.
“I have always stood against bigotry, hate and extremism, locally and nationally, so when this event was proposed, it was an easy thing to say yes to, and I look forward to the conversation,” Holt said of the coming forum.
“Our Jewish friends and neighbors in Oklahoma City should always feel welcome and know that all residents stand united against antisemitism.”
Meanwhile, Harris said people can make a difference in their sphere of influence, joining their efforts to fight hate.
“Everyone is a leader in some way — whether our influence is within our family or friend group, or how we treat others in public sphere, or as heads of major enterprises, when we work together to counter antisemitism and other forms of prejudice, we work together to improve society for everyone,” she said.