Shedding light on antisemitism

The official launch of his new book at the Martin Luther King Centre in Atlanta was “a moment of immense significance … which correctly positions the book and the question of antisemitism as a civil and human rights imperative”, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin told The AJN this week.

The event for The 7 Deadly Myths: Antisemitism from the Time of Christ to Kanye West, organised by the Consulate of Israel, was attended by Black leaders, pastors, professors and Jewish community partners.

Ryvchin also provided antisemitism training at the Atlanta Police Academy and presented to senior officers at the Sandy Springs Police Station, an area being targeted by neo-Nazis.

“It was a critical opportunity to explain how understanding antisemitism mythology is a law enforcement issue,” he said.

On the book, Ryvchin said, “Antisemitism has seen our people dispossessed, discarded, massacred in every generation. But it has also given us the pride and the duty that comes from enduring, from being survivors, from belonging to that tiny sliver of our people, that has made it to this day with our Jewishness intact.”

He emphasised that the book aims to make sense of the Jewish experience and convey “an expression of that pride and duty”.

He said the inspiration for the book came from conversations with former Sydney Jewish Museum president Gus Lehrer, saying they were “deeply troubled by the explosion of hard-left antisemitism in the time of [former UK Labour leader] Jeremy Corbyn and the extraordinary blind-spot that so-called ‘anti-racists’ have when it comes to antisemitism”.

Recognising the lack of understanding surrounding antisemitism, Ryvchin said he realised the need for a concise and entertaining book that unravels its mysteries, tracing its origins, transmission and contemporary manifestations.

Discussing US attitudes towards antisemitism, Ryvchin acknowledged the increasing recognition of the problem. He noted, “Owing to the efforts of our partner organisations in the US, antisemitism is finally becoming a major policy issue as evidenced by the Biden administration’s announcement of a major national initiative to combat antisemitism.”

He emphasised the importance of community involvement in spreading the book’s message, stating, “The future of our community depends on it.”

Ryvchin said he urges readers “to act as emissaries and allies and bring this book to their circles, professional associations, universities, schools, members of parliament”.

“Start the conversations that will lead to understanding and real change.”

Purchase a signed copy: alexryvchin.com/books/p/7deadlymyths