By way of background, Temple B'nai Chaim designated 5783 (2022-2023) as “A Year of Healing and Repair – A Time for Action” with a special focus on how we could fulfill the Jewish ideal of Tikkun Olam. As part of this effort, a TBC Social Action Group to Confront Antisemitism and Hate was formed, led by Bonnie Heft. Among other things, the group's action plan included enrolling TBC as a participant in the ADL Kulanu Program, which it did in 2023.

Working in part from the ADL Kulanu guidelines, the action group accomplished a number of important things including the following:

• Began a TBC Religious School curriculum review. Antisemitism/Holocaust Education was found to be more appropriate for older students. Ellie and Cantor began to envision an 8th & 9th Grade program taught by Nora Baskin. This March, for the second year in a row, TBC will also be offering ADL programming for 6th-8th Grade families (below).



(Click for full poster.)

• Created an Antisemitism brochure, “Confronting Antisemitic Acts,” which included guidelines for reporting antisemitic, bias-related and other discriminatory incidents. This was disseminated to members of the congregation and posted to the TBC website: https://templebnaichaim.org/tbc-antisemitism-brochure/

• Sponsored a Wilton town meeting held on February 4, 2024 called “Confronting Acts of Hate in Our Community,” The meeting was hosted at the Wilton YMCA and some 250 Wilton and regional residents attended. A description and pictures from that meeting is available here: https://templebnaichaim.org/confronting-acts-of-hate-in-our-community/. This event was covered by the Redding Sentinel, Good Morning Wilton, News 12, and the First Selectman’s newsletter.

Wilton Anti-Hate Group Formed!



Energized by TBC's town hall meeting, participants and TBC members initiated a community-wide discussion about how to create a broader Wilton-based organization to be named “Wilton Confronting Hate and Intolerance”. A core group from TBC and other Wilton organizations and residents met several times during 2024. The group’s preliminary mission statement, still in process, is as follows:

"We strive to build a stronger, more tolerant and inclusive community that values and celebrates the worth of each of its residents. Our mission is to confront hate in our community by fostering respect, civility, and connection. We also strive to support victims of hate speech and acts of hate, and to work to minimize the presence of hate within our community."

The new group is currently being led by Ross Tartell, Andy Bayer and Barbara Massy Bear and is in the process of developing an organizational model and an action plan for 2025. Although the group was initiated chiefly by TBC members, it is expected that it will become largely independent of TBC – a coalition partnering with Wilton town government, schools, leaders of different faiths, and other vulnerable members of the community.

In due course, the group will likley have its own blog/newsletter, but will also keep TBC members apprised of its activities. At present, members who have questions or suggestions should contact: Ross Tartell or Andy Bayer.

TBC Singers Needed!

The new TBC Chorale needs YOU! Calling all singers… do you love to sing? Are you looking for a creative outlet, an opportunity to have fun with friends and make a difference at TBC? Please join our emerging TBC Chorale and raise your voice in song with fellow music lovers! Contact cantorharriet@templebnaichaim.org.

Please see our weekly Chailites for news on upcoming events and happenings at TBC or go to our website for detailed information!