Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Launches: Shine A Light On Antisemitism

08:22AM / Thursday, December 22, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Jewish Federation of the Berkshires has joined Shine A Light, a comprehensive national initiative to illuminate the dangers of antisemitism through education, engagement, and advocacy.

According to a press release, Shine A Light uses the story of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, to champion the message that light can dispel darkness. Through a coalition of more than 100 Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, Shine a Light seeks to catalyze conversations and raise awareness across communities, on school campuses, and in the workplace, so that people will better understand what constitutes antisemitism and take steps to respond.

As part of the coalition, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will spotlight modern forms of antisemitism and share educational resources and advocacy opportunities through a targeted social media and online campaign through the end of Chanukah on December 26.

"With the global rise in antisemitism the need to stand up to the harmful prejudices and stereotypes against the Jewish community is more critical than ever," said Federation President Elisa Schindler Frankel. "We are proud to Shine A Light on antisemitism—which still exists today, both in polite conversation and in more dangerous and insidious forms. This campaign is meant to convey in no uncertain terms that it is up to all of us to be aware of antisemitism—and to take action against it."

In conjunction with its online campaign, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires will also host a community menorah lighting and Chanukah celebration on Dec.18 at The Mount, in conjunction with NightWood immersive outdoor sound and light experience. In addition, a virtual program on contemporary Jew hatred in the United States will explore antisemitism in American universities, popular culture, and hip hop, with respected scholar Dr. Charles Asher on Jan 26.

According to the Anti-Defamation League’s annual audit of antisemitic incidents released in March of 2022, antisemitic incidents in New England spiked 42 percent in 2021, with Massachusetts ranking as the worst offender. A 2021 survey of the American Jewish Committee found that one in every four American Jews has been targeted by antisemitism over the past year, and nearly four in ten report changing their behavior for fear of being identified as Jewish, or for their safety or comfort as Jews.

Visit Federation’s website (jewishberkshires.org) for additional information about events, resources, opportunities for advocacy, and ways individuals can get involved.

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Social Service Organizations Highlight Challenges, Successes at Poverty Talk

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
08:04AM / Sunday, April 05, 2026

Dr. Jennifer Michaels of the Brien Center demonstrates how to use Narcan. Easy access to the drug has cut overdose deaths in the county by nearly half.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Recent actions at the federal level are making it harder for people to climb out of poverty.

Brad Gordon, executive director of Upside413, said he felt like he was doing a disservice by not recognizing national challenges and how they draw a direct line from choices being made by the Trump administration and the challenges the United States is facing.

"They more generally impact people's ability to work their way out of poverty, and that's really, that's really the overarching dynamic," he said.

"Poverty is incredibly corrosive, and it impacts all the topics that we'll talk about today."

His comments came during a conversation on poverty hosted by Berkshire Community Action Council. Eight local service agency leaders detailed how they are supporting people during the current housing and affordability crisis, and the Berkshire state delegation spoke to their own efforts.

The event held on March 27 at the Berkshire Athenaeum included a working lunch and encouraged public feedback.

"All of this information that we're going to gather today from both you and the panelists is going to drive our next three-year strategic plan," explained Deborah Leonczyk, BCAC's executive director.

The conversation ranged from health care and housing production to financial literacy and child care. Participating agencies included Upside 413, The Brien Center, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, MassHire Berkshire Career Center, Berkshire Regional Transit Authority, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Child Care of the Berkshires.

The federal choices Gordon spoke about included allocating $140 billion for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, investing $38 billion to convert warehouses into detention centers, cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid over 10 years, a proposed 50 percent increase in the defense budget, and cutting federal funding for supportive housing programs.

Gordon pointed to past comments about how the region can't build its way out of the housing crisis because of money. He withdrew that statement, explaining, "You know what? That's bullshit, actually."

"I'm going to be honest with you, that is absolute bullshit. I have just observed over the last year or so how we're spending our money and the amount of money that we're spending on the federal side, and I'm no longer saying in good conscience that we can't build our way out of this," he said.

Upside 413 provided a "Housing Demand in Western Massachusetts" report that was done in collaboration with the University of Massachusetts at Amherst's Donahue Institute of Economic and Public Policy Research. It states that around 23,400 units are needed to meet current housing demand in Western Mass; 1,900 in Berkshire County in 2025.

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