Penny Rosenwasser

I periodically give talks connected to my book about internalized anti-Semitism and I facilitate “Dare to be Powerful” workshops, about working through internalized oppression to empower our activist leadership. I used an earlier version of this map in my January 2020 workshop and I’m excited about using it often in the future, to give folks this valuable tool for our healing and empowerment.

 In my workshops with (mostly white Ashkenazi) Jewish activists, I especially emphasize how our “Desire to Control” behaviors – urgency, distrust, worry – become racism when we impose these on folks of color. We don’t mean to be racist, but that’s the impact. So just as we need to be compassionate with ourselves, we have to be vigilant about changing this behavior. This map can help reinforce this healing.

 And related to the “Sense of Powerlessness” and “Self-hatred” areas, in my work I stress the importance of valuing our significance, our Jewish visibility -- and that “Jews are worth fighting for.” When white Jews are grounded in this way, we’re much stronger allies to People of Color, because we can validate and work on healing ourselves, and are less likely to (unconsciously) lean on People of Color to make us feel valued. Reclaiming our sense of self-worth is so crucial for our liberation. Again, this map can help us focus here. 

Book: “Hope into Practice, Jewish women choosing justice despite our fears”