Join us at The Museum of Jewish Heritage for A Poetry Reading in Response to Antisemitism, an opportunity to gather in the power and beauty of poetry and the vitality of Jewish life. With our words, we combat the hate and prejudice so widely directed and expressed against Jewish people, and speak out against the bigotry and intolerance now rampant.
Cultural critic and keynote speaker Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen: How They Rise, Why They Succeed, How They Fall, will provide historical context for today’s worldwide uptick in antisemitism, focusing specifically on New York City. Curators Martine Bellen, Ruth Danon, and Andrew Levy have brought together poets Rosebud Ben-Oni, Jordan Davis, Sharon Dolin, Joanna Fuhrman, Nada Gordon, Patricia Spears Jones, Pierre Joris, Adeena Karasick, Vincent Katz, Burt Kimmelman, Basil King, Susan Lewis, Stephen Massimilla, Sharon Mesmer, Uche Nduka, Mercedes Roffe, Sean Singer, Yerra Sugarman, Anne Tardos, and Edwin Torres to share works reflecting on this current moment. During these difficult times, poetry is a place to turn, a way of expressing our common humanity. In this event, we unite in strength to share our experiences and envision a better world.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
– Martin Niemöller