In response to the overwhelming increase of antisemitic incidents in the United States since the Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is launching a year-long workshop on fighting antisemitism called “Change Begins with YOU.”

“The museum gets lots of questions from visitors, parents and students on how to fight antisemitism, what to do with the lessons they have learned from visiting the museum, and how to communicate efficiently in crises,” said the museum’s Director of Marketing and Communications Amy Lutz. “Our team got together, reviewed the common questions we received and discussed what topics the museum was best suited to engage with, and ‘The Change Begins with YOU series was born.”

The series begins this month and runs through December.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, in less than three-month, from the time Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 to Dec. 31, 2023, more than 2,031 antisemitic incidents have been recorded, up from 465 incidents during the same period in 2022, representing a 337% increase year-over-year. This includes 40 incidents of physical assault, more than 337 incidents of vandalism and 804 incidents of verbal or written harassment.

According to the ADL’s online “Heat Map,” more than 30 incidents have occurred in the St. Louis region.

“Change Begins with YOU is a reminder that we cannot do everything, but we can all do something to make the world a better place,” said museum Executive Director Myron Freedman. “These six workshops, led by the museum’s core staff team, will give each participant the tools they need to become an active ally and fight against hate and bigotry in their daily lives.”

Each workshop costs $25; $15 for museum members. Participants who sign up for all six workshops will receive a complimentary branded notebook and pen and one workshop free. Those wanting to take advantage of the discount will need to use the code BUNDLE at checkout.

Change Begins with YOU includes the following workshop sessions:

Feb. 18 – 1 p.m. | How to Fight Antisemitism| Register Here

Apr. 21 – 1 p.m. | From Genocide to Ethnic Cleansing: Why Our Words Matter | Register Here

June 9 – 1 p.m. | Taming the Digital Wildfire: Media Literacy in the Internet Age | Register Here

Aug. 18 – 1 p.m. | The Human Cost of Dehumanizing Language | Register Here

Nov. 17 – 1 p.m. | The Pitfalls of Wokeness: The Pros & Cons of DEI | Register Here

Dec. 8 -1 p.m. | Build Your Toolkit: How YOU Can Become and Active Ally | Register Here