Anti-semitism is on the rise. But there’s a battle for its definition with the term being hijacked from its meaning into a new pro-Israel anti-semitism. The controversy has led to deep division within the Jewish world, with implications for other historically oppressed groups. Rabbi Ed will speak about how the term has been hijacked, and how we might take it back.

Rabbi Ed Stafman brings a diverse background to his role. After working various jobs, he spent 25 years as a civil rights attorney before pursuing rabbinic ordination and a PhD inspired by Jewish teachings on compassion. As the rabbi in Bozeman for a decade, he developed a deep sense of shared human values. His interfaith work built skills finding commonalities among diverse people, useful in the Montana legislature, where he is serving his third term, advocating for the environment, economic justice, and compassion. Rabbi Ed is an outdoor enthusiast, community volunteer, and most recently, a new grandfather.