This week, Zev Mishell, National Programs Associate at Interfaith Alliance, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the intersection of systemic violence, hate crimes, and religious and political ideologies in America. Zev is the author of Interfaith Alliance’s new report, Together Against Hate, which closely analyzes how interfaith movements can address hate-based violence by uniting across differences while also examining how White Christian Nationalism is driving the alarming rise of hate in America.
The report comprises case studies of successful strategies, practical recommendations, and a guide to organizations working to combat hate and extremism in the U.S. It is based on extensive research and interviews with nearly two dozen advocacy organizations dedicated to faith-based organizing, upholding civil rights and confronting hate. The full report will be released on Monday, January 13th, on the Interfaith Alliance website.
“Religion is contextual, and it can manifest itself in extremely damaging and violent ways. It can divide us from one another. It can create supremacist outlooks. It can create and be influenced by ethno-nationalist outlooks. And maybe it’d be better if we could just say, religion is terrible. We can get rid of it. Fine. But we can’t. Because ultimately, so many people find spiritual and political inspiration from their religions.”
– Zev Mishell, National Programs Associate at Interfaith Alliance and a graduate student at Harvard Divinity School. He graduated with honors from Princeton University with a degree in Near Eastern Studies, specializing in Israel/Palestine and the history of the Israeli Far Right. Mishell has published in numerous media outlets, including The Forward, Religion News Service, and the Tel Aviv Review of Books.