'We cannot fix this alone': How a Vancouver rabbi assembled a team of diverse leaders to tackle racism

After a two-week conflict between Israel and Palestine in the summer of 2021 led to an unprecedented spike in antisemitism, Rabbi Philip Bregman knew he had to act. He began reaching out to other racialized groups who know what it's like to feel discrimination. Eventually, he assembled a sort of Justice League of seven community leaders, including himself: Tariq Tyab of the Muslim community, Terry Yung of the Asian Buddhist community, Inderjeet Singh of the South Asian community, Jahmira Kedesha Lovemore of the Black community, retired United Church minister Gary Gaudin, and Jody Wilson-Raybould, the Indigenous leader who rose to fame as the Attorney General of Canada.

The group, dubbed "The Other People", began offering their services to schools, so students could see how real people from different communities act and face challenges in person. They've visited about eight schools so far, speaking to more than 1,000 kids—mostly in Vancouver, but also as far as Salmon Arm, a five-hour drive northeast of the city. The reception hasn't always been smooth—Rabbi Bregman has faced Hitler salutes in this process—but, as he explains on today's show, it's all part of the mission of exposing biases and having open conversations.

Rabbi Bregman is joined by Tayeb and his colleague Yusef Siraj, who does tech support for the group.

What we talked about:

• Visit their website at theotherpeople.ca
• Hear their stories in person at Temple Sholom in Vancouver on Dec. 8
• Learn more about the Muslim members' initiative, foundation4ward.org

Credits

The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To learn how to support the show by subscribing to this podcast, please watch this video.