Artists Host Unique Auction to Support Antisemitism Education on College Campuses
George Washington University students assembled at the campus’ Kogan Plaza on Oct. 9, 2023 to mourn those who died during Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians on Oct. 7. Photo: Dion J. Pierre/The Algemeiner
A diverse group of artists is sponsoring an auction and fundraiser with more than 400 one-of-a-kind items, services, and experiences, with proceeds going to an organization that aims to educate students on US college campuses about antisemitism.
The online auction, sponsored by Artists Against Antisemitism, begins on Friday, the last day of Hanukkah, and extends until Dec. 22 “to keep the light [of Hanukkah] going” for another week, according to a description for the fundraiser. Proceeds will support Project Shema, an organization that tries to build bridges and fight antisemitism through education and understanding. Project Shema will use proceeds from the auction “to subsidize essential training on select college campuses to help students understand anti-Jewish harm and allyship in this difficult moment.”
Artists Against Antisemitism was founded by 32 contemporary Jewish women writers from the US who were seeking a sense of support and community following Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel. The group has since expanded to include more than 100 actors, playwrights, creators and others in the artistic community.
Some of the items and experiences up for bid as part of the auction include a 15-minute Zoom meet-and-greet with actress and former Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik, a separate Zoom call with actor Henry Winkler, lunch in New York or Los Angeles at a kosher deli with actor and former Royal Pains star Mark Feuerstein, and a set of signed books titled She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton.
Other signed books are also available for auction, as well as artwork, jewelry, vacation packages, naming rights for characters in novels, and a personalized recorded message from the voice actor who plays the Looney Tunes animated character Porky Pig, who is also offering a Zoom call with a fan or coaching lessons.
Martin Fletcher, the former Middle East correspondent and Tel Aviv bureau chief for NBC News, is offering a 30-minute talk with a fan about Israel, the Middle East, or one of his books. There are also VIP concert ticket packages available for New Kids on the Block, Bruce Springsteen and Sister Hazel. Fiction and non-fiction authors have additionally offered to participate in virtual classroom visits via Zoom.
“We took anything from people that are artists or even art adjacent, but we really wanted items that are not something you could get in a store or even a book signing,” said Alison Hammer, a co-founder of Artists Against Antisemitism. “We wanted things that were really unique and we hope people will bid early and often and help us raise money.”
“We hope that everyone can join us in standing against hate and that felt like something we could really rally people around,” she added.
Jill Santopolo, another founding member of Artists Against Antisemitism, said the goal of partnering with Project Shema for the auction was to “specifically target campus antisemitism.”
“We had all been hearing about a lot of antisemitism on college campuses, many of which we had attended or our siblings had attended, and thought that [campuses] were really some place we could make a difference,” she added. “Particularly because college students are the next generation and the future. If we can combat antisemitism at that stage it would really make a difference.”
The post Artists Host Unique Auction to Support Antisemitism Education on College Campuses first appeared on Algemeiner.com.