We sat down with a local Jewish couple Irwin Noparstak, 77, and his wife, Joan Bayliss, 68 at their home in Eugene, Oregon to discuss modern day Jewish stereotypes and how to combat them. They have personal experience addressing Jewish stereotypes and anti-Semitic messages as they created a non-profit in Eugene, Oregon called The Understanding anti-Semitism Project, which aimed to educate Jewish people and gentiles about the history, methods of anti-Semitic messages and how to stand up against it. Both Noparstak and Bayliss are active members of the local Jewish community and regularly attend Temple Beth Israel in Eugene, Oregon.

About The Understanding anti-Semitism Project:

Noparstak talks about The Understanding anti-Semitism Project:

“About ten years ago, Joan and I, created an organization called The Understanding anti-Semitism Project, in the course of which we did a fair amount of reading about where it came from, historically how it has played out in the world, and what is going on currently. In the project, we went into schools, universities, churches, organizations, even our own synagogue and our programs would be an hour and a half to eight hours depending on needs. One of the things we did fairly consistently was the history of anti-Semitism. The core, where it comes from and how to recognize it. And what might one do when confronted with anti-Semitism.”

How do you suggest taking action?

According to Bayliss, her physical appearance is often a red flag to strangers that she is of Jewish origin, and therefore, strangers create a preconceived idea of her personality. Bayliss also said that she has internalized anti-Semitism over the years of her life, and notices changes in her own daily behavior. “I tend to dress-down when I go make a presentation, “ says Bayliss, “I don’t wear my finest things, because I don’t want to [perpetuate the wealthy stereotype]…. I want to be perceived as a normal person, just like other folks. It’s on my mind” (Bayliss 2014).

Bayliss discusses addressing anti-Semitic messages head on: “One thing we learned to do if somebody has something negative to say, is that we say, where did you get your information?”

Noparstak chimes in and agrees. He asks: “Question the source. Why are you saying that? Where did you get that idea? Try to get your feelings out of the way and not be emotional and be engaging. Asking questions too. And if it’s possible, to incorporate some form of education. Create an ally.” This is one technique that both Bayliss and Noparstak have used in real life and have also taught in their Understanding anti-Semitism workshop.