On Solidarity, Love, and Jewish Anti-Zionist Organizing, a Zero Hour Conversation with Rebecca Vilkomerson

The book and interview underscore the importance of long-term organizing, solidarity, and creating spaces for political and spiritual growth within movements.

By RJ Eskow, The Zero Hour

Rebecca Vilkomerson is the former Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). She is an organizer, fundraiser, organizational development consultant and strategist, and is the co-director of Funding Freedom. With Rabbi Alissa Wise, Rebecca is the co-author of “Solidarity Is the Political Version of Love: Lessons from Jewish Anti-Zionist Organizing.”

In this interview, Richard Eskow and Vilkomerson explore the challenges of organizing within the Jewish community, particularly the tension between communal identity and opposition to state practices that exclude others. The book and interview underscore the importance of long-term organizing, solidarity, and creating spaces for political and spiritual growth within movements. Vilkomerson emphasizes that the fight for justice is ongoing and requires sustained commitment, especially in the face of repression and shifting political landscapes.

The interview provides a nuanced look at Jewish activism, solidarity, and the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights through the lens of organizational and personal transformation. It touches on the weaponization of antisemitism and the need for a nuanced understanding of Jewish identity and solidarity with Palestinians.

The book offers lessons from Jewish anti-Zionist organizing, focuses on movement building and creating a “political home” for activists, and explores how to organize within communities to shift narratives and power dynamics.

Links:
Funding Freedom: https://www.fundingpalestinianfreedom.org
Solidary is the Political Version of Love: https://www.solidaritylovebook.org
Rebecca’s website: https://www.rebeccavilkomerson.org