Tanya Raab: Courageous voice against anti-Semitism and for diversity!

Tanya Raab: Courageous voice against anti-Semitism and for diversity!

On Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m., Tanya Raab will present her book “Shalom Together!” at the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder). The event takes place in the Viadrina Senate Hall, Große Scharrnstraße 59, Room 109, and admission is free. In her book, published in March, Raab addresses the misconceptions about Jewish life and how these can be changed. She describes the diversity of Jewish life and shares personal experiences.

Tanya Raab, a 24-year-old Jew, came to Frankfurt (Oder) from Ukraine at the age of three and now lives in Brandenburg an der Havel. As a queer and feminist activist, she advocates for the visibility of Jewish identity. She wears bold colors and is described by friends as a “walking rainbow.” On her Instagram account, Raab speaks openly about anti-Semitism and her diverse experiences with it.

Focus on diversity of Jewish life

In her book, Tanya Raab covers numerous topics, including religious festivals, dating experiences and the anti-Semitic hatred she encountered. She recently shared a particularly remarkable experience when a date wanted to talk about Auschwitz instead of getting to know her. These stories are part of their educational work, which unfolds both online and on stage.

Her faith is a significant part of her identity, alongside her roles as a feminist, mother, aspiring teacher, and poetry slammer. The power of their words is often characterized by anger and a strong need for security for themselves and their family. Since October 7, 2023, she has been exposed to increasing hostility, which makes her commitment even more urgent.

Anti-Semitism as an intersectional issue

The rise of anti-Semitism, particularly on social media, highlights the need for education, particularly in the context of intersectional challenges. The educational initiative “Jewish & Intersectional,” founded by Miriam Yosef and Ina Holev, offers workshops and training to draw attention to marginalized Jewish identity and anti-Semitism within activist groups. This initiative is particularly important because it also offers non-Jewish communities a platform to discuss intersectional issues.

The issue of anti-Semitism is often not criticized to the extent necessary or is dismissed as a problem for marginalized groups. Jewish people are often forced to speak out on issues such as the Shoah and Israel, which increases the pressure and requires a deeper discussion about anti-Semitism. The perception of Jews as a powerful group also leads to misunderstandings, which often excludes their perspectives.

With her book and her reading at the Viadrina, Tanya Raab wants to make an important contribution to dismantling misconceptions and promoting dialogue about Jewish life and anti-Semitism. “Shalom everyone!” is not just a book, but a call for change and a sign of empowerment.

The event, which was organized by the Viadrina Equal Opportunities Department, the university pastoral care and the Ecumenical European Center Frankfurt (Oder) e. V. is an opportunity to deal with the issues of Jewish identity and the challenges of anti-Semitism today. Tanya Raab shows that everyday Jewish life is diverse and vibrant, and that it is time to change these narratives.