Members of the local community gathered Sunday, Nov. 16, for “Why Words Matter: Fighting Hate With Truth,” an event within the annual “Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate” program.
Participants gathered at the Rhoda L. Martin Cultural Heritage Center, 376 4th St. South, Jacksonville Beach, for the interactive program. It featured teen and adult panelists who explored the power of words, considering how a single word can conjure up generations of pain, strength and meaning in the context of antisemitism, racism and allyship.
The program was co-facilitated by Isaiah Oliver, president of the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, and Hanna Oberholtzer, executive director of Thrive Scholars.
The main event, “Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate,” will be held Jan. 22 at Christ Church. It will begin with a dinner from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by speakers from 7 to 8 p.m. A pledge drive begins immediately following dinner. Note that this is an invitation-only event.
The pledge event will continue Feb. 1 at Palms Presbyterian and Feb. 8 at Christ Church and The Rhoda Martin Center. Those who pledge their commitment against all forms of hate will receive a bagel and cream cheese.
The “Spread Cream Cheese, Not Hate” campaign to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate was founded in 2020 by UF Hillel. This will be the third time the campaign has been conducted locally.
Beth El The Beaches Synagogue is partnering with Palms Presbyterian, Christ Church, AME Church, JaxThrive, Together Strong Community Fund, as well as local high school students, to bring this topic to the forefront of the community. It is made possible by a grant from Together Strong Community Fund.
