Zach Banner, Alysha Clark, Josh Bell to headline ‘Athletes against Antisemitism’ event
(JTA) — Zach Banner, Alysha Clark and Josh Bell will be among the professional athletes to headline an event discussing activism against anti-Semitism and how athletes can contribute to the effort.
Banner, an offensive lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers, spoke out against anti-Semitism following anti-Semitic social media posts by DeSean Jackson, a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. Banner connected his concern to the 2018 shooting at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha, a Pittsburgh synagogue.
Clark, a small forward for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, is of Jewish descent and has played for three Israeli basketball teams during her career. She has Israeli citizenship.
Bell, a first baseman, played until recently for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The event, to be held virtually on Feb. 17, will also include other activists as well as Tree of Life’s rabbi, Jeffrey Myers. It will survey anti-Semitism locally in Pittsburgh and nationally, and will discuss the importance of activism by athletes.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
