Vashti in Conversation: Solidarity is the Political Version of Love

On 11 November, Vashti editors Kendall Gardner and Francesca Newton spoke to JVP's Rebecca Vilkomerson and Rabbi Alissa Wise, co-authors of the new book Solidarity is the Political Version of Love: Lessons from Jewish Anti-Zionist Organizing published by Haymarket Books.

In a wide-ranging conversation, the four discuss the intention behind writing a book for organisers both within and external to the Jewish community, understanding the strategic importance of separating Judaism from Zionism as part of the Palestine liberation movement, responding to critics and resisting repression, and preparing for the second Trump presidency.

Watch a recording of the conversation above. Be sure to share it with your friends and family and look out for upcoming Vashti events like this one.

Rebecca Vilkomerson has worked in social justice movement building for several decades, as an organizer, fundraiser, organizational development consultant and strategist. From 2009-2019 she was the Executive Director of Jewish Voice for Peace. In 2022, the Solidaire Network published her report “Funding Freedom: Building Support for the Palestinian Freedom Movement in Philanthropy.” She is currently the Co-Director of the Funding Freedom project.

Rabbi Alissa Wise is an organizational consultant, community organizer, educator, and ritual leader with over two decades of movement-building experience. Rabbi Wise co-founded the JVP Rabbinical Council in 2010. From 2011-2021 was Organizing Co-Director, Deputy Director and Interim Co-Executive Director of JVP. She is currently the Lead Organizer of Rabbis for Ceasefire which she founded in October 2023.

Francesca Newton is assistant editor at Tribune and an editor at Vashti. She currently lives in Melbourne.

Kendall Gardner is an editor at Vashti and a doctoral candidate in political theory at the University of Oxford.