Dr. Penny Rosenwasser
Dr. Penny Rosenwasser

Dr. Penny Rosenwasser is a social justice speaker, workshop facilitator, and author of the self-published book Hope into Practice, Jewish Women Choosing Justice Despite Our Fears (2013). She is a founding board member of Jewish Voice for Peace and a former Jewish Caucus Chair of the National Women’s Studies Association.

Hear her speak on KPFA radio about anti-Semitism.  

The discussion of antisemitism and its history is timely given the controversy concerning U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota), one of the two Muslim women to have serve in Congress. Rep. Omar has spoken out courageously against the mistreatment of Palestinian families. Many people have interpreted Rep. Omar’s remarks as antisemitic. Her remarks were widely condemned, including by Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi for being antisemitic. Others, however, have rallied behind Omar saying there’s nothing wrong with pointing out the influence of money on Capitol Hill or the difficulties faced by people who seek peace, justice, and security for both Israeli and Palestinian families.

Dr. Rosenwasser teaches an Anti-Semitism/Anti-Arabism class with a Palestinian colleague at the City College of San Francisco and belongs to Kehilla Synagogue. Transplanted to Oakland, California, from Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., Penny is also a member of the European American Collaborative for Challenging Whiteness and works as an event organizer and fundraiser. A former performing folk musician, KPFA radio host/producer, women’s music networker, festival organizer, and diversity workshop leader, she’s been active on issues ranging from ending nuclear power and weapons, to feminism and queer liberation, to peace and racial justice, especially focusing on Israel-Palestine, including leading four women’s peace delegations to that region.

Penny speaks and leads workshops about antisemitism and the intersections with white nationalism and white supremacy, as well as giving talks about her book.

Latest Posts

Why War? The Formation of Israel in Palestine

Why War? The Formation of Israel in Palestine

Since October 7, 2023, the world has watched the government of Israel drop more than 6,000 bombs and launch more than 7,000 missiles into the territory of Gaza, causing damage the equivalent of 2 nuclear bombs. The military operation is in retaliation to a Hamas-led...

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A Burglary Motivated by Racism

A Burglary Motivated by Racism

Haaaretz journalists Gideon Levy and Alex Levac reported on a West Bank burglary case in 2020 in which a small Palestinian business was repeatedly burglarized by Jewish settlers. Was this burglary motivated by racism? Mohammed Mahmadi, 29, left his restaurant job in...

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Curt’s Hebron

Curt’s Hebron

Curtis Bell, President of Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East, spoke to the First Unitarian Church’s Department of Social Justice about his two months in Hebron and what he learned about the Palestinian experience under Israeli occupation. Video...

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Virginia Tech GPSS

Virginia Tech GPSS

The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) at Virginia Tech passed a resolution in October 2021 demanding that the University’s administration enact an academic boycott of Israel and institutions “complicit in maintaining the Israeli occupation.” The...

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Jerusalem