CAIR-Philadelphia

There’s a new leader of the Philadelphia chapter of the country’s largest Muslim advocacy group, and he’s Jewish. Jacob Bender, a documentary filmmaker and writer, has been appointed Executive Director of the Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR. Bender, who introduces himself via a lengthy letter on the CAIR Philadelphia site, cites his extensive background in “Muslim-West relations,” including writing op-eds for magazines and newspapers and giving speeches at mosques, conferences and universities around the world.

“Many Muslims face daily suspicion, not unlike other immigrant groups throughout history,” said Bender, explaining that he felt people had a responsibility to confront bigotry. “When one group of Americans is attacked, it lessens the quality of democracy for all of us.” Bender acknowledged it will be challenging to represent Muslims as a non-Muslim, but said his Jewish background had some advantages. “As part of a community that has historically faced persecution in Europe and the United States as well, I hope that I would bring a certain amount of sensitivity.”

Jacob Bender is set to be the voice of Philadelphia-area Muslims, to take on discrimination they encounter in workplace and in the public sphere, and to fight expressions of hate. And his Jewish faith, Bender believes, can only help him do the job effectively. "The Muslim community is under attack from Islamophobic forces, and it is the obligation and responsibility of people of good will to stand up and say this is a bigoted attack," Bender said. "This is fully in keeping with my life goals."