Introducing The White Rose Society

Everyone enjoys a little nachas.

This holds true especially if you’re expressing it for someone who has made a positive impact in the local Jewish community … and this is the goal of The White Rose Society.

Founded by a group of representatives from local congregations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations soon after the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, the Society aims to spotlight non-Jewish individuals who have supported the local Jewish community in various ways.

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Erin Gray, owner of Grayce Yoga in Charleston, S.C., was recognized by The White Rose Society for raising awareness of the hostage crisis in Gaza.

Linda Selig, representing the Society, said that after the Hamas attacks and successive spike in antisemitism and Jewish hate on college campuses, the Jewish community felt isolated, frightened, and alone.

“Yet, there have been non-Jewish people who have had the moral courage to stand with the Jewish people,” Selig said. “Just as the Righteous Among the Nations are honored at Yad Vashem for their heroic acts to save Jewish lives, so are we inspired to recognize the brave individuals who are standing with the Jewish people in these perilous times.”

The name, The White Rose Society, pays homage to the White Rose, a non-Jewish resistance group founded by non-Jewish students at the University of Munich in 1942.

“In those most perilous of times, the group took an audacious and heroic stand against injustices toward the Jewish people during World War II,” Selig said. “The White Rose called on their fellow students and the German public to take action and decry Nazi crimes and resist the Nazi state. The legacy of the White Rose reminds us to break the silence and boldly stand up for freedom and against evil and prejudice anywhere.”

The White Rose Society honored Brian Davis, Community Security Director for Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, for serving on the frontlines in keeping the local Jewish community safe.

Selig continued sharing that the Society honors individuals who “have become beacons of hope for the Jewish people,” as the group works to foster unity among all who are “willing to stand on the right side of history.”

As part of the recognition, the individual is gifted a crystal white rose and a beautiful card that reads: We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your support for the Jewish people during these challenging times. Your words and actions show your courage and your commitment to defending our shared values. You serve as a powerful example for others. With great appreciation, The White Rose Society.

The Society aims to spotlight those serving at all levels in the community, from politicians and executives to schoolteachers and artisans. Recipients range from governors, mayors and elected officials to small business owners, co-workers, neighbors, police chiefs and students.

Previous recipients include:

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul was honored by The White Rose Society for his continued support of the Jewish community.

* Leah Aldridge, founder of Women Leading Right, who is establishing a group called Better Together to build close ties between Christian and Jewish women;

* Bert Ellis, Board of Visitors at The University of Virginia, has courageously asked repeatedly for action to protect the Jewish students on campus. Since receiving his rose, Ellis has redoubled his efforts and issued impactful press releases to raise public awareness;

* Erin Gray, owner of Grayce Yoga in Charleston, S.C., has had a blackboard type sign in front of her studio that reads, “Day #220, Bring Them Home,” and features a Jewish star. Despite incidents of vandalism, she has updated the number of days at war every single day.

Other notable recipients include Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, Ernest Greer, Co-President of Greenberg Traurig, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, and Brian Davis, Community Security Director for Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

To nominate and for a complete list of recipients and more information, including interviews with past honorees, please visit TheWhiteRoseSociety.com.