In Philadelphia, we are all too aware of how antisemitism has affected Jews, especially since Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists attacked Israel and slaughtered more than 1,200 innocent civilians and kidnapped 240 men, women, children and babies.
We are at a critical moment in history. Antisemitism is becoming normalized within mainstream society. Ignorance, apathy, and hate all contribute to the spread of antisemitism, and have found fertile ground amid a global health crisis, rising economic uncertainty, growing political divides, declining American leadership abroad, and a massive shift in how people engage online.
When the U.S. Conference of Mayors and American Jewish Committee recently called on municipal leaders across the country to condemn antisemitism, Philadelphia was one of the first to join the Mayors United Against Antisemitism movement.
Education in defining antisemitism and recognizing the Nazi swastika and differentiating it from the sacred Hindu symbol are challenging for our society. An understanding of the diverse faiths that make up the fabric of our country makes everyone safer and ensures the religious freedom and liberty we hold dear – the same religious freedom and liberty that my grandmother and my friend sought in America.
Relationships require forging ties with others and bridging differences. Relationship building is the most challenging part of advocacy, the work I cherish the most. It requires communication, trust and the ability to work together on each other’s issues. And advocacy work also requires compassion.
In Philadelphia, Jews and Latinos gathered as we do annually to commemorate the victims, though this year, due to the pandemic, the ceremony organized by the AJC Philadelphia Latino-Jewish Coalition was conducted virtually. We read the names of each victim, said prayers, and again called out for justice. To this day, not one perpetrator of the horrific attack has been convicted.
As we navigate through COVID19, we must be aware that hate grows in times of plague and economic downturn. Hatred is dangerous, polarizes and unacceptable. Targeting Asians, Native Americans, Muslims, Chinese and Jews leads to conspiracy theories and extremism.
The Leaders Academy, a school housed in the mosque, recently allowed a children’s Arabic language performance about the “liberation of Palestine,” in which students danced to a song promoting gruesome violence and recited passages praising martyrdom. Educating children to lionize violence is clearly a danger.
