Our community’s collective fight against antisemitism can feel overwhelming these days.
From antisemitic tropes being spouted by national figures in music, sports and politics to incidents on our area college campuses and in our communities, it seems virtually impossible to escape antisemitism in 2022.
Our work to stand up against antisemitism and hate is a year-round priority for the Baltimore Jewish Council and The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore. Speaking out. Advocating. Educating. Partnering with allies in other communities against hate.
As we conclude 2022, we will emphasize our work by participating in the second annual Shine a Light on Antisemitism campaign. Through community programs, policy announcements, public communications and education, we will join with Jewish communities across the nation to come together to call out and combat antisemitism.
The surge in antisemitism, both here in Maryland and across the nation, has been well documented.
The Anti-Defamation League’s annual audit of antisemitism incidents found that antisemitic incidents reached an all-time high in the United States in 2021, with a total of 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism.
Within the category of hate crimes motivated by a religious bias, the FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics report found that nearly 60 percent of such crimes target Jews — even though Jews represent just two percent of the American population. The statistics compiled by the Maryland State Police of incidents in our state show similar trends.
While we would prefer to spend the Chanukah holiday focused solely on the joys of family and the celebration of the Miracle of Lights, these statistics — and the stories we hear from across our community — make it more critical than ever that we talk about antisemitism and what we are doing to combat it.
Here’s just a sampling of some of what we have done in the last month or so in our collective work against antisemitism and hate:
• Led a conversation about antisemitism with more than 50 employees of a prominent downtown law firm, many of whom then volunteered on a recent Sunday morning to do a fall clean-up at the Holocaust Memorial on Lombard Street.
• Spoke about antisemitism following Shabbat morning services at Congregation Beth El.
• Brought together more than 300 students from public and private high schools across the region for a day of learning about the Holocaust and hate hosted by the John Carroll School.
• Organized our community’s commemoration of Kristallnacht.
• Facilitated discussions about antisemitism for teenagers one evening at Chizuk Amuno Congregation.
• Strategized about combating antisemitism with leaders of other Federations and Jewish community relations professionals.
• Helped respond to antisemitism incidents on our college campuses.
• Served as a member of Maryland’s domestic terrorism task force, a group tasked by the Maryland General Assembly to explore ways to combat extremism.
• Consulted on security concerns at synagogues and schools across our community.
• Continued to maintain an online system for members of our community to report incidents of antisemitism at associated.org/reporthate
As we think about our efforts to combat this rising antisemitism, we understand that hate against Jews affects far more than the Jewish community. Acts of antisemitism often lead to acts of hatred against other groups – hate against Jews is often the proverbial “canary in the coal mine,” a sign of growing intolerance in our society. Ultimately, every community of “others” — other races, faiths, gender identities — become targets of hate. All of us must unite and support each other to fight hate in all forms.
Creating and inspiring Jewish community in the Baltimore area has to be about more than fighting hate and antisemitism. We want to focus on the meaningful and joyful experiences of being Jewish — the family celebrations, the learning, the worshipping in community and so much more.
But we also know that living Jewishly can only happen if we feel safe and secure. We understand that the Baltimore Jewish Council and The Associated have a responsibility to our community to fight antisemitism and hate. Join us this December as we Shine a Light on Antisemitism — learn more at associated.org/shinealight.
Reading Room
Looking for a book to explain antisemitism to your child? Check out these recommendations for toddlers to teens from Jessica Fink, executive director of the Jewish Library of Baltimore.
PRESCHOOL
The Christmas Mitzvah by Jeff Gottesfeld and Michelle L. Agatha
The Only One Club by Jane Naliboff and Jeff I. Hopkins
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
When Ruth Bader Ginsberg Chewed 100 Sticks of Gum by Mark Weakland and Daniela Volpari
Across the Alley by Richard Michelson and Earl B. Lewis
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Red and Green and Blue and White by Lee Wind and Paul O. Zelinsky
Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song by Gary Golio and Charlotte Riley-Webb
HIGH SCHOOL
The Backyard Secrets of Danny Wexler by Karen Pokras
Linked by Gordon Korman
The Assignment by Liza M. Wiemer
The BCO, founded in 1984, will perform the works of Frank Zappa, Beethoven, Mason Bates and Karena Ingram.
For more than 130 years, Sol Levinson & Bros. has been woven into the fabric of Baltimore’s Jewish community.
Led by local Israel-American cellist Amit Peled, the Mount Vernon Virtuosi aims to inspire people beyond musical enjoyment.
A former college campus activist, Veksler will speak at Chizuk Amuno on June 8 at the Ruth and Jay Lenrow Visiting Scholar-in-Residence for Combating Antisemitism.