How your Jewish Federation is combating antisemitism

Although antisemitism has existed for over two thousand years, the increase in incidents and attacks we have witnessed in the last several years is unprecedented. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), between 2016 and 2022, there has been a 300% increase in reported hate incidents, including harassment, vandalism, and attacks, from 1267 (2016) to 3,697 (2022). And remember, these are only the reported instances. We know that there were most likely far more unreported examples not included in these numbers. Last week, the ADL released its Hate in the Golden State in 2022 report and reported that here in California, we experienced a 41% increase from last year's. These figures are hard to comprehend and understand how this occurs in 2023. And yet, it is.

Back at the start of 2022, our community witnessed a series of antisemitic and hate-filled incidents when a series of flyers spewing hate and accusations about Jews hit neighborhood driveways. While these were not technically against the law since they did not target any specific group, they caused anxiety, concern, anger, and frustration. Unfortunately, they also signified that antisemitism and other forms of hatred had hit the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys in full force.

The Jewish Federation continued to work with local law enforcement and was in ongoing conversations with the ADL and other groups about the situation.

In December 2022, I wrote an Op-ed to draw attention to the issue and call on community members to be our allies and stand with us to combat this hatred. However, I knew more needed to be done, and the Jewish Federation jumped into action.

This March, your Jewish Federation initiated our effort to combat antisemitism in our local area. I sent letters, along with my Op-ed, to the mayors of the 48 cities we cover and mailed cc'd copies to all city council members and city managers, imploring that their respective cities take the following action steps:

Sign the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and US Conference of Mayors statement to combat antisemitism and join the over 700 mayors who have already done so. (Only 4 of our local mayors (Brea, Chino Hills, El Monte, and South El Monte) had signed onto the statement before the letter.)

2. Adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.

3. Adopt a resolution denouncing antisemitism and all forms of hatred.

4. Establish a task force made up of representatives from various ethnic and racial groups to work with the city to:

a. Foster relationships between the groups

b. Develop a Zero-tolerance policy against all forms of hatred.

c. Develop an educational plan to train city staff and law enforcement personnel on detecting and reacting to all forms of hatred.

5. Allocate resources for initiatives fostering interfaith acceptance, understanding, and harmony.

And to ensure they had received and read these letters, we followed up in April and inquired about their plans moving forward.

During these last two months, I have been invited to speak at several City Council meetings before their city voting to adopt a resolution denouncing antisemitism. In my remarks, I share the following message:

As City Leaders, you can stand up tonight and use your voice to say that you are not okay with the climate of hatred in the US today & are committing your city to do something about it.

While passing a resolution may feel symbolic, I want to assure you that it carries significant weight, especially for those impacted by the rise of hatred. It shows that your city stands with those targeted, and you are not okay with how they have been treated.

We know that antisemitism, racism, or other forms of hate cannot be legislated away; additional steps must be taken. So we are asking you and the 48 City Councils throughout the area the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys covers to bring together representatives from various ethnic groups to share ideas and work with your city leaders to develop a robust city-wide plan to address, combat, and respond to all forms of hatred.

Make a statement and a commitment tonight to do what you can to help us eradicate antisemitism and all forms of hatred by taking this first step and passing the resolution before you tonight.

As of Tuesday night, the following cities have adopted resolutions, agreed to sign onto AJC and US Conference of Mayors' statement to combat antisemitism, and adopted IHRA's working definition of antisemitism:

Claremont

I anticipate Walnut (May 24) and South Pasadena (June 6) will join this growing list by adopting their own resolutions at their upcoming City Council meetings, and I will be there to speak to them before they vote.

The next phase of our effort will include my writing another Op-ed, highlighting our effort to combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred locally. In addition, I will thank those cities that have passed resolutions denouncing antisemitism and all forms of hatred and encouraging people to contact their city leaders and demand they immediately take action if they do not see their city listed. This internal pressure can be potent and will allow people a chance to participate and help us with this effort.

This is what we have been doing, and here is how you can participate in this effort.

Donate to the Jewish Federation and help us continue to combat antisemitism. Your support will enable us to spend even more time addressing this issue.

2. Report every antisemitic or hate incident, even if you feel it "was nothing" or don't think it will make a difference. When I speak with the ADL, the FBI, and even law enforcement, they all say to report every incident. This information helps them build cases, and by collecting this data, it will continue to impact local, state, and federal policies.

3. Share this information with everyone you know and encourage them to join our effort. We need everyone to stand up to antisemitism and all forms of hatred.

4. Contact your local leaders to say thank you (if you live in one of the cities that have taken action) or encourage them to join our effort by passing their own resolution.

I promise the Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys will continue our effort to combat antisemitism. And with your help, we can make a real difference in the greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys.