Star of Hatred

Nearly 300 people were killed and around 500 injured in eight coordinated attacks on churches and hotels in Sri Lanka, Sunday, April 22, 2019. The death toll is continuing to rise, with at least 290 people dead as of Monday, according to police. Among the deceased were 39 tourists, including American citizens.The Sri Lankan government has identified National Thowheeth Jama’ath, a small Islamist terrorist organization, as the group behind the assault. In the past year there has been over 28 terrorist attacks against churches, temples and synagogues. In October of 2018 there was a shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. This happened while Shabbat morning services were being held. Eleven people were killed and seven were injured. It was the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in the United States.

Antisemitism has always been around in the depths of our world, but why now, is it resurfacing quickly and intensely?

In 2017, the ADL (The Anti-Defamation League) an international Jewish non-governmental organization counted 1,986 antisemitic incidents. Anti Semitic incidents rose 57% from 2016 to 2017, and hate crimes against Jews increased by 37% in the same period. This was the biggest annual jump since the ADL began tracking four decades ago.

Over the past few months incidents involving anti semitic imagery, words and actions were spotted in communities and schools on both coasts of the US. In California, a group of Orange County teenagers at a house party posted a photo of a swastika made of red plastic cups on Snapchat. Later that night, about a dozen of the teenagers crowded around the swastika to pose for photos, with their arms raised in the Nazi salute. A local example was a bomb threat in 2017 at the MJCC (Mittleman Jewish Community Center) in Portland OR. According to Steve Albert, the Executive Director of the MJCC, “We find anti-Semitic flyers and stickers in our neighborhood, and there have been reports of anti-Semitic flyers, graffiti, banners, etc. in various places in Oregon.” Meanwhile across the coast in Long Island, New York, two seniors in Levittown Schools posted onto a social media account, an image appearing to be a part of the district’s website containing anti semitic messages. Sadly anti-Semitism in schools isn’t an abnormal problem. In 2017, anti semitic incidents in K-12 schools increased by 94% after nearly doubling the year prior. Elementary, middle and high schools exceeded public spaces as the locations with the most anti semitic incidents, surpassing homes, businesses and even Jewish institutions. We’re living in a charged political environment. People are on edge partly because they are following their leaders closely. When leaders at high levels use extreme language and propaganda, there’s no surprise when young people imitate what they see. “Our society is very polarized right now, and extremists feel emboldened by some of the rhetoric that they hear. In addition, social media provides a platform that allows messages to spread extremely rapidly,” says Steve Albert.

Individuals who spread anti semitic messaging or engage in acts of violence against Jews have a lack of understanding of the Holocaust. The Anti-Defamation League strongly supports the passage of legislation both at the state and federal level that would ensure the Holocaust is taught consistently and appropriately in all schools. Only 11 states across the country have laws endorsing Holocaust education, Oregon being one of those states. “The new Oregon statute requires Holocaust education in public schools and provides an important opportunity for students to learn about genocide and the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that lead to genocide.” Says Steve Albert. Hopefully soon, a federal bill may be passed and will help to ensure that all states will carry out the ADL’s mission.

Children model what they see from adults. This is why it is so critical for all people to identify antisemitism for what it is and to speak out clearly against hate it in any form. Everyone from members of Congress to principals, teachers, students, and parents can play a role in speaking up. “The best first step is to understand that it is real and it is present. To combat anti semitism we also have to understand how embedded it is in culture” states Shannon Fleischman, a Full Time Educator of Museum and Holocaust Education in Portland Oregon. For example, there are many Jewish stereotypes that have seeped into our popular culture such as phrases like, “Jews control money”. Fleishman points out, “There is a long held conspiracy theory and anti semitic trope that Jews control money, therefore, the governments”. Another example of Jewish stereotypes is cultural caricatures (big nose, large forehead, may be shown as the devil or rats). Fleishman shares some simple ways of confronting these by sharing, “…calling stuff like this out and being an ally for Jewish friends or neighbors in the community helps. Learn more about Jewish culture, because it is so much harder to hate when you actually know someone or and when you celebrate their culture.”  

The Holocaust was started by words. Those bitter words expanded into actions. If we as a world want to send a different message and model to the next generation of people, we need to start with words. These need to be words of acceptance and empowerment, and our next generation needs to understand, be aware and listen. “We have to call it out when we see it. Any kind of hate and prejudice needs to be confronted, and individuals who commit hate crimes must be prosecuted. We also need to educate people,” says Steve Albert.