How to fight back as antisemitism surges
Melissa Langsam Braunstein
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Since the savage Oct. 7 Hamas pogrom in Israel, there have been pro-Hamas statements and gatherings on American university campuses, pro-Hamas rallies in major American cities, and a surge in open, genocidal antisemitism on social media. If you’re among the horrified, read on for ways you can help both American Jews and Israel.
Show support for Israel. If your area doesn’t already have rallies or vigils in support of Israel, organize one with your friends, neighbors, or religious congregation. Hang posters of those kidnapped from Israel in public areas. Let neighbors know you stand with Israel by displaying an Israeli flag or putting a “We Stand With Israel” sign in your yard.
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Embrace the power of the pen. If you see biased news coverage about Israel, write letters to the editor noting the factual flaws or submit your own opinion pieces making an alternate case.
Contact your members of Congress. Let officials know Hamas’s release of hostages is a priority. Sarah Stern, founder and president of the Endowment for Middle East Truth, told the Jewish News Syndicate that points to raise include “more funding for the Iron Dome air-defense system,” no sanctions relief for Iran, and “forc[ing] ‘Qatar to choose between remaining a major non-NATO ally of the United States and hosting the Hamas leadership.'”
Define antisemitism. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition addresses antisemitism’s multiple forms. If your city, state, or employer hasn’t already defined antisemitism for relevant laws or codes of conduct, urge the adoption of the IHRA definition.
Show support for American Jews. If you’re not Jewish but have Jewish friends, check in on them if you haven’t already. Another option specifically for Christians is participating in Philos Action League activities. PAL, for example, brings white roses to nearby synagogues to show solidarity with local Jewish communities.
If your professional association, religious organization, or alumni organization has written an open letter opposing antisemitism, sign on. If no letter exists, draft one.
See something, say something. Be an extra set of eyes. If you see suspicious people, packages, or vehicles near Jewish institutions, businesses, or neighborhoods, report it to the relevant authorities.
Talk to your children. If your children’s school or university teaches that the world can be divided into “oppressors” and “the oppressed,” explain why “Critical Social Justice” is a faulty frame for understanding the world. If your children use TikTok, discuss how the app’s algorithm pushes antisemitic myths rather than truths. Ensure your children know that Hamas livestreamed barbaric atrocities on Oct. 7.
Contact school leaders. If your children are learning in their K-12 school that discriminating against, physically harming, or even murdering Jews is justifiable, call your school principal. Attend the next school board meeting. Let school officials know you don’t consider antisemitism an acceptable part of children’s education. Insist on curricular changes.
Contact college administrators. If you have children in college, call relevant administrators. Ask what they’re doing to ensure Jewish students’ safety while Hamas-supporting students rally nearby and anonymous threats are lobbed online. Jewish students should not be forced to hide in their dorm rooms or remain locked in the school library.
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Defund your alma mater. Has your alma mater revealed its moral rot? Tell annual giving you won’t be contributing until the school starts taking antisemitism seriously. Urge fellow alumni to join you in that pledge.
The terrorism Israel faces and surging domestic antisemitism are problems that have long percolated. The time to rally and address them both is now.
Melissa Langsam Braunstein ( @slowhoneybee ) is an independent writer in metropolitan Washington.