And It Hits Home: A Message Concerning the Antisemitic Flyers

By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Last week, I shared a message about the horrific murders of Shabbat worshipers coming out of a Jerusalem synagogue. This heinous act was followed closely by a firebomb thrown at the doors of a New Jersey Synagogue. This week, my inbox began filling up with notices from colleagues and congregants about antisemitic literature left on Dunwoody and Sandy Spring driveways as residents woke up on Sunday morning. Our local security detail that closely monitors Antisemitic activities in the Southeast does not see this act as a prelude to violence. Hopefully, this gives us a measure of comfort. However, this heinous act is deeply felt. Anger, fear, violation, and confusion are natural responses to this sort of activity. Unfortunately, shock is not one of the feelings anymore. Over the past few years, we have witnessed a steady increase in antisemitic actions everywhere, including Atlanta.

In my message last week, I offered a few ways we can support each other and push back against the social disease of antisemitism and the injury it hopes to inflict. I've offered this list again and added a few more ideas. In addition, below are some resources that will let us report, call out, and talk with those we love.

In this particular instance, there is something specific that we can do to push back against the evil messages left on our neighbor's driveway. The indiscriminate method by which these flyers were distributed leads me to believe that they were both trying to terrorize and recruit. This provides each of us, especially Jews who woke up with these disgusting messages on our property, with an opportunity and a responsibility. Knock on the door of your neighbor to the right and left of your house. If you received these vile messages, then your non-Jewish neighbors probably did as well. Talk to them about it. Invite them into the conversation. Make sure that their understanding and relationship with Judaism aren't the images that were scribbled on the paper. Instead, Judaism should be represented by the care, compassion, and sincerity on your face as you stand on their front porch. Hate is not defeated by hate. It is defeated by love. Our Torah gives us the wisdom we need:

וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ

Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).

Let's go out and paint a different picture of Jews than the ones left on their driveways.

Resources:

  • The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which tracks and responds to antisemitism in the community and national level, has jumped on responding to this incident. If you need to report an antisemitic incident, click here.
  • Each synagogue and spiritual institution has its own sacred rhythms and rituals which require a specific mindfulness to ensure our safety and security. The ADL in conjunction with the United Synagogue of Conservative Synagogues has created an important tool kit for communities like ours.
  • One of the most devastating conversatiosn about this sort of hate is with our children. The ADL provides meaningful tips for how to guide these conversations with your family.

Ways to fight antisemitism:

  • Join our antisemitism task force as part of ADL's (Anti-Defamation League) Kulanu Initiaitve. Email Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal to learn more (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org).
  • Be an ally: Other groups are also being marginalized and terrorized in our country. Show up when they are threatened, and they will show up for us.
  • Live Jewishly. Loud and proud.
  • Click on news articles in your local press about antisemitism. The news agencies are watching our reading habits. If more people are reading about antisemitism, they will send their reporters out to cover it.
  • Know our history: Read books, watch films, and visit the Breman Museum and Kennesaw University's Museum of History and Holocaust Education. Attend Hemshech's 58th Annual Community Yom Hashoah Service of Remembrance on April 16 at Greenwood Cemetery.