Week In Review February 24, 2017

This week there were anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. and Europe. Jewish Community Centers received bomb threats for the fourth time in five weeks; a St. Louis Jewish cemetery was vandalized; and two kippah-wearing brothers in Paris were abducted and beaten. The Jewish community continues to react with disgust, sadness and fear. Yet President Donald Trump's responses have been delayed and weak. History has taught us what happens when elected leaders and community members remain silent. 

Trump's xenophobic actions, rhetoric, and reliance on alt-right advisors normalizes anti-Semitism.  As a candidate, he was untroubled by the approval anti-Semites received from his themes of "us against them" and "Make America Great Again;" and now he is untroubled as President. His Administration is well on its way to being the most anti-Semitic administration in history. It is hard to fight religious intolerance and hatred when it is condoned by the President. 

Former Maryland Sen. Paul Sarbanes, a strong advocate for JAC's issues, once said, "Where anti-Semitism persists, the well being of all our people is at risk." 

We must take action. Remain politically engaged with JAC as we push our elected leaders to take strong measures against religious and racial hatred. It is our responsibility not to remain silent. Our voices must be heard.