This weekend’s hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas is yet another reminder that antisemitism is a current day reality.
The Jewish Federation and our Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) play a vital role in countering and opposing the pervasiveness of antisemitism by teaching the dangers of discrimination that led to the Holocaust, advocating for a more just and safe world, building relationships with others that are committed to standing against hate and bigotry, and investing in security for Jewish institutions.
According to the 2019 Jewish Community Portrait survey of Jewish Households in Greater Philadelphia, as well as reports from Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee:
- 1 in 4 American Jews were targeted by antisemitism in 2020
- 1 in 3 Jewish students on a college campus experienced antisemitism in 2021
- 87% of Jewish adults indicate combating antisemitism is an important factor in Jewish life
- 40% of the general public - and nearly 50% of Jews - think antisemitism is taken less seriously than other forms of hate and bigotry
“JCRC has been a great partner to Hillel at Temple University whenever there have been reports about an antisemitic or anti-Israel incident on campus,” said Rabbi Daniel Levitt, Hillel at Temple University’s executive director. “The professionals never make assumptions about what is happening, advise us on how to respond and provide impactful support on campus and in the community.”
The Jewish Federation has helped counter antisemitism and invest in security through the following efforts:
- 30 synagogues in the area assessed for capital needs
- 1,182 total attendees in 2021 for educational programs on best practices for countering and opposing antisemitism and other forms of bigotry
- More than $1 million raised for immediate needs in Israel following the rocket fire in 2021
- 200% increase in funding – to $360 million – allocated statewide through advocacy efforts in partnership with The Jewish Federations of North America
“I thank the Jewish Federation for making us aware of and providing the resources to access critical funding,” said Jodi Roth-Saks, Jewish Relief Agency’s executive director. “We received a Nonprofit Security Grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) which will aid us with security guards, security cameras and threat and response training.”
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You can help us keep our communities secure and stand against hate and bigotry by making a gift at jewishphilly.org/donate. To learn more about JCRC, please click here or email JCRC Director Jason Holtzman at Jholtzman@jewishphilly.org
