Too often, we hear imprecise, inflammatory language regarding Israel and Gaza. With this rhetoric now part of Barrington’s public discourse, and antisemitism rising exponentially everywhere, we must make some things clear and begin open dialogues in order to cultivate the type of community for which we strive: one free of all bigotry, including antisemitism.
- Jewish people are both a religious group and an ethnicity. The “proof” is literally in our DNA.
- Antisemitism is statements or actions that negatively portray or impact Jewish people, individually or collectively.
- Zionism is the belief that Jewish people deserve self-determination… that an Israel should exist. It doesn’t require an endorsement of any of Israel's actions. In most cases, anti-Zionism is antisemitism. However, opposing the Israeli government is not antisemitism; it’s not even anti-Zionism – just as opposing United States policy is not anti-American. I am opposed to Israeli policies, and I am a zionist.
- Polls show that the overwhelming majority of Jewish people are zionist and more than 80% of American Jews believe Israel is important to their own identity. Jewish people who are "anti-zionist" are a small fraction of Jewish people.
- Just as a person can say something racist, or support a policy that is racist, but not *be a racist* person, the same is true for antisemitism. Consider Maya Angelou’s powerful statement: "do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better."
- Left Wing and Right Wing antisemitism are both problems and each must be addressed. The Right is about perpetuating a group’s own dominance and intentionally causing harm to Jews, while the Left misguidedly seeks justice, and is unaware of the harm they are causing. Adequate education about the history and current state of the Jewish people, in the diaspora and in our ancestral homeland, can solve Left Wing antisemitism. A greater challenge and more immediate danger to the Jewish community is posed by Right Wing bigotry.
- Weaponizing antisemitism erodes efforts toward justice and does nothing to combat hatred. It is troubling that people who dismissed antisemitic hate crimes perpetrated in town last year are readily willing to attack a neighbor for social media posts. Education and dialogue overcomes ignorance and bias. Vilification only perpetuates harm and does nothing to protect the Jewish community or other marginalized groups.
- Nobody is served when only punishment is sought. I’m grateful to be among leaders in Barrington who are committed to growth. As a participant in the Anti-Defamation League’s Kulanu program combating antisemitism, a member of Temple Habonim’s antisemitism task force, and of the Barrington Public Schools’ DEI committee, I look forward to working with local leaders, Jewish neighbors, allies and detractors, to overcome antisemitism and ensure all in our community feel a sense of belonging and safety. If you’re interested in participating, please reach out.
"Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr
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