New Profit and America Forward condemn the recent surge in antisemitism across the United States
July 7, 2021Antisemitic acts – already at alarming and historically high levels – have accelerated across the country, including the recent stabbing of Rabbi Shlomo Noginski last week in Boston. New Profit and America Forward condemn these brutal acts of hate directed at Jewish people and Jewish institutions, and we commend President Biden and other public, faith, business, and community leaders across the political spectrum for speaking out forcefully against this violence, vandalism, and hatred.
Any instance of hatred or violence directed at individuals or communities on account of their religious, ethnic, racial, or cultural identity is destructive to our shared humanity and strikes at the very foundation of our democracy. Acts of hatred and violence directed at Jewish people and Jewish institutions must not be tolerated and we condemn them.
New Profit and America Forward – along with our portfolio and coalition organizations – work every day in communities across our country to advance policies and support efforts on the ground to combat hatred and systemic racism, create deeper understanding, and build stronger, more equitable systems. We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our Jewish colleagues, family and friends, community members, and those across the country who are victims of violence and bigotry, or are dealing with individual and community trauma resulting from acts of antisemitism. We remain committed to doing everything in our power – as individuals and as an organization – to support the urgent work of building community, increasing understanding, and advancing equity and opportunity for all.
5 Things YOU can do to Combat Antisemitism (adapted from a list created for the No Fear Rally)
- TAKE ACTION: Write your Senators and Representative to urge them to join the Bipartisan Taskforce for Combating Antisemitism, caucuses in the House and Senate that time and time again make policy and speak out to address hatred against Jews. Contact your local elected officials and urge them to use their voices to speak out against antisemitism in all forms, in public statements and on social media.
- Speak up and speak out against all forms of antisemitism in our communities; on our campuses and in our schools; in our city halls and state houses; within the arts, sports and culture; and on every media channel—most especially social media. (Post on social media using the #WheresTheOutrage hashtag and graphic). Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines, now is the time to stand up to harmful antisemitic attacks in our communities, online and around the world.
- Report hate crimes. Work with law enforcement to support reporting hate crimes and incidents to your local police and the FBI, using this resource.
- Engage allies, family, and friends. The silence around recent antisemitic attacks has been deafening, especially in the wake of condemnations of violence against other minority groups. We must have conversations with allies, answer questions they have, and ask clearly for their support in the face of violent antisemitism. Have real conversations, rather than responding to each incident of online vitriol. Reach out to non-Jewish organizations and partners and ask them to publicly support the Jewish community at this time. We have the ability to change the conversation and educate those closest to us.
- Write or call your local newspaper, television station, radio network, or news website to urge coverage of antisemitic attacks in the U.S. and in your area.