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‘We Feel Less Alone’ Beth Israel Ann Arbor rabbi ready to stand up to antisemitic protesters. RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
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or five years, Rabbi Nadav Caine of Beth Israel, a Conservative Congregation in Ann Arbor, has been silent about the group of protesters how many?who have targeted the local shul for almost two decades. Now Caine is considering enlisting the help of their interfaith partners to counterprotest the diehard protesters who continue to show up outside the shul on Shabbat morning. However, Caine and his congregants are grateful for the latest initiative from Ann Arbor City Council announcing a formal resolution condemning antisemitism. “We’re very relieved … It’s very important, when one is persecuted, not to feel alone. And we feel much less alone now,” Caine said. For 18 years, a small group have picketed outside the congregation with antisemitic and anti-Israel signs along Washtenaw Avenue, where the city says an “atmosphere of hate” has been created. In 2019, a member of the synagogue and a local Holocaust survivor filed a federal lawsuit against anti-Israel protesters and the city over the weekly demonstrations, claiming the protests violate worshippers’ First Amendment rights to safely practice their religion and that the city has not enforced local ordinances the protesters are violating. The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the city and protesters, ruling that the protesters had a free speech right to continue their activities.
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FEBRUARY 3 • 2022
Until now, the city of Ann Arbor hasn’t gotten involved with the dispute. However, Caine says Mayor Christopher Taylor had been working on the right language for a resolution condemning antisemitism for months with the Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor, which was approved unaniRabbi Nadav mously by city council memCaine bers on Jan. 18. Caine says the final resolution passed was will continue to show up. responsible and powerful. “He’s (protestor Henry Herskovitz) “I think we live in a place that values been out there for 18 years. We know the right to free speech,” he said. “But for that’s not going to stop.” those who don’t use their free speech to However, since the city has gotten recognize and criticize hate speech, then involved, now might be time to step in, you’re standing idly by the persecution of Caine said. others.” “I would love to work with the city to say, we completely honor Ann Arbor’s COUNTERPROTESTS ARE proud progressive tradition of maxiBEING CONSIDERED mal free speech. But is there a way to Now Caine is looking into the idea of both have that value, but not allow … counterprotesting. an unfettered, infinite amount of hate “As a rabbi, I do not want you, as speech take place?” a Jew, counterprotesting on Shabbat. Caine says he’s been thinking a lot But for my Christian friends, for my about speaking with the city about figMuslim friends, for my secular, peaceuring out a “civil and civic way” to limit America-loving friends … They have the number of signs protesters put outbeen asking me for years, ‘Do you want side in front of the synagogue. us to go out there?’ I’m wondering “Protesters can bring 25 or 30 signs now whether there is a place for the and line a public thoroughfare in front community, not Jews, but for our comof us. Why can they do it without munity to show support on Saturday applying for permits? by counterprotesting. That’s something “There’s a difference between free I’m going to open up speech, and I would view it as intimidafor the first time that tion and harassment.” Caine added. I did not open up Regardless of who stands outside the before,” Caine added. temple, Caine says he feels like the conEven though the gregation is winning. city has announced “Part of having a covenant with God the formal resolution is being patient sometimes. And so, we condemning antisemmay have felt like we’ve lost Saturday by itism, which means a Saturday, but we’re winning the hearts lot to Caine — he said and minds of ourselves and others in he believes protesters our town.”
