Antisemitism

Steven Chizzik, President

Regular readers of my column might remember that in the July issue of the Federation Star, I devoted my entire column to discussing antisemitism in Southwest Florida and how pervasive it was becoming. I wrote that piece in the hope that public condemnation of racism and bigotry would help make this world a better place. I was praying that the more this poisonous rhetoric was exposed, the closer we would come to ending it.

Since that column, in late October, rapper and songwriter Ye (formally known as Kanye West) made disgraceful and obnoxious public rants about going “Death Con 3 on Jewish people” as well as other hateful antisemitic remarks, which actually brought this disgrace to the attention of worldwide media. Ye further stated, “I could say antisemitic things and Adidas can’t drop me” (Adidas being the shoe company that was generating huge royalties for Ye). People close to Kanye West have now said that Ye has had a fascination and admiration of Hitler.

Well guess what? Not only did Adidas drop Ye and its Yeezy line of footwear, but it ended production of all Yeezy branded products and halted all payments to Ye and any of his companies. Although Adidas was, by far, Ye’s largest revenue source (valued at $1.5 billion), he was additionally dropped by Gap, Balenciaga, his talent agency, CAA, JP Morgan, TJ Maxx, Vogue, Peloton and others.

In its statement, Adidas stated, “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” continuing, “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”

Adidas and all the other companies that have dropped Ye have made a clear statement that bigotry and racism cannot be a part of America. The fact that Ye was an icon to our younger generation made his antisemitic rhetoric even worse.

It is now up to all of us to continue to call out all acts of antisemitism. Silence is unacceptable; it is only through our exposure of this hatred that we stand a chance of halting it.

Happy Chanukah to all!

Please see the calendar below to view all the great events that are taking place at Beth Tikvah this month.

• Dec. 1, 7 p.m. – Jeff Margolis lecture; Camp Boardwalk, Atlantic City during WWII

• Every Tuesday, 12:15 p.m. – Rabbi Chorny’s Lunch and Learn via Zoom

• Dec. 18, 7 p.m. – Chanukah celebration with Cantor Brody and Harvey Jacobson

• Dec. 25, 10 a.m. – Women’s Rosh Chodesh

• Friday services begin at 6:15 p.m. in person and Zoom

• Saturday services begin at 9:30 a.m. in person and Zoom

• Sunday morning services begin at 9 a.m. via Zoom

• We convene Yahrzeit minyanim upon request.

Please check the Beth Tikvah website, www.bethtikvahnaples.org, for details of all our events.

You may reach Rabbi Chorny directly at 239-537-5257.

Again, I would like to remind you that Beth Tikvah is offering new members their first year’s dues free of charge. If you or a friend wishes to experience the warmth and community found at Beth Tikvah, please join us.

Beth Tikvah is the affiliated congregation in Greater Naples of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). We are grateful to Jewish Federation of Greater Naples (JFGN) for support of our Scholar in Residence, Naples Jewish Film Festival and All Things Jewish programs.