JEWISH FEDERATION
March 2022
Federation Star
9
Colleyville: Don’t ignore antisemitism By Joel Pittelman, Antisemitism Task Force Chair
I
f you’re Jewish, you think about antisemitism. Some are lucky that their thoughts are vague hypotheticals. They may have to remind themselves that they could become entangled in some unfortunate event. Others live with memories and fears that they wish could be forgotten. Reminders are a daily, deeply troubling occurrence. The recent episode of outrageous antisemitism in Colleyville, Texas reminds us that no Jew is immune to it. We are all potential targets. Thankfully, we have our Rabbis and other Jewish thought leaders to provide moral guidance to help us channel our fears, anger and sorrow in useful and calming directions. Throughout our long history, Jews have learned to survive the most outrageous indignities, cruelties and atrocities. Our spiritual leaders teach us to look to God for strength; to be thankful for the love and support we get from those in our community who show us comfort and sympathy; to give thanks to law enforcement officers who provide rescue and safety; and to courts and government officials who provide justice and assistance. In moments like this, I’m supposed to express sadness; to seek solutions and preventive measures. But on Colleyville, I’m not there yet. I’m still too angry about both the act and the response from our “protectors” to do the things our rabbis would suggest. We saw and heard the hostage-taker interrupting the livestreamed Shabbat service, saying (as reported by CNN): He chose this synagogue because “Jews control the world. Jews control the media. Jews control the banks. I want to talk to the chief rabbi of the United States.” With the clarity of both the words and the actions of the hostage-taker for all to see and hear, I am astounded and offended by the words of those who are presumably concerned about our safety and welfare. From the FBI, we heard, “We do believe from our engagement with this subject (the perpetrator) that he was
singularly focused on one issue, and it Both governmental entities are tasked was not specifically related to the Jewish to protect us and are equipped to make community. But we are continuing to quick and accurate assessments in criwork to find [the] motive.” sis situations. That they both failed to While searching for a singular focus, identify the hate crime and call it antithe FBI somehow dismissed or ignored semitism indicates a problem in their the clear meaning of the perpetrator’s understanding of Jewish needs. words. I think any of the hostages [Editor’s Note: This article was written could provide clarity: the perpetrator shortly after the event in Colleyville. One had two clear and unequivocal goals, week later, the FBI and the Joint Terrorism not a singular focus. Task Force revised their findings, calling The first was to use the threat of the incident a hate crime and an act of killing innocent Jews as an inducement terrorism against Jews.] for the second — to free We are being a prisoner. Why Jews? told by groups Isn’t it time to remind Because he was blindly monitoring antimisguided by antisemithe public and ourselves semitism that, tism. That should have nationwide and what happens when good been the FBI’s clear focus internationbecause the hostage-taker’s ally, the number people start to ignore second objective had no of antisemitic the real issue? urgency. There was never a incidents has possibility that his fantasy increased draof a prisoner’s release could occur. The matically. Here in Greater Naples, we antisemitic act should have occupied apparently live in an oasis of harmony. the FBI’s full attention. They somehow For the last two years, there has been not missed that point. a single reported, verifiable antisemitic Instead of recognizing the perpetraincident. Even though we hear whispers tor as an antisemite intent on using the of problems in the schools and housing threat of killing innocent Jews in their communities, no one has come forward house of worship, the federal governto report an incident to the Jewish Federament’s Joint Terrorism Task Force spent tion or the ADL. its time debating whether the hostageHas there been no reporting because taker properly meets the definition of there have been no incidents, or is there terrorist or whether he was simply a a fear that highlighting antisemitism will deranged individual. only increase its prevalence? I can help with that. He was a hater of Jews. He wanted to demonstrate to all Americans that they were being controlled by Jews so that more Americans would become haters of Jews. He was prepared to kill Jews because they are Jews. This is clearly a hate crime. Call it terrorism if you like, it doesn’t make it better or worse. This hate crime, like most hate crimes, was intended to intimidate not just a single victim, but the entire group to which the victim belongs. It was intended to create fear among all Jews and to get retribution from all Jews.
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It is time to be reminded that ignoring or denying antisemitism will not make it go away, it will only be an encouragement for further abuse. Here in Naples, we have a procedure that is intended to insulate a victim of antisemitism from further acts following his or her reporting of the incident. If it is the victim’s preference, Federation’s Antisemitism Task Force will stand in the victim’s place, making it possible for the victim to continue to live and interact comfortably with the community. All the victim needs to do is contact Federation when he or she feels victimized by antisemitic bias. We urge everyone to contact Federation of Greater Naples if they see an antisemitic incident or feel fearful for their fair treatment, safety, and the safety of their property. The Antisemitism Task Force will follow the matter through and take appropriate action. Why are so many responsible people unwilling to talk about and label acts of antisemitism? We must ask our officers of the law, our governmental leaders, and all people of good conscience to identify and label events, such as Colleyville, for what they are: vicious antisemitic hate crimes against innocent Jewish people. Similarly, we, as Jews, cannot ignore the more subtle and covert acts either. Isn’t it time to remind the public and ourselves what happens when good people start to ignore the real issue? Memories can get fuzzy over the span of 75 years.
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