Our fellow Jews & Friends of Jews,

 

Like many of you, we have been saddened, disappointed & infuriated by the events of the past few weeks. Most importantly though, we've have been awakened. Awakened to the fact that, as much as we wished it was mostly a thing of the past, there is still a frightening amount of hatred towards Jews around the world.  From conversations with many of you, it is clear that we as Jews and friends of Jews are realizing that Anti-Semitism still burns, & the polarized political climate has only fanned these flames of hatred.  What’s most troubling of all is that we as Jews and allies of Jews have recently been shamed into reacting with passiveness and fear. The prevailing political winds have spread disinformation, and preyed on ignorance to create a new and destructive narrative, painting Jews as villains the world over, and creating an environment where the worst Anti-semitic behavior is not only accepted but encouraged. History has taught us all too well where this very kind of environment can lead. We are declaring a state of emergency — we are declaring CODE BLUE.  Our living in fear of speaking out has to end, right now. Our living in fear of potential violence against us has to end, right now. WE MUST RISE UP! We must combat misinformation with truth, crush anti-semitism wherever it lives, and reclaim our voices as Jews and those who speak up for Jews.