From Paris to Germany to Santa Barbara to Atlanta and unfortunately, most places in between, overt anti-Semitism has returned. This month in the U.S., for example, Sears’ website touted rings with swastikas, cars were blown up near synagogues and more than one Jewish fraternity was vandalized. And these are but a few examples of what is taking place across America.
In fact, last week, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) issued a security alert to Jewish institutions concerning online attacks “targeting the websites of synagogues and other Jewish organizations, which could compromise lists and financial data.” The alert was based on an attack of a South Florida synagogue’s website which redirected visitors to a page with messages expressing support for the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. (UJFT’s Community Relations Council shared this alert with area synagogues last week.)
A program to educate the community on the situation and to provide tools to help combat these disturbing incidents is now being planned by the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater. The event will take place in January. Until then, and in cooperation with the Community Relations Council, Jewish News will report on world and local anti-Semitic events.
Fortunately, there is some good news such as the story on page 9 about the Baptist World Alliance taking a stand against anti-Semitism. We’ll report the positive, too.
Visit Facebook.com/CRCUJFT for the latest information. We plan to keep you informed.