NJ Jewish community asked to be vigilant Saturday as neo-Nazis promote 'day of hate'

Law enforcement and Jewish organizations across the country are urging vigilance after a neo-Nazi group proclaimed this Saturday to be a national "Day of Hate."

Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath, which many Jews observe by attending synagogue prayer services.

The New York City Police Department Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau released a notice about messages on social media urging like-minded people to drop banners, place stickers and flyers, and spray graffiti as forms of activism targeting Jews Saturday.

Several hate groups have said they are participating in the event, including the Goyim Defense League, whose propaganda apparently motivated the suspect in the shooting last week of two Los Angeles men who were returning from synagogue.

"This is all about harassing Jews and creating a public space for hate mongers.  This becomes a recruitment tool to invite others into this dark place of promoting hate and antisemitism," said Jason Shames, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. "Nobody should tolerate this. The community at large needs to unify against hate."

Since 2021, 'days of action' as recruitment tool

Since 2021, white supremacist networks have been designating "days of action" as a tactic to unite white supremacists and draw attention to their cause. A similar day of hate was launched by a small eastern Iowa-based neo-Nazi group earlier this year.

Police agencies around New Jersey are aware of the event and synagogue security groups say they are on high alert and are urging residents to be more aware and report any suspicious activity, said leaders at several Jewish organizations who are in touch with law enforcement.

Police are urging the public to report any suspicious activity.

No credible threat against specific synagogue

Etzion Neuer, the senior deputy director of ADL of New York and New Jersey, called the event part of a "broader trend of an emboldening of extremists that we are seeing nationwide."

"It's coming at a time when we are seeing record levels of antisemitic incidents," Neuer said. "Our latest poll showed high levels of antisemitism in the American public so all of this feeds part of a growing concern for the climate here in the U.S."

He noted that there is no credible threat against a specific synagogue or community, and he said the activism of the day will most likely be limited to small demonstrations with banner drops or graffiti, rather than violent acts.

Looking to 'stir up anxiety in the Jewish community'

Evan Bernstein, CEO and national director of the Jewish Volunteer security non-profit Community Security Service, said the event has been in the works for several weeks and several hate groups are involved.

"Based on the intelligence we received from partners these groups are looking to stir up anxiety in the Jewish community," Bernstein said. "We need to be keenly aware, but we can't be scared into staying indoors or not practicing our Judaism."

Another similar event was held in Iowa where another hate group declared Feb. 25 a "day of hate," and other hate groups around the country participated, he said. But there were no violent incidents.

Stir on Twitter over how to respond

The threat caused a stir on Twitter as many were infuriated by the antisemitic rhetoric and reacted to the hateful rhetoric by urging others to take a stand against bigotry.

Roz Rothstein, CEO of StandWithUS, which fights antisemitism, countered that the best response "to the sick hate day being promoted is to participate in something uplifting, `A Shabbat of Love' in which people gather with friends and celebrate with joy."

Gabriel Groisman, a father of five and the former mayor of Bal Harbour, Florida, echoed her sentiments: "Jew Haters around the US are calling for a 'day of hate' this weekend: I'm calling for a Weekend of Jewish Pride. Join me!"

Deena Yellin covers religion for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to her work covering how the spiritual intersects with our daily lives, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: yellin@northjersey.com

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This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Day of Hate plans result in NJ Jewish community urging vigilance