Pledge to stop antisemitism on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and always | Opinion
January 27 is recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Nearly 80 years ago, six million Jews were murdered by the Nazis in what they called “The Final Solution.” Of course, millions of others were also murdered, but the systematic and organized destruction of Jews was the primary goal.
In the years since, Jews around the world have continued to face antisemitism, and statistics show antisemitic incidents are on the rise. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported in May 2022 that antisemitic incidents increased by 34%, and is the highest number recorded since the ADL began recording in 1979.
Closer to home, the past few years has seen antisemitic literature darken the doorsteps of homes in Nashville neighborhoods surrounding the Gordon Jewish Community Center, and several local synagogues.
The mostly non-Jewish neighbors who found the flyers littering their lawns and driveways filed police reports, display lawn signs, and took to social media to express their outrage and support for the Jewish community. And, local law enforcement, political and civic leaders were quick to denounce the littering of the flyers.
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Acts of hatred are becoming more brazen
Even more recently, a group identified by the ADL as white supremacist sprayed antisemitic graffiti in an underpass on I-65. The group went so far as to add their name to the vandalism. Where once these incidents went unclaimed by any person or group, today it appears the perpetrators are emboldened to take credit for their acts of vandalism and hate.
Most alarming are the numerous reports by students in area public schools, particularly those in Williamson County, who continue to experience antisemitic taunts referencing the Holocaust in the most graphic and ugly ways.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville recently began tracking those incidents through an online form on its website. According to Deborah Oleshansky, director of the Jewish community relations committee of The Federation, “We have received numerous reports of students in public schools being verbally assaulted with Holocaust references. These traumatic incidents only serve to highlight the urgency to continue educating about the Holocaust.”
In addition to those reports, in synagogues and family gatherings, youth group events and any place Jews are together, the discussion always turns to talk of antisemitism and security.
Many people are fearful of wearing a yarmulke, a Jewish star necklace, or other identifying item of clothing. Some observant Jews who walk to synagogue along West End Avenue have reported being taunted with honking and slurs from passing cars. Synagogues all over town have spent tens of thousands of dollars on beefed up security personal and infrastructure, but congregants still feel vulnerable sitting in services or walking to their cars.
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Some celebrities are fanning the flames of bigotry
Rising antisemitic rhetoric also proliferates on social media. Recent statements by high profile individuals and celebrities are creating a cultural shift in how unthinkable events, like the Holocaust, are portrayed in the public arena.
And while those celebrities are paying a high price with losses of lucrative sponsorships, and hopefully fans, the overall result is to normalize their words and force the Jewish community to once again take the lead in calling it out.
Once again, we have to implore our non-Jewish friends and neighbors for help with something that should be understood: antisemitism must be eradicated in every corner, every media outlet, and every neighborhood, everywhere.
To be sure, in Nashville, the Jewish community has many friends and allies. Mayor John Cooper was one of the early signers to the American Jewish Committee’s Mayors United Against Antisemitism initiative, along with many other of Tennessee’s mayors.
The Jewish Federation last year hosted a program, No Hate in Our State, Shine a Light on Antisemitism. Participants included leaders in law enforcement, education, faith groups, and business. And when incidents occur, like the ones mentioned above, these allies are just a phone call away, ready to take up the fight alongside us.
But it is clear more needs to be done. Because here’s the thing: we have all seen what happens when a nation bends to the will of evil and other nations turn their backs. We have seen where ignorance and prejudice lead. Let our generation be the one that says, “No more.” Let our city light the way for others and show what can happen through education and enlightenment.
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Tennessee has resource to help citizens learn more
There are many resources available in Tennessee for learning about the Holocaust and for combatting antisemitism. The Tennessee Holocaust Commission provides training for teachers, speakers for events, and other programming available to the public.
The Chattanooga Public Library is one of 50 cities around the country chosen to host “Americans and the Holocaust,” a traveling exhibit by the United States Holocaust Museum. The exhibit runs Jan 27 through Feb 27 and is open to the public. And The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville is always present to provide support and education for both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.
More:Martin Luther King Jr. embraced Jewish people. Remember that as antisemitism rises. | Hill
This month we commemorate the millions murdered in the Holocaust. But stopping antisemitism is a continuous effort. On Jan. 16, we celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a pacifist, a philosopher, and a hero.
One of his greatest friends was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, one of the leading theologians and Jewish philosophers of the 20th century. Side by side they marched together from Selma to Montgomery, and side by side they stood up against hatred, bigotry and evil. This week let us pledge to live by their example and join together to stop antisemitism wherever it grows, whenever it shows itself.
Barbara Dab is on the staff of The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville and is editor of The Jewish Observer newspaper. To read The Observer, visit www.jewishobservernashville.org. To report an antisemitic incident, visit www.jewishnashville.org/antisemitism. To learn more about the Holocaust, visit www.tnholcomm.org. For information about the exhibit in Chattanooga, visit www.chattlibrary.org
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Pledge to stop antisemitism on Holocaust Remembrance Day and always
