No one should stand alone

A few weeks ago, in the dark of night, antisemites spread their hatred around Warwick and North Providence. Hundreds of leaflets were littered throughout neighborhoods, spreading antisemitic vitriol and putting a new spin on conspiracy theories that have existed for millennia.

This is not the first time that this has happened. Just last month, a similar group of antisemites, who came from out of state, scattered the same hate through neighborhoods in Newport and North Providence. In the last few months, we’ve seen antisemitic incidents take place at Jewish institutions, online, and perhaps most concerning, in schools. Unfortunately, our Jewish community knows all too well the danger that comes as these incidents become more frequent.

Antisemitic incidents reached an all-time high in the United States in 2021, with a total of 2,717 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). This represents the highest number of incidents on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979 – an average of more than seven incidents per day and a 34% increase year over year.

At the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, we track antisemitic incidents in our region. Since June, there have been 25 reported incidents. Over the same period last year, there were only six. What was once rare and concerning has become too routine, and alarming. What was once a statistic has become for many in our community, too personal. For my family, it became personal when our daughter heard a fellow middle-school student say, “Kanye was right about the Jews.” This must stop, but our Jewish community cannot stop this on our own.

Throughout the Torah there is a word uttered by major figures in biblical history. It is uttered by Abraham, Jacob and Moses as an answer to God. It is the Hebrew word, “Hineni,” which translates to, “Here I am.” At the Jewish Alliance, Hineni is one of our core values. To us, it means standing with others, so no one stands alone.

Our Jewish community needs all of Rhode Island to say Hineni. We need everyone in Rhode Island to stand with us so we do not stand alone. We need elected leaders, business leaders, community leaders, and everyday Rhode Islanders to call out antisemitism. The Jewish community is only 2% of Rhode Island’s population, so we cannot fight this hate on our own.

There are many ways for you to encourage your non-Jewish friends to support our community. When they see or hear an antisemitic act, it should be reported to law enforcement or to the Jewish Alliance. If people feel comfortable doing so, the antisemitism should be called out in the moment, or recorded. People can also educate themselves about the long history of antisemitism and hatred. There are many resources on this at antisemitism.adl.org, and at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. Finally, encourage people to join you for a Jewish community event. Whether it is something at a local synagogue or at the Dwares JCC, a Shabbat dinner or a PJ Library story hour, help others see the joy of our community.

Nearly 400 years ago Roger Williams came to Rhode Island fleeing religious persecution. Since then, our state has been a place where religious freedom is a core value. It is a state that includes the first Baptist Church of America and America’s oldest synagogue. For hundreds of years, Rhode Island has been a place where the Jewish community has felt safe. Where it has thrived and flourished. In this moment of deep concern, we ask all Rhode Islanders to say Hineni, to stand with us, so we can stamp out hate, and so we can all stand together.

Adam Greenman is the President & CEO of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island