Menorahs mean more this Hanukkah amid rising antisemitism: ‘The fear is real’

Hanukkah, and a reminder of Jewish survival against incredible odds.

This year, those odds may feel particularly pronounced.

The ADL counted 2,717 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. last year – an all-time high and a 34% increase from the previous year. Not to mention Kanye “Ye” West and Kyrie Irving’s high-profile antisemitic rhetoric dominating the news cycle.

“If we don’t address it now, we know the path that antisemitism could take, and it won’t be good for Jews, but it won’t be good for anybody,” says Adam Neufeld, the Anti-Defamation League’s vice president of innovation and strategy.

Putting menorahs in windows is a sign of strength amid strife, Jewish community leaders say, but some Jews are afraid to put up menorahs as antisemitism increases in the U.S.

Hanukkah 2022 information:When is the first night of Hanukkah? 2022 dates for Jewish holiday, how it is celebrated.

Important:Evan Rachel Wood, Marilyn Manson and why her antisemitism allegations matter

Thousands of menorahs in Billings, Montana

Jews light the menorah during Hanukkah to remember the miraculous triumph of the Maccabee in ancient times, lighting one candle each night for eight nights. Classical Jewish texts recommend placing menorahs in windows of homes to publicize the celebration of a miracle.

“In that way, in a sense, the light will be spread,” says Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism. “The light of understanding, the light of tolerance, the light of Jewish identity, all of those.”

But will a menorah in a window really make a difference in the fight against antisemitism?

It can – and has.

Look no further than the town of Billings, Montana, whose citizens fought back in 1993 after someone launched a brick through the window of then 5-year-old Isaac Schnitzer’s bedroom. A menorah in the window sparked the attack, according to The New York Times. The Billings Gazette published a menorah drawing in response, and thousands hung these makeshift menorahs on their windows. Jews and non-Jews alike.

The Billings Gazette is recreating the full-page menorah ad this year and will ask the community to repeat history and place them in their windows. The move comes after swastikas and threatening messages recently appeared at a local high school.

“It’s important to mark this anniversary because we don’t ever want to forget the power of love,” Cole says. “Common decency is more powerful than hate.”

Billings is working with with Shine A Light, a coalition of organizations raising awareness about antisemitism. In addition to engaging several local communities like Billings, the group has partnered with corporations like Google, iHeart Media and Airbnb.

Sigh:Kanye West, Twitter and how to disengage from hate on social media

Hmm:Should only Jewish actresses play Jewish roles? Some say Hollywood has a ‘Jewface’ problem.

All this begs the question, about 30 years later, “what’s the wider community able to do to make Jewish families and the Jewish community feel more secure, at a very insecure moment?” asks Jacobs.

Menorahs in public spaces this time of year suggests solidarity.

“It’s a statement against antisemitism broadly given what has been happening,” Neufeld says. “It’s a sign of allyship to Jews, that they are not alone, and that these attacks affect everyone. It’s also a deep recognition that antisemitism doesn’t just affect Jews, but affects everybody, that it is part of the conspiratorial glue, that is key to so much of hate in society today.”

2021 saw highest-ever number of incidents targeting Jewish Americans: Report

Antisemitism will only increase without intervention at each level of society, Neufeld says. “What is great about the menorah, and the time of year we’re in is that you don’t need to go down and lobby for a bill this month,” he adds. “It’s great if you do but you can just put a menorah up, you can speak out among your friends, you can teach about antisemitism at the workplace, and you can start to turn this tide. If we all do that, I feel confident that we can put a real dent in this.”

And don’t forget that antisemitism begets other forms of hate too.

“We see the statistics of the rise in antisemitic acts, and it is a very, very serious challenge. I would also say it’s a challenge for the wider community because antisemitism is, in some ways, the canary in the coal mine.”

Paging Elon Musk: Poll shows Americans back Twitter safeguards amid worry over hate speech

Article source: https://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/722441284/0/usatoday-lifetopstories~Menorahs-mean-more-this-Hanukkah-amid-rising-antisemitism-The-fear-is-real/