THE PROBLEM:

Antisemtism

We are facing the alarming reality that antisemitism is on the rise. It is coming from the traditional far-right, far-left and Islamist sources. There is also mounting evidence that antisemitism is becoming more mainstream even in America. There are increasing numbers of attacks against Jews, including arson, vandalism, and direct physical violence and even murder in synagogues or other communal institutions. Jews are forced to adopt more and more security, living behind walls, metal detectors, and guards. Rabbis now regularly announce the location of synagogue exits, should the need to evacuate quickly arise.

We have witnessed antisemitism in the media, online, in classroom textbooks, in student interactions, in teacher training, by school administrations, by professors, in the halls of Congress, on billboards, in some churches, and even in Jewish cemeteries through vandalism. In our politically charged environment, antisemitic slurs, which would have been universally decried in the past, are tolerated . . . and then imitated. Extremists feel emboldened by each new instance of antisemitic activity. Who thought in America that Jewish people, including their children, would need to go through “active shooter” drills.
 

In the last few decades, antisemitism has been imported by outside sources. The government of Qatar, which owns the Al Jazeera media network and AJ+, has donated over $1 billion to six U.S. universities to promote an anti-Israel and antisemitic agenda. In addition, the Saudi government has paid for Middle Eastern chairs at major U.S. universities while filling our public libraries with free anti-Israel books and videos for decades.
 

Antisemitic forces have aligned themselves with communities of color, which they work to manipulate in order to turn whole communities against Israel and the Jewish people. This is a coordinated effort on many fronts. Through lies, half-truths, and misinformation, they are able to distort and manipulate facts, replacing them with fictions that are widely accepted as truth. A recent study by the ADL shows that out of a population of 4.1 billion people on five continents, a stunning 26% (1.1 billion) harbor antisemitic attitudes. 

The message of antisemitic forces, although false, is clear, simple, and oft-repeated, which has allowed it to gain a foothold.
 

It's time to draw clear, red lines.

THE SOLUTION:

IDEA (Identify, Define, Educate, Act)

Our overarching strategy is to push back on the Jew hatred around the globe that has risen over the years and is seeping into the mainstream in many countries. We plan to achieve this pushback by making an awareness campaign that will keep the various elements of antisemitism front and center. We plan to make this a global conversation and shine a light on the world’s oldest hatred. Exposure to sunlight is one of the best disinfectants.

The hatred of the Jews is similar to all of the other hatreds of the “others” that have surfaced around the globe. The same hate that drives racism against black people, fear and hatred of immigrants, and intolerance of gays, is the same type of hatred that drives antisemitism. We need to name and shame those who practice the evil of actively promoting hatred. We need to turn them into the pariahs that they are.

The tactics we will use to fulfill our strategy and mission will vary by target market. Some will be projects or events that will fall under the category of proactive education or crisis intervention. Our educational efforts need to start at a very young age since children’s opinions are formed early. Our crisis intervention will be driven and prioritized based on the need, threat, and resources we have on hand.

WE WILL FOLLOW THESE STEPS:  I D E A – to identify, define, educate, and act against the evils of antisemitism. We need to empower current populations and future generations to stand up to and defeat antisemitism. We need to inoculate young kids today with the tools and methods to combat this hate while instilling pride of being a proud Jew and Zionist.

This website is a new work in progress, which already includes booklets that can be ordered for your community to help with education regarding this issue, legal assistance, a reward program and initial ideas for fighting antisemitism.

PUBLICATIONS:
Click here to order copies of our publications or to download, click here.

LEGAL ASSISTANCE:
The StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department, in cooperation with our CCA, is available to help determine if an incident you might want to report is an actionable offense.  Click here to report an antisemitic incident.

REWARDS FOR HATE CRIMES AGAINST JEWS: 
We are able to offer rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals or groups involved in hate crimes against Jews or their property.
Click here to report a hate crime.

COALITIONS:
We are always looking for partner organizations or institutions to work with us to combat antisemitism.  If you are part of an organization or have ideas about this, please send an email to and we can explore ways to work together to fight antisemtism.  
    
PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT:
We believe that every person makes a difference, and you can help. Read the following 10 ways you can play a role in combating antisemitism and if you have other ideas, please send a note to . 

We must confront the dangerous hatred of Jews when it occurs, regardless of its source. Silence is dangerous. Antisemitic incidents must be exposed in order to help build public awareness, pressure, and accountability. Here are some things you can do to guard against antisemitism and to respond when you encounter it:

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1. Educate yourself, your family, and your friends about antisemitism so you can identify and confront it when it occurs. Understand the sources of this hatred (the far right, far left, and radical Islamists) and the different forms it takes (from overt hatred against Jews to antisemitism cloaked in anti-Israel or “anti-Zionist” rhetoric and campaigns). Refer to our booklet entitled “Antisemitism: Then & Now.” 

2. Know your rights regarding free speech, hate speech, and discrimination. Remember: you have your own free speech rights, so speak up and speak out when appropriate to combat lies and hate about the Jewish people. See the StandWithUs booklets entitled “Know Your Rights” and “Best Practices.” www.standuptohatred.com/booklets

3. Tell your story. Be Proud! Talk to others about what it means to you to be Jewish. Share about your identity, family history, traditions, and life in your community. If you have a story about Israel and what it means to you and the Jewish people, share that as well.

4 If you see or hear something antisemitic, take action. If it comes from someone you know, engage them and figure out if it is coming from ignorance or genuine hate. Try educating them calmly about why their words are ignorant and offensive. When this isn’t an option, engage the appropriate authorities. See our booklet entitled “Antisemetic Beliefs.” Report antisemitic posts on social media, and get your friends to do the same. Refer to our booklet entitled “Hate Speech and Reporting Tools for Social Media.” If you think you need legal assistance, reach out to the StandWithUs Saidoff Legal Department and Center for Combating Antisemitism.
 

You can fill out our incident report here

5. Build relationships and bridges with people who are not Jewish. Invite non-Jewish guests to your Jewish cultural
or religious events like your Passover seder. Welcome the stranger. Attend cultural events of other groups. Earnestly seek to learn about other people and what matters to them as you also seek to educate them about what matters to you. This is an important way to fight antisemitism.

6. Fight other forms of hate. Stand up to racism, sexism, homophobia, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination. Build relationships with other groups that are dedicated to fighting hate and work together with them. There are many ways to find common ground—for example white supremacists target not only Jews but also Black, Latino, Muslim, LGBTQ, and other communities.

7. Work closely with security personnel to ensure safety at pro-Israel or Jewish community events, and get self-defense training through the StandWithUs partner StandStrong, which offers self-defense training seminars, or other martial arts programs. If you are appropriately trained, consider volunteering in a neighborhood coalition to keep your community safe. Also consult our “Best Practices” booklet for strategies on how to handle security-related issues at such events.

8. Reach out to spiritual & religious leaders to see what they are doing to educate and keep their members, visitors, and staff safe. Find out what types of education about antisemitism and hatred they offer to their community. Offer them materials, speakers, and programs to share with their membership. Find out if they have security/self-defense strategies and programs to keep their facility and members safe, including proper lighting and visible security cameras. Make sure they know there are numerous government and private organization grants available to increase security for synagogues, schools, and community centers.
 

You can download our booklets at www.standwithus.com/booklets
You can also order multiple copies at www.standwithus.com/shop
 

Reach out to local schools, school boards, and Reach

9. Reach out to local schools, school boards, and universities and ask them what they are doing to educate about and combat antisemitism. Encourage school boards and campus administrators to require education and training about antisemitism and the Jewish community. Share your own personal experiences, and encourage them to use their own free speech rights to speak out against antisemitism and other forms of hate.

10. Reach out to elected officials and your local police department to ask what they are doing to fight antisemitism and prevent violence. Engage with local, state, and/or federal elected officials to share your story, especially any personal experiences you have had with antisemitism. Urge them to take action to ensure protection of Jews within their respective jurisdictions. Work with law enforcement to ensure your synagogue, schools, and community centers are safe and receive increased patrols if necessary. Ensure that police are working with any community-based neighborhood coalitions in your area, which can serve as additional eyes and ears. Their presence can be a great way to deter threats and prevent problems before they happen.