Let Light Guide Us in the Face of Antisemitism and Hate

by Justin Lock and Patrice O'Neill for Not In Our Town

We are sending love and light to Jewish friends and the community, as we mourn and express outrage at the antisemitic massacre in Australia. We can do something. A message from decades ago about why we express care and support for our neighbors is more achingly needed than ever. Not In Our Town told the story of people in Billings, MT who stood up to hate when their Black, Native American and Jewish neighbors were attacked by white supremacists. The film that launched a movement first aired on PBS in December 1995. Below is the original full page menorah from the Billings Gazette from 1993 when a brick was thrown through the window of a six year old Jewish boy who placed a menorah there for Hanukkah. That year 10,000 people displayed paper menorahs in their windows in an act of solidarity against white supremacist assaults.  No matter who is targeted, we need to show up for each other. That's how we become stronger than hate.

A full page ad presented by the Billings Gazette urging Montanans to put menorahs in their windows after an attack on a Jewish family. That year 10,000 people put menorahs in their windows. 

If each of us takes a small step to stand up to hate, we can have a tremendous impact. We can Stop HateTogether. 

What we do now to send a message of support to our neighbors really matters to their sense of safety, security and belonging. We know antisemitism is spreading in our communities and schools. But we can do something to dispel the lies and scapegoating that drive it.  Learn more about antisemitism here and access the resources cited on Repairingtheworld.org. In Utah, Jay Jacobson, member of the Salt Lake City Jewish community and a leader of Community Partners Against Hate said that hearing nothing from community members after the Australia massacre creates anxiety for many in the Jewish community.  “I don’t know how anybody feels, so silence is especially worrisome. After Utah Jewish Federation leader Alex Shapiro put out a message to the anti-hate partners about Bondi Beach, there was an immediate response. “It was especially meaningful to hear first the words of support from a Muslim law enforcement leader in our group, “ Jacobson said.  

Five things you can do in your community now

1. Reach out  to friends who are Jewish or send a message to Jewish organizations  to express support for their safety and belonging.  
2. Display a menorah or sign of solidarity 
3. Learn more and talk about antisemitism at home with family and in public with others.  Learn more about the origin and effects of toxic stereotypes and think about how to speak up when you hear them. 
4. Let your elected officials know about the importance of countering hate and extremism. If you are a leader or educator make a public denouncement of antisemitism and hate in all its forms.
5. Schedule a screening of Not In Our Town, The Billings Story or Repairing the World: Stories From the Tree of Life. 

Lessons from Pittsburgh WATCH REPAIRING THE WORLD ON PBS

In the face of hate, there is hope and courage. So many times we have seen brave survivors and community members transform trauma into community connection. Pittsburgh PA provides a powerful example. This month watch the Not In Our Town film Repairing the World: Stories From the Tree of Life on PBS World Channel DEC 22-28  and stream the film anytime on PBS Passport.  Watch it with your family and friends.  Host a screening in your community. Find discussion questions and action steps in our viewing kit here at Repairingtheworldfilm.org 

Find  more information about the Not In Our Town film about Billings and access this youtube link to screen the film.   download the discussion guide

Sign up to screen Repairing the World:https://repairingtheworldfilm.org/host-a-screening