For years, Not In Our Town (NIOT) has witnessed the signs of escalating anti-Semitism in our work with communities and schools. The latest reminder of this constant looming threat comes as the Jewish community observes Sabbath on February 25 while white supremacists and neo-Nazi groups are calling for a “National Day of Hate.”  

We encourage every community to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and explicitly condemn this type of hatred. We must surround communities that feel threatened and targeted.

Solidarity is the solution to this type of divisive hate.

We encourage every community to voice their support for their local and national Jewish neighbors. We also encourage law enforcement across the country to remain vigilant to this weekend’s threats and build community wide prevention plans for future deterrence of violence directed at any community. Interfaith and Ecumenical leaders must remind our sacred families that we are anchored in our commitment to the love and serve one another. We all have a role and a responsibility to stand up and condemn hate because this type of terror goes against our own dignity and humanity.

NIOT joins the many voices across our country to condemn this so called, “Day of Hate”, and commits ourselves to building loving and inclusive communities today and as we move forward. Please contact your local synagogues, neighborhood friends and Jewish families to offer your support and solidarity. No one and any community should ever be made to feel targeted, isolated, and alone. We stand with the Jewish community!

Below are resources from partner organizations, we ask you amplify the call against hate and antisemitism.

• ADL’s #ShabbatofPeaceNotHate resources and calls to action [1]

• Bend the Arc’s Message Guidance for “Day of Hate” | Download PDF [2]

• The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Statement [3]

Photo credit: Marwa Janini, Director of the Arab American Association of New York, Safety In Solidarity sign (designed by Murad Awawdeh) at a vigil following the Monsey Stabbings. Photo by Gili Getz, December 2019.