During this holiday season, we remember another Hanukkah 20 years ago in Billings, Montana. A year of racist and anti-Semitic violence came to a head one bitterly cold night when a brick was thrown through a six-year-old Jewish boy's bedroom window, where he had placed the family's Hanukkah menorah. The town rose [1] as one to say, Not in Our Town, and a national movement was born.

That story was  told in our first PBS film entitled "Not In Our Town." [2]  Hundreds of actions and campaigns followed, as our team traveled the country documenting the stories of community after community rising up against hate and prejudice with courage and persistence.

Through their actions, the people of Billings, Montana have given all of us an amazing gift. Their story has inspired others around the country to create new ways to stand together when neighbors are under attack.  At Not In Our Town, we want to share these  stories of hope with you through this new site. Now we are asking  you to share, as well. Spread the story of Not In Our Town to your community, bring people to our website [3] and contribute your stories of action and hope so we can all learn from each other.

More Not In Our Town Resources:

Order a copy of Not In Our Town [2]
Background on the Not In Our Town story [4] (from PBS.org)
Watching Not In Our Town Together [5]: Free Downloadable Discussion Guide
Local Lessons: How One Mother Used the Attack Against her Family to Teach her Children Never to Hide from Hate [6]
Local Lessons: Three Guiding Principles for Confronting Hate [1]

If the Billings story affected you, let the community know by posting your comments below.