When I go to synagogue at the end of the week, it gives me a sense of peace, community and connection. The music, the energy, and the warmth of the congregation make Shabbat feel both joyful and meaningful. I am surrounded by people of different ages and backgrounds, yet at those moments, I feel part of something larger than ourselves. We sing together, reflect together, feel welcomes, inspired and connection to our Jewish community. There is something special about joining together on a Friday night and celebrating Shabbat with joy.
When there is a disruption of a Shabbat service, it brings a one synagogue issue to a global problem to our community. Across the world, Jews are confronting antisemitic rhetoric, harassment, vandalism, threats and violence – whether in North America, Europe, Australia, or elsewhere.
Although these incidents take different forms, they share a common message. Jews are targeted simply because they are Jews. When there is a protest impeding the entrance to synagogue, with intimidation, antisemitic slurs and hate speech, our freedom to worship peacefully is disrupted.
An attack in a synagogue in New York, should matter to a Jew in London, Paris, Buenos Aris, Ontario, or Jerusalem. We stand as one – not by separating from the world but by standing confidently within it. The most powerful response to hatred is to remain visible, united and continue Jewish life with courage and joy. “ We are not alone”.
Our response is a demonstration of solidarity. We gather in high numbers in our synagogue, rally with multifaith leaders, sing together, prayed together, and affirmed that antisemitism will not be allowed to divide or silence the Jewish community.
A local act of antisemitism connects us to Jewish communities around theworld facing the same hatred. The response connects us to people around the world who believes that hatred must be confronted. We are led to respond beyond our own community. It’s about building strong Jewish communities, educating others, developing relationships across faiths and standing together whenever any community is targeted. We begin locally while thinking globally.
Ask the following questions:
Why should Jews and non-Jews stand together to fight antisemitism? We should not fight antisemitism only because we are Jewish. We should fight it because we believe that no one should be targeted because who they are. Jews need support of their non-Jewish neighbor, and our non-Jewish neighbors need to know that when we stand with them, when hatred is directed at their communities. Fighting antisemitism is ultimately About protecting the dignity, safety, and freedom of all of us.
What can one individual do by showing up at a rally?
One person cannot change the course of antisemitism, but that person can change the way someone else feels that day. When a Jew sees a non-Jewish neighbor standing beside them, they know that they are not standing alone. When others see that person willing to stand up, it can give them the courage to stand up as well. Fighting antisemitism begins with individuals – but it becomes powerful when individuals stand together.
Why reach out to elected officials and civic leaders?
When you make the call, send an email, show up, you keep the conversation going. One person showing up is the beginning of a larger community response. We tell them our personal stories, we ask them to listen, learn, speak out and take meaningful action.
What can you do as an individual?
You can identify organizations where an individual can join, volunteer, participate in programs, attend events, advocate and contribute financially.
Organizations worth considering include, Combat Antisemitism Movement, Jewish Federation of North America, Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, and join our FJMC Committee to fight Antisemitism.
There are 4 different kinds of actions:
I am a member of the GRACE ADL program/team: Government Relations, Advocacy and Community Engagement. It is part of the ADL focus for national legislative advocacy, outreach to government officials and coalition building.
How do you feel when your efforts seen to fail?
Disappointment is natural. The immediate result does not mean that your effort was meaningless. Change comes about from persistence rather than one dramatic action. Acknowledge your disappointment, ask what you have learned, try again, find others who share the same concern, change the approach, and keep showing up. We can’t choose the outcome. We can control whether we choose to stand up and continue.
Why now is it more important for us Jew and non-Jew to stand up against antisemitism?
FBI in 2024, 1,938 anti-Jewish hate crime incidents. Jews make up 2% of the population with nearly 70% of all religion- based hate crimes are against Jews. The ADL in 2024documented 9,354 antisemitic incidents, Averaging more than 25 per day. In 2025, the FBI recorded 10,881 – hate crime incidents overall, involving 14, 438 victims. Antisemitic crimes in NYC have increased by 8.5%.
As a Jew, I am guided by the words, Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof- justice, justice, you share pursue. There are 3 bills before Congress that we need to reach out to our elected officials to support the 3 bipartisan bills.
The three bills have a simple message and say in a concrete way: every American should be free to enter a house of worship, pray in peace and return home safely. Congress can turn justice into action and protect the freedom to worship safely.
Please read ADL’s “Priorities to Combat Antisemitism and Protect the Jewish Community“.
Written by Steven Mandel MD
VP of Communty Outreach, New York Metropolitan Region
FJMC International
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