'Heartwarming' event pushes back on antisemitism

The Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo held a rally to "Shine a Light on Antisemitism" on Dec. 4. Hate crimes in general increased 55% in 2020, and antisemitic hate crimes tripled, said Daniel Pearlman, the organization's director of community relations. According to the FBI, 57.5% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2020 were against Jews, who make up just 2% of the U.S. population. And Hillel International (the largest Jewish campus organization in the world) reported a 600% upsurge in antisemitism on campuses over the past six years. Pearlman noted that many additional crimes go unreported. In June, a swastika was found painted at the University of Toledo, he said. And in Cleveland, a group of six Jewish teens were shot with a paintball gun in a drive-by attack. In September, a Holland, Ohio, man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and to commit a mass casualty hate crime at a Toledo-area synagogue. "He was a local man, from northwest Ohio," said Pearlman, who said these incidents were much more rare five or six years ago. He said many American Jews feel increasingly alone, as they don't see their friends and neighbors pushing back much against antisemitism. So the organization held the rally to publicly take a stand. Despite unexpected rain, a "really heartwarming" 125 people turned out, Pearlman said. He encouraged anyone who hears a joke stereotyping any group not to let it stand. "People should call that out," he said. And, he said, people should do everything in their power to get to know people whose race, religion or political orientation differs from theirs. The "Shine a Light" rally took place during Hanukkah, known as the "Festival of Lights." During Hanukkah, Jews light another candle on the menorah each night, bringing more light into the world, Pearlman said. He said "people asked great questions" in Findlay this week when he spoke to the Findlay Rotary Club about Hanukkah and antisemitism. Pearlman said a theme of Hanukkah is "a sense that justice shall prevail in the end. ... Hanukkah's really a holiday about justice." To reach the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, email daniel@jewishtoledo.org Arthurs: 419-427-8494