jews d
in
the
Swastikas
In Ann Arbor
Park is defaced and Jewish Family Services
gets bomb threat.
STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
T
he Jewish community of Ann Arbor dem-
onstrated its resolve as it was once again
the target of anti-Semitic acts that included
vandalizing a local skate park with swastikas and
graffiti and a bomb threat called into Jewish Family
Services.
On Aug. 18, about 15 spray-painted swastikas
and hate slurs that included “Jews die” were found
at the Veteran’s Memorial Skate Park at 2150
Jackson Ave., according to Ann Arbor police inves-
tigators. Also, on Aug. 22, a bomb threat was called
in to Jewish Family Services. The bomb threat
was cleared, and Ann Arbor Public Works quickly
restored the defaced areas.
Ann Arbor Police continue to investigate and
are asking anyone to call in credible tips to (734)
794-6939 or email tips@a2gov.org. There is a $2,000
reward for any information on possible suspects.
Leaders in the Ann Arbor Jewish community
are girding their schools, synagogues and other
buildings ahead of the High Holidays and the new
school year.
Eileen Freed, interim executive director of the
Jewish Community Federation of Greater Ann
Arbor, said local Jewish institutions are working
closely with local and federal law enforcement
agencies for additional training
and security measures. However,
despite the threats, which all
are taken “very seriously,” Freed
assured that Jewish life in Ann
Arbor will continue to be active
and visible.
“The Federation sees it as our
role
to foster collaboration on
Eileen Freed
issues such as tightening security
and safety for our Jewish facili-
ties in town,” said Freed, noting an upcoming Sept.
5 meeting of the city’s recently formed Jewish
Community Relations Council. “At the same time,
Jewish life goes on. We have much work to do as
we gear up for another great new school year, plan
for our Rosh Hashanah apples and honey distribu-
18
August 31 • 2017
jn
tion program, and kick off our new campaign year
that sustains the work we do to serve our Jewish
community.”
Ann Arbor Jews showed their strength in num-
bers last Friday at an already-scheduled commu-
nity-wide Shabbat dinner held at the University
of Michigan Hillel. Sponsored by the Federation’s
Impact Grant program, 300 attendees welcomed in
Shabbat with services and dinner.
“Last Shabbat served as an
opportunity for Jews representing
all denominations in Ann Arbor
to come together,” said Hillel
Executive Director Tilly Shames.
“We talked about the importance
of supporting each other in these
disturbing times as well as mem-
bers of the broader Ann Arbor
Tilly Shames
community who are also hurting.”
In addition to the Shabbat obser-
vance, Shames said Hillel par-
ticipated in an interfaith vigil last Sunday evening
at the skate park where almost 100 people joined
hands and sang “We Shall Overcome.”
A RISE IN HATE
Across the country, law enforcement officials report
an emboldening white nationalist movement and
an uptick in anti-Semitic and racist crimes.
The Michigan Anti-Defamation League has grim
warnings, especially for Jewish students of high
school and college age. Heidi Budaj, Michigan
regional director of the Anti-
Defamation League, is grateful
for the close working relationship
her agency has with local and
federal investigative authorities.
She said the ADL has long had
in place training programs with
law enforcement on investigat-
ing hate crimes against Jews and
Heidi Budaj
other minorities.
Budaj said her office, as well
as other ADL offices, have been inundated with
calls reporting hate crimes directed toward Jews.
Though the organization cannot pinpoint the
blame of the increase in hatred, it does attribute it
to those with hateful ideologies who have become
empowered since the 2016 presidential election.
The numbers speak for themselves. According
to ADL statistics, in comparing the first quarters of
2016 and 2017, hate acts targeting Jews (including
vandalism, property defacement and harassment)
have increased 86 percent.
“Every single day, I come into the office thinking
I cannot hear anything possibly worse, and every
day, it gets worse,” Budaj said. “I am particularly
concerned about what our high school and college
students will face. This new school year is not going
to be pretty.”
Budaj said it is vital that Jewish schools and
youth groups host ADL’s “Confronting Anti-
Semitism” training programs. Aimed at Jewish
students in grades 6-11, one program teaches the
history of anti-Semitism and how to respond to
modern-day anti-Semitism. The other provides
high school seniors with tools for responding to
anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activities they may
encounter on college campuses. For more informa-
tion, go to www.michigan.adl.org.
“These programs and workshops are free and
teach students how to confront anti-Semitism in
a thoughtful constructive way,” Budaj said. “Often,
we want to respond toward hatred emotionally, but
this has proven to be ineffective. There may come
a time when our kids will be asked by a fellow stu-
dent, ‘Where are your horns?’ Our kids need to be
trained how to act calmly and what to say to that
student.” •