12 | JANUARY 30 • 2020 

United Against Anti-Semitism

Jews in the D

A

nti-Semitism has existed through-
out much of the world for centu-
ries, but a recent flare-up of attacks 
on American Jews has heightened public 
awareness of the problem.
As verbal assaults and minor vandalism 
have become more common and escalat-
ed to beatings and murders of American 
Jews during the past several years, concern 
among the Jewish community has ratch-
eted up.
In response, the Jewish Community 
Relations Council/AJC, ADL of Michigan 
and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan 
Detroit presented a “Jewish Community 
Forum on Anti-Semitism” Jan. 23 at Adat 
Shalom Synagogue. Approximately 1,000 
individuals, mostly members of the Jewish 
community but also local and state gov-
ernment officials, law enforcement repre-
sentatives and other concerned citizens, 
came together for information, guidance 
and reassurance.
Local rabbis, heads of Jewish agencies, 
a historian and an FBI representative pro-
vided background and updates on recent 
anti-Semitic events, as well as community 

responses to “the new wave of hate.” 
Professor Howard Lupovitch of Wayne 
State University’
s Cohn-Haddow Center 
for Judaic Studies discussed anti-Semitism 
in the context of “a rise in intolerance and 
rage during the last three years or so,” 
spurred by social media, “which profits 
from fear and outrage” and the “manipu-
lation of some politicians.” He decried the 
lack of outrage on attacks on Chasidic Jews 
in New York. “
An attack on any Jew is an 
attack on every Jew,” he said.
Other speakers also stressed the need 
for unity. Rabbi Yisrael Pinson of Chabad 
in the D said, “We need to be proud of our 
Jewish identity, Jewish practice and Torah 
values.” 

Rabbi Azaryah Cohen of Frankel Jewish 
Academy stressed the need to educate 
non-Jews about Judaism. “There isn’
t one 
right reaction except coming together,” 
he said. “
Anti-Semitic remarks are usually 
made out of ignorance.” 
Ruth Bergman, Holocaust Memorial 
Center education director, talked about 
the importance of teaching people to take 
action when there is injustice.
“It’
s not OK to let it go,” said Carolyn 
Normandin, regional director of ADL 
Michigan. “No Jew is safe until everyone is 
safe. Stand up.”
Several speakers thanked representatives 
of other religious faiths who have been 
supportive after anti-Semitic incidents in 
recent years. “We have to go outside the 
bubble and develop relationships,” said 
Rabbi Asher Lopatin of JCRC/AJC. “We 
need to connect with other communities 
to create lasting relationships.”
An overview of security efforts to 
protect the Jewish community was an 
important aspect of the program. David 
Kurzmann of Federation said that the 
organization’
s annual security budget in 

If you experience or witness 
acts of anti-Semitism or 
a hate crime, here are 
resources you may turn to:
 • ADL-Michigan, (248) 
353-7553, michigan@adl.org
 • JCRC/AJC, (248) 642-
5393, info@jcrcajc.org
 • Federation’
s Community-
Wide Security Department, 
security@jfmd.org
 •Your local law enforce-
ment agency
 • FBI Detroit, (313) 965-
2323, or go to fbi.gov and 
click on “Submit a Tip”

Community leaders 
offer guidance at 
Adat Shalom forum.

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

ABOVE: A crowd of around 1,000 people attended 
a forum held at Adat Shalom Synagogue.

PHOTOS BY JOHN HARDWICK/JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT

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