OUR COMMUNITY

24 | JUNE 17 • 2021 

T

he recent violent conflict in Israel 
and Gaza has resulted in a dra-
matic increase in antisemitic acts 
in the United States. In some cities, Jewish 
individuals have been assaulted and seri-
ously injured; others have been subjected 
to insults in person or on social media.
In a communication to the Detroit area 
Jewish community last week, Federation’s 
leadership stated, “
An alarming statis-
tic was shared recently by the Secure 
Community Network, the official safety 
and security organization of the Jewish 
community in North America: Over the 
past month, in the wake of Israel’s 11-day 
conflict with Hamas, antisemitic acts in 
the U.S. soared by 80%.” 
Carolyn Normandin, regional director 
of Michigan ADL (Anti-
Defamation League) reported 
that that within days of the 
start of armed hostilities 
between Israel and Hamas, 
17,000 tweets were posted say-
ing that “Hitler was right.” 
While there have been no 
major incidents or assaults in Michigan, 
insults have been yelled from cars at 
Jewish people and there has been online 
targeting, minor vandalism and passage 
of anti-Israel resolutions by three local 
student government bodies, according to 
Federation. Normandin said that about 
30 antisemitic local incidents have been 
reported to her office during the past three 
weeks, including two threats of violence. 
“We are always concerned, always 
watching. We are continuing 
to monitor and have made 
some security changes,” said 
Steven Ingber, CEO of Jewish 
Federation. In addition, he 
reported that Federation staff 
members are working with 
Hillel campus organizations 

and have met with the Michigan Board of 
Rabbis.
He cited strong relationships between 
the Jewish and other communities in this 
area, including the interfaith community, 
and local and federal law enforcement. 
“We are trying to create spaces for open 
dialogues. We can’t outshout them,” Ingber 
said. 
Ted Cohen, Federation’s chief of market-
ing, added that “We are promoting more 
accurate and positive narratives 
about Israel and working with 
the JCRC/AJC.”
Gary Sikorski, director of 
community-wide security for 
Jewish Federation, said “We 
maintain a high level of vigi-
lance and try to be proactive, 
not reactive.” 
Federation has expanded its 
Community Security program 
in recent years with trained, 
experienced officers stationed 
at Jewish day schools, agencies, 
camps and campuses through-
out the community. Support is also pro-
vided to Jewish congregations and other 
institutions across the community to instill 
a culture of vigilance and safety, according 
to Federation’s statement.
Ingber pointed out that student gov-
ernments at Michigan State University, 
University of Michigan and Wayne State 
University have passed anti-Israel resolu-
tions with inflammatory rhetoric. “
Anti-
Israel and anti-Jewish language can over-
lap. We want to keep campuses safe for 
Jewish students,” he stated. 
Normandin said that some Jewish col-
lege students now find the campus atmo-
sphere uncomfortable; one faculty member 
no longer wants to wear a Star of David. 
She is concerned about two Jewish busi-
ness owners whose businesses have been 

attacked online for pro-Israel statements. 
“How does attacking them help promote 
peace in Israel?” she asked.
Free speech regulations protect com-
ments that may be derogatory but are not 
illegal because they do not incite violence. 
There are a lot of watchdogs reporting on 
antisemitic posts on Facebook and other 
social media, Sikorski said.
Despite the current negative climate, 
Ingber stressed the importance of con-
tinuing to “live Jewishly, not to refrain 
from Jewish celebrations.” The recent 
Federation leadership message concludes 
with comments from Rabbi Jeffrey Myers 
of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue, 
the site of the killing of 11 worshippers in 
2018. “The answer is not to do less, and to 
hide. It’s to be proud of who you are, and 
to do more of what you are that makes you 
Jewish … So, when they do more evil, I do 
more Jewish.” 

Jewish Federation expands outreach and 
education to counter increased antisemitism.
Community Security

Steve 
Ingber

Carolyn 
Normandin

Gary 
Sikorski

Ted Cohen

SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

How to Handle 
Suspicious Behavior, 
Threats and 
Antisemitic Acts

In Federation’s recent communi-
cation, community members were 
urged to Immediately report suspi-
cious behavior to local law enforce-
ment, including posts on social 
media and concerns about guns, 
threats or other alarming activities.
For immediate security concerns 
related to Jewish schools, congre-
gations and agencies, contact the 
Jewish Federation Community-
Wide Security Team at (248) 
833-2521 or email security@jfmd.
org. Anyone in immediate danger 
should contact 911 or their local law 
enforcement entity. 
To report incidents of antisem-
itism, bias and discrimination 
through the Anti-Defamation 
League, (ADL), visit www.adl.org/
reportincident or call (248) 353-
7553.

