Then
and Now

The Anti-Defamation League-Michigan
continues the fight against antisemitism,
hatred and bigotry

KORIE WILKINS
I

n recent years, hateful inci-
dents against Jewish people
have risen dramatically, and
the Anti-Defamation League
Michigan remains — as always
— an organization that is vigi-
lant and relentless in its efforts
to wipe out antisemitism.
“The ADL has been here for
decades in Michigan, and we
aren’t going anywhere,” said
Carolyn Normandin, regional
director of ADL Michigan. “But
antisemitic incidents are rising
to unprecedented levels, and I
worry about the commoniza-
tion or normalization of hate
in America.”
The ADL takes a three-
pronged approach at fighting
antisemitism: Education,
advocacy and investigation,
Normandin said.
According to the 2021 Audit
of Antisemitic incidents, there
were 2,717 antisemitic inci-
dents (assaults, harassment
and vandalism) in the U.S. —
which is about seven per day.

That represents a 34% increase
from 2020. This is the highest
number recorded since the
ADL began tracking antisemit-
ic incidents in 1979.
And in Michigan in 2021,
Normandin said there were
112 hateful incidents of
antisemitism reported. The
ADL works with law enforce-
ment when they receive
reports, and Normandin said
the ADL is often the one place
people feel safe reporting inci-
dents of antisemitism.
“ADL is a safe harbor for
people to report incidents and
sometimes, it is a crime,” she
said. “Other times, it is not. But
each time, it is significant.”
For example, a swastika
— for a Jewish person — is
seen as a symbol of hate. But
depending on where the swas-
tika is, it might not be consid-
ered a hate crime — it could
be considered free speech.
“We are the only organi-
zation in the country that is

tracking incidents of antisem-
itism,” Normandin said of the
ADL’s investigation component
of its mission. “And no com-
munity is isolated. It is every-
where.”
Antisemitism is considered
the “canary in the coalmine”
and seeing a rise in it generally
means there will be a rise in
other hate crimes and hate
speech against other marginal-
ized groups, Normandin said.
That’s why the ADL’s mission
is so crucial, she said, with
vigilance starting at the local
level.
Advocacy at the local, state
and federal level for schools
and communities includes a
push to adopt DEI (Diversity,
Equity & Inclusion) programs
— specifically naming antisem-
itism in the policies and not
just including it in the bucket
of hate or discrimination. ADL
also encourages voters to fully
examine all candidates.
“The down-ballot issues and

candidates are so important to
pay attention to,” she said.
ADL also works tirelessly on
education initiatives, providing
anti-bias training in schools,
law enforcement, community
groups and companies. ADL’s
“No Place for Hate” program
is in many schools and is free
and student-led. ADL also pro-
vides extensive information on
its website.
“We know that antisemi-
tism isn’t a Jewish problem,”
Normandin said. “It is a prob-
lem for the Jewish commu-
nity. But hate anywhere is a
problem for all of us, and that’s
why the ADL will continue to
be relentless. It’s a complex
problem, but we cannot let the
complexity paralyze us.”

ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE-
MICHIGAN

P.O. Box 252166

West Bloomfield, MI 48325

michigan.adl.org

– ADVERTORIAL –

Walled Lake High School students review ADL’s Guide for Responding to School-Based Bias Incidents as
part of their No Place for Hate programming.

Report incidents: Go to adl.org/reportincident. Include pictures when possible.

Know your facts: Educate yourself about extremism, trends in antisemitism, and what is going on in your community.

Demand online providers take action: Insist social media companies create common-sense policies to curb hatred on their platforms.

Ensure leaders are doing their part: Fully vet candidates; know what people stand for; be aware of those who are not speaking out;
advocate for strong stances and policy solutions.

For resources visit adl.org

ADL urges
people to fight
antisemitism
by Standing up,
Sharing facts and
Showing strength.
Here’s how.

Celebrating the Detroit Jewish News
and its commitment to serving the
Jewish people for 80 years!

The Anti-Defamation League
commends you and we stand with
you in advancing our community.

Yasher koach on 80 years!

80

Wonderful Years!