Antisemitism Seminar To Be Held In North Jersey After 'Broad Threat' To Synagogues

NORTH JERSEY — Towns with significant Jewish populations, like Maplewood and Millburn, sent messages to residents last month supporting the Jewish community in response to a warning from the FBI about a "broad threat" to synagogues in New Jersey — a warning that came amid the recent amplification of antisemitic language.

Now, the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, located in Morris County and also serving Essex and Union counties, has planned a seminar for later this month to "shine a light on the efforts being made, both behind the scenes and on the front lines, to ensure our community remains a safe and welcoming place to live a Jewish life. "

The virtual program is free, but reservations are required.

The Federation announced:

"News reports about hate and antisemitism seem to be everywhere we turn. One in four American Jews has personally experienced antisemitism in the past five years, and more than half (56 percent) have witnessed antisemitic comments targeting others. And just a few weeks ago, we were faced with an FBI warning of a credible threat against synagogues and other Jewish institutions in New Jersey.

"....Hear from representatives from Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council, Security Initiative, Holocaust Council, and Hillel about programs that support local Jewish college students, educate teens to confront antisemitism on campus, build relationships across all faith groups, advocate for legislation to protect faith-based communities, ensure that our institutions are prepared to respond to threatening situations, and much more."

Linda Scherzer, Federation’s Director of the Jewish Community Relations Committee, said, "Greater MetroWest community members are rightly unnerved by the rising trend of antisemitism in our country. Unfortunately, we do not have the power to eliminate antisemitic acts and rhetoric, as they’ve been a part of the landscape for millennia."

She added, "What we can do, however, is inform our community members of exactly how their Federation is working proactively to build relationships, educate, and secure our institutions so that we can mitigate hate in our community and be prepared to effectively confront any situations that may arise.”

The Zoom webinar is set for Dec. 14. Find out more and register here.

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