A couple of years back, while I was teaching at Emory University, I noticed something different about one of my students. He was wearing a kipa, or skullcap, which he had never done before. Before I could decide whether or not to comment on his new attire, he proudly pointed at his kipa and declared that, in the face of rising antisemitism, he was determined to show the haters that they couldn’t scare him. Instead of hiding, he wanted the world to know that he was Jewish.
I admired his courage, but it also saddened me. By doing this, he was giving power to those who oppressed him. Rather than being drawn closer to his heritage, he was being pushed away.
For those of us who fight against antisemitism in both our personal and professional lives, we can’t simply react to it. Our mission should be to change the narrative, to encourage students, their families, and their communities to embrace Judaism and all that it encompasses – its values, its teachings, its pursuit of justice. This applies to all who face prejudice and hatred.
This challenge doesn’t only affect the younger generation. Last year, as the State Department’s special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, President Biden and I had a conversation with over 1,000 American rabbis. They wanted to know how I avoid succumbing to pessimism in the face of the recent surge in antisemitism. Although they were asking for advice for themselves, I realized that this was a larger issue.
Fighting against antisemitism requires a change in perspective. We have to approach it from a positive place. We must fully understand what we are protecting. We must be motivated by our love for the wisdom, insights, and joy that are inherent in Jewish culture, rather than solely focusing on those who harbor an irrational hatred for it.
We have an opportunity to renew that spirit during the Jewish New Year, a time for personal introspection and communal reflection. According to tradition, this is a period for an “accounting of the soul,” to evaluate what we have accomplished and what we have learned. Moving forward requires knowing where we come from.
For me, this involves reflecting on what I have witnessed as the special envoy in the past 16 months. Two stark moments, in particular, have shown me the challenge of simultaneously celebrating and fighting. The first was a visit to the El Ghriba synagogue in Tunisia, the spiritual center of a Jewish community with roots dating back over 2,000 years. We witnessed an ancient festival that brought together Jews and non-Jews from around the world. Our joy was tempered when an attack occurred just 24 hours later, targeting the celebration and trying to scare Jews away.
The second moment was a visit to Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, where the deadliest massacre of Jews in American history took place. The building still bore the bullet holes, but the congregation continued to gather, worship, and mourn together. Despite the tragedy, they emerged stronger.
These examples remind us of the terror that can be inflicted on a group of people because of their identity. As the High Holy Days approach, we must consider how to combat the malice towards ethnic, racial, and religious groups.
Part of our response involves the work being done at the State Department. We will continue to condemn and thwart antisemitism, meeting with foreign officials to encourage the same. We must emphasize the pervasiveness of antisemitism and its threat to democracies and global stability. Exposing antisemites limits their ability to spread hatred. This is a long-term project that requires a sustained effort from society as a whole.
While we in policymaking can only address part of the problem, it is up to each individual, both in and out of government, to do more. We must celebrate the success of communities under attack and protect them. We need to focus on the positive aspects of diverse cultures and shine a light on how people live, rather than just focusing on their suffering. We can embrace Jewish traditions that have universal applications and approach faith with joy, not fear.
My ultimate wish for this Rosh Hashana is for Jews to respond to antisemitism by actively engaging with their tradition while relentlessly fighting against antisemites. I also hope they will demonstrate pride in their identity and show solidarity with others facing persecution. This model can be applied to any group experiencing hatred.
I share this wish with rabbis, congregants, Jews worldwide, and all those who suffer from prejudice. It is also a wish for my student, who proudly wears his kipa.
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