Opinion: To deal with a surge in ‘the oldest hatred,’ a new approach is needed

Last month, I joined leaders of more than 40 Jewish Federations in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the safety of our communities.

It was a trip filled with joy from reconnecting with colleagues from across the country – and with urgency to deal with the ongoing surge in anti-Jewish hate and harassment that continues to endanger our friends, families and institutions.

Here in Philadelphia, we’ve seen that danger firsthand. A beloved falafel restaurant, Goldie, was vandalized and its Jewish owners were accused of “genocide.” A local sports bar displayed a sign with deeply antisemitic language – paid for by Temple University students. The historic Mikveh Israel synagogue in Center City – the oldest Jewish congregation in America – was defaced not once, but twice in a single week.

These incidents shake our sense of belonging. A neighbor wonders whether to remove a mezuzah from their front door. A parent hesitates before sending their child to camp. A college student thinks twice before wearing a Star of David necklace on campus. A teenager scrolls through social media and sees their identity mocked or denied. A grandparent debates whether it’s safe to walk to synagogue alone. These are just a few of the quiet, anxious calculations so many of us now make – not out of fear of disagreement, but of being targeted. That’s the everyday toll. And that’s what brought us to the Capitol.

On June 25 and 26, we met with lawmakers to share a clear message: Jewish institutions need support and protection. We presented a six-point plan to help communities prepare for and respond to growing threats.

Our recommendations included:

• Increasing the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion annually;
• Providing subsidies for security personnel at Jewish institutions;
• Expanding the FBI’s counterterrorism activity;
• Boosting funding for local law enforcement support;
• Enforcing existing hate crime laws; and
• Holding social media platforms accountable for incitement to violence

These are essential tools that are not long-term solutions, but baseline protections. While we advocate for federal support, we are also working locally to strengthen our community. On June 24, during Advocacy Day in Harrisburg, we met with Pennsylvania legislators to discuss increasing nonprofit security funding, expanding Holocaust education and supporting vulnerable communities across the commonwealth.

We continue to partner with the Secure Community Network to maintain real-time communication with local, state and federal law enforcement as well as schools, synagogues and institutions. We share intelligence and respond quickly to threats. And we offer education. In collaboration with Fighting Online Antisemitism, the Anti-Defamation League and Gratz College, our Jewish Community Relations Council recently hosted a free five-part series covering online antisemitism, including the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and emotional resilience strategies.

We’re grateful for allies – both Jewish and non-Jewish – who show up, speak out and stand with us: The elected officials who have advanced meaningful legislation; the law enforcement partners who prioritize our safety; and the neighbors who amplify our voices and extend their hands in solidarity.

At the same time, each of us has a role to play. That might mean reaching out to your member of Congress and asking them to support the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would codify the IHRA definition of antisemitism for the purposes of federal civil rights enforcement. This definition would provide much-needed clarity and consistency in addressing discrimination.

It might also mean sharing what anti-Jewish bias looks like in your workplace, on social media, in your child’s classroom and beyond. These personal stories often reach people’s hearts in ways that facts alone cannot. In the face of adversity, we are reminded of what makes our community strong: our resilience, our values and the people who stand by our side. Together, we’ll keep showing up – and keep moving forward.