SHU Panel Urges People to Stand Up Against Antisemitism

Students and staff told that unity is needed to bring about change

Hate crimes against the Jewish population in the U.S. have been rising, and panelists for Sacred Heart University’s recent forum, “The State of Antisemitism Today,” said people need to unite and speak out to create change.

The forum was part of the  “Heart Challenges Hate” discussion series, open to students, staff and the public. As a Catholic university, SHU speaks out against injustice and violence. “This series works to counter hate and violence with knowledge, information, faith and values,” said Michelle Loris, SHU’s Catholic Studies chair and moderator for the talk.

Elena Procario-Foley, holds the Brother John G. Driscoll Endowed Chair of Jewish-Catholic studies at Iona University in New Rochelle, NY, served on the three-member discussion panel, along with Myra Clark-Siegel, director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for Westchester and Fairfield counties, and Jill Friedman, the committee’s associate director.

The panelists first discussed Jewish history and the origins of antisemitism, stating that Jewish people have been ostracized and demonized for their faith since ancient times. They referred to antisemitism as the “oldest hatred, the longest hatred,” born because of the Jewish people’s belief in and loyalty to one God.

“[There is] the concept of ‘the other,’” said Clark-Seigel, referring to the way Jews have been viewed throughout history.

The speakers talked about acts of violence against Jewish communities, such as the 2018 mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, that killed 11 people. They pointed out that some members of the faith avoid displaying symbols of their religion because they are afraid of being attacked.

“This year, 41%—four in 10 American Jews—have changed their behavior,” Clark-Siegel said. “You may know the kippah or yarmulke, which a religious Jewish man would wear out of piety.  He won’t wear it. Or a Jewish star necklace. Tuck it in. You don’t wear it. Or Hebrew writing on a T-shirt. You won’t wear it. Or maybe not even going to your synagogue because you’re afraid.”

She commented on a banner she recently saw on a church that welcomed people inside, and she lamented that a synagogue cannot have such a sign inviting strangers to enter and worship. “If you were to go to a synagogue today, you would see a security perimeter akin to LaGuardia, JFK or Newark [airports.] You may not know about all of the security precautions in place, but they are there,” she said.

Loris posed the question: If I don’t stand up and say something against antisemitism, what does   that say about my character? Procario-Foley responded by quoting “First They Came…” by Martin Niemöller, a German Lutheran pastor who spoke out against the atrocities his countrymen inflicted against Jews during World War II. It begins, “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.” Niemöller’s words send the message that people who do not stand up for others will find themselves alone when their own safety is threatened.

There are steps people can take to combat hatred, such as avoiding cultural stereotyping, educating oneself about different religions and speaking out for others who are oppressed, the panelists said. The AJC launched a “community of conscience,” which is a group of interfaith leaders, partners and members who come together to speak with a common voice when they see acts of hatred aimed at any group, according to Friedman. “While antisemitism is directed at the Jewish community, this is not a problem we have to solve alone,” she said.

There is hope, the panelists agreed. Friedman said she sees promise in students she has met through the AJC. “My hope is that as part of AJC, working with incredible partners, that we’re able to start changing the dynamic we’re seeing in the world today, trying to work together to combat the hate that we’re all facing. That is what gives me hope: all of you, our next generation.”

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—
And there was no one left to speak for me.
                                                                     —Martin Niemöller

Pictured, from left, are Michelle Loris, Myra Clark-Siegel, Elena Procario-Foley and Jill Friedman.