Community gathers in Lawrence to address growing concerns on antisemitism

With the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and hate against specific groups flaring, the Lawrence-based National Council of Jewish Women -Peninsula Section, thought it was a good time to discuss antisemitism.

Rabbi Michel Schlesinger, of the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Centre, and Etzion Neuer, senior deputy regional director of the New York/New Jersey Anti-Defamation League, spoke in front of roughly 130 people at the Jewish Centre on Oct. 17.

Bonnie Sperry, the Peninsula Section’s executive director, began organizing the event, titled, ‘Extremism and the Rise of Antisemitism: What Can I Do About It’ at the beginning of the year.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s coinciding with recent events,” Sperry said, of the attacks in Israel.

Pamela Korn, the section’s program chair , said that the focus of the event shifted.

“Initially when I contacted Etzion at the ADL and spoke to the rabbi, it was going to be more of a focus on white supremacist groups targeting the Jewish community,” Korn said. “After Oct. 7 it turned to whatever information they felt the audience needed to hear at this critical time, I felt the Jewish community and its allies needed to come together.”

Schlesinger interviewed Neuer, who shared his own experiences of antisemitism in Brazil and later moving to the United States.

“All of the Jewish institutions in South America had severe protocols, like cameras and bullet proof glass,” Schlesinger said. “It caught my attention that the institutions in the U.S. were so open. Twelve years after living in the U.S. I’ve seen institutions having to adapt because of antisemitism and hate crimes.”

Neuer addressed the current state of Israel as well as instances of local antisemitism.

“The original intention was to address the troubling rise of antisemitism in the United States and the New York area,” Neuer said. “It turns out that because of the tragic events over the last week and a half, there was a particularly strong resonance this evening with the communal anxiety now.”

The speaker led the audience through tangible actions they can take to combat antisemitism and hate.

“Hold the leadership accountable, meaning asked elected officials to speak out,” Neuer said. “Not just elected officials, if it’s a school, school officials, if it’s online, flag it on the platforms, hold social media accountable.”

Considering the timeliness of the conversation, Sperry said NCJW-Peninsula Section’s support for Israel comes in the form of advocacy.

“That is covered by so many organizations,” Sperry said. “Whether it be through mental health services or something else, our lane is a little bit different, it’s also to advocate and let our Congress know that they must stand up and support Israel.”

NCJW’s intention for the event was to promote togetherness and knowledge.

“What struck me that evening was the palpable sense of anxiety felt by the community,” Neuer said. “At the same time I saw a community that is turning out to educate themselves and are looking for ways to play an effective role in response, I was heartened by the strength of the audience and the resilience.”