Hanukkah 2021 Night 7: Combatting Antisemitism

December 2021

This Hanukkah we are taking a moment to shine a light on the resilience of our community throughout this past year. Tonight, we light the 7th candle of the hanukkiah and read how our community has fought against hate and antisemitism this past year. 

As a surge of antisemitism in America continues to grow, Temple Beth-El understands the importance of ensuring congregants have a safe place to discuss their concerns and learn about this ever[1]evolving issue. Invited by Hadassah, Temple Beth-El members took part in a Zoom discussion on antisemitism with Rodi Franco, an award-winning researcher. The presentation allowed participants to learn how to correctly combat the rise of antisemitism in our country on both the far-right and the far-left.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation (JCRC) worked tirelessly this past year to address the rising tide of antisemitism. As tensions rose in late May, the JCRC joined with Jewish agencies across the country for a virtual Day of Action Against Antisemitism. In June, the Jewish Federation of San Antonio convened with the leaders of the Jewish community agencies and synagogues for a briefing with the FBI on the latest threats of antisemitism. The Jewish Federation, JCRC, and Holocaust Memorial Museum released a statement in July applauding the selection of Deborah Lipstadt as the US Special Envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism. The JCRC continues to fight against all forms of hate and antisemitism here, across the U.S., and around the world.