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On February 23-25, Confirmation students Amanda Arst, Sari Gross, and Lucas Padratzik traveled to Washington D.C. with youth program leaders Maya Poger and Sarah Manley to participate in the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism L’Taken Social Justice Seminar! Designed to help youth explore Jewish values that inform advocacy within the Reform Movement, attendees participated in classes, simulations, and group discussion to learn about a variety of public policy issues. The weekend culminated in the opportunity for students to speak with their state representatives on those issues closest to their hearts. Amanda, Sari and Lucas wrote an amazing speech in advocacy against antisemitism. You can see the full transcript of their presentation below.

Amanda Arst: Hello, my name is Amanda Arst and these are my peers Sari Gross and Lucas Padratzik, and we are from Temple Israel in St. Louis, Missouri. Thank you very much for taking the time to meet with us today. We are in Washington with hundreds of other teens from the Reform Jewish Movement. We are participating in the L’Taken seminar, an intensive four day program, focused on Jewish values and social justice. L’Taken is sponsored by the Religious Action Center, which is the social justice office of Reform Judaism. Nearly 850 congregations across North America encompass 1.8 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), whose membership includes 2,000 Reform rabbis. We would like to discuss the issue of antisemitism with you today. 

Lucas Padratzik: Antisemitism is an ancient and resilient form of hate directed towards Jewish people. Parallel to all systems of oppression, antisemitism manifests as the dehumanization or exploitation of, or discrimination or violence against, Jewish people. Historic manifestations of ancient antisemitism led to the Holocaust and the murder of six million Jews. In the aftermath of this genocidal tragedy, the world said, “never again.” Yet despite this pledge, we now see acts of anti-Jewish hatred on the rise. Increases in antisemitic incidents often correlate with and precede other forms of extremist thinking and hatred such as racism, misogyny, homophobia, and xenophobia.

Sari Gross: When I walked into religious school one chilly Sunday morning, I was welcomed with the sight of multiple armed police officers. I was only nine years old. I quickly snapped out of my groggy state and became aware of what was going on around me. Something that I loved so much had quickly turned into something that could put my life in danger; my religion. While I was still a child, I was suddenly awakened to the antisemitism that was plaguing our country. When my mom came to pick me up, I asked “Mom, why were there police officers at religious school today?” She then told me about the tragic Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Philadelphia that had happened just days prior. As a result, synagogues around the US strengthened their security measures to hopefully prevent what occurred in Philadelphia from happening again. Many questions soon followed as I had encountered my first lesson of antisemitism.This moment has stayed with me ever since. As I have gotten older, I have realized how dangerous it is to be Jewish, but I will not let this stop me. Myself and my Jewish peers have not let encounters with antisemitism discourage us but rather have allowed propel us into our advocacy journey on this incredibly prevalent issue. 

Lucas Padratzik: The most important thing to the Jewish community is our values. We express an undeniable condemnation of anti-Semitism in all its forms. Jews strengthen the ability of our synagogues and other institutions to adapt to changing security, spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial requirements necessary in a time of rising anti-Semitism. We call on political, civic and religious leaders at all levels to clearly and forcefully denounce anti-Semitism, commend those leaders who do so, and condemn those who perpetrate anti-Semitic speech and acts. We reach out to various political leaders and online service providers in North America and across the globe to find ways to reduce online hate speech within the constraints of national and international guarantees of free speech. Additionally, we support educational programs that teach students, both youth and adults, about the dangers of antisemitism, how to fight it, and to condemn anti semitic criticism of Israel. We continue to act in solidarity and partner with other vulnerable communities targeted for acts of hate. We recognize the particular dangers facing Jews of Color and Jews who identify as transgender and will work to ensure the safety and security of all members of our community within our institutions, as well as outside our walls. We continue to engage with partners with whom we have common cause, both within the Jewish community and across the political and faith spectrum, in calling out anti-Semitic rhetoric and behavior whenever we encounter it, even while we combat hate speech and hate crimes wherever they occur.

One Jewish value that I hold dearly to my heart and that has shaped my personality, is being a “mensch.” This word is a Jewish term that is used to describe a kind, loving, or caring person. Similarly to the term saint. While on this trip, all of the people I have met have complimented my attributes and values. I am constantly thanked by my teachers, coaches, and peers for being kind and empathetic in the classroom and on the track. I pride myself on my accomplishments and kindness towards everyone, no matter who they are. As jews we hope other communities extended this value towards us too.

Amanda Arst: Since October 7th, the Jewish community has not been the same. The horrific attack led by the terrorist group, Hamas, proves that individuals sadly think it is acceptable to single out a religious organization that has faced discrimination for centuries. The discrimination against Jews has been prominent in our country prior to October 7th. However, it has tragically resulted in a vast increase of antisemitic hate. 

On October 19, 2023 swastikas and a Nazi slogan were graffitied at Washington, DC’s American University in a dorm on two bedroom doors and in a bathroom. Jewish students lived in both dorm rooms that were vandalized. The next day, university President Sylvia Mathews Burwell published a statement condemning the vandalism, stating “it is unacceptable that our Jewish Community was targeted and harmed through this act. Hate speech will not be tolerated.”

Additionally, on October 31, 2023, a student at Cornell University in New York was arrested for posting threats online calling for the violent deaths of Jews. 

In November 2022, in an academic building at Ohio State University, a red Swastika, the words "Heil Hitler" with a crossed through Star of David below it, and "White Power Zone" were spray painted on basement walls. The words "Whites Only" were spray painted on stairs leading to another floor, in addition to a racial slur on the stairwell's third floor landing. The university President Kristina Johnson and other members of her leadership team sent a statement to all students, faculty and staff, in which they condemned the vandalism.

There have also been increasing instances of antisemitism relating to Israel, especially on college campuses. Criticism of Israel’s government or policies is not inherently antisemitism. It is acceptable to criticize the Israeli government’s actions and policies – just as we do with some American actions and policies. This criticism crosses the line into antisemitism when it denies Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, questions the loyalties of Jews around the world, and draws on classic antisemitic tropes. 

One notable, recent incident of this includes the civil protest for Palestine at the University of Maryland on November 9, 2023. It included antisemitic messaging, with graffiti that upsettingly read: “HOLOCAUST 2.0.” The next day, the university announced an official investigation into the “hateful, antisemitic sentiments.” 

Sari Gross: The Pray Safe Act (HAWLEY AND SCHMITT S. 1886) (ANN WAGNER H.R. 7296) will not only help Jewish people openly and safely practice their religion but also people of all different faiths. As antisemitism and all religion-based hate incidents intensify, many houses of worship and religious institutions are assessing and revising their security infrastructure and procedures. These safety improvements are a painful yet necessary reality for houses of worship rooted in a desire to be places of welcome. Congregations and religious communities need more resources and guidance to ensure their communities are safe for all worshippers. The bipartisan Pray Safe Act would direct the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security—in consultation with the Department of Justice, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and other federal agencies — to establish a federal clearinghouse through which faith-based organizations and houses of worship can access information on safety and security best practices, federal grant programs, and training opportunities. This bill will help ensure that religious communities have the training and financial resources to improve security and as well as keep worshippers safe. With that all being said, we strongly support the Pray Safe Act (HAWLEY AND SCHMITT S. 1886) (ANN WAGNER H.R. 7296) and we urge you to do the same by voting in our favor. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to meet with us. We greatly appreciate your support. Have a nice day.