Like Jews all across America and the world, I’ve dealt with antisemitism my whole life. I recently spoke on the House Floor about antisemitism, and I’d like to share some thoughts with you, too.
Whether it's jokes about my big nose or my frizzy hair growing up – or being called a kike while waiting to get a drink at a bar in college – I’ve always known how hard it can feel to be Jewish. But recently, it has gotten worse.
Four years ago in San Diego, we mourned a beloved community member who was killed in the Chabad of Poway.
On January 6th, 2021, as insurrectionists stormed the United States Capitol, my colleagues and I hid under our seats in the House Gallery, wearing gas masks and waiting for a chance to run to safety. As we escaped through the tunnels, we saw insurrectionists in t-shirts emblazoned with the slogans “six million was not enough” and “Camp Auschwitz.”
In San Diego, we regularly wake up to swastikas painted on college dorms or sidewalks.
And it seems like every other day now, I’m tagged in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), naming me as a “globalist” or a “Jew in power.” This week, some of the comments included:
“The nose gave it away.”
“The infestation is so bad.”
“She’s a good Jew” – as if only some Jews are “good enough” to deserve safety.
Antisemitism is hateful and deadly, and it’s only gotten worse since October 7th.
In our schools, in our communities, in our workplaces, and on social media – Jewish people are inundated with antisemitic rhetoric and targeted hatred.
It’s important that we talk about it. That we’re honest about the pain we’re feeling. That we work together to build a more tolerant and loving world around us. And that we don’t let opportunistic politicians cynically use our pain to divide us or score cheap points.
President Biden has been a true leader on this in recent weeks, bringing together Jewish Members of Congress at the White House to discuss a whole-of-society approach to countering antisemitism. As an immediate next step, we need to fully fund and implement the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
It will take work to ensure that Jewish people are safe and respected everywhere, but it’s work that I’m committed to – not just for a news cycle, but for life.
I hope you’re with me. Thanks for reading.
–Sara
