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Dear Friends,
This Monday, October 7, marked the dark and devastating one-year anniversary of when Hamas terrorists committed the largest attack on the Jewish community in a single day since the Holocaust. Our world and our lives have been irrevocably altered. 1,200 men, women, elderly and children were ruthlessly slaughtered, 250 more were taken as hostages. We continue to pray for the safe return of every single one of them. For many of us, every day since October 7 can feel like a nightmare we have yet to wake up from.
The impact of this terrorist attack directly led to the single largest rise in antisemitism that the ADL has ever recorded. At the end of September, the
Federal Bureau of Investigation released its report on hate crime incidents across the county. The data reveals that reported hate crime incidents across the country reached a record high of 11,862 incidents last year. Although Jews only make up around two percent of the U.S. population, reported single-bias anti-Jewish hate crimes comprised 15% of all hate crimes reported and 68% of all reported religion-based hate crimes in 2023.
While this massacre has wreaked havoc across homes, college campuses, synagogues and more, in the midst of our collective mourning, a beacon of community hope shone throughout our region. Memorials, vigils, and worldwide calls to bring our people home has become a cornerstone of our healing. Among these distressing experiences, I am reminded of the resilience of the Jewish people. I am reminded of the long history of Jews facing – and thriving not just surviving – exiles, pogroms and discrimination. I am reminded that joy can and does coexist with grief.
Last week, Jewish families celebrated Rosh Hashanah, hoping for a sweeter new year. Along with many community members all over the region, I attended the Marking October 7th event put on by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Washington Board of Rabbis and Jewish Community Relations Council at the Anthem in Washington, D.C.
Now, as we prepare for Erev Yom Kippur, I am reminded of the strength in our community to persevere. I am reminded that this is a time to elevate our thoughts and cleanse our spirits, learn from not only what we have done, but also what we have failed to do. I am reminded that the light illuminates even in the darkest of times.
Wishing all who will be fasting tonight and tomorrow an easy and meaningful fast.
Shabbat Shalom and G’mar Chatima Tova.
Sincerely, |
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Meredith R. Weisel
ADL D.C. Regional Director |
ADL D.C. continuously does work on the ground to serve our communities. Through robust educational programs, speaking engagements, and advocacy, we empower the region to challenge hate, bias, bigotry, and extremism.
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ADL Washington, D.C. is so excited to be welcoming our No Place for Hate schools for the 2024-2025 school year. New and returning schools are committing themselves to making their schools safe, equitable and inclusive for all students, and we could not be more thrilled to be supporting them in this work. More information on No Place for Hate
can be found here.
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ADL Education worked with Wake Forest University to offer a Words to Action program for their Jewish students. 15 undergraduate students participated in conversations and reflections about their Jewish identity, their experiences with antisemitism, and steps that they can take to stand up to antisemitism when they experience it on campus. We are so grateful for these student leaders and thrilled to be a support to them. Find out more about Words to Action
here. |
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Updated Resource: Discussing the Israel-Hamas War With Young People - As the one-year mark of the October 7 terrorist attack took place this week, we've updated our Sutori to offer educators, parents and caregivers curated resources to help young people understand the Israel-Hamas war and to recognize and challenge antisemitism.
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NPFH Back-to-School Kickoff & Author Read Aloud on Tuesday, Oct. 15 (1pm ET). The virtual event will feature authors Kathryn Otoshi and Trudy Ludwig
., who will read from their books and the event also include student co-moderators, info about NPFH for schools that want to learn more, and book giveaways. Register for the program here.
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Resource Highlight: Israel in the Curriculum.
This resource contains tool kits for both educators and parents/caregivers. The assessment kit for educators helps create a meaningful, effective and safe learning environment for students of all identities. The one for parents and caregivers is designed to support them in advocating for curriculum accuracy, appropriateness and care when addressing Israel. |
Join us at ADL’s In Concert Against Hate at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. on Monday, Nov. 18. It will be an unforgettable night filled with music, community and celebration, as we come together to fight hate and honor those making a difference. Get your tickets now!
Pop icon Sia, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra is set to perform during this special evening. In case you missed it, we recently shared that entertainment executive Scooter Braun
will be recognized for his instrumental role in bringing the Nova Music Festival Exhibition to audiences in the United States.
We can’t wait to see you on Nov. 18 to honor everyday heroes who are fighting hate for good. |
Combating Antisemitism
Protecting Students
Stopping Hate and Extremism
Addressing October 7th
Miscellaneous Items |
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