Dear John,

Right now, our community is going through a difficult moment. Over the past few weeks numerous antisemitic incidents were reported in Montgomery County Public Schools. Communities across our region, from Silver Spring, MD to Norfolk, VA  have been the target of hateful flyering. In Baltimore, a neo-Nazi leader was charged with plotting an attack on the Maryland power grid. A temple in Boone, NC was targeted by an individual waving and later draping a swastika flag on the temple’s sign. And just this past week there was an antisemitic protest held by neo-Nazis outside the premiere performance of Parade—the story of Leo Frank—an innocent Jewish man who was lynched by an antisemitic mob.

The fact that this has happened during a time of increasing antisemitic rhetoric and incidents makes it all even more concerning. This weekend, several white supremacist groups are trying to organize antisemitic activities as a “National Day of Hate”, especially this Saturday, February 25. While ADL is not aware of any specific threats, we know that these groups are hoping for increased antisemitic flier distributions, protests and graffiti. We know this is frightening; it is completely unacceptable that the Jewish community — or any community — should be targeted by extremists spreading hate and alarm.

Our contacts in law enforcement are aware of this effort and are committed to keeping our community safe, including increased patrols in sensitive neighborhoods through this Shabbat. 

The hate groups behind this effort hope that we will be afraid and isolated. Instead, we are coming together in resolve and solidarity. We are asking the Jewish community and our allies to declare this Shabbat a #ShabbatofPeaceNotHate as a way of sharing a message of unity against antisemitism and hatred. Before Shabbat, please be sure to let your online community know that you will not back down, and you will not be intimidated by extremists.

ADL created this graphic to add to your #ShabbatOfPeaceNotHate posts online. Please click here to download it so you can share it. Or, if you’re not on social media, please forward this email to ensure that others will raise their voices alongside you.

In addition to sharing a message of unity, we ask that you let Congress know that we urgently need to ensure that our synagogues and other houses of worship, schools and community centers are made safer by increasing the funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. Please sign our ADL call for action now.

When antisemitism threatens the Jewish community, it’s up to all of us and our allies to join together in a #ShabbatOfPeaceNotHate.

Shabbat Shalom,

Meredith R. Weisel
Regional Director of ADL Washington, D.C.