Local Jewish Community Gathers Over Anti-Semitic Concerns

Students at Central Michigan University are taking a stand against hate-speech after offensive Valentine’s Day cards circulated on campus.
A swastika was found carved into a synagogue in Las Vegas Saturday.
And a Chicago man is facing a hate crime charge after police say he vandalized a synagogue.

It’s something that concerns Montgomery resident Azriel Gorski, who is a member of the Jewish community.

“I do have concerns about what’s happening across the country. I also have concerns that it seems to be changing its face. I know with the recent election some groups feel empowered to act out, which I don’t think our current President supports, but they camp on some things he has done,” said Gorski.

Thursday night, the Jewish community gathered at Agudath Israel Etz Ahayem Synagogue in Montgomery to listen to members from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), along with the FBI.

Shelley Rose is the Interim Regional Director for ADL’s southeast region.

“I can tell you… In my office, I have seen a real increase in the number of calls I usually get. And it’s about doubled. It’s mostly hate literature, graffiti, sometimes comments and jokes that are being made,” said Rose.

In some cases, there are bomb threats. Rose says there has been a series of bomb threats made to Jewish community centers across the country.
She says she wants the Jewish community to be informed and also empowered.
And she has a message to everyone– to not let the jokes or hate crimes continue against anyone.

“We need to speak out when we see something like that to say this is not acceptable in this community. This is not what we want our community to be,” said Rose.

For more information on ADL, click here.