Dear Friends,
Contrary to popular belief anti-Semitic incidents have not been on the rise in America in recent years, according to the statistics on hate crimes compiled by the FBI. Unfortunately, they haven’t disappeared or abated either.
Just this past week Bergen County witnessed two deeply disturbing incidents of anti-Semitic vandalism. One was perpetrated against Temple Beth Israel of Maywood. The other occurred on Tuesday night, the first night of Chanukah, at Temple Beth El of Hackensack. Our thoughts and prayers are with these two synagogues as they heal from the emotional and physical damage done to their synagogue communities.
Joy Kurland (director) and Rabbi Neal Borovitz ( chairman) of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Northern New Jersey told me that both synagogues reported nearly identical markings: swastikas, the numbers ‘14/88’, and the phrase “Jews Did 9/11.” Police believe that the perpetrators in both cases are the same people.
According to the JCRC, “The use of “14/88” is significant because it is a coded term used by white supremacists. It combines two different white supremacist concepts. The “14” is shorthand for the so-called “14 Words,” a slogan used by white supremacists worldwide to justify their acts (“We must secure the existence of our race and a future for white children”), while “88” stands for “Heil Hitler” (because “H” is the 8th letter of the alphabet; therefore “88” stands for “HH” or “Heil Hitler”). White supremacists frequently combine the two as “14/88” or “88/14.” While swastika graffiti is often the work of malicious juveniles rather than extremists, the appearance of “14/88” strongly suggests an extremist connection on the part of the vandal(s).”
I tell you about these incidents this not to arouse the “Purim Jew” in you or make you anxious. While we do need to be vigilant and keep an eye out for anything or anyone suspicious I don’t believe we have anything to fear as a community. Why? Because of something else that happened last Tuesday night.
Last Tuesday night a special interfaith Chanukah menorah lighting service was held at the Temple in Maywood in which the mayor, civic leaders and clergy of many denominations came together under the auspices of the Interfaith Brotherhood and Sisterhood Committee of Bergen County. In addition to Rabbi Jarah Greenfield of Temple Beth Israel, Rabbi Neal Borovitz and Dan Kirsch of the JCRC of Northern New Jersey spoke. Most importantly Reverend Pitches, the President of the Bergen County Council of Churches spoke. Even as the bigots and anti-Semites were plotting their attack that night in Hackensack, we and our non-Jewish neighbors stood side by side in Maywood in a moving protest against that very evil. This is how we fight anti-Semitism in America. This is the American way.
And this is the modern story of Chanukah. I offer each of you two the opportunities to show this Chanukah spirit:
- Please join us tonight at our community Chanukah menorah lighting in front of Temple Sinai at 7:15 p.m., when we will demonstrate that bigotry and hatred will not deter us from publicly proclaiming our pride in our identity and commitment to the faith of our ancestors. (Those who have made a reservation for dinner and our indoor Chanukiyah lighting come at 6:00. Shabbat Chanukah service in the sanctuary at 7:30.
- On Tuesday night, December 27th, there will be an 8th night of Chanukah interfaith menorah lighting service at Temple Beth El in Hackensack, 280 Summit Avenue, Hackensack at 7:00 p.m. I invite you to attend and show your solidarity with our fellow Jews and with people everywhere who recognize that the best way to fight anti-Semitism and bigotry is to join together with people of all faiths in common cause against it.
One of my favorite Chanukah books is called The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate, by Janice I. Cohn. While written for children, it is based in the very adult, true story of an outbreak of racism and anti-Semitism in Billings, Montana, in 1993. Skinheads and other white supremacist groups had increased in the town of Billings and as Chanukah approached Jews increasingly became a target. Windows in Jewish homes displaying Hanukkah menorahs began to be smashed. Jewish families were advised to remove their menorahs until the perpetrators were caught, but they resisted. The Christmas Menorahs focuses in on the bravery of one boy, Isaac Schnitzer, and his family as they stood up against anti-Semitism after a brick was thrown through his bedroom window while the family displayed its Chanukah Menorah.
How were the white supremacists and anti-Semites defeated? First, the small Jewish community in Billings was not cowed into silence. At the same time many members of the largely Christian community spoke out against the attacks. The Billings Gazette, in an editorial, called on everyone to put menorahs in their windows in solidarity with their Jewish brothers and sisters. Ten thousand paper menorahs decorated the windows of homes in Billings that Christmas.
Let us remember this Chanukah story along with the story of the Maccabees as we light our menorahs tonight at Temple Sinai and throughout this Chanukah and Christmas week.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Urim Sameiach – a joyous Festival of Lights to you all.
Rabbi Jordan Millstein
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