Jewish Americans Speak Out About Living With Antisemitism

Too many times the mantra in the Jewish community is that antisemitism is unique. I get it. But it’s not like Jews are the only people to be hurt by the human capacity to hate. If we don’t look at what we know about how human beings are divided into “us” and “them,” we lose a larger understanding of what antisemitism is.

“I am hopeful.”

Henry Weil

Illustration by Sefira Lightstone

Henry Weil was 4 years old when his family fled Austria during the Nazi occupation. A retired lawyer, he is a volunteer at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

I am one of the lucky, lucky few who escaped in the nick of time. At the museum, we have what is known as the survivors’ desk, and I hear so many horrible stories of people who suffered more than I did.

The only hope to curb antisemitism is with young people. They have to learn at an early age not to hate but to love. I am part of a speakers bureau at the Holocaust Museum that reaches children in schools via Zoom. I just spoke with 10th graders in Utah, and it was amazing to me how knowledgeable these young people were about the Holocaust. The questions they asked and the comments they made were right on point. I am hopeful because I can see from their words, their expressions, that they’re really interested in seeing change.

“It’s the best of times and the worst of times.”

Kathy Manning

Illustration by Sefira Lightstone

Rep. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) cochairs the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism.

I moved to Greensboro, North Carolina, 35 years ago. It’s a tolerant place. But I’ve seen a change over the past several years. We had one weekend when horrifically antisemitic notes were left on people’s driveways and front porches. It was a coordinated effort to blame the Jews for COVID. It was pretty unnerving. Lots of non-Jews got those leaflets too, and I think it was eye-opening for them to see how offensive and frightening that can be.

On the antisemitism task force, we have an opportunity to figure out how to address the situation. In a strange way, it’s the best of times and the worst of times. While we have rising antisemitism, we also have determination by members of our government — from all different states, walks of life and backgrounds — to combat this.

AARP is a proud partner of the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign, designed to raise awareness about antisemitism and mobilize all Americans to combat antisemitism by using the blue square emoji 🟦 as a unifying symbol of support. Learn more at standuptojewishhate.org and order your blue square pin at fcas.org/pins.