Making America Hate Again Recent University Club meeting sheds light on frightening trend Story and photo by Stephen Vrattos Members attending the Thursday, January 26, meeting of the University Club were treated to what President Shirley Wershba believes to have been the most animated and fully-participated discussion in the Club’s history. The reason: New York Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Evan Bernstein’s eye-opening talk on the state of anti-Semitism in the United States today. According to Bernstein, Hate Crimes are up a staggering 300% since the election last November, translating to a new incident nearly every day. This sudden trend in the U.S. mirrors that of the rest of the world. Incidence of anti-Semitism and hate has been steadily rising in Europe the past decade. In fact, the situation has devolved to levels so bad, they haven’t been experienced since directly following World War II in 1945. “Being an overt Jew in Europe has become extremely difficult,’ Bernstein said. France, in particular, is experiencing an all-time high in anti-Semitism. Non-Orthodox, even reformed, Jewish families are sending their children to strictly Jewish schools, because they are under the protection of the French Foreign Legion. Public schools are not. Unlike the U.S., which is a melting pot, a nation grown through the diversity and inclusion of constant immigration, European countries have never been accepting of outsiders. They’ve ever retained a strong, one might argue, fanatical sense of jingoism. People from other countries have never been able to work their way up in society, creating resentment and anger, and in some cases, as evinced in the recent bombings in Paris and Belgium, extremism. Feeling powerless to foment meaningful change through pacific demonstrations, they’ve turned their hatred toward history’s traditional scapegoat, Jews. “If you look different, you’re out,” Bernstein explained. “And who looks different? Jews. Jews always seems as if they’re from another country.” Though European governments are trying to turn the situation around, the movement continues to grow in the underbelly of society, and there is a real concern by many that tolerant politicians will lose their seats to these radical right groups. Despite the distressing news, the United States remains “the best place to be a Jew throughout the world,” says Bernstein. But in order to stave off the rise in Hate Crimes and anti-Semitism, people must stop being complacent and start taking proactive steps to reverse the trend. “We have to do everything we can to fight it. And it’s not just Jews; ANYONE who looks different.” According to Bernstein Jews are more splintered today than ever before. It wasn’t too many years ago, regardless of individual opinions on political issues, all Jews agreed on their support for Israel. But in the past 5–10 years, Jews have been taking sides to the right or left of the country, and in so doing, have contributed in weakening its importance to the Jewish cause and stature throughout the world. This has enabled the empowerment and rise of anti-Semitism and hate groups. Bernstein’s stance became a bone of contention among University Club members, who criticized Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policy in developing settlements in contested areas of East Jerusalem, which have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East, preventing peace in the region. Members also felt that, as Americans, one of whose founding, most important, principles is “Freedom of Speech,” they had every right to disagree with Netanyahu. Though not in disagreement, Bernstein cautioned restraint. “A family member can criticize one’s father without retaliation, but not an outsider. We have to treat Israel the same way,” Bernstein explained. “Otherwise, we empower the haters. Policies come and go, but we only have one Israel, and Israel is a needed entity for Jews.” Unlike American Jews, who live under the protection of freedoms not guaranteed to people of other countries, European Jews don’t have the luxury to criticize and thus splinter, because they may have to flee to Israel at any moment. Bernstein also reminded members of Israel’s history in ceding land for peace. She gave away Sinai and Gaza with the promise of a cessation of hostilities, which proved futile. “Israel keeps giving, but it hasn’t changed the attitudes of Hamas or other anti-Israel groups,” he said. “No other country has given up so much and gotten nothing in return.” Rather than bolster the negative rhetoric against Israel, Bernstein advised exalting her greatness, such as the progressive policies on LGBT rights and acceptance of Muslims. “The continued negativity toward Israel weakens the narration on the country and endangers her efficacy in protecting Jews at home and abroad.” Returning to the home front, a member asked what could be done now that a White Supremacist— Trump’s Chief Strategist and Senior Counselor, Steve Bannon—is in the White House. The rise in Hate Crimes is a direct result of acolytes seeing one of their own ascend to power. Bernstein stressed not being complacent. There must be a grass roots effort by everyone, demonstrating and speaking out to government and local leaders at every level and in every area, political and religious, teachers and law officials. Education is key, and the ADL is first and foremost an education organization. It performs 98% of its work domestically, battling anti-Semitism and hate through teaching. But the teaching must begin at a young age. The recent ascent of hate groups on university campuses across the country are evidence that education must begin well before young people go to college. To that end, the ADL approaches grade schools, offering counseling on countering hate and bullying. Using the credibility and cachet it has garnered through its work in schools, Bernstein has set is sights on “mega-churches,” meeting with prominent religious leaders to preach tolerance and love to all people of every faith. As for the current White House administration, Bernstein promised, “The ADL will be the most vociferous opponent when anything happens that endangers anyone!” New York Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League Evan Bernstein 10 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ March 2017
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