Dear Friends,
As Jews, we are no strangers to adversity. In Parashat Shoftim, we are reminded: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof” “Justice, justice you shall pursue.”
This is not a passive command. It is a charge to act boldly and with integrity in the face of injustice. We are pursuing justice now, not only for our community’s immediate needs, but to ensure our children inherit a world where they can live as proud Jews without fear.
This week, we were forced to confront the reality that antisemitism can reach any corner of our community. The arson attack and antisemitic graffiti in Clayton were not just crimes; they were assaults on the very values we hold dear: safety, dignity, and Jewish life itself.
In challenging moments, I am deeply proud and heartened to see how we come together as a community to offer each other comfort and support, with an equally committed sense of resolve to stand up to hate against the Jewish people.
We all have a role to play. At the Federation, our Community Security Team was quickly on-site and has continued to coordinate the criminal investigation with local, state, and federal law enforcement. Our team has also provided increased security at Jewish institutions in the St. Louis area as a measure of caution, as we are not currently aware of additional threats related to Tuesday morning’s attack.
Federation, together with our partners in the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) – Heartland, American Jewish Committee (AJC), Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) St. Louis, and the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, provided a unified front when working with journalists from as far away as Israel, engaging elected officials to advocate for their support, speaking with Israeli officials who have expressed their solidarity, and reaching out to community leaders to reinforce that combating the evil of antisemitism is everyone’s fight.
Many of you have asked something that is on all our minds: “What can I do to help?” That’s who we are as a community. And in moments like this, it is natural to feel both strong emotions and a bit directionless. Please join us by:
- Knowing the facts: Since October 7, antisemitic hate is at an all-time high, up 340% globally in the past two years. A 2024 FBI hate crimes report found Jews were the target of nearly 70% of religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. and more than 16% of all hate crimes nationally.
- Speaking up: When hateful words targeting Jews or Israel go unchecked, whether on social media or at public events, they embolden individuals to act.
- Engaging your community: Ask your non-Jewish friends, neighbors, and colleagues to speak out publicly, whether by writing an op-ed, posting on social media, or confronting hateful language in conversations.
- Continuing to be proudly Jewish: Wear your Star of David. Attend synagogue this weekend. Find comfort in community.
We will not shrink from being visibly Jewish. We will not silence our prayers, our customs, or our culture. Instead, we will draw strength from one another. Our unity is our greatest asset, and with it, we will emerge from this attempt to intimidate us by being louder, prouder, and more connected.
As we light the candles this Shabbat, take a moment to breathe and reflect on what being Jewish means to you and your family. Then, I encourage you to light an additional candle. As you do, you’ll instantly feel linked to other Jews across our community, and in that moment, feel hope in the vibrant Jewish future we will continue to build as Am Yisrael.
With strength, vigilance, and hope,
Danny Cohn
President & CEO
Jewish Federation of St. Louis