banner saying, "no place for hate"

Joint Statement on Antisemitism

Dear Friends,

As leaders of the Jewish community of Silicon Valley, we join together to condemn the surge in antisemitic acts that we are witnessing in the Bay Area and across our nation.

We have watched the events of the past few weeks with tremendous sadness and deep concern. In towns and cities across the Bay Area, swastikas and antisemitic statements have been scrawled on synagogues, businesses, yard signs and homes. Students in our K-12 schools and universities report feeling unsafe and vulnerable. Jewish Americans are being targeted because of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Our community is being condemned for its cultural and religious differences and ostracized for international events and politics beyond our control.

We acknowledge and share in the pain and anxiety of every Jew who feels unsafe in the current environment. And yet, our collective experience provides clear directives as to the path forward. We believe that in this moment, we must stand strong, join together, and rise up against the tide of hatred that confronts us, whether from the left or from the right.

In the coming days and months, we will continue to work together:

  • to educate our communities about the complexities of contemporary anti-Jewish hate and how we can combat it;
  • to stand in solidarity with our partners and friends in the wider community– including interfaith leaders, elected officials, and others– to fight bigotry and hatred in all its forms; and
  • to promote opportunities to join together, with pride, with hope, and as one.

To report any incidents of hate in our community, please contact Diane Fisher, the Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, at [email protected].

With wishes for strength and courage– Chazak Ve’ematz

Lael Gray, CEO, Jewish Silicon Valley
Rabbi Dana Magat, Senior Rabbi, Temple Emanu-El
Rabbi Jaymee Alpert, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth David
Rabbi Josh Berkenwald, Rabbi, Congregation Sinai
Rabbi Ted Riter, Interim Senior Rabbi, Congregation Shir Hadash
Cantor Devorah Felder-Levy, Cantor, Congregation Shir Hadash
Rabbi PJ Schwartz, Rabbi-Educator, Congregation Shir Hadash
Rabbi Faith Joy Dantowitz, Rabbi, Congregation Emeth
Rabbi Aaron Cunin, Director, Chabad of San Jose
Rabbi Marvin Schwab, Rabbi Emeritus
Sarita Bronstein, Executive Director, Hillel of Silicon Valley
Mindy Berkowitz, Executive Director, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Cindy Schlesinger, Head of School, Yavneh Day School
Rabbi Laurie Hahn Tapper, School Rabbi and Director of Integrated Learning, Yavneh Day School
Diane Fisher, Director, Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Silicon Valley
Rabbi Ilana Baird, Russian Speaking Jewish Programs Manager, APJCC
Rabbi Laurie Matzkin, Family Educator, PJ Library of Silicon Valley
Rabbi Hugh Seid-Valencia, Director of Collaborative Leadership and Jewish Engagement, Jewish Silicon Valley