Like many Jewish Americans, Hannah Gay Keao has been living on edge and fear of antisemitism since Hamas’ deadly October 7 terrorist attack on Israel. But when her daughter asked why she was sad hours after a man targeted Jewish people and set them on fire at a community event in Boulder, Colorado, Gay Keao paused. The firebombing attack happened just 25 miles from where Gay Keao serves on the Edgewater city council, and she said she searched for a way to explain the antisemitism unfolding in their backyard in terms the 4-year-old could understand. “She’s Jewish,” Gay Keao said. “It’s important for her to know the realities of the world.” Jewish leaders have been alarmed by the historic rise in antisemitic threats since the war between Israel and Hamas began in 2023. That fear has only heightened this week with the attack in Boulder, the third violent attack on the Jewish community in the last two months. Two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, DC, were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in late May, and an arsonist set the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion on fire on the first night of Passover because of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s views on the war in Gaza, according to search warrants. “I wish I could say I was surprised by these events, but Jews have been sounding the alarm on the rise in antisemitism since October 7,” Sheila Katz, the CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women said. “This is what happens when we allow antisemitism to go unchecked.” The attack on Sunday came during a peaceful demonstration aimed at raising awareness of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Twelve people were injured, and two remain hospitalized, officials said. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, told investigators he “wanted to kill all Zionist people” and had planned the attack for a year, according to an affidavit. He was captured on video by bystanders yelling “Free Palestine” before police arrested him. Soliman now faces a federal hate crime charge and state charges of attempted murder. “Most Jews right now are feeling unsafe and unsure about where to show up,” Katz said. “Killing and burning Jews does nothing to make Palestinians safer or more free.” “Antisemitism will never be a path to justice.” When the worst feels inenvitable Sunday’s attack came hours before the start of Shavuot, the holiday commemorating the day God gave the Torah to the Jewish people. At the Main Line Reform Temple just outside of Philadelphia, Senior Rabbi Geri Newburge said the past several weeks have been brutal, leaving her “pretty demoralized and heartbroken.” The aftermath of October 7—combined with escalating protests against Israel’s war in Gaza— made an attack like this feel inevitable, she said. “It doesn’t feel like such a stretch to me at this point that the rhetoric would move from posters or chants to doing something violent,” Newburge said. The rabbi noted she and members of her congregation have also felt antisemitism increasing across the country — and it’s taking a toll. “It’s exhausting — spiritually, emotionally and even physically,” Newburge explained. Across the country, Jewish schools, synagogues and community centers continue to have tight security. Oftentimes, there is a visible police presence or armed security guards. Michael Bernstein, board chair of the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh, attended an event last Wednesday for a local Jewish organization where some of the attendees were non-Jews. He called the necessary security an “unfortunate tax” and a measure most other communities don’t need. This latest wave of attacks has left many Jewish leaders wondering what more can be done. Bernstein said Jews needed to secure their spaces, but security and the Jewish community alone wouldn’t solve antisemitism. “This is an American problem, it’s not a Jewish problem,” he said, and pointed to Pittsburgh community after the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue. The 2018 shooting, the worst attack on Jews in American history, left 11 worshippers dead and six others wounded. Pittsburgh, he said, came together to say antisemitism wasn’t acceptable. “An attack on one group is an attack on all of us,” Bernstein said. “And the community held us.” “It’s an all-of-society approach.” Non-violence is ‘non-negotiable’ Outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, candles and flowers mark the spot where Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky were gunned down on May 21. The white lilies placed at the memorial hadn’t even started wilting yet when the firebombing in Boulder began. Milgrim and Lischinsky attended an event to discuss how multi-faith organizations could work together to bring humanitarian aid to war-torn regions like Gaza. Their friends and colleagues said they were devoted to the peace process in Israel. The suspected gunman, whom DC police later identified as 31-year-old Chicago native Elias Rodriguez, shouted “Free Palestine” after he was arrested. Katz, who said she knew Milgrim professionally and had been invited to the event, but was unable to attend, stressed “non-violence must be non-negotiable.” “Anyone who wants to see peace, who wants to see an end to the war, who wants to see the hostages to be released, who wants to see a better future for Palestinians and Israelis, has to understand that violence towards Jews in America or around the world is not going to make that peace happen,” Katz said. Antisemitism has surged globally, according to the Anti-Defamation League, and rose after the start of the war in Gaza. Threats to Jews in the United States tripled between October 7, 2023 and September 2024, the organization said. Gay Keao said she has been critical of Israel’s action toward Palestinians but has also witnessed a disregard for Jewish safety since October 7. Now, she often wakes up wondering, “What’s going to happen next?” “I just refuse to believe that the cyclical violence is inevitable,” she said. “As a Jewish person, I can’t embrace that. I’m here for breaking those cycles.” ‘It comes after everybody’ Nearly 2,000 miles away, sitting beneath his synagogue’s serene outdoor Holocaust memorial, Philadelphia Rabbi Shawn Zevit said his diverse urban congregation has been experiencing a mix of emotions. But, he said, reaching out to Jewish loved ones is critical at this moment, so his community does not feel alone. “Just the message of ‘I’m thinking about you,’” Zevit argued, can be comforting to Jewish people feeling upset. But the rabbi also noted calling out even minor instances of antisemitism is key to preventing future attacks. “Treat those moments as gateways for increased solidarity and vigilance,” he said. Katz said people knew how to call out antisemitism when it was “bullets in synagogues or Nazis with tiki torches” but needed to be able to recognize it in all of its forms. “Antisemitism doesn’t begin with bullets or firebombs,” she added. “But it ends there when it’s ignored.” Bernstein, the chair of the board of the Tree of Life, warned antisemitism doesn’t stay a Jewish issue. He pointed to a mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, where 10 people were killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at a supermarket. “This hateful ideology,” he said, “it comes after everybody.” CNN’s TuAnh Dam contributed to this report.
Fear in America’s Jewish community intensifies after latest antisemitic attack
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Rising Antisemitism Triggers Fear in American Jewish Community Following Recent Attacks"
CNN
7.9
TruthLens AI Summary
In the wake of the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, the Jewish community in America has been gripped by fear and anxiety, exacerbated by a recent violent incident in Boulder, Colorado. During a community event, a man launched a firebombing attack targeting Jewish individuals, resulting in injuries to twelve people, two of whom remain hospitalized. For Hannah Gay Keao, a city council member and mother, the attack hit too close to home, prompting her to confront the harsh realities of rising antisemitism with her young daughter. This incident marks the third violent attack on Jews in the U.S. in just two months, following the deaths of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C., and an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor's mansion. Jewish leaders like Sheila Katz, CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women, express deep concern over the alarming increase in antisemitic threats, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this unchecked hatred. Katz noted that the recent attacks have left many in the Jewish community feeling unsafe and uncertain about their safety during public gatherings, especially as antisemitism has surged since the Israel-Hamas conflict reignited earlier this year.
The Boulder attack occurred shortly before the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, heightening the emotional toll on community members. Rabbi Geri Newburge from the Main Line Reform Temple described the past weeks as demoralizing, reflecting on the alarming escalation of antisemitic rhetoric into violent actions. Jewish institutions across the country are now on high alert, with increased security measures becoming a norm. Michael Bernstein, board chair of the Tree of Life synagogue, highlighted the need for a collective societal response to combat antisemitism, pointing out that it is not solely a Jewish problem but an issue that affects all communities. The rising tide of antisemitism is part of a broader pattern of hate that can lead to violence against various groups. Katz and other community leaders stress the importance of non-violence in the pursuit of justice and peace, insisting that violence against Jews will not contribute to the liberation of Palestinians. As Jewish Americans navigate this climate of fear, they seek solidarity and support from allies to combat this pervasive threat and foster a safer environment for all.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights increasing anxiety within the Jewish community in America, particularly in response to a series of antisemitic attacks since the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated. This specific incident, where a man attacked Jewish individuals during a peaceful demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, serves as a focal point for the discussion around rising antisemitism. The emotional narrative of a mother trying to explain these events to her child underscores the personal impact of such violence on families and communities.
Fear and Anxiety in the Jewish Community
The article portrays a sense of fear gripping Jewish Americans, especially following the violent attack in Boulder. The personal story of Hannah Gay Keao illustrates how the broader societal issues of antisemitism penetrate daily life, affecting even young children. The mention of past incidents, including attacks on Israeli embassy workers and arson targeting public officials, reinforces the idea that these threats are part of a troubling trend.
Historical Context of Antisemitism
By referencing the rise of antisemitic threats since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the article suggests that these attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern. The comments from leaders in the Jewish community, such as Sheila Katz, indicate a call to action against the normalization of antisemitism, hinting at a perceived negligence in addressing these issues.
The Role of Hate Crimes
The detailed account of the suspect’s motivations and the nature of the attack emphasizes the seriousness of hate crimes, particularly those motivated by antisemitism. The statement from the suspect about wanting to "kill all Zionist people" underlines the dangerous ideologies that can lead to violence. By framing the attack within the context of a peaceful demonstration, the article seeks to highlight the stark contrast between violence and peaceful activism.
Potential Impact on Society
This article may serve to heighten awareness and concern around antisemitism, potentially mobilizing community action and advocacy for stronger protections against hate crimes. It could influence public opinion and policy discussions regarding the treatment of minority groups, particularly in the context of rising global tensions related to Israel and Palestine.
Target Audience and Community Support
The narrative appeals primarily to Jewish communities and their allies while also aiming at a broader audience concerned with civil rights and social justice. By invoking emotional responses and highlighting the dangers of unchecked hate, the article seeks to foster solidarity among those who oppose antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.
Economic and Political Ramifications
The report can indirectly affect economic and political landscapes by raising awareness about antisemitism, potentially influencing businesses and policymakers to adopt more inclusive practices. Companies that are publicly supportive of anti-hate initiatives may benefit, while those perceived as insensitive could face backlash.
Global Power Dynamics
In the broader context of international relations, particularly regarding the Middle East, this article reflects ongoing tensions and the implications of these tensions within different communities across the United States. The emotional and political ramifications of such stories can sway public sentiment and impact diplomatic discussions.
Use of AI in Reporting
While it’s difficult to ascertain the extent to which AI may have been utilized in crafting the article, there is a possibility that certain AI models could have been employed for data organization or fact-checking. However, the emotional depth and personal narratives suggest a human touch in writing, which AI may not fully replicate.
The article presents a compelling narrative that seeks to inform and engage the public regarding the dangers of antisemitism. The overall trustworthiness of the article hinges on its reliance on credible sources and its focus on real incidents, although the emotive language can evoke strong reactions, which may be seen as manipulative by some readers. The intent seems to be to raise awareness and call for action against rising antisemitism rather than to obscure or manipulate facts.