Our hearts are heavy today as we write to you in the aftermath of anti-Semitic violence—again. This time, though, the community in mourning is close to home in neighboring San Diego County. To say that we are saddened by the shooting on Saturday, April 27 at Chabad of Poway would be an understatement; we are devastated. ADL stands in solidarity with communities across the United States and around the world. We mourn with the family of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, whose life was taken during the attack, and share prayers and messages of strength for the victims and those impacted by this senseless act.
Since news of the shooting broke, ADL has been on the ground locally, statewide and nationally, working closely with our numerous partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, as well as sending security advisories to Jewish institutions nationwide. We are grateful to our local law enforcement for their swift, proactive response in maintaining safety in our community. It is in times like these that we must come together to speak out against the rise of anti-Semitism and all forms of hate.
Locally, ADL Los Angeles Regional Director Amanda Susskind has been on KPCC’s Morning Edition and is currently on AirTalk.
For those who wish to learn more about the Poway shooting and the rise of white supremacy, the following links provide useful background information:
- Backgrounder on the Chabad of Poway Shooter
- Study of Extremist Use of Gab and 8chan
- Report – The Changing Face of American White Supremacy
- Report – Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2018
Additionally, the following links provide helpful resources for discussing the tragedy with children and students:
- Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate
- 5 Tips for Talking with Children about Hate Incidents
- Helping Students Make Sense of News Stories about Bias and Injustice
- Table Talk – Gun Violence and Mass Shootings
- Lesson Plan – Anti-Semitic Incidents: Being an Ally, Advocate and Activist
- Lesson Plan – Deadly Shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue
We would like to let you know about the following local events:
- California State Assembly Select Committee on the State of Hate (Thursday, May 2)
- LA Jewish Film Festival Screening of “Skin” and Panel Moderated by ADL with Academy Award-Winning Director and Producer (Monday, May 6)
- Across the Generational Divide (Tuesday, May 21)
As much as we are focused on events in southern California, we are not taking our eye off the ball in terms of other manifestations of anti-Semitism. Jonathan spoke out publicly in response to the offensive anti-Semitic political “cartoon” published in The New York Times International Edition. “I wouldn’t even credit it as a cartoon,” Greenblatt said. “It was anti-Semitic propaganda of the most vile sort. Not only does it not belong in The New York Times , but in any credible news outlet. It was unconscionable.” Read the article here. Since then, Jonathan has been in continuous communication with the leadership of the paper and has posted additional thoughts on Twitter.
In the words of Chabad of Poway’s Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, “We will not be intimidated or deterred by this terror act. Terror will not win. As Americans we can’t cower in the face of the senseless hate that is in anti-Semitism. Beneath the surface of every terrible experience there lies an opportunity to grow and increase in goodness.”
ADL’s work remains more important than ever, and together we will continue to fight anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it may occur.
In The News:
LA Times: L.A. Now “Woman died jumping in front of rabbi during California synagogue shooting”
LA Times: L.A. Now “Rabbi shot at California synagogue: ‘This has to stop. This has to stop'”
Jewish Journal: “Jewish Community Reacts to San Diego Synagogue Shooting”
Jewish Journal: “ADL CEO: ‘We Need to Recognize That White Supremacy Is a Global Terror'”
KNX on Poway Shooting and Twarted Terror Attack in SoCal
LA Times: Home Edition “‘We are going to grow from’ attack”
LA Times: Home Edition “Synagogues struggle to stay secure”
LA Times: Home Edition “Suspect linked to anti-Semitic post”
LA Times: Editorial “The violence on Poway”
LA Times: “After synagogue shooting, Newsom supports $15 million to secure religious facilities”
LA Times: Home Edition “San Diego’s long, troubled history with racist hate”
LA Times: Home Edition “After Chabad shooting, faith leaders take on hate”