Articles by Joel Schwitzer

While many incidents at Jewish institutions don’t involve physical threats — graffiti and anonymous threats are more prevalent — they are unsettling, nonetheless. While my Jewish friends and neighbors remain fiercely proud to be Jewish, some have told me they often feel compelled, when they are out in public, to choose between their personal safety and their proud Jewish identity.

Over the past six years, American Jewish Committee’s State of Antisemitism in America Report has provided an important glimpse into perceptions of and experiences with antisemitism, based on twin polls of the American Jewish community and the general population.

Jewish student leaders at the University of North Texas recently planned a walk on campus to amplify the plight of the 133 Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Hindu hostages — including six Americans — still being held captive by Hamas terrorists. While there, I didn’t see any signs for Israel Week programming (of which the walk was the kickoff event). I was told they had been snatched almost as soon as they had been placed.

Let’s be absolutely clear. Any attack on a synagogue is an expression of antisemitism. Full stop. The Colleyville synagogue is not on a major thoroughfare. It’s not a place one finds by accident. Malik Faisal Akram sought out a Jewish house of worship. He took out his gun and began the standoff during a Shabbat service, while participants were literally facing Jerusalem for the Amidah — the liturgical heart of the Shabbat service. Clarity on recognizing antisemitism whenever it happens, unequivocally calling it out, and mobilizing effective responses are essential to confronting this age-old hatred that continually threatens not only Jews but all of society.

Since nearly one-in-five large cities that do not report or claim zero hate crimes are in Texas, it would be both meaningful and appropriate for our state to play a leadership role in passing legislation to increase reporting accuracy. Mandatory reporting must happen in concert with increased education among the law enforcement and general communities.

Members of the Tarrant County GOP should make a clear statement in support of Dr. Shafi by voting to retain him in his duly elected leadership role. The imposition of a religious test to hold any office contravenes our nation’s values and the principles on which the United States was founded.

For the past seven years, Muslim students at Liberty High School have been able to use a vacant classroom for prayer services initiated and led by the students. Read about their struggle to maintain religious freedom in the face of politicized prejudice by Texas officials.