Anti-Semitism is an issue all over the world that many people don’t know about, and this is a big problem. Anti-Semitism is a prejudice against people who practice the Jewish faith. In the past, Anti-Semitism has led to racism, beatings, protests, attacks, shootings, and, worst of all, the Holocaust, where six million Jews were killed.
While these things have been happening all over the world, it is shocking how many acts of Anti-Semitism have happened here in State College. In the last ten years, these incidents have occurred:
Students at Penn State zoombombed a meeting shouting antisemitic slurs.
Twice in one week the 9-foot-tall menorah on campus was stolen and vandalized at PSU.
The local Hillel synagogue received hate literature in the mail.
An individual threatened his roommate and called him unkind antisemitic names at PSU.
There is an old Jewish concept called Tikkun Olam. Tikkun Olam means to repair the world, and it sometimes refers to planting gardens, picking up trash, and doing our part to make the world a better place. But it also applies to fixing the ideas in our world. Synagogues are getting protection to ensure they won’t be attacked. Security cameras, new doors, and better locks have been purchased by our local synagogue, Congregation Brit Shalom. (They also hire security guards for public social events such as the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services.) We need to recognize and protect against Anti-Semitism, and these little steps can lead us closer to Tikkun Olam.
In summary, Anti-Semitism is showing prejudice against people of the Jewish faith, and preventing this big issue will take us closer to Tikkun Olam. Many people here, in State College, have met people with antisemitic ideas or had family members who lived during the Holocaust. There are also lots of Jewish members in our community, so this is an important issue for many people. But nothing will change if we don’t take action. Raise awareness and spread the word about Anti-Semitism. And if you ever see someone being bullied because of their race, religion, sexuality, or anything else, stand up for them! Help repair the world.
