FEATURE
addressing this insidious weakness from those with a quest for power and destruction in our society. L’CHAIM spoke with several key community members about recent events, including the shooting at Chabad Poway, and what the future looks like for the Jewish community.
TG: The FBI says if you see something, say something. Recently, we received a call about a neighbor posting a confederate flag along with Nazi posters, swastikas and pictures of Hitler, visible to the neighbors. Reporting these types of incidents [is important]. Again, if you see something, say something.
Tammy Gillies, San Diego Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League discussed her organization’s response to the shooting at Chabad Poway. Read on to learn more about how our community leaders process the situation. L’CHAIM Magazine: What was ADL’s role following the shooting at Chabad Poway? Tammy Gilles: We were on the scene once we received a call from law enforcement and immediately gathered as much information about the shooter as possible, while assuring sensitivity practices were in place to support victims and witnesses. We coordinated efforts with law enforcement throughout San Diego so that officers could be at each synagogue [in town] explaining the tragedy and recent events while ensuring everyone’s safety, providing short term safety planning. The ADL is the largest non governmental trainer for law enforcement in the country. We worked with Victim’s Assistance along with our partners at Jewish Family Service, focusing on sensitivity issues. We also spent the afternoon and evening at Rabbi Goldstein’s house, offering support and respect during Shabbat. We organized a 4,000 plus person vigil at Poway High School on the football field in an effort to show solidarity and support throughout the entire community. At a Town Hall at Rancho Bernardo High School, I explained to the crowd that while we are a Jewish community, often different in practice and political views, we need to stand together. The haters don’t ask what form of Judaism we practice; hatred toward Jews must not be tolerated at any level.
"When people do not believe that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state or that the Jewish people to not have a right to selfdetermination, we believe that it is anti-Semitic," ADL's Gilles says.
L’CHAIM: As Jews, what can we do to prevent anti-Semitism?
L’CHAIM: How are hate groups reaching our youth, in addition to websites? TG: Local hate groups perpetuate their particular line of thinking though organization and meetings. The shooter [at Chabad Poway]was radicalized online through the dark web which does not follow guidelines of other conventional websites. L’CHAIM: What is the ADL’s stance on BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) and the safety of college students on campuses where BDS activity is increasing? TG: The ADL feels BDS at it’s core is antiSemitic, and we work to fight groups that support BDS, as well as to educate [the public] about what BDS is really about. Not everyone in the BDS movement is anti-
Semitic; [for example] some college students may see it as supporting Palestinians, not as hatred [against Jews]. As we move toward social justice, we provide strategies, including identifying and calling out hatred, as it is unacceptable in any form. When people do not believe that Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state or that the Jewish people to not have a right to self-determination, we believe that it is anti-Semitic. Criticism of Israel, be it by the government or through policies, is valid. The belief that Israel does not have a right to exist is not. L’CHAIM: What are some of the way’s that ADL connects with the San Diego community? TG: One of our signature programs in area schools is “No Place For Hate,” and we work in 100 schools throughout several San Diego school districts, with ongoing programming, creating safe schools for all. ADL led the effort regarding the Federal Hate Crimes Act, which provides legislation against those committing hate crimes and how they will be punished at a higher level. Asking Congress to hold hearings against hate crimes and put resources toward fighting them, we look to the Federal government for answers about what this means to a community. Gillies referenced the Mathew Shepard and James Byrd Federal Hate Crimes Act as a foundation and lasting example for these laws. L’CHAIM: What does the ADL see for the future of San Diego? TG: We will remain strong as a community, and continue to hold events such as the Walk Against Hate. To quote Rav Nachman, “The world is a narrow bridge and the most important thing is not to be afraid.” Micha “Mitch” Danzig served in the IDF, (Israel Defense Forces,) is a former NYPD police officer and an employment attorney with Mintz in San Diego. He also served as a board member of T.E.A.M., (Training and Education About the Middle East,) and is the current local President of StandWithUs. WWW.LCHAIMMAGAZINE.COM
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