March 29, 2024

Incidents of anti-Jewish hate are at their highest levels in a generation. Our Jewish community members are telling us that they do not feel safe. Jews are hiding their identities and being threatened at work, at school, and on the streets of Seattle. 

At a press conference on Monday, with leaders from across the Jewish landscape, we launched a cross-communal campaign focused on combating antisemitism here in the Seattle area. 

The #CallOutHate #CallitAntisemitism campaign relies on a dedicated task force of professional leaders and Seattle community members with a vision of making a profound difference in our region. The primary goal of the campaign is to highlight the disturbing, yet all too common, instances of bias, hate, and harassment that our Jewish friends, neighbors, and loved ones experience daily. Some of the main modes through which this campaign will shine a light on the growing problem of anti-Jewish harm are awareness building and educational briefings on the ways modern anti-Jewish ideas and behaviors manifest, community engagement through press conferences and roundtable discussions, resource development for leaders across various sectors, and public outreach using dedicated social media hashtags (#CallOutHate, #CallitAntisemitism).

There was positive coverage of the campaign in the Seattle Times and on multiple local news outlets.

We understand that change must come from strengthened solidarity and mobilized, collective action. We call upon the general public, leaders, and decision-makers in civic, business, education, and media sectors, as well as Jewish and ally communities to join us in calling out harm and hate, and calling antisemitism out whenever, and wherever, it occurs. 

Through this campaign, we will work to not only secure a vibrant Jewish future but champion a just, democratic, and pluralistic society for all. Your continued support is crucial in building a more inclusive and resilient community.

To learn more about this initiative and ways to get involved, visit http://www.callitantisemitism.com

I hope for a day in the future when we don’t need such a campaign focused on antisemitism but for now am grateful for those in our community standing up and speaking out in support of the Jewish community.

Shabbat shalom,

Solly Kane, President & CEO
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle