It’s really no surprise how we got here.
As we hold heartbreak and outrage in equal measure over the murders of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., we can trace the pathway of unchecked hate and incitement that led to this moment.
It began when “Zionist” became a slur.
When calls to “Globalize the Intifada” were normalized.
When "By Any Means Necessary" blithely turned into a catchphrase at rallies.
This is how Jews, irrespective of religious or political beliefs, became targets.
Also appalling, but again no surprise, is that the murderous attack on this beautiful young couple — both deeply committed to Israeli-Palestinian peace — is being met with justification. The same justifications we saw after October 7.
Yesterday, while we were just beginning to process these horrific killings, the Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning, a division of The Jewish Education Project, in partnership with UJA, hosted a long-planned Educational Leadership Conference on Antisemitism & Jewish Inclusion.
It was a major convening at our offices of principals, superintendents, educators, and union representatives from the New York City Public Schools, designed to teach the teachers about contemporary antisemitism.
And it could not have been more timely. Because just as we know the pathway that's led us here, we also know the primary pathways that can lead us out: education, outreach, and allyship.
Over the course of the day, we heard from a wide range of experts — on the diversity of Jews in America, on how criticism of Israeli governmental policies differs from demonizing the very concept of a Jewish state, and on the consequences of misusing or misunderstanding the word Zionism.
We explored how disinformation can give rise to dangerous narratives — how anti-Zionism that bleeds into antisemitism takes root in progressive spaces.
And we unpacked hard questions and uncomfortable scenarios facing today’s educators, including: How do we respond when Jewish students are made to feel that their very identity is inherently oppressive?
One core message: Jewish students must never be erased or reduced to a political debate.
A panel of Jewish public high school students from diverse backgrounds said they just want to be Jewish and support — and even wrestle with — Israel without fear of social ostracization. After October 7, they no longer felt they could do so safely.
Adults said the same.
The Jewish Education Project CEO, David Bryfman, shared how one attendee had expressed relief and gratitude for the convening, after feeling like he had to hide his Jewish identity in his workplace and seeing his daughter feel she had to do the same in the classroom.
We were joined by NYC Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, who echoed a key point expressed by the teens and others: that Holocaust education, while essential, cannot be the only entry point into the Jewish community. There is so much more to know and understand. And emotional safety is no less important than physical safety.
The pathway forward is not ours alone. We need to walk side by side with allies, recognizing that antisemitism is never just about the Jews.
As the chancellor powerfully said, this is about all of us — fighting like hell for humanity.
All who are ready to join are welcome.
Shabbat shalom