The Massachusetts congressional delegation on Thursday denounced rising antisemitism, releasing a brief message to stand in “solidarity with the Jewish community” following the “horrific” Texas synagogue attack that stoked renewed fear for Jews across the country as they recalled other terrifying events, including the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh.
But the succinct message from elected officials — which does not delve into the spate of recent antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts, such as in Duxbury — comes five days after four individuals, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, were held hostage at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas.
“Americans everywhere have the right to worship in peace,” the state’s congressional delegation said. “Yet the rising tide of antisemitism has forced Jewish organizations across the country to confront violence as a clear and present threat. We cannot allow this to be the new normal. We must all work toward a future free from antisemitism and faith-based violence.”
The message was signed by U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton, Jake Auchincloss, Katherine Clark, Bill Keating, Stephen F. Lynch, Jim McGovern, Richard Neal, Ayanna Pressley, and Lori Trahan. U.S. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren also signed it.
Meron Reuben, the consul general of Israel to New England, said on Twitter that he applauds and appreciates the congressional delegation’s statement. ADL New England on Friday morning also expressed “deep gratitude to the delegation.”
“Thank you to the entire MA congressional delegation for this rare, & very welcome, joint statement on #antisemitism,” the Boston Jewish Community Relations Council tweeted Thursday evening.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu last Sunday afternoon tweeted she was “so relieved” the hostages at Congregation Beth Israel are safe.
“But the violence & trauma of rising antisemitism is a threat to us all,” Wu tweeted. “To our Jewish communities in TX, Boston & around the world: We are with you.”
Massachusetts state lawmakers, alarmed over young people’s lack of knowledge about the Holocaust, last year passed the genocide education bill, requiring new curriculum to be incorporated into middle schools and high schools across the commonwealth. Gov. Charlie Baker signed it into law on Dec. 2.
“While past crimes against humanity cannot be undone, we must learn from them,” Senate President Karen Spilka had sent in a statement as the bill was pending. “As a Jewish woman and daughter of a World War II veteran who liberated the Buchenwald Concentration Camp, I believe it is our responsibility to ensure we educate our children on the many instances of genocide throughout history so that it is never repeated.”
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