Shuls Should Be a Safe Space
There is no place for anti-Jewish hate in 2025.
I've canceled my plans to attend a second round of John Candy: I Like Me as I feel the need to be around my Jewish community right now. Your Jewish friends are paying attention to your rhetoric. What's happening right now is EXACTLY what they mean when they call to “globalize the intifada.” There is no place for anti-Jewish hate.
What happened yesterday at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation is just the latest in a long line of antisemitic attacks on the Jewish community and law enforcement was right to call it a terrorist attack because that’s exactly what it was. And yet, these attacks have been happening across the board for the past two years. You might not hear of them outside of the Jewish community, but trust me, we know when something tragic has happened, let alone all the vandalism, beatings, etc. None of this should be happening but again, this is what they mean when they want to “globalize the intifada.”
Shuls should be a safe space. I shouldn't have to see Jewish friends scared of going to shul for fear of theirs being the next one and yet, I saw IG stories to that effect last night after coming back online. I've been on guard since the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in 2018. I no longer post my online whereabouts until after the fact (this especially goes for press screenings, too). I call my parents to check in when I get from point A to point B so that they know I'm safe. This has been my way of life especially since October 7.
Nothing about this is normal. Call out anti-Jewish hate and when you see your friends speaking with such hateful rhetoric, please do us a favor and shut it down. I heard from very few non-Jewish friends yesterday but please know, it never goes unnoticed.
And seeing as how many Jewish communities will be holding commemorations for the second anniversary of October 7 this weekend (Oct. 7 coincides with Sukkos this year), this weekend is going to be emotionally heavy for your Jewish friends.
In related news, The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue opens in select North American markets this weekend. I sat down with filmmaker Barry Avrich and IDF Maj. Gen. (Res.) Noam Tibon during TIFF and you can check out our conversation on Awards Focus.
Soul of a Nation is opening in New York this weekend, LA next weekend, and it will eventually reach digital platforms. The home release is scheduled for November 18.
And since I want to end this with a note of Jewish joy, I spoke with Lisa Brenner about her new film, One Big Happy Family. It’s playing in select AMC theaters.
Shabbat shalom. Am Yisrael Chai. BRING THEM HOME NOW!