This week, we tried opening a new bank account for Belev Echad—helping wounded IDF soldiers. We filled out all the paperwork, got all the approvals, and thought we were good to go. But then we received the following email:
“Unfortunately our bank does not have an appetite for this type of business. This is due to the nature of business. I do apologize for any inconvenience caused. If you have any questions, please do let me know.”
In other words: We don’t want to do business with an organization that helps wounded Israeli soldiers. Wow. I suppose we should be grateful at least it came with an apology (not!).
The World Zionist Organization published a report this week noting that the current state of Antisemitism is worse than the 1930s, with social media spreading hatred like wildfire.
To think that our grandparents who lived in Europe in the 1930s experienced less Antisemitism than we are in 2024 boggles the mind!
Our grandparents watched their neighbors turn on them. They left Europe to escape Antisemitism. Many came to the US—the land of freedom and opportunity—to start over. And we have been able to be successful here in this country, more than any other period in history.
November 2023 saw the highest number of antisemitic incidents documented since 1985, followed by April 2024, with over 10,000 antisemitic incidents documented worldwide since the start of the war in Gaza.
The report also points to a 360% increase in antisemitic incidents in the United States since October 7th, 733% in Canada, and 433% in Australia.
So where do we go from here? These numbers are both terrifying and heartbreaking, and they don’t appear to be improving anytime soon. Social media—the very tools we use to enhance our lives—have made it so much worse. There is nowhere to hide.
Fortunately, we can always look to the teachings of our sages for comfort and guidance. Our sages teach that the darkest time of the night is just before dawn breaks. That’s good news for us! We’ve been in exile for 2000 years and experienced every variety of persecution. The fact that in 2024 Antisemitism is worse than it was in the 1930s is a strong indication that we are on the verge of finally experiencing the ultimate illumination—the coming of Moshiach and the Final Redemption.
The only thing we can do now is work furiously to catapult ourselves headfirst into that reality by standing proudly as Jews, increasing our observance of mitzvot, and adding blinding light to the world.
That is the only true answer to Antisemitism.