By Jackie Nirenberg, Regional Director, ADL Austin 

The observance of Holocaust Remembrance Week held in January was an opportunity to reflect upon how the lessons learned from that terrible time which might help identify and stop such a catastrophe from happening again. Lately, this no longer feels like a theoretical exercise. 

In January, ADL released the results from its Antisemitic Attitudes in the US survey. The results validate the growing concerns that antisemitism has indeed become a serious problem again. The survey, which has been conducted every four years since 1964, shows a 9 percent rise in antisemitic beliefs among Americans since 2019 – the highest seen in three decades. But beyond bigotry, what are the implications? 

One need only look to the past to answer that question. Throughout history, antisemitism has typically reared its head in times of social, economic and/or political instability. Antisemitism is often used as a political tool to fan the flames of populist anger. This is just one of the ways that antisemitism is different from other forms of racism. Understanding that difference provides more clarity about this moment in American history. A worldwide pandemic, economic uncertainty, a violent insurrection, the proliferation of mass shootings and an epidemic of opioid addiction all contribute to Americans feeling less than stable these days. Many Americans are living in an atmosphere of hopelessness and disenfranchisement and looking for something—or someone–to blame. 

A recent article written by ADL’s Eileen Hershenov and Ryan Greer for the journal Just Security, posits that for those who are angry and disenfranchised, “antisemitism operates as an overarching conspiracy theory that aims to explain how the world works.” This is evident in white supremist conspiracy theories like “the great replacement theory,” which accuse Jews of weaponizing immigrants as well as Black Americans and other marginalized communities as oppressing “White America” and usurping its power. Dog-whistle references to “globalists,” “global elites,” and George Soros are today’s antisemitic tropes. And little by little, they have become normalized in American political discourse. This should be alarming to everyone, not just to Jews. It’s what nascent fascism looks like, and it threatens to destroy the very ideals the great majority of us believe are essential to American society. 

There is much work to be done to stop this trend. Teaching the lessons of the Holocaust is a powerful starting point. Throughout history, antisemitism has been an ominous harbinger of dangerous times to come. The normalization of antisemitism that led to the extermination of six million Jews and millions of others just 78 years ago is happening now in what is arguably the greatest democracy in the world. It is incumbent upon American Jews to help others understand this connection. 

Here are some ways to do it: 

1) Speak up. When someone witnesses antisemitic behavior or language, it can be tempting to let it slide. Don’t. However unintentional the behavior is, it normalizes tropes and enables others to use them. There are diplomatic ways to do this without shaming or publicly embarrassing someone. Think of it as an opportunity to educate others about how antisemitism is used for political purposes. 

2) Share the facts. Take some time to get educated on the origins of antisemitism and its tropes and share the information with others to debunk age-old myths about Jews. ADL has resources available at adl.org. 

3) Report. If someone experiences an antisemitic act, it should be reported at adl. org. The organization tracks these incidents to understand how, where and when they are happening. If the incident rises to the level of a crime (i.e., destruction of property, violence, or a threat of violence), report it immediately to local police by calling 9-1-1. If unsure about whether the incident is a crime, call 3-1-1 and the operator will assist in determining whether to involve law enforcement. 

History will only repeat itself if allowed. It’s time to sound the alarm.