Virág Gulyás at Jewish National Fund-USA’s 2022 Breakfast for Israel in Chicago. Courtesy: Jewish National Fund-USA

By  JD Krebs

According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the leading anti-hate organization in the world, antisemitic incidents that have taken place in the U.S. since the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, are the highest on record since 1979.

In response to this alarming uptick in Jew-hatred nationwide, Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) has teamed up with Congregation Beth Israel in Austin, Texas to host an evening of unity on March 28, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., where community members will stand together against antisemitism and make a clear statement that the Jewish people are not going anywhere.

The “Hatikvah – The Hope” event will feature Hungarian-born former diplomat to the EU Virág Gulyás, who will share her remarkable personal journey as a non-Jewish, antisemitic ballerina-turned pro-Jewish Zionist activist.

Gulyás rose above her (not hateful, but ignorant) antisemitic roots, and as a loud pro-Israel voice, she has created a movement that aims to change the stereotypes about Israel and the Jewish people one day at a time. Gulyás also regularly writes and speaks about her journey and is well-known for her blog, “The Almost Jewish.”

“Jew hatred is not a Jewish issue because it never stops with the Jews,” Gulyás said during a guest appearance on Jewish National Fund-USA’s “Conversations on Zionism.” Gulyás understands antisemitism within the context of good and evil. Through her experience, when people stand up for Jewish issues, even if they are not Jewish, they are subject to attacks, and become a target. Therefore, she urges people not to be silent. “There is a tipping point when being silent adds to the violence.”

In addition, local leaders will discuss how JNF-USA and Congregation Beth Israel are working to combat antisemitism and how working together as a community can increase awareness and support for both Israel and the Jewish people.

“Partnering with our local synagogues, congregations, and other Jewish and Israel-focused organizations is of the utmost importance,” said Arlene Maze, community campaign chair for the organization’s Austin Board of Directors. “Jewish National Fund-USA is a valuable community resource for Israel education and connection, and everyone benefits when more Austinites have easy access to Israel-related content.”

To learn more, visit jnf.org/austincbi or contact Chayla Furlong at cfurlong@jnf.org or (512) 410-1438 x948.