Antisemitism: A Dark History and a Growing Threat: Home

Antisemitism is, simply, prejudice against or hatred of Jews. Unfortunately, this is a growing threat in our state and country today. The Anti-Defamation League and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum have marked an annual rise in antisemitic incidents, which include violent attacks, hate speech, and harassment.

Statement on desecration of the synagogue in Taunton

Dr. Ron Weisberger, Director, Holocaust and Genocide Center 

The Bristol Holocaust and Genocide Center and the Bristol Multicultural Center strongly condemn the cowardly desecration of the building housing Congregation Agudath Achim in Taunton. Last weekend a swastika was painted on the front of the Building and racist, antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ slurs were written on the side and back. This incident follows a rash of recent antisemitic and other racist incidents in the Commonwealth. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) the number of such incidents increased 41% in 2022 over 2021 in Massachusetts. This follows an increase in such incidents across the country

Our centers are committed to fighting against the rise of such hate in our region. While this is a complex phenomenon, we know that through providing educational opportunities for our students, staff and the public we can help to undercut the type of hate speech found on social media, etc.

To that end, our two centers are collaborating on presenting a program on antisemitism on September 21, 2023. Other programs related to fighting racism, antisemitism and anti-LGBTQ will be forthcoming during the coming year. We ask all members of the Bristol Community to support us in this very important effort to fight hate wherever it appears.