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Date: 1/25/2022
NORTHAMPTON – On Jan. 6, Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra condemned the “disturbing increase in the use of antisemitic language and images in Northampton discourse during the COVID-19 pandemic” in a release sent out to residents.
Sciarra pinpointed the virtual Northampton Board of Health meeting on Dec. 28, where antisemitic language was said and propagated by a couple of people during a three-hour public comment period regarding the topic of a proposed vaccine mandate in bars and restaurants.
In that meeting, there was one person using the name “JEWS WILL NOT REPLACE US” and displayed three swastikas on their Zoom photo. Another citizen, who referred to himself as “David Rosenburg” on Zoom, called the board members “unelected, rich Jewish doctors.”
“We have seen flyers posted around town depicting antisemitic messages,” said Sciarra, in her statement to the city. “We have heard statements and seen racist imagery in Zoom windows during the public comment portion of city meetings that are profoundly hurtful to our Jewish neighbors, and the fabric of our community. These actions are vile, hateful, and are unwelcome in the City of Northampton.”
Additionally, Sciarra said that remote access has opened up city meetings and civic engagement to many in the community who were not able to previously participate, but she said that it has also allowed access from anywhere and the “cowardly ability to hide behind anonymity to those who seek and disrupt hate.”
Sciarra urged everyone to join her in the ongoing work to create and maintain a community that fights for the dignity and safety for all Northampton residents.
During their Jan. 6 meeting, city councilors spoke out against the rise of antisemitic activity in the city and showed support for the members of the Board of Health-all of which are volunteers who bring a different frame of expertise.
“I think it’s important to state publicly as a city councilor that I support their work and what they’re doing,” said City Council Vice President Karen Foster. “There’s no room in Northampton for hate symbols and hate speech.”
Ward 7 Councilor Rachel Maiore, meanwhile, said this type of “flagrant antisemitic comments and misinformation” feeds an “environment of intimidation and fear.”
Additionally, the council unanimously accepted a resolution condemning antisemitism during their Jan. 20 meeting. The resolution calls on all local public health officials, residents, and visitors to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and condemn antisemitism in any form.
“The Board of Health has been working tirelessly through this whole pandemic, and I think we need to commend them for that,” said at-large councilor Jamila Gore, and one of four councilors who recommended the resolution to the full council. “Also, we need to stand on a united front against hate and bigotry in our community, and let it be known that we condemn it and don’t accept it here at all.”
Maiore, meanwhile, said the value of a proclamation like this is to have a “positive impact on something so toxic.” She also added that antisemitism is a political and cultural problem. “If we don’t condemn it, then we’re feeding it,” said Maiore.
"I know all these professional people – that are volunteers – that are on the Board of Health, are so professional ... they did not deserve to have happen what happened to them,” said Ward 6 Councilor Marianne LaBarge. “Nobody’s heritage, or their sex, or anything, should be ever, ever attacked.” Foster, Maiore, and Ward 5 councilor Alex Jarrett were the other three who put forth this recommendation before the council’s vote.
Lander-Grinspoon Academy (LGA), the Jewish Day School of the Upper Pioneer Valley, was “heartened” by Sciarra’s unequivocal rejection of these recent acts of antisemitism, anti-Asian hate and other forms of racism.
LGA’s executive director, Rabbi Debra Kolodny, said that they were initially “surprised” by these acts of hate. “One of the reasons why I moved here was to live in a kind and more compassionate place,” said Kolodny, referring to their move from Oregon to Northampton in July. “On the other hand, because I spent five years in the anti-hate world professionally in Portland, I’m aware that there is a global-wide rise in antisemitism.”
Kolodny said that they have seen anti-Asian and antisemitic hate throughout the pandemic, and even saw social media posts from white nationalist groups using antisemitic tropes from the holocaust to accuse the Jewish population of creating the virus.
Despite the perpetual hatred, Kolodny said that LGA is not altering the way that they serve their community. “One of the reasons for [LGA’s] existence is to grow confident and resilient, and emotionally-aware young children into adults who know that the world is a difficult place and know that they can be strong and safe because they are in a community, and because they are learning the lessons of history,” said Kolodny.
According to Kolodny, it is important to teach the young children at the academy that the Jewish community is not merely an exclusively oppressed and targeted group, but rather a joyous one that has “wonderful holidays” and meaningful spiritual practices, as well as a commitment to make change in the world.
Aside from that, Kolodny said that the academy and their security team do “have their antenna up” in case there are any direct attacks. “Part of what it is to be a Jewish professional is to live with this,” said Kolodny.
Despite the unsettled nature of these occurrences across the city, Kolodny said that they are “appreciative” of the fact that Northampton has a Jewish day school where students can immerse themselves in the culture an learn about what they can do to help the world.
“Whether one is targeted by hate based on race, religion, national origin, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other identity, together we must say no,” said Kolodny. “With compassion, fairness and justice as guiding principles, we can work in solidarity to become beacons for the world we wish to create.”
When asked what type of disciplinary action cities like Northampton can take when an act of hate like the one during the Board of Health meeting occurs, Kolodny mentioned how the city can use the technology to their advantage to cut people off during public comment in meetings. Additionally, there are other procedural methods that municipalities in the past have taken when these incidences occur.
While in Portland, Kolodny was a leader in a coalition called, “Portland United Against Hate,” and they had a three-pronged approach to combating a hate incident. First, they would give trauma-informed care to the person who was harmed. Then, the organization would collect information in a database to see where these instances of hate are occurring and find any trends if present. Lasty, they will conduct training, so people know their rights when an act of hate occurs.
“I think we as a society need to look at where the seeds of hate are sown, and how they are sown, and think of this as a public health crisis,” said Kolodny. “Not just antisemitism, not just anti-Blackness, not just anti-Asian, not just anti-LBGTQ … all of it is a public health crisis.”