By Noa Peri-Jensch

On Thursday, Las Vegas experienced a crucial moment that I can only hope serves as a turning point. We came together at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to speak out against anti-Semitism.

Former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, who hosted the Anti-Semitism in America event along with UNLV Law and the Nevada System of Higher Education, declared that “combating Anti-Semitism, injustice and hate is one of the most important causes of our time, and this conversation couldn’t come at a more critical moment in our nation’s history.” I could not agree more. The event, which featured a discussion with historian Deborah Lipstadt and journalist Jonathan Weisman on modern manifestations of anti-Semitism and bigotry on the rise nationwide, was the type of gathering we need in our community.

At the Israeli-American Council (IAC), we have become alarmed by increasing reports of anti-Semitism and hate in Nevada and throughout the country, and we are determined to help give this issue the spotlight and focus it deserves.

According to the most recent annual audit of anti-Semitism conducted by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), anti-Semitic incidents rose 60 percent over the course of a single-year. In Nevada, where the ADL recorded three anti-Semitic incidents in 2015 and two in 2016, the total jumped dramatically to 17 incidents during 2017. Then, October 2018 brought the unspeakable tragedy in Pittsburgh: 11 Jewish worshippers murdered at a synagogue, representing the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in American history.

The imperative of the moment is clear: it is not enough to speak out against anti-Semitism. We must educate our community on the implications of this kind of hate. That is what the IAC is doing throughout our regions, from coast to coast. We are making it clear that anti-Semitism of any kind, including modern-day anti-Semitism that is often disguised as legitimate criticism of Israel, will not be tolerated.

In Boston, the IAC has worked with local partners to address chronic bias against Israel, the only Jewish state, in the curriculum and programming of the Newton Public Schools district. This includes opening a dialogue about the district’s problematic Middle East Day, during which a one-sided film was screened, and no Israeli perspective was presented.

And in our region, IAC Las Vegas co-hosted a town hall meeting this past February at Temple Beth Sholom — together with partner organizations — to address how we can act against anti-Semitism. Our expert panel, which included leaders from different faiths, addressed the importance of combating this hate head on. And the keynote speaker, Dr. Bernd Wollschlaeger, shared his journey as the son of a Nazi who converted to Judaism, served in the Israel Defense Forces, and lives in Israel today. Dr. Wollschlaeger offered a universal message: we must teach the next generation to stand against hatred, bigotry, and stereotyping.

The IAC works to combat anti-Semitism not only because this issue concerns Jews or Israeli-Americans. We stand up against anti-Semitism because it is anti-American. Anti-Semitism constitutes a highly disproportionate form of bigotry in this country. Although Jews make up just 2 percent of the U.S. population, the FBI documents year after year that they comprise over half of Americans targeted by religiously motivated hate crimes.

We cannot stand idly by in the face of this threat. It’s time for change — an inspired grassroots movement against the rising wave of anti-Semitism.

It starts with us. We have the opportunity to lead by example. And that’s precisely why the Anti-Semitism in America event this week was so vital. But we cannot stop there. We must continue this work as a unified community and nation.

Noa Peri-Jensch is the Israeli-American Council’s (IAC) Regional Director in Las Vegas.