The fight to stop anti-Semitism

The dramatic rise of anti-Semitism is fueling a fight to stop it.

In a week that followed the deadly terrorist attack at a kosher market in Jersey City, the Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills was vandalized.

On Long Island, New York State Sen. Anna Kaplan spoke out.

“We will not surrender to the surge in anti-Semitism that has swept this country,” she wrote on Facebook. “The State of New York stands with Nessah Synagogue,” and New Yorkers of all faiths send their love and support across this great country to Nessah’s clergy and congregants.”

Last week, after hate crimes on Long Island, including in Glen Cove and Huntington, local leaders vowed to stand up against hate. Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was joined by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County Chairman Steven Markowitz and more than 40 elected officials, religious and community leaders to announce an island-wide taskforce against Anti-Semitism and Symbols of Hate.

Also last week Ronald Lauder, the chairman of Clinique Laboratories, one of the Estee Lauder Companies, which has offices in Melville, launched the “Anti-Semitism Accountability Project,” or ASAP.  This is a $25 million campaign to combat anti-Semitism.

“Anti-Semitism has become fashionable again and for too long, American Jews have been silent,” Lauder said in a statement.

“It’s time to make our voices heard,” he added. “It’s time to confront our haters, without fear or apology.

Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress said that “ASAP will finally add real teeth in the fight against anti-Semitism in American politics and culture. All candidates and American cultural leaders who traffic in hatred against Jews should consider themselves on notice.”

ASAP will produce and run television and digital advertisements, opposition research, grassroots and “grasstops” outreach, on-campus organizing and rapid response to defeat candidates supporting anti-Semitic ideas.