Skokie Rallies Against Antisemitism After Hate Crime At Synagogue

SKOKIE, IL — Several hundred demonstrators gathered in Skokie to condemn antisemitism, a week after the window of a local synagogue was smashed in a suspected hate crime.

Sunday's rally coincided with pro-Israel demonstrations held from coast to coast amid an uptick in reports of antisemitic violence across the country.

On May 16 in Skokie, a pair of vandals were caught on camera defacing the Persian Hebrew Congregation and leaving behind a pro-Palestinian placard. Police released images of the suspects but have not yet announced any arrests.

On Tuesday, the congregation launched an online fundraiser to cover the cost of stationing security personnel outside the building during services for the next two years. As of Wednesday evening, it had raised more than $5,200 from 76 donors.

"As you can imagine, this vile action was a shock to us and the surrounding community," campaign organizers said. "This has brought tremendous fear and anxiety to our congregants, causing many to stay home and to not join in the holiday celebration in our building this past week."

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State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-Glenview), a member of the 15-member Illinois Jewish Legislative Caucus, said it was sad that Sunday's gathering was necessary, but she was encouraged to see compassion on display from the community.

"The smashing of windows at synagogues isn't free speech or political demonstration. It is antisemitic violence, and it will not be tolerated," Gong-Gershowitz said.

"Attacking a synagogue or other places central to American Jewish life is a display of hate, one that is designed to strike fear at the heart of the Jewish community," she added. "We must be vigilant toward antisemitism and antisemitic violence because we know all too well that it will fester if left unchecked. We must not allow the cycle of antisemitism to take root in our community. It will not be tolerated here."

The rally was sponsored by Skokie synagogues of all denominations along with several Jewish organizations, the Iraqi Christian Relief Council and the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.

Alison Pure-Slovin, Midwest director of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and a recently elected village trustee, helped organize Sunday’s event.

“Our community feels isolated and are afraid of the violent attacks against Jews, and we needed to stand together and raise our voices against antisemitism,” Pure-Slovin told Patch after the demonstration.

Rabbi Zvi Engel of Congregation Or Torah, who described the event as “not a protest” but a “cry of pain” told the agency the demonstration showed the Jewish community was united across all denominations.

“Those who wish us ill couldn’t care less what [prayer book] you pray from,” Engel said, according to a Jewish Telegraphic Agency report. “They know we all have the same Torah, the same State of Israel, and that we are all from the same family. In times like these, we must stand together to give each other the strength to raise consciousness."

Ron Onesti, president of the Chicagoland Italian American coalition, said the community was facing some of the most terrible situations in all of its history amid fear and anger. He saluted the contributions of generations of Jewish Americans to the development of the United States.

"There is no place for hatred, no matter who you are or where you were born," Onesti said. "The hatred you, my Jewish brothers and sisters are facing, is beyond reproach. Antisemitism has existed for centuries. If we are indeed experiencing a 'cancel culture,' then the time has come to cancel antisemitism."

The number of antisemitic incidents reported to the Anti-Defamation League rose by nearly 50 percent since violent conflict broke out in Israel earlier this month, according to the group.

"American Jews are not always in lockstep with what Israel does," Brent Brotine, an attendee at Sunday's demonstration, told WLS-TV. "We admit that. They admit that. But we are in lockstep and should be with Israel the country."

An ADL release issued ahead of Friday's cease-fire between the Israeli government and Hamas noted videos posted to social media showing Jewish people beaten on the street in Los Angeles and intimidated by people in cars with Palestinian flags.

It also said about 20 pro-Palestinian activists across the street from Temple Beth Israel synagogue in Skokie were reported to have chanted "Intifada" and "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."