H eadlines
Chanukah Event Focuses on Antisemitism
L OCA L
JARRAD SAFFREN | JE STAFF
THE JEWISH FEDERATION
of Greater
Philadelphia, in partnership with ADL-
Philadelphia and AJC South
Jersey/Philadelphia shined a
light on antisemitism on Nov. 30
in Center City.

Together, the groups hosted
a Chanukah candle-lighting
and a series of speakers
inside the Municipal Services
Building that, together, illumi-
nated antisemitic issues and
dispelled “the darkness of
hate,” as an event listing put it.

Jewish Federation CEO
Michael Balaban, Director
of Campaigns and Outreach
for the Anti-Defamation
League Shira Goodman and
American Jewish Committee
Philadelphia Councilman Allan Domb introduces the first speaker at the
“Shine a Light on Antisemitism” event.

Photo by Jarrad Saffren
Jewish Federation CEO Michael Balaban, left, and Philadelphia
Mayor Jim Kenney, center, light the menorah at the “Shine a Light on
Antisemitism” event in Center City on Nov. 30. 
Photo by Jarrad Saffren
Philadelphia/Southern New
Jersey Regional Director
Marcia Bronstein all spoke.

Representatives from the City
of Philadelphia, including
Mayor Jim Kenney, also
attended and addressed the
audience. The event was part of a
national initiative to “Shine
a Light on Antisemitism”
organized by the Jewish
Federations of North America.

More than 80 federations
across the country took part,
according to Allan Domb, a
city council member who
spoke at the local event.

Jewish Federation officials
purposely planned the local
version during the Festival of
Lights. Like most Chanukah
gatherings, it was also a celebra-
tion, they said. The listing
called it a chance to share “in
the light of love and acceptance
for the Jewish people.”
But unlike most Chanukah
gatherings, it was not just a
celebration. It was also another
reminder of “the danger
of antisemitism in all of its
4 DECEMBER 2, 2021
JEWISH EXPONENT
modern-day forms.”
“In recent years, the rate
of hate-motivated attacks in
America has been steadily
rising,” Balaban said. “We
cannot allow antisemitism or
any form of bigotry to remain
unchecked.” Robin Schatz, the Jewish
Federation’s director
of government affairs, said it was
the JFNA’s idea to align the
event with Chanukah. But she
added that the local organiza-
tion agreed with the decision.

“Given the uptick in
antisemitic attacks across the
country, they thought this
would be the right time to
shine a light,” Schatz said.

According to Schatz,
Chanukah is not just the
Festival of Lights, either. It’s a
reminder of the long history of
antisemitism. The Maccabees were revolting
against a king, Antiochus, who
tried to marginalize Jewish life.

And regionally, as Schatz
noted, antisemitism has reared
its ugly head.

Before the November
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM



H EADLINES
election, Jewish Pennsbury
School Board members said
they were receiving antisemitic
threats. Last month in Central
Bucks, a resident spoke at a
school board meeting and said
the ADL had Mafi a ties.

Exaggerated comparisons
between COVID restrictions
and Nazi Germany discrimi-
nation against Jews also have
popped up there.

“We need to say hate speech
is not acceptable,” Schatz said.

“Antisemitism is not acceptable.”
It would be one thing, Schatz
explained, if the JFNA had
not felt a need to declare this
Street and Goodman followed.

Upon stepping to the
podium, Kenney called it “an
honor to be here today.”
“The Jewish American
community has a long, storied
history here in Philadelphia,”
Kenney said. “As mayor, I can
assure you that Philadelphia will
always be a welcoming city to
everyone. No matter what they
look like or where they come
from or how they worship.”
The mayor said that
Philadelphia’s inclusivity was
one of its “greatest strengths.”
“When we see any form
of hate or discrimination, we
Seminar EDUCATIONAL
Thursday, December 9, 2021
In recent years, the rate of hate-motivated
attacks in America has been steadily rising.

We cannot allow antisemitism or any form of
bigotry to remain unchecked.”
To register and receive the link for this Zoom webinar:
215-957-5182 or Warminster@arden-courts.com
Veterans Benefits 101
MICHAEL BALABAN
Chanukah-based initiative. But
since it did, it became incum-
bent upon the Jewish Federation
to show solidarity with federa-
tions across the country.

“Th at many are going to
be doing it makes it more
signifi cant,” Schatz said. “It’s
important that leaders in
our community make public
statements.” Even though the JFNA
decided on the initiative in
November, Jewish Federation
had no trouble putting the
event together. Th e biggest
tasks were scheduling speakers
and alerting local media
outlets. “It was an event that we felt
we had the bandwidth to put
together,” Schatz said.

Domb, a city council
member at-large, introduced
the speakers and served as
host. Balaban, the Rev. Lorina
Marshall-Blake, Kenney,
Bronstein, state Sen. Sharif
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

must continue to speak out and
condemn it,” he said. “It’s up to
us not to repeat the mistakes of
the past, and to celebrate our
diff erences.”
After the last speaker,
Kenney stepped back up
to light the menorah on the
podium. He lit the shamash
candle, then allowed other
dignitaries to light the candles
representing the fi rst three
nights of Chanukah.

Pennsylvania Attorney
General and Democratic
gubernatorial candidate Josh
Shapiro could not attend the
event but sent in a statement
for Goodman to read.

“I wanted to take a moment
to thank you for shining a light
on the antisemitism that still
infects our society,” he said.

“I wish you and your family a
happy Chanukah.” ●
jsaff ren@jewishexponent.com;
215-832-0740 As a Veteran or surviving spouse of a Veteran, you may be
eligible for financial assistance to help with long-term care
expenses. This funding, also known as Aid and Attendance, can
assist with funding a stay at a memory care community such as
Arden Courts. During this seminar, Scott Ferguson will discuss:
• How Veterans can plan for long-term care expenses
• Background information and qualifications for the Aid and
Attendance program
• How to apply for this little-known financial benefit
Scott Ferguson is a Gulf War Veteran and founder of
Veterans Benefits Assistance Program.

Co-sponsored by:
© 2021 ProMedica
14417_Warminster_5.5x11.indd 1
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM JEWISH EXPONENT
11/10/21 11:08 AM
DECEMBER 2, 2021
5