California Jewish Community fighting to save American democracy

• Author: TOBIAS SIEGAL
• Date: 17 January 2021
• Published date: 17 January 2021

More than 110 Jewish organizations, leaders and rabbis from across California that comprise the state's diverse Jewish community have signed a letter calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to take immediate action to confront hyper-partisanship and rising extremism in politics.

The coalition of Jewish entities urged the House leaders to publicly affirm their commitment to "the foundational elements of our democratic republic, working together to rebuild the public's trust," the letter read.

The letter further noted that the recent events at Capitol Hill have rekindled serious concerns about "the security of Jewish and other targeted Americans," and mentioned domestic terrorism and online disinformation as growing fears, considering the antisemitic symbols carried by many of participants of the Capitol Hill riot.

"For the Jewish community, these concerns go beyond inflammatory rhetoric or abstract concepts of civility and speak directly to security," said Tyler Gregory, executive director of the San Francisco-based JCRC. "It was not lost on us that some of the rioters wore explicitly antisemitic clothing celebrating Jewish persecution."

Gregory said that "the Jewish American experience has taught us that our future depends on civil discourse and a strong democracy. Our community needs to know that our leaders will not only guarantee our safety in the short run but also safeguard the norms and institutions upon which that safety is predicated."

The letter called on all relevant law enforcement agencies to fully investigate the events that unfolded at the Capitol Hill and to "hold relevant individuals and groups...