Jewish Nevada has partnered with Temple Sinai Reno Library Committee to host an event about antisemitism.
It held multiple presentations and discussions with participating scholars and community leaders, and organizers say they hope it gives the community a better understanding of antisemitism.
Each presentation focuses on different history of antisemitism.
One is on the origins of modern antisemitism in Europe, the other on antisemitism in America between the two world wars, and the last focuses within the northern Nevada community.
"We have seen in Las Vegas especially a lot of antisemitic graffiti, but even here we've seen the city council has been protested a few times, the federal building, and a lot of the tropes that have been used at these protests are very hurtful and are very antisemitic including calls for genocide of Jews today," said Elliot Malin, Chair of Nevada Governor's Advisory Council.
Malin says over the last year there has been a spike in antisemitism nationwide.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, 2023 has the highest recorded antisemitic acts. And while our region may not be experiencing a rapid increase compared to the rest of the country, community leaders are saying we're still seeing rates go up and need to spread awareness.
"Antisemitism can constantly change," said Tova McGilvray, President of Temple Sinai Reno. "It can become an interesting sort of scape goat for whatever a societal problem might be at that time. So, I think it's important to have conversations that it's not something that always looks the same."
The Vice President of Temple Sinai Reno, Michael Gorden, says the best way to prevent antisemitic acts is by knowing what it is and showing empathy for one another.
"Just coming together," he said. "We're all one person, one people, and just love each other, not fight each other."
The community is encouraged to report any antisemitic acts to the Anti-Defamation League or law enforcement.
Mara Langer, Director of Community Engagement for Jewish Nevada, adds, "They report it to the local police or any type of law enforcement agency because those are the way we track what's happening and then we can have resources come back and address the situation."
