(A rally on December 31, 2019 in Brooklyn against anti-Semitic attacks. Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
by Catherine Ann Buckler
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — WBZ NewsRadio's Laurie Kirby had the opportunity to speak with Rabbi Marc Baker about the uptick in recorded anti-Semitic attacks and the upcoming 'No Hate No Fear' march Sunday in New York.
Baker is the President and CEO of Combined Jewish Philanthropies, a Boston-based nonprofit. CJP is sending over 100 community members to New York for the mile-and-a-half walk followed by a rally. They will be joined by communities from Washington D.C. and Cleveland as well.
Baker said he and others were heading to New York "to stand together with victims of anti-Semitism and to make clear that we won't stand for it."
The march will begin in the late morning over the Brooklyn Bridge. In light of the recent attacks against members of the Jewish community—last week alone there were anti-Semitic attacks nearly every day in New York—Rabbi Baker discusses concerns about security.
"I'm confident that this event will be safe and secure," Baker said. "I think more broadly there is obviously growing trepidation in general with the rise of anti-Semitism and hate crimes across the country."
Baker says the march sends a message, amid safety concerns.
"You can't back down in the face of fear," Baker said. "We need to stand up and show up and let people know that they will not drive us back into our homes but rather we'll stand together and we'll do so proudly and publicly."
Baker says anytime there is a large event in the Middle East, such as the recent air strike that killed Iranian Major Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
"Anytime you uncork the darker angels of human nature, unfortunately the dark side of society can come out. The Jews have experienced this in every place we've been throughout our history. We've been blessed to live under the illusion that anti-Semitism couldn't happen here. But I think the reality is, we're seeing a rise of hate crimes in this country of all kinds," Baker said.
Those who are not of the Jewish faith need to support the Jewish community as allies, Baker says.
"Anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish problem, it's an American problem, it's a human problem," Baker said. "We really need everybody to stand up...and say 'this will not happen here, we will not tolerate this.'"
WBZ NewsRadio's Laurie Kirby (@LaurieWBZ) reports
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