COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — On Sunday, a group in Boulder, Colorado, that was raising awareness for hostages in Gaza, was attacked, leaving 12 people injured.
Now, local groups are upping their security measures following this latest string of attacks against Jewish people and institutions.
“It’s really beautiful when people can come together for a zero tolerance of hate and to combat anti-Semitism,” Julie Tilson Stanley, JewishColumbus president and CEO, said. “And we’re seeing that in Columbus.”
Many in the Jewish community see these incidents as signs of growing antisemitism in the United States. According to JewishColumbus, this uptick in violence is a dangerous reminder of the consequences of unchecked hate and antisemitism, leaving the community shaken but undeterred.
“While it is a scary time, it’s also a time of resilience and hope and action,” Tilson Stanley said.
There have been other high-profile, antisemitic attacks in recent weeks, including the targeted killings of Israeli embassy staff in Washington D.C.
“People are feeling uneasy and they are anxious about going about their lives and even wearing a Jewish star or some sort of semblance of showing that they are Jewish,” Tilson Stanley said.
In an email sent to the local Jewish community, JewishColumbus leaders said they’ve increased security.
“What that means is having officers present, as well as extra patrols, just making sure they are making the rounds at different institutions to ensure safety and security,” Tilson Stanley said.
She said JewishColumbus has hired a chief security officer who communicates with all of the Jewish institutions in town, alongside their security director.
“Those two have an expertise in counterterrorism and what it means to really secure a community and do so across central Ohio,” Tilson Stanley said.
JewishColumbus is also working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement.
Bexley Police Chief Gary Lewis shared a statement on his department’s efforts:
“The Bexley Police Department is committed to public safety and in response to the recent incidents which have occurred in our nation targeting the Jewish community we have increased our presence and efforts geared towards keeping everyone safe. We continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners such as the FBI JTTF and leadership with JewishColumbus.”
“When we are in a moment of fear, we know that how we can get through this is making sure we communicate, because a safe Jewish Columbus is a safe Columbus,” Tilson Stanley said.
The recent attacks have shaken the community, but also brought them together, she said.
“Our Jewish clergy across Columbus work hard to ensure the safety of their populations, and also working with superintendents across central Ohio, of public schools and interfaith clergy of different, you know, of every religion, really trying to understand and educate,” Tilson Stanley said.
JewishColumbus encourages the community to increase their situational awareness and contact police if something seems suspicious. They said if what you see is threatening physical harm, run until you’re in a safe place, hide by denying the attacker access to and awareness of yourself, or, if needed, fight to save your life or the lives of those near you. Individuals can reach out to their security team with any concerns.
