It is now more than six months since 253 hostages were taken by Hamas on October 7. We know that 109 have been released, 3 rescued, and the bodies of 12 hostages were recovered. Sadly, 129 remain in Gaza – 34 of those are confirmed dead and no one knows how many of the others are still alive.

This past week, I watched the documentary, Supernova: The Music Festival Massacre. It provided firsthand accounts and video footage from survivors of the Nova Music Festival on October 7. The film focuses on six festival-goers who survived, all of whom are in their teens and 20s — plus a pair of older adults: a father whose son and daughter were both abducted that day and eventually released and a policeman credited with rescuing 150 people.

It was heartbreaking, to say the least. The innocence of these young people dancing at an overnight music festival and waking the next morning to terrorists wanting to kill them. I cannot imagine, despite the video footage, what the scene was like as people tried to drive away or run for their lives. You can learn more about the film here.

The Hamas-Israel war is at a critical juncture. Israel has pulled most of its troops from Gaza. More needed humanitarian aid is entering. Hamas continues to reject a ceasefire. Concerns about a war in the north with Hezbollah (and an attack from Iran!!!) are heightened. Dueling protests in Israel between those demanding the return of the hostages and those who want Israel to enter Rafah. And many calling for new leadership (71% of Israelis want Netanyahu removed from office and 66% want elections called early). We will wait to see what happens next.

With everything happening there, challenges continue in our own community. This past Monday at the University of Oregon, the student organization, Ducks 4 Israel (led by Portland-area students Rayna Davis, Romu Avivi, and Luda Isakharov), with the support of Oregon Hillel, set up an “installation” (see video here) drawing awareness of the hostages being held by Hamas on the campus quad outside of the Lillis Business Complex. There have been several posts and videos (I am intentionally not sharing) that show an individual throwing the hostage posters, engaging in antisemitic conspiracy theories, and accusing the students of committing genocide.

Sadly, similar types of incidents are taking place on campuses across the country. I am proud that these students, Ducks 4 Israel, and Oregon Hillel are raising awareness of the hostages who remain in captivity in Gaza. In this day and age, unfortunately, it also takes a lot of courage for students to stand up to hate in the middle of campus. Moreover, they advocated with key University of Oregon administrators to ensure that there is accountability for students, staff, and faculty who engage in antisemitic incidents and harass Jewish students. 

Here is a statement from the University of Oregon about this incident. It was a swift response, which may or may not go far enough or fully address the issue. However, we only wish our other local campuses would speak out when actions require it.

This week, a small leadership group met with Mayor Ted Wheeler to discuss the rise of antisemitism in Portland and Jews feeling unsafe. We talked about issues in our local schools and on our college campuses. We discussed agitators who seemingly attach themselves to every issue and make things challenging for the city. And we shared ideas of how we felt he could be most helpful. The mayor was very open to our concerns and was very supportive in wanting our city to be safe for all. More to come.

One state that is taking the rise in antisemitism seriously is California. Governor Gavin Newsom released the first-ever Golden State Plan to Counter Antisemitism. The four main strategies in the plan:

Supporting and protecting Jewish communities

Addressing and preventing antisemitism and all hate and violence

Uplifting Jewish heritage and building mutual understanding



Advancing equity and countering discrimination

There is a robust set of policy initiatives and calls to action that Governor Newsom believes will make a material difference on the security and prosperity of California's Jewish community. It also sets a moral standard for how California responds to hate and divisiveness targeting all communities.

At a time when antisemitic harassment, abuse, and violence have permeated all aspects of our society – our schools, workplaces, streets, and synagogues – the plan serves as a roadmap to address it proactively and reactively. The Golden State Plan includes:

Protecting the physical security of the Jewish community, including through nonprofit security grants (California has doubled its available funding to $40 million this year for security grants to religious institutions and houses of worship. You will recall our state said no to our request for $500,000 based on Oregon constitutional law.)

Working to fight antisemitism on college campuses by enforcing and enhancing campus safety policies

Developing antisemitism education programs for schools, colleges, law enforcement, and diverse communities

Improving hate crime reporting

Supporting Israel and uplifting the California-Israel relationship

Massively expanding Holocaust and genocide education

Ensuring that ethnic studies curricula is free from antisemitic or anti-Zionist content.

Supporters of the initiative believe this strategy will help reverse the normalization of rising antisemitism and make California a safer place for all.

I appreciate the state’s unequivocal commitment to fighting the scourge of antisemitism and protecting diverse communities. We need/demand our city, county, state, and national leaders to publicly make a stand and speak out loudly against Jew hatred and all forms of bigotry.

You may remember that in May 2023, the Biden administration released the first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism (note antisemitism was spiking well before October 7). The White House says the strategy is still being implemented, yet are the mandates of a plan created prior to October 7 forceful enough to respond adequately to the unprecedented wave of antisemitism that has occurred over the last six months?

Passover is only 10 days away. The Jewish Federation has created this website with the variety of Passover happenings in our community, including matza making workshops and seders. I am also grateful to the hundreds of people who contributed to our Passover4All campaign. We raised a record $17,500 to help provide community members with Passover foods and gift cards to celebrate the holiday. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously and the volunteers who will pack and deliver the food boxes.

Shabbat shalom.



P.S. For those readers old enough, I know you remember where you were when President Kennedy was shot. With the passing of OJ Simpson, how many of you remember where you were when the verdict was announced?