Sunday morning, July 24, residents in the Little Neck community of Virginia Beach woke up to find antisemitic fliers distributed throughout multiple neighborhoods.
The United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) was notified and quickly in touch with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, as well as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC). Upon calls from numerous residents and the JCRC, Virginia Beach law enforcement quickly responded, collected the fliers, and spoke to many who received them.
Similar fliers have been distributed in Richmond, Tampa, Fla., and elsewhere across the country by the Goyim Defense League (GDL), a group the ADL notes as “a loose network of individuals connected by their virulent antisemitism.”
Residents throughout Little Neck were outraged. The Middle Plantation Civic League quickly mobilized, denouncing the fliers and, in coordination with the JCRC, began discussing actions to show that this type of hatred toward anyone is unacceptable. The Civic League organized “Chalk the Walk” on Sunday morning, August 7, for families to cover the streets and driveways throughout the community with positive illustrations and messages.
The JCRC remains in contact with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and other thought partners on this issue and concerns around bias and antisemitism throughout the year.
An article on page 10 provides more information on contacting UJFT’s JCRC if you encounter an incident or have a concern about antisemitism in our community.
Betty Ann Levin is executive vice president/CEO of United Jewish Federation of Tidewater and Simon Family JCC.
-Betty Ann Levin