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Antisemitism Happens Here. 

Virginia has seen a frightening 223% increase in antisemitic incidents from 2022 to 2023.

Enough is enough. 
It's time to face antisemitism.

Antisemitic incidents across the country are at an all-time high. In Virginia, antisemitic incidents rose by a staggering 223% from 2022 to 2023.  Anti-Jewish sentiment has increased since the October attacks on Israel by Hamas.

The UJCVP is there to secure and safeguard the community by proactively preparing for and immediately responding to incidents of antisemitism and hate.

Working with our regional partners, the UJCVP is a central hub for communal efforts to respond to the rise in antisemitism, anti-Jewish hate and anti-Israel sentiments and reactions on the Virginia Peninsula.  While we cannot completely eradicate antisemitism, we can empower and support the Virginia Peninsula Jewish community with clear and effective resources, tools, and capabilities that foster action against antisemitism. This includes convening a strong coalition of leaders and allies on the Virginia Peninsula to work together to ensure antisemitism is socially and politically unacceptable. Our vision is one where all Jewish people on the Virginia Peninsula of all ages can proudly celebrate their religion, heritage, and culture safely and securely.

 

What you can do right now:

Report acts of antisemitism. 

Find resources and tools for addressing antisemitism, intolerance, & bias. 

Explore our growing list of safety, security and preparedness resources.  

Advocate for our community.  

#StandUpToJewishHate and show you stand up against hate in any form.

How We Counter Antisemitism:

1. Respond to Incidents of Jewish Hate

The UJCVP monitors and responds to incidents of antisemitism on the Virginia Peninsula and work directly with schools, law enforcement, leaders and institutions to ensure they have the resources to respond to them effectively and foster environments free of hate.

2. Empower our Community 

The UJCVP curates and shares resources, educational tools and opportunities to act so that community members are motivated and equipped to stand up and fight back.  We also host workshops for the community on combatting antisemitism, including the ADL's "Words to Action" interactive education program for middle and high school students designed to empower and equip them with constructive and effective responses to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel bias.

3.  Build Allyship

Antisemitism and other forms of hate do not operate in isolation from each other; nor should the communities they target. Increasing space for deeper awareness, shared empathy, and action across communities is critical to preventing hate and building resilience.  Building allyship in non-Jewish partners and diverse organizations will foster camaraderie in times of need and abundance. 

4. Inform and Educate the Next Generation

We’re educating young people - and the academic institutions that serve them - about antisemitism, Jewish history, and Jewish life to ensure that they both can confidently respond to acts of hate.

5. Advocate

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the UJCVP advocates for legislation that empowers our government to stand up against antisemitism and hate, promotes Holocaust education, secures nonprofit security funding and protects faith and minority communities.  We regularly meet with local, state, and federal elected leaders to advocate for such legislation.

6. Strengthen Communal Security 

The UJCVP invests resources to enhance the Jewish community’s safety and security through our Secure Community Initiative.  Through our regional partnership with Secure Community Network (SCN), we monitor and improve the security posture of our community, as well as offering a range of security training programs and safety assessments for Jewish organizations on the Virginia Peninsula. These services are provided free of charge to non-profit Jewish community institutions, including synagogues and Hillels.  To date, the UJCVP has assisted our Jewish community in securing more than $1,000,000 in private, local and federal grants to bolster the security posture at our synagogues, Hillels and community center.  

When hate strikes, it is easy to feel isolated. Please know that the UJCVP is prepared to support and assist you.

If you have experienced or observed an incident of antisemitism, you are not alone.  

REPORT ANTISEMITISM

Times like this strengthen our resolve and remind us how powerful we are when we stand together.

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