Attacks on Jewish community on the rise long before Colleyville

FORT WORTH, TEXAS >> The hostage standoff inside a Colleyville synagogue Saturday reignited fears of antisemitic violence with news headlines that circled the globe. But for many Jewish Americans, the threat of such an attack — even at a small-town synagogue in North Texas — is something they live with every day.

Nearly 1 in 4 Jewish people in America say the institutions they are affiliated with have been the target of antisemitism within the last five years, according to a report in October from the American Jewish Committee.

Across the country, 2,557 antisemitic incidents were reported from 2020 to 2021, according to data gathered by the American Defamation League.

In Texas, 60 antisemitic incidents were reported during that time. Those incidents included anti-Jewish posters scattered in cities, a swastika traced into the sand of a woman’s beach house, and antisemitic emails and messages sent over social media. According to the ADL, six incidents were reported in Fort Worth and 11 were reported in Dallas in that time frame.

The threat is real enough for many congregations to undergo professional security training. That was the case for the Colleyville Beth Israel congregation, where hostages, including the rabbi, were held for hours before escaping unharmed. The synagogue underwent training five months ago. On Sunday, Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker urged other Jewish communities to similarly prepare to protect themselves.

“Over the years, my congregation and I have participated in multiple security courses from the Colleyville Police Department, the FBI, the Anti-Defamation League, and Secure Community Network,” CytronWalker said in a statement. “We are alive today because of that education. I encourage all Jewish congregations, religious groups, schools, and others to participate in active-shooter and security courses.”

While 24% of American Jews report antisemitism in recent years, the majority of the general public seems unaware of the increase in antisemitic attacks, said Joel Schwitzer, the regional director of the American Jewish Committee in Dallas. According to the AJC report, 82% of American Jews believe antisemitism has increased in the United States over the past five years, while only 44% of the general public agree.

“It has been confounding to us that until more recently, the general community has not seemed to be woken up to it,” Schwitzer said.

‘Not the first time’

Halie Soifer, CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, grew up in the same synagogue as Cytron-Walker in East Lansing, Michigan. Throughout Saturday, she kept in touch with Cytron-Walker’s sister about the standoff.

“Based on reports, it appears that Rabbi Charlie’s strength and leadership was vitally important during this ordeal,” she said. “Knowing the kind of leader that he is, this doesn’t surprise me at all. He’s a leader not just in the Texas Jewish community, but nationally.”

The attacker, identified Sunday as 44-year-old British national Malik Faisal Akram, held Cytron-Walker and three other adults hostage for hours. He reportedly spoke to law enforcement about his demand for the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a woman convicted on terrorism charges who is incarcerated at a federal prison in Fort Worth. The service at the synagogue was livestreamed, and some of the hostage-taker’s rants were audible.

“I think it is very clear the perpetrator of this attack was motivated by antisemitism,” Soifer said. “While the details are still coming together, the remarks that he made while he was streamed on Facebook live made it clear that he targeted the Jewish community. He made it clear that he was trying to help with the release of a known antisemitic terrorist. So there is no mistaking the motivation of this attack. And it’s not the first time.”