Hundreds gather in Farmington Hills for community anti-Semitism forum

The pews of Adot Shalom Synagogue were filled to the brim Jan. 23, as more than 600 people came together to discuss the increase of anti-Semitism being felt by the Jewish community. The event was coordinated and hosted by the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the Anti-Defamation League. It was moderated by David Kurzmann, the senior director of community and donor relations for the Jewish Federation, and it was paneled by several regional rabbis, an agent from the FBI’s Detroit Division and a representative from the ADL. Michigan House Democratic Leader and 37th District Rep. Christina Greig, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, and several other government and law enforcement officials also made special appearances. The community forum was hosted to bring together members of the Jewish faith and others to discuss the rise in anti-Semitism, and to demonstrate solidarity and strength in unity, acknowledge the feelings and fears being felt by the local community, inform the community of the resources at their disposal, and encourage action, Kurzmann said.