San Diego, CA -- October 15, 2020
(Screenshot, ABC 10NEWS)
StandWithUs is outraged by yet another senseless antisemitic assault. On October 10th, Rabbi Yonatan Halevy of Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim synagogue in San Diego, and founder of the Jewish outreach group Shiviti in University City, was attacked by an unidentified teen on a bike who also yelled racist slurs at the rabbi. The continued occurrence of such acts of cowardice is inexcusable and requires a coordinated response of condemnation by all who oppose discrimination and bigotry. Jew hatred in any form must not be tolerated.
StandWithUs San Diego has been in direct communication with Rabbi Halevy to offer our support to him, the Shiviti congregation, and the University City community. It is important that Jews feel safe in San Diego and around the world. We will continue to provide the tools necessary for our community to be proactive and prepared. The StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitism is dedicated to providing educational resources and taking action to stop hatred against Jews. Antisemitic incidents can be reported directly to StandWithUs at https://www.standwithus.com/report-an-antisemitic-incident
Update:
StandWithUs has learned that the San Diego Police Department has identified and arrested a teen believed to be responsible for the assault against Rabbi Halevy.
“We are grateful to local law enforcement for their diligence in investigating this crime,” said Carly Gammill, director of the StandWithUs Center for Combating Antisemitis. “It is our hope that he will come to see that hate serves no one, and that this is a time to come together and build up our communities rather than trying to tear them apart.”
Yosef Condiotti, Executive Director of StandWithUs San Diego added, “We continue to stand with Rabbi Halevy and the local community against the bigotry of antisemitism. We are also hopeful that the teen responsible will take this as an opportunity to see the error of his ways and, rather than continue to spread hatred, become a part of the solution to the societal disease of antisemitism."
About StandWithUs
StandWithUs (SWU) is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organization that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism.
Through university fellowships, high school internships, middle school curricula, conferences, materials, social media, educational films and missions to Israel, StandWithUs supports people around the world who want to educate their schools and communities about Israel.
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the organization has chapters and programs on 5 continents, including the U.S., Israel, UK, Canada, South Africa and Brazil.
For the last 7 years, SWU has consistently received the highest possible ratings from Charity Navigator (4 stars) and Guidestar (Platinum).
