Jewish Press of Pinellas County

Task force formed to respond rapidly to antisemitic acts


In response to the recent surge in antisemitic activity locally, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast has created a Rapid Response Task Force to quickly respond to such acts.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to create this task force, but it’s very important that we rapidly counter anti-Jewish hate when incidents occur. Our first goal will to be to increase awareness of antisemitism in all its forms” said Doug Weiland, president of the Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Weiland, along with JCRC Director Stuart Berger, Michael Igel, chair of the Florida Holocaust Museum board; and community member Craig Sher are serving as the Leadership Committee for the task force.

The task force will be comprised of community members who will quickly email, call, and meet with elected leaders – local, state and federal – to express the Jewish community’s concerns whenever antisemitic incidents occur.

To make this a grassroots effort, members will respond to events that occur in their own neighborhoods – St. Petersburg residents will respond to activity in St Peterburg, Clearwater members will respond to incidents that occur in Clearwater and so on.

“We hope to expose antisemitism in all of its incendiary ways and to accomplish an open forum of dialogue,” said Federation Executive Director Maxine Kaufman.

Some of the more notable recent incidents include graffiti spray painted on the side of the Holocaust Museum in downtown St. Petersburg, antisemitic flyers thrown on lawns in several neighborhoods, and the Nazi flag and other antisemitic banners arrayed atop a Pinellas Trail overpass at a busy St. Petersburg intersection.

People who witness or are the victim of antisemitism, should contact the Jewish Federation and a determination will be made if the task force will be activated. However, if it may be a criminal act, you should contact your local law enforcement agency first.

To get more information about participating in this important endeavor, or to report an anti-Jewish act, call Kaufman or Berger at (727) 530-3223 or email at info@jewishgulfcoast.org,

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