Dear Members,
By now many of you have seen the deeply disturbing photo of a man at Five Corners holding a large sign with a swastika. As reported in both the local papers and confirmed by the Tisbury Police, this man came as an outside agitator, or counter-demonstrator, to disrupt a vigil that had gathered to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Why someone would want to disrupt a vigil with a sign of such hate, I do not know, and do not want to speculate. We will wait for the police report to learn more. I do know that displaying a symbol of hate and intimidation cannot be tolerated. As soon as we found out [Sunday] evening, our president, Rob Herman, called the Tisbury Police, whom we learned had been at the scene, and they have been tremendously responsive. They have forwarded this incident to the district attorney, there is an ongoing investigation, and everyone is taking this with the utmost seriousness that it deserves.
People have asked how this could happen here on our beloved Island. But I want to remind ourselves that it is exactly in places where there is a strong community that people who want to undermine that strength, and sow divisions and hatred, will use symbols designed to make people feel alone and unsafe. But we are not alone, and we are not unsafe.
I can’t say enough about the professional and caring response of police departments around the Island who have been making our safety a priority during this time. Just two days ago, Chief Habekost of the Tisbury Police shared a Shabbat lunch with our community, and expressed how committed they were to our safety, and feelings of safety. In addition, the outpouring of caring since Oct. 7 from faith communities, as well as the Diversity Council, has been so moving. And both local newspapers have been a model of professionalism in their coverage. The Jewish community is in a position of safety and strength on Martha’s Vineyard, because the Island community, its institutions, and its commitment to each other are strong.
This can never be taken for granted, and we must continually confront expressions of hate on the Island, whenever they occur. Please be assured that our synagogue leadership is in regular touch with law enforcement and community leaders, and up-to-date on best practices of synagogue safety measures.
And here is something we can all do. We can refuse to allow anti-Semitic incidents to divide Jews from one another or from our fellow Islanders. We can refuse to internalize the hatred of some, and instead speak with kindness and civility to all who act with good faith. We can acknowledge and feel a sense of gratitude for the large numbers of people working to make democracy, equality, and safety a reality for all.
And that is a good kavvanah, or intention, to bring with us to the Thanksgiving table. There is much hatred expressed in the world right now. But we can embody peace, faith, and strength as we sit with our loved ones over this meal of thanks. I wish everyone a holiday filled with gratitude, praise, and peace.
–Rabbi Caryn Broitman
Broitman is rabbi at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. This letter was first sent to members and friends of the Hebrew Center on Nov. 20.