Wave of Good Sparked by Neo-Nazi Hate at Georgia Synagogue

On Shabbat afternoon, as people arrived for evening services in Cobb County's Chabad-Lubavitch in Marietta, Georgia, they were confronted by 12 members of a hate group brandishing anti-Semitic signs and swastika-out flags. from the synagogue. Photo by Jennifer Caron Derrick/Facebook

Wave of good sparked by neo-Nazi hate at Georgia synagogue

by Faygie Levy Holt and Yaakov Ort

Demonstrations by a small group of neo-Nazis outside Georgia synagogues on Shabbat have unleashed an outpouring of outrage, good works and support across the state and nation in response.

On Shabbat afternoon, when people were arriving for evening services at Chabad-Lubavitch in Cobb County, in Marietta. Ga., were confronted by 12 members of an anti-Semitic hate group brandishing anti-Semitic signs and swastika flags outside the synagogue.

“They were standing out front as I walked to the shul,” Rabbi Ephraim Silverman told Chabad.org. “Obviously, I wasn't too happy to see them, but I am aware that their tactic is to provoke and get a response. Instead, I nodded to the police officers there and thanked them for their support. I went in, where we had a beautiful Minchah prayer service and a larger than usual crowd for Havdalah at the end of Shabbat."

Outside the building, meanwhile, as news of the hate group's arrival spread through the community, peaceful but angry counter-protests were held and calls were made for positive but firm responses in the face of growing anti-Semitism.

“Ironically, this hateful group has shown us how many friends and how much support we have in the Jewish and non-Jewish community here in East Cobb,” the rabbi said. “The outpouring of support from clergy and individuals from all walks of life has been incredible.”

“People need to know that 99% of the population totally abhors any expression of hate,” the rabbi continued. “East Cobb has been a wonderful home to a thriving Jewish community for many years. These individuals do not represent the sentiments of the citizens of East Cobb."

“We are extremely grateful for the outpouring of support and concern from all segments of the community,” the rabbi wrote to his congregation. “We have been in communication with Cobb County officials, who have identified these individuals as part of a small group traveling across the country to spread their hateful message. We are working closely with Cobb County officials and the Police Department to ensure the safety of our campus. There is no threat at this time."

'An opportunity to increase positive action'

draw on the teachings of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of good memory, Silverman said that people should see this as an “opportunity to increase positive efforts, to engage more with their Judaism.”

“The best response to an act like this,” the rabbi continued, “is to increase Jewish pride and increase acts of kindness and kindness. Ultimately, we must remember that the most potent response to darkness is to increase the light. Let's use this unfortunate incident to increase acts of kindness and kindness, Jewish pride, and greater Jewish commitment. We are already seeing this in the community, as several people who are not usually here came to the synagogue on Sunday morning to put on tefillin.”

The protest in front of Cobb County's Chabad was the second incident by the same group over the weekend after they demonstrated outside a synagogue in Macon, about a 90-minute drive away.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and US Senator Raphael Warnock condemned anti-Semitic hatred. “I share the outrage over this shameful act and I support Georgians around the world in condemning it,” Kemp said. "We remain vigilant in the face of these disgusting acts of intolerance."

“Yesterday we saw anti-Semitism on display in Macon, and now in the Atlanta metro area,” Warnock wrote. "This has to stop. Praying for our Jewish community in Georgia and beyond. We must all raise our voices loudly against this vile hatred."

The Chabad of East Cobb will launch its summer camp tomorrow and Silverman said that as a result of the incident on Shabbat, the camp staff will double to ensure that each child "feels the warmth of Judaism, feels proud to be a Jew and has an experience amazing and positive Jewish culture that will get them excited about their Jewish identity.”