CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The last few days have seen antisemitic attacks spread across different parts of the world, including in Illinois. Despite this, the Jewish community is standing up to the hate they are receiving.
“The best response to hate is to stand as louder and prouder Jews,” said Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel, U of I’s Executive Director of Illini Chabad. “We’re shocked that this can happen, but it does not make us cower, it makes us prouder.”
Antisemitic attacks this week have shaken the Jewish community worldwide, but Tiechtel said it’s a time to stand tall. The attacks happened over the last three days right here in Illinois, and overseas.
One attack was in Amsterdam Thursday night, and another was in Chicago on the campus of DePaul University. Rabbi Tiechtel said these crimes are disturbing.
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“When these things happen, it’s a wake-up call that we have to take hate seriously because hate doesn’t stop at a certain space,” Tiechtel said.