In the America in which I was born, Jews did not need to have armed guards to pray, send their kids to school, go shopping, or take public transportation. Yes, there was antisemitism and discrimination. Quotas limiting Jewish enrollment in universities. Neighborhoods and upscale apartment buildings off limits to Jews. “Exclusive” clubs preventing Jewish members. Antisemitism in the pews. Jewish children chased and beaten up for “killing Jesus” or whatever other antisemitic tropes other children had been raised with. 

Jews were discriminated against, but not hunted. 

In the America I left in 2004, never in my life or career as a Jewish communal nonprofit professional did I have to hire security to have an event, whether a fundraising event in the Jewish community, a movie premiere, kosher wine tasting, or a conference like I just did, and for which “security” became a significant and unplanned budget item. Never did I have to tell participants that they would only receive the location of the event after they registered (and could be vetted) for the event, or worry that the venue might be threatened, picketed, or influenced through the threats to cancel our event. 

That’s all changed. Possibly forever. 

While stranded in America, trying to get home to Israel, where commercial flights are few and far between, I have spent my time doing many interviews and briefings. In one recent interview, I bemoaned the fact that it may never be the same in America. That the country in which I was born, raised, educated, and love so much has allowed antisemitism to become so permissible, the greatest country........

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