In the immediate aftermath of the antisemitic arson attack on Mississippi’s largest synagogue , my friend and colleague Alexis Larkin Schwartz posted on Facebook:

 

 

Notably, Alexis was also one of the lead organizers of last May’s AJC event at the Capital Jewish Museum—where Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both of blessed memory, were murdered by a terrorist who—like the Bondi Beach assailants and so many others before them, sought to actualize the antizionist aim of “globalizing the intifada.”

 

Like so many of us, Alexis knows that when we say the threats to our community come from across the political spectrum, we are not making an abstract point. We are describing a lived reality.

 

Relatedly, one of my oldest friends, Rabbi Dr. Rachel Posner, recently wrote in her Substack: “Your Jewish friends are not okay. We need you to stand with us—without caveats, without litmus tests, without hesitation.” And yet—as Rabbi Posner wrote, and as our own Rabbi Jill Avrin reflected following her recent trip to Israel—we cannot give in to despair.

 

So, what gives us hope? And what can we do to bring more light into a world that can feel, quite literally, on fire?

 

To begin with, our JCRC staff were overwhelmed—and deeply moved—that more than 200 people came to celebrate Hanukkah with us on a very snowy December evening. As we lit our hanukkiyah, we heard from St. Paul Mayor-elect Kaohly Her, Senators Warren Limmer and Ron Latz, House GOP Floor Leader Harry Niska, Chabad Rabbi Yitzi Steiner, and members of our JCRC team. Each echoed the same message: we must continue to be the light that shines through the darkness.

 

Especially now, connecting with our elected officials and staying engaged in the political process matters. On February 3 at 7:00 p.m., both the DFL and the Minnesota GOP will hold their precinct caucuses, where resolutions will be introduced and debated and where the process of candidate endorsement begins—especially significant this cycle, with several open seats and other districts where competitive endorsement contests are expected.

 

We know from experience what happens when Jews—and our allies—are not in the room when decisions are made. We encourage you to attend your precinct caucus and bring your family, friends, and neighbors. To find your caucus location and additional details, please use Secretary of State Steve Simon’s precinct caucus information page. 

 

Relatedly, as we did in 2024, JCRC will be setting up meetings with state legislators in the run-up to the 2026 legislative session. Please watch for an email shortly with details on how you can participate.

 

Returning to the arson attack on Beth Israel Congregation: synagogue leaders report that the response from their neighbors—and from the broader Jackson community—has been tremendous. Still, we know that additional support will be appreciated as they rebuild. Please consider contributing to their recovery and restoration efforts. 

 

The Jewish people are not okay. But we are not powerless. We will keep showing up—for each other, for our neighbors, and for the values that allow all communities to live without fear. There is more than enough light. Our task is to keep lighting it.