Over the past two days, I have posted about the appropriateness of hate crime legislation and about people's concern over anti-Semitism. Today's shooting at Adat Yeshurun Valley Sephardic Orthodox Synagogue in North Hollywood, in which two members were shot at close range, brings together both of those previous posts. And in what some might find surprising, does nothing to alter my previously stated views.
One commenter's observation on my hate crimes post, that I would change my tune if someone spray-painted a swastika on a synagogue and suddenly embrace such legislation, is now demonstrably wrong. This is a whole lot worse than graffiti, and I still resist the rush to label this a hate crime, let alone prosecute it as such. And in this case LA Mayor Villaraigosa is with me.
Villaraigosa cautioned people to go slow and not make claims which cannot be substantiated. He is correct, as he is to have instructed the LAPD to post additional guards at Jewish institutions, just in case. Vigilance is always appropriate. Fear-mongering is not. If this was an act of terrorism, it should be prosecuted as such. But if it was simply an angry young man with a gun, it should be handled as the crime it was. Nothing more and nothing less.
Ironically, the ADL released a study today which shows that anti-Semitism is at an all time low. Barely 12% of those surveyed indicated any hostility to Jews simply because they are Jewish, or express any hostile stereotypes of Jews. In other words, let's try and take "yes" for an answer - at least until we know otherwise.
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Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
I think this shooting was done by one person who was angry for some reason and he saw the shul first and it was close by so he just decided to shot somebody and not worry about religion of the people.
I raise an eyebrow to the report that hate crime(s) against Jews are at an all time low. What criteria/definitions do the ADL use?
I do not intend this question to be argumentative, but can't a hate crime be considered an act of terrorism, or doesn't terrorism include hate crimes?
Thoughtful, considered (and considerate) feedback encouraged.
Rabbi Hirschfield mentioned a recent ADL study showing anti-Semitism at an all time low, with barely 12% of those surveyed indicating any hostility to Jews because their Jewishness or expressing any hostile stereotypes of Jews. If this 12% is supposed to be a representative section of the general population, a percentage which the good Rabbi apparently deems to be a good thing relative to past percentages, then circa 3.6 million mild-to-harsh anti-Semites in the US alone is also a good thing, according to the good Rabbi. At least it’s a lot less than it used to be at one time or another. Of course, one must liberally consider the considerable probability of the shooting at Los Angeles Synagogue as having been a love crime. There are those to love to hate, and those who love to shoot at those whom they would love. Who knows?
In the light of my approximately 10% error of late and in need of a more accurate remedy, I append the following : It is not circa 3.6 million but circa 36.7 million mild-to-harsh anti-Semites in the US alone whom American Jews have little to worry about. Thus, as if peering thru a microscopic lens with ten times resolution of a magnifying glass, all is made clearer to the critical eye in love.
That's bad incident for las angeles that crime is rising in their city.This week also Shooting is done at Los Angeles and two men were shoot from close range.
cartucho r4i
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