What is #48Jewish? Yes, Twitter. JCC’s Are Being Targeted.
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
By Sam Kestenbaum February 16, 2017
The hashtag #Jewish48 was spreading across the Jewish twittersphere Thursday, a reference to a spate of recent telephone bomb threats delivered to 48 Jewish community centers.
The wave of social media activism comes on the heels of President Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — during which Trump dodged a question about rising American anti-Semitism.
This encounter seems to have sparked a renewed interest in the anti-Semitic threats — and the feeling that they have been underreported.
“’Telephone terrorism’ has rattled 48 Jewish centers,” television host Jake Tapper tweeted and asked: “Is anyone paying attention?”
48 Jewish centers threatened. GET THIS TRENDING! RAISE AWARENESS! Crimes against Jews get too often swept under the rug.
— Kornelius Krach (@HanzoBojaf) February 16, 2017
Some Jews took to Twitter to share their own experiences of anti-Semitism, including a member of one of the community centers targeted.
Our Jewish Comm Center was one of the 48. Mr Trump: fix this problem YOU flamed the fires of. #48Jewish https://t.co/SYXeRW2gfL
— Rick (@RicknShira) February 16, 2017
#48jewish centers received bomb threats. In newportbeach I saw #Nazigraffiti in the bathroom, swastika 88 star of David crossed out scary
— Deb Townes (@deblovesdolphin) February 16, 2017
Email Sam Kestenbaum at [email protected]
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
