FBI’s hate crime tally reveals plenty of racism, anti-Semitism
Jews make up only around 2 percent of America’s population. Yet, according to the FBI’s 2005 statistics, 69 percent of religiously motivated hate crimes were committed against Jews.
According to Tami Holzman, regional assistant director of the Anti-Defamation League, stats like this prove the ADL still has a raison d’être.
“Religion is still a factor,” she said. “There are still people motivated by hatred of Judaism, Islam and Christianity.”
In California, 1,379 hate crimes were reported to the FBI by local law-enforcement agencies, a roughly similar tally to last year’s. Of those, 680 were racially motivated and 205 religiously motivated.
San Francisco Police reported 114 with 10 religiously motivated (47 were based on sexual orientation). San Jose reported 32 hate crimes but Oakland only reported three.
Holzman said she doesn’t believe Oakland is a sanctuary of religious and racial tolerance but figures that, for a bevy or reasons, police are not reporting hate crimes to the FBI.
“It’s not as if these things aren’t happening, but if they’re not being reported we can only assume as to whether they’re being dealt with,” she said.
Calls to Oakland Police Public Information Officer Roland Holmgren were not returned as of press time.
‘Proselytizing’ book remains required reading in San Rafael
A group of parents attempting to have a book they claim denigrates Judaism and glorifies Christianity removed from the San Rafael school district’s required reading list received a setback Thursday, Oct. 26.
A district curriculum advisory committee voted handily to keep “The Bronze Bow,” the fictional tale of a Jewish rebel wowed by the teachings of Jesus, as a book middle school students will read and discuss in class.
A group of mostly Jewish parents, backed by area rabbis, Christian leaders and the Jewish Community Relations Council, had voiced their objections in recent months. Similar efforts had the book removed from required reading lists in Indianapolis.
The advisory committee’s resolution must be ratified by the school board. While the parents group is hoping to delay that vote until December or later, it could potentially be heard at the next school board meeting later this month.
“We are taking it to the school board. We are hoping the school board will be more open to a sincere dialogue on the issues,” said parent Leonard Levy.
Calls to San Rafael school district administrators were not returned as of press time.
Beth Chaim starts to build new home
Ground was broken Oct. 15 for the new permanent home of Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville. Construction of the synagogue will take about eight months, after which a communitywide celebration will be held to dedicate the building.
CopyrightJ, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California