Don’t let fear take away pride during Jewish American Heritage Month | Opinion

If you don’t believe antisemitism is a problem in the U.S., then ask a Jewish friend, colleague or neighbor how they feel. There’s a good chance fear and anxiety will be part of the conversation.

If that wasn’t what you’d have expected, consider data from American Jewish Committee’s “State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report,” which found nearly six in 10 American Jews in Florida say antisemitism is a very serious problem in this country.

More troubling, 64% of American Jews in Florida altered their behavior out of fear of antisemitism — such as not wearing a yarmulke or Star of David in public or posting their views about Israel — in 2025. That’s even more alarming when you consider that just 38% reported changing their behavior just four years ago.

However, the focus should not be just on fear. The American Jewish story also features resilience in the face of hatred. It is a story of deep gratitude for being able to live in a country that, despite its imperfections, has offered the ability to build, contribute and belong in ways that were impossible for much of Jewish history.

As we mark Jewish American Heritage Month in May, that especially matters now.

Jewish families in South Florida helped shape Miami’s cultural and civic landscape, building institutions that serve not just one community but everyone. From education to the arts to social services, their contributions are woven into the fabric of the region.

As important, Jewish organizations have consistently extended their reach partnering across lines of faith and background to address poverty, expand opportunity and strengthen civil society. It reflects an understanding that the safety of any one group is tied to the health of the broader society.

The AJC report found 71% of American Jews in Florida say Jews in the U.S. are less secure than a year ago, compared to 37% in 2021. But those figures do not reflect an isolated problem. They should be taken as warning signs.

Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem. It is one we must all work to solve, for if the Jewish community cannot be protected, our very democracy is imperiled. The hate that may begin with Jews inevitably spreads to other ethnic groups and faiths.

Defending religious freedom for all and rejecting efforts to divide people along lines of identity for political or social gain are not lofty ideals. They are all but essential if our society is to properly function.

We have been fortunate that the South Florida Jewish community, some 300,000 in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, has not seen the same level of violent antisemitic acts that have plagued other parts of the country. Although there are certainly incidents here, they are taken seriously and dealt with quickly and firmly by our local law enforcement and elected officials.

But even strong leadership cannot guarantee our safety. That is why synagogues and other Jewish institutions now have armed guards, metal detectors and bulletproof glass as common features. It’s a lamentable and expensive way of meeting the moment.

The Jewish community clearly understands both the fragility of freedom and its extraordinary value. That perspective carries a responsibility not just to advocate for one’s own safety, but to preserve the system that makes that safety possible.

Jewish American Heritage Month is a time when we can remember what has made the U.S. a place where Jews have been able to flourish and, by extension, have enabled other, once-marginalized groups to do the same. These achievements are not accidental. They are the result of shared commitments that must be renewed, generation after generation.

The challenges are real. But so is the strength of a country and a people rooted in values worth protecting.

Brian Siegal is director of the American Jewish Committee Miami-Broward regional office.