GREENWICH Hate crimes and related incidents more than doubled in Greenwich from two in 2019 to five in 2020, according to data from the Anti-Defamation League.

The trend is roughly consistent with data statewide, which shows an increase from 65 events in Connecticut in 2019 to 128 in 2020.

Of the five reported incidents in Greenwich last year, three were anti-Semitic: swastikas and anti-Jewish slurs were written in a Jewish teachers classroom; a Zoom meeting was interrupted by intruders making vulgar remarks and sharing pornographic images; and New Order, a neo-Nazi group, distributed materials in town that contained swastikas and said Hitler was right.

Rabbi Mitchell Hurvitz of Temple Sholom in Greenwich said anti-Semitic hate was not a new concern for his temple. But in recent years, Hurvitz said he has seen people spreading hateful ideas become more emboldened, apparently because of national discourse.

I think that unfortunately, the climate within the nation has created an incubator to kind of let people who are at the extremes to do things and express things that arent appropriate, Hurvitz said. I dont know that our town has been immune to the national phenomenon.

He said the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic also could have contributed to increased hostility in general.

I think that in times of challenge, fear takes root, Hurvitz said. And the exacerbation of extremes, demagoguery and words that incite ... all of that is challenging. And then the difficulties that COVID-19 brought and the economic challenges and all that extra turbulence definitely exacerbates the problems. We have to be more proactive.

Hurvitz said hate crimes have been increasingly part of the collective conscience, pointing to the 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Va., which featured white supremacist groups and resulted in the death of a counter-protester, and the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting that left 11 dead in what has been called the deadliest attack on a Jewish community in American history.

The Jan. 6 siege on the Capitol reignited existing fears of increased anti-Semitic hate, Hurvitz said.

Some of the crazies that were marching out with anti-Semitic shirts and slogans put people at greater consternation, he said.

And though the other two Greenwich incidents chronicled by the ADL predated the Capitol siege, they were of a similar tone and tenor. Both involved the alt-right group Patriot Front, which in the lead-up to the 2020 presidential election distributed materials bearing slogans such as Reclaim America and America is not for sale.

Hurvitz said he has been impressed with the towns response in the wake of anti-Semitic or related incidents, both from clergy and town leaders. Greenwichs public and private schools have partnered with clergy and the ADL to spearhead educational initiatives on the dangers of anti-Semitism and white supremacy.

One example, Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones said, is the annual Names Day, which she said gives a voice to the targets of bullying and bias; building empathy in the perpetrators; and inspiring and empowering bystanders to become allies against prejudice and bullying.

Discrimination, racism and hateful acts have no place in our schools and in our communities, Jones said. Two components of our mission and vision very directly demonstrate the value we put on educating and preparing our students so that they can: Conduct themselves in an ethical and responsible manner and recognize and respect other cultural contexts and points of view. We build these capabilities in our students in hopes that they will perpetuate the good they see in the world, and recognize and act on what needs to be fixed.

justin.papp@scni.com; @justinjpapp1; 203-842-2586

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Greenwich saw five hate crimes in 2020. Learn to be 'allies against prejudice and bullying,' advocates say. - CT Insider