A Dec. 12 Baltimore Hebrew Congregation event with Israeli nonprofit Standing Together drew controversy as some community members led an effort encouraging the program to be cancelled over accusations of the two invited speakers engaging in anti-Israel rhetoric.
The event went on as planned, despite a letter organized by the Baltimore Zionist District on the morning of the event. Attendees heard from two Israeli speakers discussing their experiences living in Israel and their goals to work towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Before and for several days after the event, BHC staff received a large volume of communications about the event, which they said were often hateful and distracting to their work serving congregants.
“20 BHC staff members, most of whom had no direct involvement with the program, have received more than 5,000 emails, voicemails and social media comments filled with insults and attacks. The venom on display in no way matched the hopeful messages of the speakers,” BHC wrote in a Dec. 17 statement.
Comments were heavily critical of the congregation, some calling the event “disgraceful,” others asking if Qatar was funding the synagogue, and one that referred to BHC as Baltimore Hamas Congregation.
On Dec. 15, BZD Executive Director Caren Leven wrote an opinion piece about the event, saying that it left her and others feeling “betrayed” and that the reputation of BHC was damaged.
Baltimore Hebrew said that the event was there to promote dialogue and showcase perspectives that congregants may not have heard before, all in the name of promoting peace.
The Dec. 17 statement to the community reiterated the extensive support the synagogue has given to Israel and Jews locally throughout the war and spikes of antisemitism, adding that the synagogue would continue to foster dialogue and “make the community proud.”
“We are deeply grateful to the many members of BHC and the broader Baltimore Jewish community — including synagogues and organizations — who have supported this program and expressed appreciation for its value, whether or not you agree with the content,” BHC wrote.
