Clashes over how to address rising antisemitism rocked Chicago politics this week as a group of Jewish leaders flatly rejected an invitation to discuss the issue with Mayor Brandon Johnson. Leading figures, including Ald. Debra Silverstein openly criticized the mayor for what they perceived as insufficient support for the Jewish community.
In a sharp rebuttal to the overture extended by Johnson's office for a roundtable meeting, Silverstein, together with State Senator Sara Feigenholtz and State Representative Bob Morgan, issued a letter to the mayor. "Before calling for a roundtable on antisemitism a true leader should begin by demonstrating a modicum of empathy for the Jewish community," the letter read, obtained by WLS Chicago.
This comes amidst incidents of antisemitic flyers found in Lincoln Park and Bucktown, intensifying the urgency of the discussion. Despite the absence of the aforementioned leaders, the forum proceeded with other elected officials and community figures delving into strategies to stem the tide of bigotry.
"[And] to not come into a meeting with an answer, but rather begin the conversation about how we can do this better together," said Marty Levine, a retired CEO of Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, in a statement obtained by the Sun-Times. Despite the intent to foster a united front, the boycotted roundtable highlighted deeper rifts, including differences over the city's stance on the war in Gaza.
Silverstein's office is meanwhile eyeing tangible measures, with a scheduled meeting alongside the Anti-Defamation League and other alderpersons to assess recent antisemitic incidents. "We need to start tracking hate incidents because these incidents are precursors to crime," Silverstein told the Sun-Times, emphasizing action over dialogue.
The forum was not without its supporters. State Sen. Robert Peters, who was in attendance, highlighted the diversity of the participants and stressed the importance of wide-ranging perspectives. He and others present at the meeting called for education and restorative justice as key paths to combatting hate.
