Earlier this week, our community was hit with several horrific antisemitic graffiti incidents – including neo-Nazi and white nationalist symbols – near the Trolley Trail in Bethesda and along Tuckerman Lane. In addition to the vitriolic phrases of “White Power” and “Defend Bethesda," there was a deeply disturbing image depicting three dead figures hanging from gallows with the phrase, “No Mercy for Jews.” I am thankful for the Montgomery County Police who immediately responded and are continuing to investigate and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation who cleaned it up the same day in order to limit the number of community members subjected to such threatening and hateful images.

Unfortunately, these are just the latest in an alarming rise in antisemitic incidents across our county and throughout the country. This is the second similar antisemitic incident at this very site at the Bethesda Trolley Trail, near Wildwood Manor, in just the last few months. Antisemitism is undeniably on a deeply disturbing rise. Here in our inclusive, welcoming community, 85 percent of religious bias incidents target Jews, despite making up 10 percent of the population. From 2019 to 2021, reported antisemitic incidents in Maryland rose a staggering 175 percent. Parents have shared that they are considering pulling their children out of Jewish Day Schools for fear of being a target. Children report being afraid to openly identify as Jewish, even in Montgomery County. That’s why I introduced a resolution in July which was ultimately approved unanimously by the County Council to address and combat antisemitism. It’s also why I’ve worked with the Executive Branch, Council colleagues, the Jewish Community Relations Council, among other stakeholders in recent years to secure security grants for faith-based and ethnic non-profits at higher risk of experiencing hate crimes. 

We will not accept or tolerate anti-Jewish hatred in our community and will not allow antisemitism in any of its forms to be normalized, nor shall we become desensitized. We must continue to condemn all forms of hatred and bigotry and come together to make clear that: Hate has no place here.

These are dark and painful times; we have much work to do. But with a county government firmly committed to standing up to hate and a community of residents that overwhelmingly values inclusion and understanding, I know we will overcome this challenging moment. Together, we will condemn these hateful acts and continue to be a light and a model for other communities throughout the country.

In-Person Community Conversation

on November 30th:

With Attendance from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the Anti-Defamation League Regional Office, and Montgomery County Police 

Click the image for directions to this In-Person Community Conversation with Councilmember Friedson, Jewish Community Leaders, and Montgomery County Police.

Please join us for a Community Conversation on November 30th from 7 - 8:30 pm in Davis Library. Given the rise of antisemitic events, representatives from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the Anti-Defamation League Regional Offices, and Montgomery County Police will be in attendance should community members have questions related to the Jewish community and antisemitic-related incidents. We will continue to welcome general District One related questions and I will still give an overview of what Montgomery County Council is currently working on. 

Please RSVP for our event, and feel free to submit your questions and concerns beforehand. As always, I am thankful that so many residents take the time to share their issues and thoughts with our office and we hope you will continue to communicate with us as they come up. If you have an urgent request, you can reach us by emailing us at councilmember.friedson@montgomerycountymd.gov and calling us at (240) 777-7828.

Constituent Services

I encourage residents to continue to engage with my office on issues of importance to our community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our small but mighty team works to respond to your inquiries. Please continue to engage with us by email, visiting our website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, and subscribing to our newsletter.