LANSING, Mich. — Jewish communities across the United States are grappling with the aftermath of a violent attack in Colorado that left 12 demonstrators injured during a rally calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The incident has sparked heightened concern in Mid-Michigan, where residents say it reflects a broader pattern of antisemitic rhetoric and hostility.
Matthew Zivian, a Jewish resident of East Lansing and recent graduate of Michigan State University, described the Jewish population nationwide as “one big connected community,” emphasizing that attacks like the one in Colorado resonate deeply with Jews far beyond the incident’s immediate location.
Zivian noted an increase in antisemitic slogans and language in East Lansing itself, raising fears that violence similar to the Colorado attack could occur locally if such hate speech remains unchallenged. “It’s a trend that we’ve seen all throughout history,” he said. “So when it happens here, it’s horrifying, and terrible, and disgusting, but it’s no shock.”
Members of the Mid-Michigan Jewish community are urging public officials and residents alike to speak out against antisemitic language and behavior. Zivian stressed the importance of listening to Jewish voices when they express discomfort or fear over rising hate. “You need to call out antisemitism when you see it and listen to your Jewish friends who are saying, ‘what I am seeing is making me uncomfortable,’” he said.
Despite the troubling signs, Zivian remains cautiously optimistic that awareness and collective action can help stem the tide of antisemitic violence. “I have no choice but to stay optimistic that, in the future, these acts of violence against the Jewish community will stop,” he said.
As the nation watches closely, Mid-Michigan’s Jewish community calls for unity and vigilance in confronting hate speech before it escalates further.
