A Passover Message from Cheryl Dorchinsky

For years, I’ve tried to educate others as antisemitism quietly festered beneath the surface in our city—ignored, downplayed, and often dismissed as a fringe concern. Now, as we confront rising hatred once again, it’s clear that history can repeat itself.

The Atlanta Jewish community, for all its vibrancy and strength, has at times chosen comfort over confrontation. We’ve gathered for holidays, fundraisers, and cultural celebrations, but too often we’ve done so without acknowledging the growing threats around us. We underestimated the danger of silence, and as a result, our community has not been prepared for the surge in antisemitic rhetoric, violence, and open hostility we’ve seen, especially since October 7.

There is no longer room for denial. From hate-filled protests to antisemitic incidents in our schools, workplaces, and even houses of worship, the warning signs are flashing in bold red letters. Yet, the response from many within the community has been tepid at best. The danger of inaction is now impossible to ignore.

This isn’t just about reacting to a crisis. It’s about building a proactive, united front that educates, advocates, and speaks out consistently—not just when it’s convenient or headline-worthy. For too long, many leaders and institutions have treated antisemitism as someone else’s problem. But history has shown us what happens when good people stay quiet. Our texts remind us of the Jews who did not want to leave Egypt. I think of those Jews when I see “not in our name” individuals siding with those who harbor hate for our community. Nothing good happened to the Jews who did not leave Egypt. We need to seek freedom and no longer wait for others to lead. This is our time.

Now is the time to shift our priorities—to support those already doing the work, to engage younger generations, to build bridges with allies, and to no longer shy away from calling out antisemitism wherever it shows up. We must invest in real education, in programs that build Jewish pride and resilience, and in standing visibly with Israel and our people.

Let Atlanta be the community that learns from the past, not one that repeats it. We still have the power to change the course of our future—but only if we’re finally ready to face the uncomfortable truth and take meaningful action.

L’shana haba’ah b’Yerushalayim.

Cheryl Dorchinsky is Founding Executive Director of Atlanta Israel Coalition.