A couple weeks ago, Vladimir Putin made a dangerous and false statement claiming that “the Jews” may have been responsible for interfering with the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Although the world right now seems completely backward, and atrocities seem to be occurring regularly, Putin’s attempt to scapegoat the Jewish people frightened me.

It’s only been two weeks since, but this example of antisemitism is already being shoved aside to make room for other headlines. Some may claim Putin’s comment is an outlier, but that’s far from the truth. If you remember what happened after the election, images of vandalized tombstones may come to mind or perhaps of people drawing swastikas all over the country and on synagogues—even in Chicago.

Furthermore, the Anti-Defamation League reported that 2017 had the second highest number of antisemitic incidents since the organization started recording them.

As someone who identifies as ethnically and culturally Jewish, this rise in antisemitism somewhat validates a lot of the paranoia I have regarding my Jewish identity. Growing up, I would sometimes have nightmares about Hitler’s Gestapo March, and his ability to kill millions of people who shared my faith and ethnicity. Since then, the Jewish people have reiterated the phrase “Never Again,” meaning the level of antisemitism that fueled the Holocaust must never occur again.

But with the recent rise in anti semitism displayed  not just by the President of the Russian Federation but by people in the United States, I feel as though this statement is being forgotten–especially since the number of Holocaust survivors is dwindling.

As I evaluate the safety of the Jewish people, I also become conflicted regarding my stance on Israel.  I believe that Israel was founded so that there may always be a safe haven for Jews across the globe. For example, if antisemitism were to become so toxic in a country that Jews no longer felt it was safe to live there—which is happening now in some countries—they would have somewhere to go.  This makes sense.

That being said, I strongly disagree with what the Israeli government is doing to Palestinians. They are treating them like second-class human beings, taking away their homes, forcing them to go through ridiculous checkpoints, and in other ways dehumanizing them.

I’m truly baffled how a people that have been continually oppressed can now be so oppressing others. I really wish that there would be a two-state solution, but that probably isn’t realistic as of now, and if there is one in the near future, it most likely won’t be a sustainable one.

As for antisemitism, I still feel as though people in this country don’t understand. Someone will simply point to the average income of a Jewish household in the US and say, “Jews aren’t discriminated against. How can they possess such high socioeconomic statuses if they are victims of discrimination?”

In response, I’d point to events throughout history where Jews were publicly slaughtered in front of crowds, and no one even batted an eye.

Another misunderstanding people might have is that all Jews have assimilated into society. But if you walk through certain neighborhoods in Brooklyn or any orthodox Jewish neighborhood across the country, you will see little kids running around wearing yarmulkes and payot (sidelocks).

For a while, I believed that all Jews should shed traditions that cause them to be viewed as outcasts because it would make them less vulnerable to antisemites and prevent them from being targeted if a round-up were to ever occur again—which I know is unlikely.

But I see now that one should not have to conceal one’s religion from the public.  That would infringe upon the right to freedom of religion. If everyone were forced to practice their religion within their homes or otherwise invisibly and privately, then most religions would cease to exist as they are.

I’m not exactly sure what type of action should be taken to ensure Parker creates a comfortable environment for its Jewish students. For starters, I think a Jewish affinity group should probably exist at Parker, which might sound ridiculous given that Parker is 40% Jewish, but I think it is necessary–or maybe I’m the only one paranoid about antisemitism.  Maybe my fears are irrational.  But that seems unlikely.