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- Mar 19, 2019
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Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf is using his voice and his platform to stand strongly against antisemitism.
Thursday, May 27, marked the Day of Action Against Antisemitism, a day of solidarity in condemning antisemitic incidents in the United States, as well as around the world.
Newsweek recently highlighted Wilf's participation as a noted speaker at the virtual rally that included the support of The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), as well as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), American Jewish Committee and other organizations. According to Newsweek, at least 30 total speakers "from various religions and cultures" called out antisemitism in America.
Wilf – who was in Israel during the event – is currently Chair of the Board of Trustees of The Jewish Federations of North America, which represents 146 independent Jewish communities and a wide network of smaller communities.
Newsweek's Emma Mayer wrote:
[Wilf] highlighted the purpose of the Day of Action: "The day is to make sure that people understand that antisemitism and discrimination are unacceptable in American society."
"Antisemitism has been around for millennia," Wilf told Mayer. "And what's concerning here is over the past few weeks, it's become much more brazen and accelerated because of social media."
Mayer pointed out that according to the ADL, antisemitic incidents in the U.S. have increased by a staggering 75 percent in the past two-plus weeks, and Wilf feels a "personal responsibility" to join the fight against hatred.
"My parents were Holocaust survivors, and they grew in Europe where antisemitism and lack of understanding led to horrible consequences," Wilf told Mayer.
"This event is a response to the uptick of antisemitic behavior," he added.
Speakers streamed one after the other in the virtual rally on Thursday, each urging people to be strong and stand in solidarity and calling them to continue fighting.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy announced new legislation to fight antisemitism: "Our bill will support law enforcement and ensure that the monsters who are attacking Jewish Americans will face swift justice."
As a member of the JFNA, Wilf recently led 22 senior American Jewish leaders on a solidarity mission in Israel to show support in the wake of the Israel and Hamas conflict. The group distributed $300,000 in emergency funds to people affected by missile strikes. Additionally, they met with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other government officials.
"I am proud to be leading a group of 22 leaders from the Federation system on this special solidarity mission in order to assess the situation on the ground and show our unwavering support for Israel and its people," Wilf said via a press release.
Wilf has been a consistent and present supporter of the Vikings Social Justice Committee and of amplifying the team's voices against prejudice and discrimination of all types. He told Newsweek it's crucial that Americans "stand shoulder to shoulder" against antisemitism.
"We need to be strong in the Jewish community, and we need to be strong about standing up against discrimination of any kind," Wilf said.
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