The struggle against Antisemitism will fail if it remains a “Jewish Struggle”.

In the last thirty years, I have spoken during the Holocaust Memorial Day at different ceremonies worldwide. In every speech, I reminded people that the Holocaust is a crime against Jews but it is not only a Jewish story. The Holocaust was a crime against humanity and therefore it is the story of all of us. Today I think that the struggle against Antisemitism will fail if it remains only a “Jewish struggle”.

If the history of the last 2000 years taught us something, it is that the treatment of Jews is an indicator of the stability of society. One of the first signs that something awful is going to happen in a certain country is that Jews start leaving. We also know that Antisemitism rises when societies are under stress and disorientation

Therefore, we all should be concerned about the recent rise in antisemitism and only the Jews. If we are concerned for our world and our society and if we dream about a better future for our kids, we should join the fight against this lingering form of racism and hate.

Those of us who had the opportunity to live with Jews or among them and those who learned how the Jewish moral values that influenced all of humanity should tell the story. We should share our experiences and demonstrate to people around the world who are the real Jews that we know and not some invented characters that spread like wildfire in social media.

This change in the way we combat antisemitism should come from the Jewish people too. Sometimes I feel that many Jews are so traumatized from their history to a degree that they find it surprising that people could be supportive of the Jewish people or willing to stand by them. Many decent people will do it because they think it is the right thing to do.

In the last few years, the fight against Antisemitism focused mainly on legislation and legal actions. Those are important because some people will not relent from their antisemitic behavior unless there are legal sanctions. However, education remains our most important tool for change, and in the field of education, we know that showing people is much more effective than telling them.

Recently I declared in different forums that I consider myself the poster child of Jewish philanthropy. When I say that many of my Jewish friends smile and look at me with gratitude. But I feel that I am the one who owes them for their generosity. My private schooling in the Leo Baeck School, my BBYO youth club in the village, and my Harvard graduate degree as a Wexner Fellow were paid for by Jews who did not know me but supported me anyway.

I am not a rare case. Lately, we have heard about the most generous donations ever made worldwide. Dr. Ruth Gottesman has donated $1 billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine—ensuring free tuition for all students going forward. Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor, contributed $3 billion to support the arts, education, environment, public health, and programs to improve city governments worldwide.

All those for whom this assistance was life-changing must tell the story. They need to become active in the struggle against antisemitism. If we keep silent those who spread lies and misinformation will have the upper hand. The time has come to unite Jews and Gentiles in this important task to educate and demonstrate what we know. We can not leave the Jews alone in this fight. This is the right thing to do because if we fail to stop it, this hatred will consume all of us.