There Needs to Be Action to Address the Inaction of the Boulder City Council

Our community is not exempt from the bigotry and hatred directed towards Jews.

Boulder has experienced a surge in antisemitism since October 7, 2023. It has impacted our community, especially high school and college students. On the evening of Halloween, hateful antisemitic graffiti was painted on the sidewalks and buildings of CU Boulder. Our City Council has been the target of a bombardment of anti-Israel and anti-Zionist hate directed at specific council members. Frequently, during the City Council meetings’ Open Comment, there are speakers expressing antisemetic views, derailing the meeting and distracting from the discussion of the local issues that face the city. At least one member of the City Council has openly accused other members of being complicit in Genocide. This has led to pain and distress among the local Jewish community.

Sadly, the City Council has done little to address this dramatic rise in bigotry and hate.

Last year, Congregations Bonai Shalom and Har Hashem joined the ADL initiative Kulanu: Synagogues In Action Against Antisemitism to address the hate in our community through education, community engagement and advocacy. When the first incidents of antisemitism appeared at Boulder CU, Kulanu presented a resolution to the City Council that condemned antisemitism anIslamophobia, but unfortunately it was not adopted.

It is time for the Jewish citizens of Boulder to make their voices heard and call out the antisemitism happening in our community. We must encourage respectful discourse and stand up against hate.

Call to Action for City Residents:
Sign up to speak during Open Comment and express our frustration with the lack of action or concern with the rise in antisemitism in our own city. Open Comment occurs on the first and third Thursday of every month. The sign-up form to speak at open comment is available at 8 a.m. on the Friday prior to the meeting and closes at 2 p.m. on the Wednesday before the meeting. More information is available at https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/participate-city-council-meetings
Ask the City Council to adopt an antisemitism resolution.

You can contact Kulanu Boulder with comments and questions at kulanuboulder@gmail.com.