COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The Resilience & Unity Ceremony held by the Columbia Jewish Federation, Chabad of South Carolina, and Beth Shalom Synagogue on Monday night shined a light on the fight against antisemitism. Marking one year since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led Terrorist attacks, dozens reflected on the carnage from 2023, paying respects to those who died, and those still being held hostage.

“We will continue to stand for what’s right no matter how many hateful people scream hateful things against us,” said longtime broadcaster and journalist Josh Levs. “No matter how many people attack us, no matter what horrors they inflict on us, no matter what price we pay, we will continue to stand for the right to be this beautiful thing that we are for the world.”

This was a big part of Levs' message that he expressed at Monday night’s ceremony.

He strives to tell the truth based on seeing antisemitism the Jewish community has received over the years, and especially since the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in October 2023.

“There are a lot of ignorant people who parrot talking points from terrorist groups and they really don’t know that what it means to be Jewish,” Levs said. “Any opportunity I have to talk about the beautiful truth of what it means to be Jewish, I take that opportunity.”

Data from the Anti-Defamation League shows an increase in antisemitic incidents around the country over roughly the last decade jumping from 751 in 2013, to 3,697 in 2022.

The data from the preliminary three-month tally following Oct. 7, 2023, also shows there was an average of nearly 34 antisemitic incidents nationwide per day, and was higher than any total from every previous year except 2022.

More data from ADL shows the total for 2023 ended with 8,873 incidents, a 140% increase from 2022.

“Innocent people being murdered is a terrible thing, have somehow been contextualized. Antisemitism in a certain context is acceptable on campuses around this country,” Rabbi Epstein said. “Somehow, we have wondered into an Alice in Wonderland type of world.”

Rabbi Epstein has seen this hate across the country, and even in the Midlands. Since the attacks have occurred, he’s had to upgrade security at events he’s hosted and been a part of.

He said people saying the names of the hostages and talking about the events that unfolded helps people learn from what happened and move forward.

“It’s so important to continue to talk about it,” Rabbi Epstein said. “Show the videos and unless we remind ourselves and the world about it, it could be forgotten.”

The first thing he said to the Jewish community and its supporters in moving forward is to stand up to hate and stand proudly.

“Recommit ourselves to being proud of who we are, living Jewishly, unafraid,” Epstein said.

He also urged people to support each other, and to not be fooled by hate.

“We should not be fooled by a small but vocal group of people who are saying terrible things [and] rehashing antisemitic tropes,” Epstein said. “We [also] have to remember that we have good friends.”

The ceremony was held at Beth Shalom Synagogue. People can learn more about The Chabad of South Carolina , Beth Shalom Synagogue , and the Columbia Jewish Federation and how to help support them in combatting antisemitism online.

Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter , and download our apps . Have feedback that can help us improve? .