La Jolla summit tackles rise in antisemitism linked to global tensions

Community leaders and residents gathered in La Jolla on Sunday for a summit addressing antisemitism in San Diego, as organizers say global conflicts in the Middle East are having a growing impact locally.

The American Jewish Committee of San Diego hosted its third annual “Standing Together Against Antisemitism” event, drawing about 350 attendees, including a significant number of non-Jewish allies, to focus on education, awareness and community response.

Organizers say tensions abroad are increasingly being felt at home, prompting heightened security measures at Jewish institutions.

“[If you] Go to a Jewish institution, there are layers of security because, and not out of a paranoia, out of a real understanding, a real fear.”

Sara Brown, regional director of the American Jewish Committee, said those precautions come at a cost.

“We have to pay a lot more for security these days,”

Brown said antisemitism tends to rise during certain periods, including times of political tension and unrest in the Middle East. She pointed to the ongoing conflict involving Iran as a contributing factor.

“Often around election cycles, Jewish holidays and when there’s any type of unrest in the Middle East. And unfortunately, right now, we’re seeing with the war against Iran and this very unsteady cease fire, questionable ceasefire and Iran’s aggressive, aggressive tactics.”

An Iranian activist who attended the summit said the conflict is also affecting how Iranians feel their voices are being heard internationally.

“Hopefully this ceasefire is not cutting the Iranian voice because we were just very close to get the all the words were listening to Iranian people.” said Peymaneh Khodayari.

Both speakers emphasized a desire for long-term stability in the region and expressed support for U.S. involvement.

“We want to see a free and thriving Middle East, and we know that Iran is that focal point for so much instability, terror, violence across the entire community.” Brown continued, “So we want to be partners in that. We’ve been very grateful to the United States for decisive action, and we’re hopeful that that we can come to negotiate are going to have to hold firm, but we are hopeful that we can get to a lasting solution.”

Organizers said the summit’s goal is not only to address current concerns but also to build broader community understanding and resilience in the face of rising antisemitism.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.