During the 11:30 a.m. Mass, Father Michael Lynch dedicated his homily to Stand Up Sunday, saying, “It is not okay that Catholic churches are bombed, that mosques are burned, that temples are defaced. It is not okay that people are chased down and beaten because they are different from their oppressor. It is not okay to witness these rising attacks on so many different levels and to sit or stand and do nothing.”
“It is important to know that in the face of hatred, in the face of antisemitism, in the face of religious bigotry, we have an opportunity and an obligation to stand up. Love one another, as Jesus taught us,” continued Father Michael Lynch, pastor of St. Athanasius-St. Dominic’s Parish and Vicar for Ecumenical Affairs and Interreligious Activities for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism’s Blue Square lapel pins, the universal symbol of unity in the fight against Jewish hate and all hate, were distributed to attendees to wear as a visible display of solidarity across faiths.
Stand Up Sunday is connected to the Appeal of Conscience Foundation’s Respect the Other campaign. Since 2001, the ACF has been addressing the alarming rise of attacks against houses of worship, underscoring the enduring importance of its mission to embrace a philosophy of mutual respect and religious freedom. That by standing up for one another’s differences, we not only strengthen our own but also all faith values and beliefs.
This multi-faith event comes at a pivotal moment: attacks on religious institutions and people of faith have surged at alarming rates across the U.S. in churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other houses of worship. Since 2021, the number of religious-based hate crimes has doubled, drawing the attention of the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, which now classify such attacks as a form of terrorism. This shift reflects a disturbing climate where faith communities must prioritize protection over purpose. The FBI’s 2024 crime statistics show a record high number of hate crimes against Jewish people, accounting for nearly 70 percent of all religious-based hate crimes. According to this latest data, more than five anti-Jewish hate crimes are committed each day, including terror attacks, assault, vandalism, harassment, burglary, false bomb threats, and more.
According to FCAS’ proprietary research, antisemitic attitudes are now held by 25% of the population – an increase of 26 million people in just 18 months. Despite this rise, nearly half of Americans are considered “unengaged” on the issue of antisemitism.
About the Appeal of Conscience Foundation
Founded in 1965 by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF) has worked worldwide on behalf of religious freedom and human rights. This interfaith coalition of business and religious leaders remains at the forefront of promoting mutual understanding and interreligious cooperation, standing against voices that spread bias, hatred, and division. The Foundation believes that to heal our wounded world, we must emerge as a united human family, seeking improvement by advancing peaceful coexistence and “Respect the Other.”
About the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism
The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) was founded by Robert Kraft in 2019 to stand up to Jewish hate and all hate by inspiring Americans to become active allies in the fight. FCAS looks to reach the nearly 50% Americans who are unengaged in the fight against hate and inspire them to stand up to it. In 2023, FCAS established the Blue Square as the universal symbol of unity in combating hate, allowing all allies to wear and share their support.
