'We Will Not Tolerate Antisemitism In Northbrook': Village President

NORTHBROOK, IL — Noting a series of recent acts of antisemitic vandalism in and near the Northbrook community, Village President Kathryn Ciesla "spoke from the heart" prior to Tuesday night's Village Board meeting.

"I am certain that we as a community can stand united against hate and do our level best to send these scoundrels back under the rocks they've emerged from, giving them no air to exist here in Northbrook," Ciesla said.

Calling the past several days "difficult" for the village, Ciesla addressed several antisemitic acts, including two that occurred in the last week. The first involved a "hijacked" electronic billboard over the Edens Spur that included hate speech messages, discovered on Oct. 16.

The second recent act Ciesla described as "vile antisemitic threats hurled toward our Jewish neighbors" on a vandalized home in Northbrook.

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"I read social media posts where our neighbors talk about not knowing who an ally is," Ciesla said. "Members of our Jewish community cannot be left to feel attacked, abandoned and alone. This is not the Northbrook way to live."

Ciesla referenced the Village Board's adoption of a resolution endorsing the Welcoming and Inclusive Community Pledge in May 2021, adding that hundreds of have taken the pledge over the last three years. Among other things, the pledge states public servants "have an even greater responsibility to speak out against discrimination, xenophobia, and hatred."

Ciesla also mentioned a controversial student entry printed in the Glenbrook South High School yearbook earlier this year that seemingly praised the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. Both the school and Glenbrook High School District 225 condemned the language used.

Last month, following planned protests and an uproar from Jewish members of the community and others, a documentary film about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was shelved from showing at the Northbrook Library. Officials said the cardholder who had scheduled a showing of "Israelism" informed the library "none of this will be happening."

Ciesla said she has talked with a number of local lawmakers in recent weeks with regard to the uptick in antisemitic acts. Ciesla announced a forum is planned "which will demonstrate Northbrook's unequivocal support for our Jewish community." She said a discussion regarding community strategies to combat antisemitism is also in the works.

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