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Skokie Hate Crime

October 30th, 2025

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago, as we marked two years since the most devastating day for Jews since the Holocaust, and as we anxiously awaited the return of the remaining living hostages in Gaza, a hate crime occurred in Skokie.

The investigation is ongoing, but some facts seem clear: A group or four or five Jewish kids – mostly girls, 13-15 years old – approached a group of about 20 non-Jewish peers who were playing basketball court at a local park. The Jewish kids were identifiable as such. The larger group asked the Jewish teens if they were Jewish. They then began taunting them with antisemitic epithets, including “baby-killers.” One or more kids among the larger group possessed a high-velocity “blaster” gun. These are considered “toys,” but they are large and threatening. The Jewish kids tried to get away, but one girl was hit by a gel pellet, bruising her.

A non-lethal act, yes, but sheer antisemitism nonetheless. The Skokie Police Department is investigating the incident as a hate crime. The offending teens must face consequences. Punishment is warranted. But I also hope they learn from this shameful and hateful incident. They should know that, even though there was no serious physical pain, they caused deep pain, nonetheless. They should understand that their act was not merely a single offense against our Jewish youth, but a broad assault upon our American ethos, eloquently enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution and codified into our laws.

A recent column in The Wall Street Journal notes that vast majorities of Americans believe being “truly American” means accepting people of diverse backgrounds as neighbors. Instilling this value in our youth should be our nation’s and our community’s top priority.

But it is not only teenagers who need such an education, for they may have learned prejudice from their elders. As a Chicago Tribune editorial states about this incident, “This is less an indictment on the kids than it is on whoever taught them to think and act this way – the adults.”

All adults – parents, teachers, clergy – must educate our youth properly, guiding them on paths of tolerance, not prejudice. We must emphasize that being American is not fundamentally defined by living within certain geographical borders, but by adhering to certain ethical norms. Being American is not fundamentally about the ability to get ahead, but by the opportunity to get along.

The American ethos should flourish in private homes and in public parks. We must teach this to our children. We must teach them well.

Rabbi Jeffrey Weill 

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