On Wednesday, May 29 at 7 p.m., the community is invited to join the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Community Board of Akron (JCBA) for a special presentation of “When Hate Goes Mainstream,” featuring Akron native Cynthia M. Deitle.

Deitle retired as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2017 after serving for 22 years specializing in the fields of police brutality, hate crimes, public corruption, and community outreach. Currently, she is the Programs and Operations Director for the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Deitle will share the story of Matthew Shepard and how his parents successfully fought for changes in federal hate crimes laws ten years ago and how they continue to advocate for inclusion for all minority and vulnerable populations. 

Deitle will also share information about the reported increase in bias crimes in our country, the threat posed by violent white supremacists and how communities can join together to protect themselves and each other and combat divisive rhetoric that threatens to fracture our democracy. A 30-minute question and answer session will follow her presentation.

The JCRC is sponsoring the May 29 community event. Under JCBA, the JCRC convenes important voices in both the Jewish community and politicos through programs open to the general community.

“Over the past two years, we have experienced an escalating wave of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and homophobia in the United States. Horrific acts of hatred and violence have instilled not only fear in the Jewish community but also many other communities such as the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh, the Islamic Mosques in New Zealand and numerous school shootings,” said Ron Lederman, JCRC Director.

“As a Jewish community, we fight anti-Semitism not only to protect ourselves but to protect the lives of every person who lives among us and alongside us, Jew and non-Jew. Hate is not about the identity of the victims, but the motivation of the perpetrators. That hatred, once unleashed, knows no bounds,” said Lederman.

This presentation will take place at the Schultz Campus for Jewish Life located at 750 White Pond Drive in Akron. The program is free and open to all. RSVP to the JCBA office at 330-869-2424 or email sgalat@jewishakron.org by May 24.