The recent surge of antisemitic rhetoric in our county’s political discourse demands our immediate attention and response. What makes this particularly disturbing is the source of these attacks. Just as in the past, when the KKK marched down the main streets of Grants Pass with prominent community members hiding beneath those white hoods and robes – including law enforcement, local government officials, and business owners – today’s antisemitism is coming from equally prominent positions in our community.
Our History of Religious Discrimination
Let me provide some historical context: The KKK in Southern Oregon primarily targeted religious groups, particularly Jews and Catholics, because there were very few African Americans in our region. While they claimed to support Protestant Christianity, they opposed Catholicism and any faith they considered to be the “other.” There were even night raids conducted by the KKK in Southern Oregon against some residents. Most shocking to many might be learning that the KKK continued to march in local parades until the 1970s – in what would later become the predecessor to our “Boatnik” celebration.
Today’s Antisemitism: Same Hatred, New Faces
The parallel to today is unmistakable. Our Jewish community is being targeted by:
– The local Republican Party
– Its officers (Holli Morton and Candy Kaiser)
– A county commissioner-elect (Chris Barnett)
– A local newspaper (The Oregon Eagle)
– Outspoken community members including Mike Pelfrey and his wife
These attacks have specifically targeted our community’s only Jewish rabbi through attempts to silence, intimidate, and assault him verbally. The incidents are numerous:
– He’s been called a “Satan worshipper,” “fake rabbi,” “fake everything,” and “a sick man” by prominent Republican party members
– Chris Barnett told him he needed to “pray, talk to Jesus to heal” which to a Jewish rabbi is clearly antisemitic from the incoming county commissioner
– Mike Pelfrey sent him a video promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories claiming Israel was founded by “blatant Satanists”
– At a Republican political meeting with crosses prominently displayed, he was told to “convert to Christianity” by an attendee and party member
– Candy Kaiser, the Republican Party’s communications chair, has launched repeated social media attacks on him to try to silence him by name-calling (“sick man, old geezer” etc.)
– Holli Morton, the Republican Party chair, sent him an email personally attacking him by name-calling while praising the raging antisemite Mike Pelfrey as someone she “admired”
– John West supporting the antisemite Mike Pelfrey using local county commissioner decisions
– Richard Emmons, editor of The Oregon Eagle, suggested we should eliminate the term “Judeo-Christian values” in favor of only “Christian values” and that religious freedom originally meant different kinds of Christianity (which is not true)
The Escalation
The situation has worsened since the election of extreme Republicans to city and county offices. One of the most egregious examples comes from incoming county commissioner Chris Barnett, who told our county’s only Jewish rabbi that he needed to “pray, talk to Jesus for healing.” When confronted about the antisemitic nature of this comment, Barnett’s response was a laughing emoji. No apology, no explanation – just mockery.
This is unacceptable behavior from someone elected to one of our highest political offices. For the next four years, our Jewish community will have to be in fear about what other attacks might come from a commissioner who has already demonstrated such clear bias. It creates a hostile environment for all Jews in the county with his election.
Recent Confrontations
The antisemitism has even moved into physical spaces. Recently at Weekend Brewing Company, Mike Pelfrey, who was with Republican Party chair Holli Morton, confronted the rabbi in person, calling him a “fake rabbi.” Pelfrey’s wife joined in, yelling similar accusations at him. Following this incident, Pelfrey sent the rabbi a video promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories about Jews trying to “enslave the world” and making false claims about the October 7th attack being “created” by Israel.
What’s particularly troubling is that Pelfrey continues to enjoy the support and respect of Republican leaders like John West and Chris Barnett publicly. Their silence in the face of his obvious antisemitism makes them complicit in promoting this hatred in our county.
Taking Action
It’s crucial to understand that promoting antisemitism anywhere in Oregon is against the law. Our state has Hate and Bias Crime statutes, and individuals who promote hate against Jews can be prosecuted. The rabbi has already contacted the Oregon State Attorney General’s office to report these incidents and plans to involve the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and local law enforcement.
This return to the religious discrimination that is similar to the KKK’s discrimination must stop. Antisemitism is pure hatred of others and has historically caused some of the worst atrocities in human history including the Holocaust and recently, October 7th in Israel. We encourage all good Christians and others to support the efforts of the rabbi and the Jewish people here in the county to fight against antisemitism.
There is no more important political issue that good people in Josephine County can become involved in to improve human relations for everyone in the county.
