I grew up in Wyoming in a town with two Jewish families. We observed the Jewish holidays at home with my paternal grandparents who were quite devout. Antisemitism was present but not overt. My mother luckily escaped Nazi Germany with her family in 1940 while some other relatives died in the concentration camps. I have a strong Jewish identity because of this and despite not marrying a Jewish man, we have raised our twins Jewish. They became b’nai mitzah in 2005 while I personally celebrated in 2008 with help from my children and the community. I am a retired nurse who still volunteers at a free clinic. I am also on the board of the College of Arts and Humanities at Weber State University in Ogden.

I immediately joined Congregation Brith Sholem in 1980 when I moved to Ogden, Utah. We are the oldest continually running synagogue in the state and the only one north of SLC. It took years to feel like a contributing member of the congregation, but once on the board, I was committed. I have been president for the past 5 years and started my 6th year in June. I find it vitally important that our synagogue thrive and survive.

I attended a Faith and Security summit at the Utah Jewish Federation 1 1/2 yrs ago and was immediately struck by the work of the Community Partners Against Hate. I asked Jay Jacobson to talk to the Ogden Interfaith community about this, and I started a group in Ogden. Since then, I have had a close relationship with the FBI, Ogden Police, Weber County Sheriff, the Department of Public Safety, SCN, Ogden’s mayor, and others. The rise of antisemitism after October 2023 has worried our congregation, but we are supported by so many. After SIAC discovered a potential bomb threat in Ogden, the OPD moved quickly to arrest the suspect and alert our synagogue of the threat. The OPD has had an officer on site during our Fri night services to supplement our paid security whenever there has been a threat.

I am active in the Ogden interfaith community and serve on its executive board. I feel that to combat antisemitism and hate, we must be visible in the community to promote understanding. I have invited the group to the synagogue, and we invite the public to events sponsored by the synagogue. We celebrated our 100 Anniversary in 2021 and displayed our history at Union Station in Ogden.

I am honored to be at this summit and learn from everyone here.

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