After Tragedy: Supporting Jewish Friends in Uncertain Times

Betty Brandt • May 23, 2025

Speaking Up for Jewish Safety in a Divided World

You are, no doubt, as horrified as I am by the brutal murders of two young Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, as they left a Jewish diplomatic reception in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 21. The person who has admitted to killing them seems to be motivated by his opposition to the war in Gaza. These murders reminded me of a program I attended a few weeks ago about the “State of Antisemitism in Indiana.” This was a program offered by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Jewish Community Center. I had my eyes opened to the enormous rise in reported antisemitic actions in 2023 and 2024. Much of the increase stems from responses to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza. The speaker from the ADL clarified that criticism of the war in Gaza does not equate to antisemitism.


How is antisemitism commonly defined? “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” Some of the reported incidents in Indiana were vandalism of property with the use of swastikas. Other incidents involved the distribution of antisemitic fliers in Carmel and Fishers. There were no physical assaults reported. To protect the safety of their members, the JCC and the synagogues have hired security teams. 


Jewish communities are deeply concerned about verbal attacks on children from grade school to college. I am aware of an unfortunate incident at the Smokey Row Elementary School in Carmel on March 7, 2025. The school held their annual international festival and one booth had content that stated “the children of Israel have always been a difficult nation” and asked “Did the Jews kill Issa (Jesus)?” This references a centuries-old belief that is at the root of Christian anti-semitism––something wholly inappropriate for a public grade school event.


After the murders this week, I wonder what I can do. My first thought is to make sure that the Christians I know are aware that our Jewish siblings are feeling unsafe and under attack. That’s the purpose of this blog. My second thought is to bring the subject up with my Jewish friends. I would like to know if they feel unsafe as they go about their everyday activities. Are their children and grandchildren being harassed at school? What about all the attention by the Trump administration on protests on college campuses and the accusation that colleges and universities aren’t doing enough to keep their Jewish students safe? Is this really supportive of Jewish students or is it using Jewish students to attack the universities? What about people who are being deported because they speak out against the war in Gaza? I want my Jewish friends to know I am interested in their well-being and the well-being of their families and friends. I can’t prevent the attacks but I can link arms with my Jewish friends to a promote a safe, healthy community. You can, too!


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Resources to Address and Challenge Anti-Semitism from the Anti-Defamation League


Teaching Materials on Anti-Semitism and Racism from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum


Important note: In researching educational resources to accompany this post from Betty, I found a link to a page from Indiana University offering information about anti-semitism. However, when I tried to visit the page, I discovered it no longer exists. IU has removed all reference to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) because, at Trump's direction, the U.S. Department of Education issued directives warning that schools must eliminate DEI initiatives or risk losing federal financial assistance.

–Matthew Vire

Director of Communications for The Garden

Learning from the Mystics: A Pure Heart

By Rev. Dr. Brenda Freije • August 18, 2026
What if Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God,” are not about who gets to see God someday, but an invitation to learn how to see God now? The great Christian mystics believed that the heart is more than the center of our emotions. It is an “organ of spiritual perception,” a way of seeing beneath the surface of things into the deeper reality of God’s presence. Richard Rohr says this is what mysticism is really about. Mystics are not spiritual elites who have strange or extraordinary experiences. They are people who have learned to go beneath the surface and discover the “connected core of reality.” The result is not simply a different experience of God; it is a different way of seeing everything. They begin to see grace in all things and the deep connections between all things—seeing a neighbor instead of a stranger, a human being instead of an enemy, sacred creation instead of commodities, connection instead of separation, and Divine Presence where we previously assumed God was absent. And that gives us perhaps the most important test of genuine mystical spirituality: Are we becoming more loving? The goal of contemplative practice is not extraordinary spiritual experiences. Its fruit is a growing capacity for compassion, generosity, freedom, and love—a different way of being in the world. Let's explore what Jesus might mean by a “pure heart,” what keeps us from seeing clearly, how learning from the mystics and their practices can help us awaken to a God who may be much closer than we realize, and how all of this might enable us to act in the world with greater peace, hope, and clarity.

Mother Love, Mother Loss

By Joy Dyer, MSW, LCSW • August 10, 2026
The relationship we have with our mothers is one of the most meaningful in our lives. Sometimes sweet, sometimes difficult…or worse…but always full of complexity. And researchers have determined that this most significant of relationships actually begins in the womb. It’s the template where we first learn about love, whether we were fortunate to have loving mothers, or mothers who sadly were unable to love us as we needed and deserved. This primal, intense relationship continues throughout our lives, influencing and shaping who we become and how we relate to others as we journey through on our own paths. Is it any wonder then that the death of our mothers is one of the most impactful losses that we will experience? And yet, even after her death, it’s possible to have a continuing conversation and relationship with her…with her gifts and her flaws…that allows for connection and the possibility of repair and forgiveness. This Sunday, please join us as we explore the joys, sorrows, and possibilities of the eternal bond between mother and child. Joy Dyer, MSW, LCSW, brings 37 years of clinical social work experience, including work in end-of-life care and advanced bereavement training. She specializes in grief in all its forms. Joy returns to The Garden on Thursday, September 3 for Debunking the Myths of Grief.

It's All Fun & Games

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • August 4, 2026
On the Importance of Play

Joyspan

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 29, 2026
Sometimes, joy is the last thing on the list. Bills pile up, plans fall through, the news doesn't help — and "just be joyful" can start to feel like one more thing at which we're failing. This Sunday, we're taking a closer look at joy. We're not interested in the fake-it-till-you-make-it or the just-look-on-the-bright-side kind, but something sturdier. Nehemiah 8:10 puts it simply: the joy of the Lord is our strength. It is not a mood, and it is not a performance, but a strength we can lean on. It isn't a denial of pain, sorrow, or other distress, but may offer a path through. Dr. Kerry Burnight makes a related case in her recent book Joyspan — that a good life has less to do with how long we live than with how much joy we let ourselves experience along the way. Join us Sunday as we explore Joy, and what can happen when we open ourselves to it no matter our circumstances.

The Art of Community

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 21, 2026
How does a community fight loneliness? We'll explore our grant-funded work, what's working, and how it echoes the community-building ministry.

The Fine Print: The Bible

By Rev. Dr. Carolyn Scanlan-Holmes • July 13, 2026
As a sacred and revered text, the Bible exerts tremendous influence on our lives. Notwithstanding our constitutional separation of church and state, its impact reverberates through our politics, morality, and spirituality. Yet, while widely respected and treasured, the Bible’s influence—or rather, its interpretation by those with power and resources and the desire to make other people live by their beliefs—has been leveraged to justify slavery, vilify LGBTQ+ people, elevate men over women, and divide rather than unite. This week, we will slow down to look past those historical misuses. Instead, we’ll dig directly into the timeless truths and teachings within the Bible that offer guidance for our faith and inspiration for our daily choices.

Adventures with Moses Day 3

By Lea Ann Koekenberg • July 11, 2026
God Provides, God Protects, God Leads

The Fine Print: The U.S. Constitution

July 6, 2026
Explore the U.S. Constitution's relevance today. Join us for insights on its principles & impact on society.

The Fine Print: The Declaration of Independence

June 29, 2026
We often hear the phrase, "Make sure you read the fine print," as we navigate the complexities of daily life. Whether it's the Constitution, the Bible, or even the manual for our computers, there's a wealth of fine print that tends to be skimmed over, misinterpreted, or entirely overlooked. Yet these details often hold the key to understanding the bigger picture and guiding us through life's challenges. This week, we're excited to launch a three-week series titled "The Fine Print." Over the next few Sundays, we'll take a closer look at some of the most important documents that shape our lives and values. Week 1: We'll explore The Declaration of Independence—a powerful statement of freedom and the rights of individuals that still resonates today. Week 2: Our focus shifts to The Constitution, examining its vital principles and how they continue to influence our society. Week 3: We'll conclude with a deep dive into The Bible, uncovering the profound truths and teachings that guide our faith and actions. Each message will stand on its own, so if you happen to miss one, rest assured you can still enjoy and engage with the others — though we'd love to have you for the whole series. Join us this Sunday for The Fine Print—a journey that promises to deepen our understanding and appreciation of these foundational texts. Together, we'll discover how the details within these documents can illuminate our paths and enrich our lives. You won't want to miss it!

Blessed to Give

June 23, 2026
We have often heard the words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The phrase is so well-known that many people don't even realize it is found in the Bible (Acts 20:35). So, is it just a cliché, or does God truly do something in the heart of a giving person—something that blesses both them and the world in which they live? Research shows that this is no mere platitude. Our brains respond to generosity by triggering a significant positive feedback loop when we practice, receive, or even simply witness giving in action. In a 2008 study, researchers found that people who spent money on others reported a notably higher uptick in happiness than those who spent it on themselves. Interestingly, this difference had nothing to do with how much they spent, but rather the direction of their spending. Giving really does benefit everyone—the giver, the receiver, and the witness—and the effect ripples outward. And it’s not just about monetary gifts, but also gifts of kindness and service. What we do, and how we give, truly matters. Join us Sunday as we explore how God turns giving into the blessing of receiving.