Adrien Brody
During his Oscars acceptance speech for Best Actor, Adrien Brody used the stage to condemn antisemitism and hatred, stating, “I believe, I pray for a healthier and a happier and a better world.” Brody won the award for his portrayal of a Holocaust survivor in The Brutalist. This is Brody’s second Academy Award and comes 22 years after his first Oscar win for The Pianist, in which he also played a Holocaust survivor. His speech was particularly notable as it was the first time this awards season that an actor directly addressed anti-Jewish hate at a major ceremony.
This is not the first time Brody has spoken out against rising antisemitism this awards season. Just last month, after winning in the same category at the Golden Globes, he addressed the issue saying, “Yes, there is unfortunately a great amount of antisemitism. It’s intimate to me—the role that I play makes me feel very grateful to be part of storytelling that speaks to this and the many other issues that the film provides insight into.”
Willow Creek Elementary School
Students at Willow Creek Elementary School in Montague, CA, are honoring the legacy of Anne Frank by creating a memorial garden at their school. After reading The Diary of Anne Frank, the students, led by their teacher Catherine Gilbert, were inspired to take action in remembrance of Holocaust victims.
As part of this initiative, they are collecting flower seeds from residents and community members to plant in the garden. Sixth-grade student Ember emphasized the significance of the project, saying, “In loving memory of everybody who died during the Holocaust, we are doing a memorial.”
Gilbert encourages the public to contribute to the project, noting that any donations of flower seeds will help the students bring their vision to life.
Cantor Olivia Brodsky and Rabbi Josh Stanton
In early 2022, rising hockey star Trevor Connelly faced backlash after posting a Snapchat photo of a swastika created by his teammates out of building blocks. Though he quickly deleted it and apologized, the incident damaged his reputation, leading to his removal from his amateur club team. Once seen as a top NHL prospect, Connelly’s future looked uncertain.
The turning point came when Connelly’s mother discovered an article titled “How to apologize when you say something antisemitic.” Seeing an opportunity for her son to learn and grow, she reached out to the authors, Cantor Olivia Brodsky and Rabbi Josh Stanton. What followed was a powerful, months-long mentorship. Brodsky and Stanton didn’t just educate Connelly on Jewish history, the Holocaust, and antisemitism–they built a lasting relationship rooted in empathy and accountability.
Through regular calls, readings, films, and visits to museums, Connelly began to confront the ignorance that had shaped his earlier behavior. What impressed Rabbi Stanton most was not just Connelly’s willingness to learn, but his sincerity and effort. Stanton, who works across the country on interfaith and antisemitism outreach, noted this was the first time he had mentored someone “lambasted in the public square.” But he stressed the importance of doing so: “When there’s a rise in antisemitism, we can’t just write everybody off. But we can ask them to learn and hopefully to change and grow in the way that Trevor has. So, I think Trevor’s story is emblematic of what can be possible.”
Thanks to that guidance and his commitment to growth, Connelly salvaged his reputation. “I’ve put in a lot of work in myself and done a lot of things in the community,” he told NHL executives. Connelly was selected 19th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2024 NHL Draft and recently helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 World Junior Hockey Championship.
Cardinal Dolan
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, recently wrote a powerful column in The Free Press in which he called antisemitism “a grave sin” and urged Christians to reflect during Lent on their faith’s rejection of hatred. Echoing his long-standing commitment to interfaith solidarity, Dolan emphasized the Church’s belief in the dignity of every person and the enduring spiritual bond between Christianity and Judaism. He reminded readers that antisemitism has no place in Christian life and that it must be actively opposed, especially in times like these when hatred is spreading more deeply. “Antisemitism is not just wrong–it’s inhuman,” he wrote.
This message continues the strong support Cardinal Dolan has shown in the past. On October 7, 2024, he and Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn released a joint statement marking the anniversary of the Hamas attacks in Israel. In that message, they mourned the victims, condemned rising antisemitism around the world, and called on Catholics to pray and show support for their Jewish neighbors. Dolan has also been active in local interfaith events, showing his commitment not just in words but in action.
Dolan’s recent column has sparked further conversation in the Catholic world. Several writers and Catholic voices responded–some offering their own reflections on Church teaching–but all expressed strong support for his call to stand against antisemitism.
Cardinal Dolan’s leadership has helped renew focus on building stronger bonds between Catholics and Jews during a time of growing tension. His words remind us that standing up means standing together and that silence in the face of hate is not an option.
