Did a member of the Biden campaign team suggest that Jewish people refrain from wearing religious symbols if they fear antisemitic violence?
Aaron Keyak, Jewish Engagement Director for the Biden-Harris campaign, recently tweeted: “It pains me to say this, but if you fear for your life or physical safety take off your kippah and hide your magen david. (Obviously, if you can, ask your rabbi first.)”
A kippah is a skullcap worn by Jewish males; magen david is the Hebrew term for the Star of David, the familiar Jewish identify symbol. Keyak linked the tweet to a news report about Jewish reactions to new waves of antisemitism following an escalation in violence between Israelis and Palestinians.
Keyak, who is on leave from a Washington communications firm, often uses his Twitter account to speak against antisemitism. He explained in later tweets that concealing conspicuous religious symbols in these circumstances is not a question of doubting Jewish identity, but is instead about safety.
