These days, life has not been easy for American Jews. Though we represent only 2% of the United States population, Jews account for more victims of faith-based hate crimes than all other religions combined.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, the number of reported hate crimes against Jews has grown by 360% and has reached nearly 10,000 incidents a year, although most go unreported. A 2025 Washington Post poll found that 40% of American Jews hide displays of Judaism out of fear. Millions of dollars are spent on advertisements to combat the scourge of Jew hatred, including on billboards in Utah.
At our synagogues, hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent annually on security guards and capital upgrades to combat threats. To American Jews, antisemitism is a local issue of utmost importance. In both parties, antisemitism is rising. Sadly, there are candidates nationally and locally who reinforce antisemitic tropes or marginalize the Jewish community at a time of our vulnerability.
We need our neighbors, Democrats and Republicans, to not stand idly by and reject antisemitism at the ballot box as if our lives depend on it, because they do.
Democratic Utah state Sen. Nate Blouin is running for Congress in our newly redrawn 1st District. Blouin, D-Salt Lake City, has campaigned through fearmongering accusations against the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a Jewish organization funded primarily by American Jews who support the U.S.-Israel relationship.
While criticizing Israel or AIPAC is not antisemitism, Blouin’s focus on AIPAC has been singular and obsessive. Blouin regularly posts “AIPAC Trackers,” monitoring donations Utah politicians receive from AIPAC or individuals who have donated to AIPAC. Therefore, if an American Jew donates to AIPAC and separately to a political campaign, Blouin cites this as AIPAC influence. Blouin even posted an AIPAC Tracker of a congressman on the anniversary of the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust: Oct. 7.
AIPAC trackers reinforce antisemitic tropes that Jews control elections and governments, and also disproportionately monitor the donations of Jewish donors.
After criticism, Blouin met with a rabbi, but has continued his rhetoric, including sending out an email to voters titled “AIPAC’s Influence in Utah,” baselessly stating, “The influence of AIPAC in Utah is apparent, even in our Democratic primary.”
The rest of the email attacks AIPAC and Israel without stating how AIPAC is influencing the election. AIPAC has not donated to nor endorsed a candidate in that race.
By focusing solely on a Jewish organization funded by American Jewish voters and the lone Jewish nation — and not on any other issues or PACs — Blouin is sending the message that “Jews are interfering in Utah politics, this election, and are responsible if I lose,” reinforcing fears for safety for Utah Jews.
As we saw earlier this month, Blouin has a history of making disparaging remarks about others, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from describing church members with expletives to claims he defecated in a church building parking lot. While some dismiss his comments as immature statements from younger days that he has since apologized for, in October 2024, he tweeted “would be a shame if someone blue sharpied over the second m in Mormon.” In the recently exposed internet statements, Blouin also mocked sexual assault victims.
Blouin apologized after these comments came to light publicly; however, given that he has yet to apologize or change his rhetoric to the Jewish community, it is questionable how much Blouin has truly grown.
All Utahns must reject rhetoric that divides and endangers.
As rabbis in Utah, we take pride that our state has been a safe home to Jews since 1853. Brigham Young led the Latter-day Saint pioneers to Utah to escape religious persecution and bigotry. Young later assisted the Jewish community in establishing synagogues and cemeteries and stopped an antisemitic boycott against Jewish businesses.
In 1917, our state became the second state in the nation to elect a Jewish governor. Utah has a rich history of welcoming and protecting its Jewish minority.
At a time of rising antisemitism, we call on candidates to uphold that legacy. All Utahns must reject rhetoric that divides and endangers. As we head to the polls this June and again in November, we ask voters to stand with their Jewish neighbors and ensure that our state remains a place where all can live openly and safely.